By Bellah Zulu, ACNS

An Anglican bishop in Zambia has urged Zambians to be thankful for the 50 years of independence that the country is celebrating today despite the “daily challenges that we all face in this country.”

In his reflection sent to the media and friends, Bishop of Eastern Zambia, the Rt Revd William Mchombo said that the country’s Golden Jubilee Anniversary is an “opportune time for serious and prayerful reflection” saying that the country “needs to be thankful for the relative peace and harmonious co-existence that the nation of 73 tribes has experienced.”

Zambia today celebrates 50 years of independence from British rule in 1964. The whole country is in a celebratory mood with many dressed in the country’s national colours. At the stroke of midnight last night, fireworks displays decorated the skies in the country’s capital, Lusaka.

“To begin with, the courage, patriotism and selflessness of the gallant men and women who fought for our independence need to be acknowledged and emulated in our struggle against the socio-economic challenges that we face today,” said Bishop Mchombo.

The Bishop also bemoaned the tendency by some successive governments not to appreciate the work of the preceding governments. “This has denied us the impetus for continuous development because each party wants to claim credit for its own good and not for the good of the nation,” he said.

He added, “There should be no shame in acknowledging the good works of the preceding government and in continuing with those good works because that is development.”

Bp Mchombo also reflected on the importance of good neighbourliness and role that Zambia played in liberating fellow African countries from colonial rule. He also remembered how Zambia “opened up our country as a place of refuge to many displaced persons from our neighbouring countries.”

However the Bishop criticised the regional politics that has since emerged in the country saying “we ought to nip it in the bud because this ugly head might threaten our cherished peaceful co-existence and proportional development in the country.” We have witnessed the continuation of road infrastructural development as well as health and education facilities. The necessary equipment and staff are required for these facilities.

Zambia is a landlocked country of about 14 million people. It is a multi party democracy that has seen smooth and peaceful transitions of five presidents following general elections.

The Bishop concluded, “Let us as a people remain united and not allow anyone to separate us from our united goal of seeing Zambia develop. Let us rise above partisan politics and regionalism for the sake of mother Zambia.”

ENDS