By CHUSA SICHONE –
FIRST Republican president Kenneth Kaunda has said it is imperative that his former Chilenje House-cum-National Monument is celebrated by all Zambians as it was the centre for the country’s independence 50 years ago.
Speaking yesterday when he officiated at the unveiling of the rehabilitated Chilenje House and the Land Rover which was donated to him in 1959, Dr Kaunda said it was at this house that he and others strategised for Zambia from 1960 to 1962 when the Independence struggle intensified.
“I am glad to be part of this celebration to unveil the completed rehabilitation works at Chilenje House National Monument. It is in this house that my comrades and I strategised for mother Zambia” Dr Kaunda said.
“From 1960 to 1962, the struggle for Zambia’s independence intensified. Chilenje House number 394 National Monument should be celebrated by all Zambians as it was the centre for our independence struggle.”
Dr Kaunda said Freedom Fighters in attendance would attest that without their efforts, contributions and sacrifice, and working with people from various walks of life all over Zambia, the country would not have achieved its independence.
He paid tribute to the deceased freedom fighters for their immense contribution to independence, peace and stability Zambia was currently enjoying.
Dr Kaunda also thanked the Government for maintaining the peace and unity, as well as President Michael Sata for realising the importance of conserving the country’s heritage sites.
“The site has now been restored and given value to enable citizens, foreign dignitaries and tourists enjoy their visit to this site,” he said.
Dr Kaunda has since urged all Zambians to love one another, embrace and help each other as well as pray for their leaders as the country commemorates 50 years of Independence.
National Heritage Conservation Commission executive director Collins Chipote said about K400,000 had been spent on the rehabilitation of the site, landscaping and provision of water reticulation system.
He implored Chiefs and Traditional Affairs Minister Nkandu Luo to consider signing a Statutory Instrument to declare other sites related to independence as national monuments.
Professor Luo said the Chilenje House National Monument should not only be celebrated but also be used as a learning centre for the public, especially that one of the houses was filled with pictures
depicting the freedom struggle.
Prof Luo also urged freedom fighters to ensure that they contributed whatever pieces they had kept since independence to the Chilenje House National Monument.
Speaking on behalf of his fellow freedom fighters, Aaron Milner extolled Dr Kaunda and his late wife, Betty, for the role they played during the independence struggle and requested the Government to rename Mulungushi International Conference Centre after the former First Lady.
Kabwata Member of Parliament Given Lubinda described Dr Kaunda as the father of the nation and pledged to erect Mama Betty’s statue at the Chilenje House National Monument as he did when he facilitated for Dr Kaunda’s statue in 2011.