• ZAMBIANS have every reason to celebrate and praise God for the peace and unity.

By SYLVIA MWEETWA –

THE Bible says in Psalms 33: 12 “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord and the people He chose for His inheritance”.
As Zambia celebrates the Golden Jubilee, Zambians have every reason to celebrate for the peace and unity enjoyed since the country’s independence on October 24, 1964 when the chains of the British colonial masters fell bringing about freedom to the people.
On the other hand, according to Leviticus 25:8 –11, the Bible says Count off seven Sabbath of years-seven times seven years so that the seven Sabbaths of years amount to a period of forty-nine years, then have the trumpet sounded everywhere on the tenth day of the seventh month, on the day of atonement, sound the trumpet throughout the land.
Consecrate the fiftieth year and proclaim liberty throughout the land to all in habitants. It shall be a jubilee for you, each one of you is to return to his family property and each to his own clan.”
Clearly, the year of jubilee is a year of celebrations while in some cases it is for the people or nation to return to God.
As the Central Province joins the rest of the country in raising their voices to God and blow the trumpet on Independence Day in celebration of the freedom, for others it will be time to kneel before God the Almighty.
For example, Bread of Life Church international in Kabwe  held 50 days of payers and fasting expected to end on October 24, 2014.
During the time the Church took time to pray for the nation’s peace and stability, economy among other areas.
Indeed, Zambia despite her challenges has upheld peace and is known to be a hub of peace going by the number of refugees the country has hosted from neighbouring countries.
Central Province Permanent Secretary Edwidge Mutale, who led several people during the inter denomination thanks giving prayers, said her food for thought is that as Zambians join the country in celebrating the Golden Jubilee this Friday, it is time to work towards fighting the war of corruption, Gender Based Violence (GBV) and tribalism. Ms Mutale said it was disheartening that reports of GBV have continued to be reported ranging from incest, defilement to rape; all which have continued to take away the freedom of mostly women and children.
Speaking during the inter denomination service which was held at Ebenezer church in Kabwe and attended by Deputy Permanent Secretary Ronald Sinyangwe, Members of Parliament for Kabwe and Bwacha constituencies, defence wings and members of the clergy, Ms Mutale said Zambians should continue to seek God’s intervention in all areas, especially in violation of women and children’s rights.
“As the country celebrates its Golden Jubilee the other injustice which need to be fought like our forefathers fought for independence, are issues of defilement, rape, incest and other vices being committed nearly on a daily basis which need to be fought at all cost, ”she said.
Such acts cannot be allowed to go on and appealed to Zambians to reflect on the happenings and bring healing to the nation.
Ms Mutale said the province played an important role in the independence struggle and this cannot be ignored as the race for independence started from Mulungushi Rock of Authority.
The prayers were characterized by singing of songs of praise from different churches.
“We cannot ignore the fact that the march to national liberation all started at Mulungushi rock, “she said.
But to the mother of a seven-year-old girl who was defiled five times, and stabbed to death by her assailant in Kabwe, the only justice she needs is seeing to it that the assailant was arrested and brought to book. He is still on the run since August 7.
Bweupe Milambo said she was still in shock and every day was like a dream and all she needs is justice to prevail for the death of her daughter.
The girl, a Grade Two pupil at Nim-Tree, was brutally murdered and her body was found in a pool of blood in her bedroom by the maid at her mother’s house in Bwacha Township.
Ms Milambo still recalled that she last saw her daughter on the fateful day around 16:45 hours  after she assisted her board a bus from school but did not realise that was the last time she was saying goodbye to her.
Her daughter was supposed to be picked at the bus station by the maid but did not manage because she went to Church.
The girl had to walk alone and it is suspected that she was attacked on her way home.
Ms Milambo said when the maid returned home, she found the girl lying in a pool of blood in the bedroom.
‘‘All I want is justice to prevail on the death of my child. What wrong did she commit for her to be killed in such a manner?’’ she asked.
Ms Milambo said when she got home, she also found the girl lying in a pool of blood and had no underwear.
But Central Province police chief Standwell Lungu assured that the case was still being investigated. He said police had not given up but was confident that the assailant would be arrested.
Back to the jubilee celebrations! The history of the Zambian flag was originally adopted on October 24, 1964 according to records slightly modified in 1996.
The country gained its independence from Britain at this time and changed its name from Northern Rhodesia to Zambia.
The Eagle originates from Zambia’s coat of arms, and the colours on the flag such as, Red, represents the struggle for freedom, Black- the people of Zambia, Orange – the country’s mineral wealth and Green the natural resources while, the Eagle in flight symbolises the freedom in Zambia and the ability to rise above the country’s problems.
Further, it is believed that the Zambian flag law states that the National Flag shall only be flown between the hours of sunrise and sunset and as Zambians blow the trumpets, it will be time to reflect on the goodness of the Lord.