KCM celebrates with veterans
By NATION REPORTER KONKOLA Copper Mines plc (KCM) on Friday celebrated an early independence with freedom fighters that included Mama Chibesa Kankasa, Sikota Wina and George Chewe.
According to a statement made available to the Daily Nation yesterday, the three veterans also gave personal accounts of their role in securing Zambia’s independence.
Addressing the audience of nearly 200 people, KCM’s CEO, Steven Din, said: “At KCM, we have been building up to this occasion - the 53rd anniversary of independence. We often draw parallels between Zambia’s journey since independence and our own journey. Indeed, the history of Zambia cannot be told without reference to the Copperbelt and the role that our industry has played in nation building.’’
And in a speech read on her behalf, Vice President Inonge Wina congratulated KCM for marking the anniversary and staging the event.
Speaking on behalf of the Vice President, Mr Matthew Nkhuwa, the Minister Works and Supply, said, “the values and sacrifices that our freedom fighters showed are the very same values that will enable us to transform Zambia into a middle-income nation – a nation that is growing and leaving no-one behind.
Ms Wina said that, “the contribution of our mining sector to Zambia’s economy is well documented. Equally important, and sometimes overlooked, are the investments that mining companies such as KCM make in the areas of health, education, skills development and sport. Zambia’s mining industry serves as a vital partner to government in helping to uplift many Zambian communities. I firmly believe that the industry has an integral role to play as partners to government in realising many of the goals we have set out in the 7NDP. My government welcomes the opportunity to establish still more partnerships with companies like KCM, to cater for the needs of our growing population. Partnerships in the spheres of skills development and training, housing and education, sport and welfare.’’
In his concluding remarks, Mr Din paid tribute to Zambia’s freedom fighters and thanked the Vice President for her gracious remarks, while also focusing on the future and the important role of partnerships for KCM’s business.
The event was also attended by Minister of Labour and Social Security, Joyce Nonde Simukoko, Copperbelt Minister Bowman Lusambo, senior government officials and parliamentarians, industry executives and diplomats.