Ladies and gentlemen, fellow Zambians,

As we gather here today to celebrate the 59th anniversary of our nation’s independence, it is a time for reflection, appreciation, and a call to action. First and foremost, let us take a moment to appreciate the gallant sons of our soil, our forefathers, who fought tirelessly to secure our freedom from British colonial rule. Their sacrifices and determination have paved the way for the Zambia we know today.

However, my fellow citizens, it is essential that we use this occasion not just for celebration but also for introspection. It is time for us to make a profound shift, a “Creatorshift” in our perspective, from merely focusing on “freedom from” to embracing “freedom to.”

“Freedom from” is the struggle for security, freedom from oppression, persecution, and manipulation. It is a mindset of escape and avoidance, characterised by fear and anxiety. It is a necessary phase in any nation’s journey to independence, but it should not be our perpetual focus. In our context, it has meant celebrating our escape from British colonial rule for the past 58 years.

On the other hand, “freedom to” is about gaining control of our destiny. It is the freedom to become the nation we desire, guided by a vision and driven by passion. It is about making choices and decisions that lead us to the Zambia we truly want to be.

For 58 years, we have been grappling with the same challenges: rising fuel prices, food shortages, unemployment, housing deficits, energy distribution issues, governance struggles, and poverty levels. This is because, as a nation, we have primarily celebrated “freedom from” without embracing “freedom to.”

Let’s look at Singapore, a country that gained independence from Britain around the same time as Zambia. Unlike us, Singapore swiftly made a “Creatorshift” by embracing the freedom to become the nation its leaders envisioned.

Today, Singapore stands among the world’s most developed countries. It is a global hub for trade, finance, and transportation, ranked first for ease of doing business and second for economic freedom. Singapore’s economy is thriving, with a high GDP per capita and a low unemployment rate. They have full employment, a highly skilled workforce, and a successful public housing programme. Their education system is world-class, and their achievements in various sectors are nothing short of remarkable.

The question we must ask ourselves is: Why has Singapore succeeded while we continue to grapple with these challenges? The answer is simple: Singapore shifted its focus from “freedom from” to “freedom to.” They embraced a vision, made choices, and worked passionately towards building the nation they desired.

As we celebrate our 59th Independence Day, we must make a radical commitment to becoming the nation our leaders have envisioned. It’s good to celebrate our status as a middle-income country, but let us remember that this aspiration is far below our nation’s potential. We must aim to be the best, or at least among the best, in all global metrics.

Just as the Ruler of Dubai has set the standard for his nation, so must we set high standards for ourselves. Our leaders’ vision for our country must be our guiding star. We must align our efforts and choices with that vision.

To achieve this, we need to shift our focus to “freedom.” We need to envision the Zambia we want to become and make every decision, every choice, every action guided by that vision. We must build a Zambia that is economically prosperous, socially just, and politically stable.

We have the potential, the resources, and the human capital to achieve greatness. We must invest in education, innovation, and infrastructure. We must promote entrepreneurship and create an environment where businesses can thrive. We must address the challenges that have held us back for too long, from fuel prices to food security, from unemployment to housing.

My fellow Zambians, the time for change is now. Let us unite in our commitment to shift from “Freedom from” to “Freedom to.” Let us become the creators of our destiny, the architects of our future.

In closing, let us not merely celebrate the achievements of the past but use this occasion to renew our dedication to building the Zambia we desire. Together, we can make our nation a beacon of success and progress, just like Singapore did.

Happy 59th Birthday Zambia and God guide our leaders to stir past the economic challenges. Thank you, and God bless Zambia!