By CHILA NAMAIKO –
FIRST Republican president Kenneth Kaunda has implored the Zambian defence forces to remain committed to duty and ensure that peace continues to prevail in the country.
Dr Kaunda called on men and women in uniform to remain steadfast through close team work and discipline, to protect Zambia.
He was speaking in Lusaka yesterday when a team of senior officers from the Zambia Army intake 14 and Zambia National Service intake 15 of 1987 called on him at his office in Kabulonga area.
The officers who were part of the achievement that Africa and supporters of freedom made, visited Dr Kaunda to thank him for having commissioned them.
“Today, it is pleasing to meet you again with your members, close to 30 years after your intake. Meeting you here today brings many memories to me. You still have a role to ensure peace continues to prevail,” he said.
The First Republican President commended the officers for having worked hard to defend Zambia and its people.
“You indeed became a core part of gallant defence forces of Zambia. We should look to God and feel blessed for our experience,” Dr Kaunda said.
He said that Africa had achieved its set fundamental goal of state liberation, independence, freedom and self-determination due to the hard work of defence forces.
Earlier, team leader of the intake, Brigadier-General Benson Musonda of Zambia Army praised Dr Kaunda for having commissioned them.
Gen Musonda, who presented Dr Kaunda with a plague showing the names of surviving members of the intake, praised the former President for his role to foster independence.
At the time of the training, the officers under the intake 14 and 15 of February 1986 were 176, but on the commissioning day, on August 14, 1987, only 142 took part in the pass-out ceremony.
“Currently, we are a total of 40 officers who are still serving,” he said.