\u201cPeople are very ready to celebrate. People like to be very proud of themselves, and surviving 50 years of quite a lot of instability in this region, without suffering much instability ourselves, and making tremendous progress in social equality and economic growth\u2026. It hasn\u2019t been an easy ride all the way, but most people are aware that Zambia has gone forward and is still going forward,\u201d said Scott.<\/p>\n
The celebrations, however, will proceed without President Michael Sata who is out of the country seeking medical attention for an unnamed ailment.<\/p>\n
Local media quoted President Sata\u2019s speech on the eve of the celebration read on his behalf by acting president Edgar Lungu, as saying \u201cthe primary task for Zambia and the future generation is the modernization and transformation of the country through sustained rapid economic growth\u2026Zambia had a duty to uphold democracy through good governance, transparency, accountability and observance of human rights.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mr. Scott said it is regrettable that the head of state will miss the celebrations, but added that the government has implemented measures to ensure things run smoothly while he is away.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s very sad \u2026He is the best loved politician in Zambia. It\u2019s a shame that he should be somewhere else when we are celebrating. He wouldn\u2019t want us to do anything else,\u201d Scott said. \u201cBetween acting president, vice president, former presidents and so forth, we can put on a pretty cool ceremony, and that\u2019s what we will do.\u201d<\/p>\n
Critics say post-independence leaders and the current government have failed to unify citizens or present a clear vision to lead, and transform, the country.<\/p>\n
Vice President Scott disagrees, accusing critics of playing politics. He said they have failed to acknowledge the significant strides the country has made over the past half century.<\/p>\n
\u201cLots of people are ready to gripe and be very negative about what\u2019s been done. There is no paradise on earth, but we\u2019ve done a very commendable job,\u201d said Scott. \u201cZambia is one of the best kept secrets anywhere in terms of its peacefulness and receptiveness to investment, investment confidence and so forth. It\u2019s politics. You don\u2019t expect the opposition to say \u2018yes the government is doing a great job.\u2019 \u201d <\/p>\n
VOA<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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