Today Zambia celebrates 47 years of independence! The country celebrates with a day of vacation, while I sit holed up alone in the Zimba mission house. I'm hoping to experience something cultural today, but Zimba is a small town so my chances are small. We'll see! Here is some history about Zambia, courtesy of our good friends at Wikipedia...
"After visits by European explorers starting in the 18th century, Zambia became the British colony of Northern Rhodesia towards the end of the nineteenth century. For most of the colonial period, the country was governed by an administration appointed from London with the advice of the British South Africa Company.
On 24 October 1964, the country declared independence from the United Kingdom and prime minister Kenneth Kaunda became the first head of state. Zambia was governed by Kenneth Kaunda of the socialist United National Independence Party (UNIP) from 1964 until 1991. From 1972 to 1991 Zambia was a one-party state with UNIP the sole legal political party. From 1991 to 2002, Zambia was governed by president Frederick Chiluba of the social-democraticMovement for Multi-Party Democracy during which the country saw a rise in social-economic growth and increased decentralisation of government. Levy Mwanawasa was the third President of Zambia. He presided over the country from January 2002 until his death in August 2008. He is credited with having initiated a campaign to rid the country of corruption, and increasing standards of living from the levels left by Frederick T.J. Chiluba"
-After Levy Mwanawasa died, his vice president Rupiah Banda took office. The recent election in September placed Michael Sata in office as the fifth president.
The green base of the flag represents the country's vegetation and natural wealth. The red stripe represents Zambia's struggle for independence. Black represents the people of Zambia. Orange stands for the nation's mineral wealth, especially copper. The eagle represents freedom and the history of the people's strength in rising above many adversities.
This flag was adopted on October 24, 1964- Zambia's first day of independence from Britain. This was also the day that 'Northern Rhodesia' became 'Zambia'.
In my short time here so far, it is evident to me that Zambia is a country aimed at progress. There are signs of construction everywhere. The general attitude towards the future is one of hope and perseverance towards development. There is a long way to go, but they are headed in the right direction. Today I celebrate with Zambia in their perseverance through many political trials to become the country that I love today, and pray along with them for their continued development.
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