• ZAMBIAN freedom fighter Mama Chibesa Kankasa (left) with former First Lady Vera Chiluba, freedom fighters Grey Zulu and Aaron Milner during the inter-denomination Golden Jubilee prayers at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross in Lusaka yesterday. Vice-President Guy Scott. Picture by ELIAS CHIPEPO

By CATHERINE NYIRENDA, REBECCA MUSHOTA, SILVIA MWEETWA and MAYA NTANDA-
ZAMBIA’S Golden Jubilee celebrations have started in earnest with intercessory prayers held across the country.
At the Cathedral of the Holy Cross in Lusaka, the prayers, conducted by Brian Chibuluma from the Zambia Episcopal Conference, were attended by Vice-President Guy Scott, first Republican president Kenneth Kaunda, freedom fighters, opposition leaders and members of the civil society.
Dr Kaunda could not resist the urge to dance to the rendition of a liberation song by the combined defence forces choir with the mood reaching the climax when freedom fighter Mama Chibesa Kankasa, Dr Scott and his wife Charlotte joined in.
Dr Scott said music and dance had a longstanding meaning in society based on harmony and enhancing inter-personal relations.
The Vice-President said it was pleasing to see past and present politicians coming together to celebrate Zambia’s Golden Jubilee as a family.
“I am pleased to see Dr Kaunda in that Jubilee shirt. I am sure it is the same music and dance that has kept him this far. These are the people who started it all, the old hands,” Dr Scott said.
During his homily, Reverend Chibuluma said demonstrations to press Government on anything, illegal land allocation and the subsequent demolition of illegal structures must be addressed.
Various Christian denominations, officers from security wings and Government officials in Ndola yesterday conducted Jubilee prayers at the St Andrews United Church of Zambia congregation.
Several clergy made prayer petitions asking God to continue blessing Zambia with peace, stability and prosperity.
In his petition, Anglican Cathedral of Holy Nativity priest Samuel Zulu thanked God for blessing Ndola with many political leaders, including some that eventually became Republican presidents.
Copperbelt Minister Mwenya Musenge said Zambians’ belief in God had enabled the country succeed in many areas.
In Kabwe, Central Province Permanent Secretary Edwidge Mutale said during the inter-denominational prayers held at Ebenezer Church that Jubilee celebration was a time to work towards fighting the war against corruption, gender-based violence (GBV) and tribalism.
In Kitwe, residents from various walks of life yesterday took part in the inter-denomination national day of jubilee prayers at United Church of Zambia (UCZ) St Margaret’s congregation with the minister-in-charge at the congregation Chipasha Musaba leading the congregants into intercessory prayers for continued peace, for the Head of State as well as for good governance.