Independence Day Message from New Heritage Party

DEAR fellow Zambians, it is Independence Day yet again, 58 years after our attaining our political independence, we as a nation, are only two years shy of being 60 years.

Every Independence Day is a good time to reflect upon where we have come from, where we are and where we are going. From those reflections, if we find that we are not headed in the right direction, we should and must self-correct.

We must reflect on why those that did, both sacrificed as well as fought to bring freedom to the nation. We can then build on what they started. That is the biggest acknowledgement and affirmation of their work that we can accord them.

As we celebrate this Independence Day, let us reflect on this “freedom” that we have. Let us look at three scriptures that talk about freedom and that will help us in our reflection.

1

1 Peter 2:16, "Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God." - ESV

Can Zambians today live as people that are free? Is “freedom” only for those serving in the higher echelons of Government but not for all Zambians?

Is that why we all vie for political office so that we can attain the “freedom” that come with those offices? As we attain those offices, are we using them as a cover-up to loot this nation?

Bible is clear ... “live as servants of God and the people” (emphasis is mine)

Let, especially those in leadership, serve the Zambian people with all humility, always bearing in mind that it is the Zambian people that must constantly and consistently win as a results of any and all decisions made.

2

LET US NOT GO BACK TO THE BONDAGE OF

SLAVERY*

Galatians 5:1, "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery."

God is very emphatic about the Israelites not returning to Pharaoh’s Egypt or slavery. Slavery can take many forms. Physical, political, mental, financial etc.

Can we say that when we attained our political independence in 1964 we became

LET US LIVE AS PEOPLE WHO ARE FREE*

free indeed? The answer is no. We only began a journey to emancipate ourselves from all manner of subjugation thereafter - 1964 merely gave a legal platform from where we as a people could chart our own path and become progressively more independent.

The year 1991 bears witness to the fact that we as Zambians were and still are prepared to shake off any form of subjugation. At this time, it was the One Party Participatory Democracy.

Certain political decisions lead us, as a nation, into a more independent position whilst others lead us back into a position of less national and individual freedoms.

Let us therefore encourage ourselves to make for those rules and laws that will progressively impact the nation as a whole. Let us resist decisions made that take us backwards into deeper bondage. Let us be more alive to the growing neo colonial bondage that has been and is a constant threat to our sovereignty.

3 LET US HAVE FREEDOM TO SERVE ONE ANOTHER IN LOVE*

Galatians 5:13 -14, "For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself. - ESV

For those of us that seek positions of leadership, let us remember that we are called to serve the Zambian people and that if we do so in love, we shall not lead the nation astray.

For all Zambians, let us love our neighbour as we love ourselves. That means not defrauding one another in the market places, not insulting one another but rather esteeming one another in love. Let us celebrate and remember those who fought so hard and shed their blood for us to enjoy this freedom we are enjoying today. Let us honour the different heroes by reflecting on why they took the route that they did, the heroes that made our nation great, the heroes who made our collective voices heard by giving us our much needed freedom.

Wishing you a Happy Independence Day! May God bless you and keep you all,