HONOUR HEROES WITH UNITY - VJ
WE MUST remember and appreciate the heroes who made tremendous sacrifices by laying a firm foundation for unity in our country, veteran politician and freedom fighter Vernon Mwaanga has said.
In a statement yesterday ahead of the Heroes and Unity public holiday, Dr. Mwaanga said the occasion must give Zambians an opportunity to reflect and remember many unsung heroes dotted across the country for their contribution to the peace the country was enjoying.
“These are men, women and young people, who went beyond the call of duty, to serve, rescue and innovate. Some of these people were freedom fighters, ordinary citizens, professionals, business people, farmers, students, housewives among others.
“We also have members of our defense forces who risked their lives to protect our country and citizens from indiscriminate aerial bombing attacks by white minority regimes, when our country hosted gallant freedom fighters from neighbouring countries,” Dr. Mwaanga said.
He recounted that there were times when hundreds of Zambian heroes lined up to donate blood to enable medical personnel to undertake emergency operations on wounded freedom fighters and Zambians caught up in the collateral damage, caused by these barbaric attacks.
“Our founding fathers, of which I am one, laid a firm foundation for unity in our country among our many diverse ethnic groups. They came up with the national Motto of “One Zambia, One Nation”, which has kept our country together during and after the struggle for independence.
“The ethnic background of a person did not matter. What mattered was their ability to contribute to our nationhood and nation building. Appointments to the cabinet, civil service, parastatal sector, diplomatic service etc, represented the Zambia we wanted to see.
“As a result of this foundation, today, our people all over Zambia live in peace and harmony with one another, regardless of ethnicity,” he said.
He however said he was saddened that as the country was going through these necessary generational changes, particularly at the political leadership level, some beliefs have been wearing off.
“What has happened to our pride and freedom? Let us begin to retrace where we have come from and reconstruct the pieces, so that our country can become a beacon of hope yet again. Let us discard and despise ethnic greed and build a country where all Zambians will be treated and accepted equally, regardless of where they come from,” he said.