AFRICA FREEDOM DAY IN LUSAKA

The reception during the commemoration of the Africa Freedom Day was spectacular in Lusaka. It was characterised by dance from different parts of Zambia. There was also two dance troupes from Egypt and these are the El Arish and Team and Nubia Drums.
Zambian dancers included Brian Chilala, song bird Angela Nyirenda and others. The MMD Lusaka district choir blended very well with the Salvation choir. The event was beamed live on the national broadcaster ZNBC with Doreen Mukanzo and Francis being in charge of directing the programme.
President Rupiah Banda graced the occassion with First Lady Thandiwe who was emaculately dressed in an Africa dress while Mr Banda came in a black suit. Second republican president Frederick Chiluba was also present together with other opposition political party leaders such as Humphrey Siulapwa and Cozmo Mumba from the New Generation Party and New Revolution party respectively.
There was enough to eat and drink. I was happy because this drinks did not include alcoholic beverages, which has been a source of trouble among some guests in the past.
Some guests complained against the absence of Mosi, Castle and others, but the order that characterised the ceremony must be repeated next year.

TASTE THE CAKE

President Banda cuts the Africa Freedom Day cake.

DR DAN PULE IN THE HOUSE

Dunamis Church head preacher and owner Dr Dan Pule trailed by his wife.

SALVATION ARMY CHOIR

SALVATION ARMY CHOIR

EGYPTIAN DANCE

DANCE FROM EGYPT

NUBIA DANCER

A member of the Egyptian Numbian Drums displays a peakcock-like dance

UNCLE FRED AND HUMPHREY SIULAPWA

REPORTERS AND UNCLE FRED

Some reporters pose for a photograph with Second republican president Frederick Chiluba.

FRUITS! FRUITS! FRUITS!

Zambia Army brass band members 'invade' a plate of fruits.

ARMY MAN

A man from the Zambia National Service helps himself with a plate of fruits.

SCAVENGER

A ma looking for left over drinks from the dump site.

LEFT-OVERS

Some people helping themselves with left over drinks and mineral water after the celebrations.

LEFT-OVERS

A man walks away with drinks and mineral water after guests failed to eat all the food prepared for the Africa Freedom Day commemoration.

FEEDING CORNER

A man walks away after getting his share of food.

DR CHILUBA'S SHOES

DANCING QUEEN

One of Brian Chilala's dancing queens showcase her skills.

BRIAN CHILALA

Lusaka musician Brian Chilala singing during the commemoration.

Buffet marquee

GARRY NKOMBO LOOKS AHEAD

MAZABUKA Member of Parliament Garry Nkombo looks forward to the success of the UPND-PF pact. He also seem to be wooried about whether it would work or crack before next year's general elections.
Here Mr Nkombo is following a speech by his UPND president Hakainde Hichilema at the Lusaka international airport. This was when Mr Hiclema arrived from the USA where he had gone for a leadership programme.
Mr Hichilema has projected himself as the best person to lead Zambia because he is young and not old and rusty like his pact mate Michael Sata. He said the world is aware that he was a young person with energy and brains, just like David Cameron and Nick Clegg.
Mr Hichilema's speech implies that the pact has not yet agreed who their presidential candidate would be in next year's elections. It looks like there is a power struggle especially on who should lead the alliance. If they two parties have strategised, why are they still keeping the information to their chests? My view is that the sooner the two parties announce the presidential candidate the better. But from the look of things, it seems more work has to be done before a real pact is born.
The UPND and PF have postponed the launch of the pact, which was slated for April 2010. UPND spokesperson Charles Kakoma said the postment was because of the recent by-elections in Kasama, Chitambo, Mufumbwe and Milanzi.
Critics in Zambia and members of the ruling MMD have projected a collapse of the UPND-PF alliance because both leaders seem not to be ready to deputise the other in the elections. In any case, the Mr Hichilema and Mr Sata have been campaigning seperately in different parts of Zambia.

CHILUBA IN LUAPULA

Second republican president Fredrick is in Luapula province attending a meeting on development relating to the province. The meeting was organised by Copperbelt minister Mwansa Mbulakulima and Patrotic Front Kawambwa Member of Parliament Elizabeth Chitika-Mulobeka.
Some opposition players have said Dr Chiluba is going to kick-start the campaigns for the ruling MMD, but Dr Chiluba and the organisers have denied the allegations.
Some youths from the opposition Patrotic front have been ferried to Mansa, the venue for the meeting to cause confusion. Alert police officers in riot gear have been keeping vigil in mansa, though.
Dr Chiluba arrived in Mansa by road around 21:00 hours with his wife Regina and former Patrotic Front secretary generals Edward Mumbi, Charles Chimubwa and Edwin Lifwekelo.
He was also with Defence minister Kalombo Mwansa and other party officials.
Dr Chiluba was welcomed by scores of Mansa residents who thronged Mansa hotel to shake hands with the former head of State. He was immediately ushered to his resting rooms.

HERE, DR CHILUBA IS READING SOME OF THE MESSAGES THAT WERE SCRIBED FOR HIM BY MMD MEMBERS.