UNITED States of America President Barack Obama has rightly described the 50th anniversary of Zambia’s independence as a historical milestone which everybody must toast.
We are, however, surprised that while President Obama, who is so far away in the US shares such thought about our jubilee celebrations, locally, some people in their infinite wisdom want to shun the event.
In his congratulatory message to President Michael Sata, Mr Obama offered what he termed “warmest congratulations from the American people to you and the people of Zambia on this historic milestone.”
It is soothing though that some opposition political parties have confirmed their participation in the Jubilee celebrations slated for this Friday.
The message from President Obama, coupled with the arrival of new US Ambassador to Zambia Eric Schultz, who arrived in Lusaka on Sunday, will obviously build on the solid foundation of 50 years of US-Zambia partnership and warm relations.
We are also comforted with US efforts to partner with Zambia to combat HIV/AIDS and other health challenges, to expand bilateral trade and investment, and to implement the Millennium Challenge Corporation Compact with Lusaka Water and Sanitation Corporation to improve water, sanitation, and drainage in Lusaka.
The US Embassy actually uses the Jubilee celebrations to remember the meeting of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. with First President Kenneth Kaunda, taken in 1960.
Apart from that, the US felicitations over our Jubilee celebrations include former US President Lyndon B Johnson’s congratulatory message to Dr Kaunda on Zambia’s independence.
“Zambia’s independence will permit us to strengthen the ties of friendship and cooperation which have been built up between Zambians and Americans over many years,’ reads the 1964 message which relates to what Mr Obama is sending 50 years on.
It is not only Mr Obama who is keenly following our Jubilee celebrations but also German Chancellor Angela Merkel who has sent her personal envoy for Africa Guenter Nooke to represent her at the anniversary.
Locally, we salute the parties that have decided to put their political agendas aside to celebrate the achievement of the country’s attainment of 50 years of independence, including the MMD, United National Independence Party (UNIP), National Restoration Party (NAREP) and the National Revolution Party (NRP).
MMD national secretary Muhabi Lungu’s advice to politicians to put aside their political differences to celebrate the national event must be taken seriously. Such celebrations must traverse political or religious divides.
The pockets of opposition political parties that have decided to shun the event might have their own reasons, which decision we respect, but we feel for the sake of unity of purpose, the country should have come together to celebrate with one voice.
One thing for sure is that whichever political party that participates in the Jubilee celebrations will not have renounced their standpoint or ideals. Participating in the ceremony must be viewed as a measure of patriotism and not an alliance with the Patriotic Front.
During the intercessory prayers that took place countrywide on Sunday, the call for unity was synonymous in all sermons that were delivered at the various churches. That unity can only be achieved if citizens can agree to work together despite their differences in principles.
What will it help us if the watching international audience and visitors to the Jubilee celebrations on October 24 are treated to poorly-attended activities on what is supposed to be a historical milestone?  OPINION