By CHILA NAMAIKO? –

FIRST Republican President Kenneth Kaunda and veteran politician?Vernon Mwaanga will tomorrow join Choma residents in commemorating the?anniversary of the 1972 Choma Declaration.
Dr Kaunda, on June 27, 1972, signed the Choma Declaration which gave?birth to a one-party State through the former regime, United National?Independence Party (UNIP).
During that period, Choma, now the provincial capital of Southern?Province was the major political centre of the African National?Congress (ANC) which was led by late Harry Mwaanga Nkumbula.
On that momentus day, Mr Nkumbula accepted the new political system of Dr Kaunda and by signing the Choma Declaration, it meant that the former ANC leader and his followers joined UNIP.
According to the programme obtained yesterday, the commemoration would be graced by Dr Kaunda and Dr Mwaanga among other dignitaries on Saturday at the declaration site known as Kaunda Square in Choma’s Shampande Township.
The commemoration would start with a tour of the Choma Declaration Exhibition which would be held at Choma Museum and Craft Centre (CMCC) in the morning for people to appreciate the history behind the Choma Declaration.
Dr Kaunda, Dr Mwaanga who would be accompanied by Southern Province Minister Daniel Munkombwe, Permanent Secretary Anne Sinyangwe and freedom fighters, would later proceed to the declaration site to join residents in the celebrations.
District Commissioner (DC) Bernadette Hamweemba, who is also District?Golden Jubilee fundraising committee chairperson, said prior to the celebrations on Saturday, there would be a gala night at the museum tomorrow in the evenings.