The order of distinguished service second division was conferred to Edward Katemba Tapalu who President  Sata said joined the public service on  December 13, 1972 as a Clerical Officer but rose through the ranks up to  director level through his hard work that ensured that Zambia continued to enjoy peace.

The President awarded Dominic Mutalala (posthumously) and Leonard Munasangu with the order of distinguished service third division.  Mr Munasangu is the current chief Macha. The President said that Mr Mutalala who joined the civil service in
1963  served Zambia diligently as he immensely contributed to the human resource policies as well as being instrumental in formulating better conditions of services for civil servants. Mr Mutalala served on several boards to review conditions of service for civil servants.

On Mr Munasangu, he said that the traditional leader has dedicated his time to improving the sanitary conditions in his chiefdom and had often times encouraged his subjects to observe good sanitary conditions thereby reducing occurrences of diseases. Mr Sata awarded the companion order of freedom first division to Wesley Chibambo, populary known as “Dandy Crazy” for his contribution to the country’s arts and culture.

He said that Mr Chibambo, through his music has promoted unity and love among the country’s populace. He said that through his music, Mr Chibambo has ensured that he promotes unity and despite his popularity, he has not left Zambia as the case was with some admired musicians. During the run up to the elections, President Sata said, Mr Chibambo promoted unity and love among Zambia particularly through his song titled ‘Don’t Kubeba’.

The President’s insignia of Meritorious Achievement award was given to the Great Happy Jazz Band of Luapula province, the band he said contributed to the development of culture in the nation. The band, formed in 2006 by some 24 unemployed youths has been using music to promote unity in the nation and recorded an album called ‘We Want Change’ with a hit song ‘Takwaba Bola Iyabula Change Goal’ through which they talked about the  need for change for a better Zambia in 2009.

The President’s Insignia of Recognition award went to Winstone Zulu (posthumously) who died recently and rendered valuable service to the country through his efforts to fight stigma against the pandemic.

He said that prior to being diagnosed HIV positive, Mr Zulu had wanted to go abroad and study Political Science but after being found positive, he changed his mind and fought against stigmatising people with HIV. He said that in July 2004 in Bangkok, Thailand  Mr Zulu shared a platform with South Africa’s Nelson Mandela who described the late Zambia anti AIDS campaigner as a dedicated campaigner  against stigma for people with AIDS and Tuberculosis (TB).

The President’s Medal for Gallantry was given to Sydney Kangwa and Leo Chitaika Banda. The two were award for saving the lives of Joseph Mulenga and Clement Bwalya after Kariba North Bank power station caught fire on September 18, 2009.
President Sata said that Mr Kangwa and Mr Banda showed that they were brave by saving the lives of their two colleagues who could have been burnt to ashes.

 The ceremony was attended by  First Republican President  Kenneth Kaunda, Zambia’s fourth President Rupiah Banda, other  opposition party leaders among them United Liberal Party (ULP) leader Sakwiba Sikota, Forum for Democracy and Development (FDD) vice president Chifumu Banda, Zambia Direct Democracy Movement (ZDDM) president Edwin Sakala and New Revolution Party (NRP) leader Cosmo Mumba.

Namibian President Hifikepunye Pohamba and Malawian vice president Joyce Banda also attended the ceremony that was characterised by traditional dance, Christian songs from St Ignatius Parish, where Mr Sata attends mass and lots of entertainment. Vice President Guy Scott, Speaker of the National Assembly Patrick Matibini, Chief Justice Ernest Sakala, former first lady Maureen Mwanawasa, several ministers and their deputies were also in attendance. Earlier in the day, President  Sata  led several eminent people, ordinary Zambians and foreign diplomats accredited Zambia in laying wreathes at the freedom statur as part of celebrations to mark 47 years of independence from Britain in 1964.

The President  arrived at the freedom statue at about 08:30 hours amid jubilation from Patriotic Front (PF) cadres and residents who thronged the venue of the celebrations as early as 07:00 hours. Before he laid the wreathes, Zambia Police director of chaplaincy, senior superintendent Chombwe Kayando said Zambia’s independence should hold a similar meaning with the liberation of the Isrealites from slavery in Egypt and their departure from that land to the promised land.
Rev Kayando  said Zambia was on its way to deliverance from poverty, corruption and unemployment and bring about political and economic prosperity saying Zambians prayed and fasted before, during and after the September 20 elections and that God answered by delivering a free and fair elections that led to a peaceful transition of government.

And reading from the Bible in the book of Exodus 33 verses 11 to 17, Zambia Army director of religious and moral support services, Vincent Mwenya said God considered Moses to be close to Him because he was devoted to Holy will.
South African High Commissioner to Zambia Moses Chikane said Zambia’s peaceful transition after the recent elections was commendable saying Zambia’s independence celebrations were very important to the Southern African region being a hub for political change.

Veteran politician and freedom Vernon Mwaanga said he was proud to have been associated with the liberation struggle for freedom which Zambians were enjoying today. “Let us all rededicate ourselves to build a better and more prosperous
Zambia so that freedom, justice and prosperity can become the preserve for all,” Mr Mwaanga said.  Vatican Ambassador to Zambia  Apostolic Nicola Girasoli said the political liberation of Zambia would remain meaningless in the absence
of the liberation of women and children from poverty.