HEROES AND UNITY DAYS’ MESSAGE-SAKWIBA SIKOTA SC
Today marks Heroes and Unity’s anniversary, a special day on the calendar of Zambia that reminds us of where we come from as a people and nation.
This year’s Heroes and Unity Day nevertheless comes at the cusp of deep divisions in our country largely beget by political misunderstanding and sometimes bigotry on the part of our political leadership.
It comes at a time when our country has been split into ´regional and tribal lines´ that never existed before, following our forefather’s doctrine of ´One Zambia One Nation.´
It is the day that we celebrate diligent leaders such as Dr. Kenneth David Kaunda, Solomon Kalulu, Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe, Sikota Wina, Reuben Chitandika Kamanga and Harry Mwaanga Nkumbula to mention but a few that fought ´back front and center´ to realise a free and united Zambia.
When talking of a ‘United Zambia’ one cannot downplay the pivotal role the Barotseland Agreement played. The Barotse Agreement put Zambia together.
On behalf of UKA and indeed my own behalf, I seek that we use this important day today to reflect on where we are coming from and navigate where we are going.
We must use this day to ´unite and celebrate our diversity´ as Mainza Chona, Nalumino Mundia,John Mwanakatwe, Peter Matoka, Elijah Mudenda, Grey Zulu and others would have so wished.
We broke the chains of colonialism; ´we must break the chains of regionalism and get back to the dream of One Zambia One Nation.´ Let us remember that without unity and sacrifice we would have not gained independence from colonialists.
Those in leadership have the duty to break the growing regionalism threatening to tear us apart but instead do all things to knit us together.
Happy Heroes and Unity Day!
Sakwiba Sikota SC
UKA Chairperson
The nation may recall and seriously reflect KK’s prophesy before he died.