By XAVIER MANCHISHI –
GOVERNMENT has invited foreign diplomats accredited to Zambia and their Governments to participate in the country’s Golden Jubilee celebrations on October 24, this year.
Zambia celebrates 50 years of Independence from Britain this year and Government has since established a national secretariat to spearhead preparations for the celebrations.
Foreign Affairs Permanent Secretary George Zulu made the invitation when he addressed members of the diplomatic corps on the preparations for the Golden Jubilee celebrations at Government Complex in Lusaka yesterday.
“It is our hope that the preparations for the Golden Jubilee celebrations will be enriched by your respective Governments’ active participation and contributions based on the long history of our bilateral ties that we share.
“For most of you, the celebrations will mark 50 years of our bilateral relations,” Mr Zulu said.
He said the idea of inviting other countries to participate in the celebrations was in line with first Republican President Kenneth Kaunda’s famous liberation vision that Zambia’s independence would be nothing if her neighbours remained under colonial rule.
Mr Zulu said the commemoration of the 50th Independence anniversary was a historical event and that celebrations of different forms had been lined up countrywide reflecting the country’s 50 years of the evolution and showcasing Zambia’s achievements.
He said the celebrations would also increase awareness of Zambia as an emerging economy to boost the visibility and image of the country abroad.
The Permanent Secretary said missions abroad had also lined up various activities for the milestone anniversary.
He said Zambia hosted renowned liberation heroes who were pushing for freedom in their respective countries, and that such names as Zimbabwe’s Joshua Nkomo, South Africa’s Oliver Tambo and Sam Nujoma of Namibia would be documented.
He announced that business executive Mulenga Kapwepwe, who is a daughter of one of Zambia’s independence heroes Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe, is the chairperson of the secretariat.