‘Anthem Challenge’ stirs patriotism
President Lungu wrote, “I am very proud and inspired by the passion and patriotism displayed in the hundreds of submissions I have received.
FINALLY,
the cat has leapt out of the bag. Since October 16, 2020 President Edgar Lungu had been keeping the bag containing the big secret close to his chest.
Last Tuesday, he let it out into the open in a post on his ever-active and keenly liked personal Facebook page.
The winner of the heavily contested presidential “Anthem Challenge” competition is One Heart Choir of Lusaka.
President Lungu wrote, “I am very proud and inspired by the passion and patriotism displayed in the hundreds of submissions I have received.
“Of these entries 72 have been shared on this page and the overall winner of the 56th Independence Anthem Challenge is One Heart Choir from Lusaka.”
The prize comes with K10, 000 cash.
That Zambians sent in hundreds of entries from every province in all the country’s vernacular languages symbolises its success. And its success lies in the flames of patriotism it has stoked in the hearts of citizens.
The competition peaked while President Lungu was in Chilubi, Northern Province, where he was captured in a short video savouring some entries on his mobile phone.
In the video, which was posted on the Edgar Chagwa Lungu Page, a relaxed President Lungu is seen in the company of Presidential Affairs Minister Freedom Sikazwe and Minister of Health Chitalu Chilufya.
The President took a brief respite from his busy schedule to look at some of the dozens of short national anthem videos that had been flooding his WhatsApp inbox from all over the country.
Resplendently dressed in a floral green casual shirt the President is seen holding his smart phone watching and humming along to the entry by Rudo Acapella, a youthful Lusaka-based ensemble belting out the national anthem in different Zambian languages.
President Lungu’s amazement at the youngsters’ flawless voices and the rich notation of their music is visible.
But what is even more captivating and touching is the patriotism and pride on their beaming faces. Mr Sikazwe and Dr Chilufya are also seen tapping and nodding along to the irresistible video.
On his post the President wrote: “Greetings all from Chilubi. I took the opportunity in the few free moments we had in the evening to share some of the wonderful submissions to our 'Anthem Challenge' with two of my Cabinet ministers (Hon Sikazwe and Hon Chitalu).”
He said it was really heart-warming to see that hundreds of citizens from all parts of the country, all age groups and all walks of life had risen to his challenge.
“I am reflecting on how this is a further testament that we are, as a nation, greater than our differences and united in our diversity. The fabric that binds us together is our patriotism and love for our country. Our positivity, hope and aspirations outweigh negativity, fear and pessimism,” he said.
“To borrow from the resounding words of our timeless anthem, we are indeed victors in any struggle, when we join as one, and above all, fashioned with and blessed by Gods good hand. Good morning Zambia!”
In the countdown to this year’s Independence celebrations President Lungu had challenged Zambians to send videos of themselves singing the national anthem in their mother languages to the WhatsApp number 260762532962.
“In view of Zambia’s 56th Independence celebrations this October, I invite you to record and send a video of yourself performing the National Anthem in any of our local languages in song, rap, poetry and dance,” he teased.
Then he followed up the tantalising invitation by dangling an irresistible bait.
“A well-wisher has put up a prize of K10, 000 to sponsor a winning submission. She has suggested that the winning submission will be tallied from a combination of the likes, shares and comments,” the President beckoned.
His canvassing was not in vain. The videos started coming in a torrent. The challenge attracted all citizens across all age groups. From toddlers to wheelchair-bound octogenarians.
On October 16, 2020 President Lungu posted some of the videos he had received so far and promised to share more as they flooded in.
“May I present to you entry number 13 Cecilia Mukonga, aged 22, of Chembe district (Luapula Province) as she sings the national anthem in English,” the President posted.
Selecting the overall winner was not a walk in a leisure park, as President Lungu confesses.
But he has good news for those who sent in their videos.
“In this spirit, I’m pleased to announce that all shared submissions will receive a small participation token, courtesy of a second well-wisher who has graciously come on board,” he announced.
So all the 72 entrants whose videos were posted on the President’s page will go into the annals of history as recipients of the republican President’s appreciation. It is a symbol of recognition of their patriotism.
The current republican Constitution promotes national values and principles as pillars for national social cohesion, standard of behaviour and sustainable development.
In his first address to the Second Meeting of the First Session of the 12th National Assembly on March 17, 2017 as a requirement of the Constitution, President Lungu said it was important that citizens had a clear understanding of the meaning of the national values and principles.
“Our national values and principles are a set of beliefs and guidelines meant to provide us, as a nation, with a foundation upon which our identity and practices are anchored,” he said.
The anthem encapsulates the core values and principles including patriotism and national unity, morality and ethics, good governance and integrity as encapsulated by the national anthem.
Zambians of all ages have just shown how much they love their country. Besides kindling the flames of patriotism in citizens of all ages the innovative competition provided a virtual meeting place for the citizens of this great country and their President Lungu.
More such initiatives are needed. The nation has shown its appreciation, and the President has acknowledged.
“In view of Zambia’s 56th Independence celebrations this October, I invite you to record and send a video of yourself performing the National Anthem in any of our local languages in song, rap, poetry and dance,”
ONE ZAMBIA ONE NATION