On 24 October, Zambia marked 62 years of independence under the theme, “Zambia @ 62: Our Journey, Our Growth, Our Future.” The theme invites us to do more than celebrate. It asks us to look back with gratitude, assess our progress honestly, and consider what responsibility we carry for the country that future generations will inherit. Together, these three ideas offer a way to reflect on leadership.
Zambia’s independence was not the achievement of one person alone. It came through the courage, organizing and sacrifice of many Zambians, including people whose names may not appear in the history books. Their efforts remind us that leadership is not simply the authority to give direction. It is the willingness to serve a purpose larger than oneself and to help others take part in shaping what comes next.
Looking back should allow us to honor that history without turning it into a legend beyond question. Every generation inherits both achievements and unfinished work. Respecting those who came before us means learning from their choices, carrying forward what served the common good, and having the honesty to improve what did not. That is true in a nation, and it is true in every community. A leader’s role is not to claim all the credit, but to help people recognize what they can accomplish together.
The same honesty matters when we consider Zambia’s growth. A country can point to milestones and still ask whether its progress is reaching people fairly. Progress is not only what appears in plans, speeches or statistics; it is also whether people have meaningful opportunities, whether public services meet their needs, and whether they can see a path toward a better future.
This calls for leaders who listen beyond their immediate circle. It calls for decisions that can be explained, public resources handled responsibly, and a willingness to hear criticism without treating it as disloyalty. Where people’s experiences show that a promise has not been met, responsible leadership faces the gap and works to address it. Celebrating growth and acknowledging what remains unfinished are not opposing acts. Honest reflection is part of caring about a country.
That care must also shape the future. It cannot be left to one office, one political party or one generation. Public officials have a special duty because their decisions affect millions of lives, but leadership also takes place in schools, workplaces, families, churches, businesses and community organizations. It is shown whenever people make room for others to contribute, use influence responsibly, and prepare someone else to take on the work.
Zambians in the diaspora are part of this conversation too. Distance does not remove our connection or our responsibility. We can contribute through knowledge, mentorship, investment, relationships and civic participation. At the same time, meaningful participation requires open channels and partnerships with people and institutions at home. A strong bridge must be built from both sides.
The same principle applies to young people. They should not be spoken of only as future leaders. They need opportunities now to learn, participate, ask hard questions and take responsibility. Preparing the next generation means sharing knowledge and decision-making—not simply asking young people to wait their turn.
At 62, Zambia’s journey deserves gratitude, and its future deserves our attention. The leadership lesson is that service must be joined with accountability, unity with room for honest disagreement, and ambition with practical work that improves people’s lives. A leader’s legacy is not only what was accomplished while that person held a title. It is also whether people and institutions are stronger, whether others are ready to lead, and whether the work can continue after one person steps aside.
As we reflect on our journey, our growth and our future, we might ask ourselves: What must today’s leaders—and all of us—do so that the next generation inherits a Zambia with greater opportunity, trust and unity?
By Noah Ndhlovu
