FIRST Republican President Dr Kenneth Kaunda (right) with his son Kaweche at home in Lusaka yesterday.

By KAIKO NAMUSA-
PRESIDENT Michael Sata has called on Zambians to reflect on the sacrifices First Republican President Kenneth Kaunda and his compatriots made to gain Independence as the statesman turns 90 years.
In his special birthday message to Dr Kaunda, President Sata said April 28th, was a special day for Zambia as it reminded Zambians of the day God gave the nation a founding Father, who successfully led freedom fighters in the struggle for Independence.
The President posted on his Facebook wall yesterday said after Independence, Dr Kaunda emphasised that regardless of diversity in opinion, ethnicity, colour and religion Zambians were one people.
He said with such a stance, the former President managed to bring all the 73 tribal and ethnic groupings in the country together, thus the famous ‘One Zambia, One Nation’ motto.
“It is my wish that we use this occasion to reflect on the sacrifices you and your fellow compatriots made to liberate this great nation and its people from the demeaning and painful experience of racial discrimination, poverty and destitution arising from colonialism. It is these painful experiences that motivated you to engage in the liberation struggle,” Mr Sata said.
And the United States of America (USA) described Dr Kaunda as an icon of peace, security and stability in Africa and globally.
Delivering birthday wishes at his home in Lusaka’s State Lodge area yesterday, American Charge de Affairs at the US Embassy in Zambia, David Young said his country recognised Dr Kaunda’s spectacular contribution of peace throughout the world.
He said Dr Kaunda’s record of working hard for peace and human rights was very important in the development of the world.
He also presented Dr Kaunda with a letter written to him by US President Johnson three days after Zambia’s Independence.
Mr Johnson in his letter at the time congratulated Dr Kaunda and the people of Zambia for their perseverance and later the achievement of independence.
Russia’s President, Vladimir Putin described Dr Kaunda as a prestige of the African liberation movement.
In a message conveyed by Russia’s Ambassador to Zambia Konstantin Kozhanov, Mr Putin commended Dr Kaunda for his personal contribution to deepening bilateral ties between Zambia and Russia.
Indo-Zambia Bank (IZB) members of Staff led by their managing director, Shankards Gupta presented gifts to Dr Kaunda describing him as a global icon and father of the nation.
Mr Gupta said IZB extolled and saluted Dr Kaunda for the selfless sacrifices and love that he had for Zambia as observed from continued upholding of social justice and peace throughout the globe.