Mbuzi decries poverty 47 yrs after independence

Mbuzi decries poverty 47 yrs after independence
By Christopher Miti and Misheck Wangwe
Tue 25 Oct. 2011, 15:50 CAT

EASTERN Province minister Solomon Mbuzi says it disheartening that majority Zambians are still wallowing in abject poverty, 47 years after independence. Officiating at the 47th Independence cerebrations at David Kaunda Stadium yesterday, Mbuzi urged Zambians to emulate the forefathers by being hard workers.

"Let us emulate our forefathers through sacrifice, hard work, unity and patriotism in order to achieve economic liberation, in order to handover an economically sound Zambia to the next generation. We should not have any excuses because we have a solid platform of freedom, peace and tranquility upon which we can build our economic emancipation," Mbuzi said.

He said the government was alive to the fact that the country was faced with many challenges some of which were unique called for different approaches to solve them.

"However, one thing is clear, just like the liberation struggle, economic struggle will also calls for sacrifice, hard work, unity, patriotism and nationalism. Let us make sure that the spirit of our founding fathers, parents and the youths of the time does not die, rather, let us ensure that it grows and finds life in each and every one of us. This is the spirit which brings about success at individual and national levels," Mbuzi said.

He said that independence did not come on a silver plater as some people were killed while others were imprisoned and tortured during the struggle.

And a representative of the freedom fighters, Frank Banda, urged the government to look after the freedom fighters both living and fallen by introducing progressive social trust funds.

He urged Zambians to refrain from engaging in evil activities that might lead to anarchy and destroy the peace of the country.

Banda urged the PF government to strictly observe collective responsibility and unity of purpose.

"We also call upon the press, the churches, the non-governmental organisations and all political parties in the opposition to provide constructive criticism and give respect to the Head of State Michael Sata," Banda said.

Independence celebrations Chipata district organising chairperson, John Mwale, said Zambians were behind the government in fighting corruption.

He said the government should see to it that people were employed on merit.

And Copperbelt minister John Kufuna said the PF government was confident the fight against corruption would bring about prosperity in the country.

Speaking during Independence Day celebrations at Cricket Club in Kitwe, Kufuna said the vision of the country's founding fathers would only be kept alive and achieved if citizens joined the government in fighting corruption.

He said there was need to reflect on the country's patriotism and how it could be used to bring about prosperity in the country.

"Let this independence unify us towards a new dawn that will see us work in various fields with passion and dedication to developing our motherland. Each one of us is a stakeholder in government. Year in year out we lament about the need to compliment political independence with economic prosperity because a big number of our people wallow in abject poverty," Kufuna said.

He said as long as poverty levels remained high, it would be difficult for Zambians to appreciate the meaning of independence.