By Peter Madoda Bungane
OUR heroes are mainly political freedom fighters of old, pre-independence icons like Kenneth David Kaunda, Harry Mwaanga Nkumbula, Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe, Mainza Chona, Aaron Miner, Nalumino Mundia, Wina brothers Sikota and Arthur, Alexander Grey Zulu, Malimba Masheke, John Mwanakatwe,Omelo Mumba, Yotam Muleya, Kapasa Makasa, Kebby Sililo Kambu Musokotwane, Elijah Mudenda,Vernon Johnson Mwaanga, Simon Kalulu, Peter Matoka, Dingiswayo Banda, Rupiah Bwezani Banda, Alick Nkhata, Reuben Chitandika Kamanga, Mama Betty Kaunda, Julia Chikamoneka, Mama Kankasa, Gwendoline Koni, Gibson Chigaga and many, many others whose contributions and personal sacrifices led to the independence of this great nation Zambia.
Post-independence heroes are those who fought injustices brought about by social upheavals. These are the champions of the voiceless, the poor and helpless, the sick and distraught. These are the enemies of labor abuses, dictatorship and corruption, and plunder of the nations’ resources. Our crusaders of post-independence who diligently fought for economic, social, political, cultural and spiritual liberation.
Persons namely Levy Patrick Mwanawasa, Willa Mungomba,Dean Mungomba, Dipak Patel, Edith Nawakwi, Christon Tembo, Roger Chongwe, Wezy Kaunda, Anderson Mazoka, Elizabeth Matakala, Father Miha Drevensk, Bishop Dennis De Jong, Cardinal Medardo Mazombwe, Father Ignatius Mwebe, Reverend Suzanne Matale, and many, many more dedicated Zambians.
Persons that have sought unity are those we personally know, they live amongst us, they are our neighbours, brothers, sisters, uncles, aunties, fathers, mothers, grandparents, great grand-parents, in-laws, cousins and above all they are our Zambian heritage.
They are all God fearing, desire peaceful co-existence with their neighbors. They seek forgiveness and forgive others and work tirelessly for the betterment of Zambia. They abhor violence, and are law abiding citizens. They are the past, the present and the future of Zambia.
We must remember the sacrifices these people made for our Mother Zambia and the ideas that drove them to endure ridicule and in many cases torture and death. This is what should inspire young people to become heroes of tomorrow, a selfless love for our fellow man and country. It is for this very reason we commemorate our Heroes who through their efforts brought us the Unity we have as a nation today.
HAPPY HEROES AND UNITY DAY