Thu, 25 May 2017 11:01:41 +0000
Veteran politician Sikota Wina says it’s foolish for some opposition parties to shun Africa Freedom Day
By Annie Zulu
IT is ridiculous for some opposition political parties to shun the African Freedom Day celebrations because the event goes beyond political affiliations, freedom fighter and veteran politician Sikota Wina has said.
And Mr Wina said it was sad that some political parties in the country had decided to politicise such an important event on the African calendar.
He said the decision by the opposition to boycott the African Freedom Day celebrations was tantamount to refusal to acknowledge that Africa was a free continent.
Mr Wina said only people who were not happy and proud of the liberation of the continent from the yoke of colonialism could shun such an important event.
He stated that the African Freedom Day celebration went far beyond political affiliations, stressing that the move by the opposition to shun the celebration was not in the interest of the country, but selfish interest.
“This is a day when we celebrate our freedom from bondage, and shunning such an event is giving a message that they lack that feeling of being happy that Africa is free from colonialism.
“The African Freedom Day celebrations are way beyond political affiliation. We are not celebrating a particular party, but we are celebrating our continent and nationhood as Zambians. So, unless one is annoyed with our liberation from colonialism, one should definitely not participate in celebrating it,” Mr. Wina.
He also indicated that events such as the African Freedom Day must be valued and respected because they provide a forum for unity and harmony in the country.
Mr Wina urged political parties to put national interest before anything else by taking part in important events that would help foster the unity of the country.
“Important events such as this one give us an opportunity to get together, and so political differences must be handled at other fora other than this. There is need to respect this day because a lot of sacrifices were made to attain the freedom that Africa, including Zambia is enjoying now,” he said.
And Mr. Wina has implored Zambians to guard jealously and uphold the sanctity of the nation’s freedom attained at great pain by the founding fathers and make the country a better place for all.
He said freedom must not be taken for granted, urging Zambians to strive hard for peace and unity of the country at all times.
“Every Zambian has a responsibility to contribute to maintaining the peace that the country is enjoying. Attaining freedom was not easy, blood was shed and the greatest way to honour the people who fought hard for this is to remain united and work hard for the development of Zambia,” he said.
Meanwhile, the UPND has maintained that it would not to take part in today’s African Freedom Day celebrations, as there was nothing worth to celebrate about.
UPND Secretary General Stephen Katuka charged that it was pointless for the party to celebrate, when its leader Hakainde Hichilema was incarcerated.
“As a party, we are not taking part in the celebration because there is nothing worth celebrating. How do we celebrate with the incarceration of our president? It doesn’t make sense,” Mr Katuka said.
