President Hakainde Hichilema on the occasion of the Independence Commemorations today, led members of the diplomatic corps, service chiefs, senior government officials and freedom fighters in laying wreaths at the Freedom Statue.
ZANIS report that this year’s Independence Day Commemorations mark exactly 60 years of Zambia’s liberation from colonial rule.
Some notable figures at the event included former Vice President Nevers Mumba and United Nations Resident Coordinator Beatrice Muthali.
Others were Acting British High Commissioner to Zambia Sam Waldock, India’s High Commissioner to Zambia Ashok Kumar and American Ambassador to Zambia Michael Gonzales.
The chaplain led the Liturgy at the event.
The Freedom Statue where the wreaths are laid, was unveiled on October 23, 1974, to commemorate the 10th anniversary of Zambia’s independence.
This symbolic moment of honoring freedom fighters who lost their lives during the struggle for independence, was inspired by a real event.
The man immortalised in the artwork of the Freedom Statue is Zanco Mpundu Mutembo.
History has it that, on December 31, 1963, Mutembo was arrested and handcuffed with chains by the colonial military powers of the time and was ordered to break free from the chains or suffer the consequence of being shot.
But amazingly, as he stood in front of 18 soldiers armed with guns, he broke the chains in full view of the soldiers.
Additionally, once independence was won, the late First Republican President Kenneth Kaunda declared Mutembo to be a national symbol and the statue was sculpted and erected on Independence Avenue.
The statue represents the breaking of colonial chains of oppression that had shackled Zambians.
This year’s commemorations are being held under the theme: 60 years strong: Honoring our Heritage, Embracing our Future.
