17/10/2025
Lawyer Simon Mwila writes
Tomorrow, Zambia commemorates the 10th National Day of Prayer and Reconciliation, a day that was meant to unite us as one people under God, regardless of our political, tribal, or social differences. Yet, as the nation bows its head in prayer, there lies a painful irony: “the very man who birthed this day of unity, Dr. Edgar Chagwa Lungu, remains unburied, his body lying cold in the mortuary while his family and the government remain at odds.”
It is deeply unfortunate that on a day dedicated to forgiveness and reconciliation, Zambia finds itself divided over how to honor the legacy of the man who created it. The failure to reconcile with Dr. Lungu’s family and grant him a dignified burial is not merely an administrative delay; it is a moral and national failure.
For ten years, we have prayed, fasted, and called upon God to heal our land. Yet, how can healing begin when we cannot even reconcile over the burial of a man who preached peace? How can we talk about unity when our actions reveal bitterness, pride, and political vengeance?
The National Day of Prayer was never meant to be a ritual or a public holiday for political convenience. It was intended to remind us that true reconciliation begins with humility and the willingness to right our wrongs, to forgive, and to move forward as one people.
As we gather in churches, muma stadium, and communities tomorrow, may this year’s commemoration serve as a mirror. Let us reflect on whether we truly live the values this day stands for.
Let us ask ourselves: “What kind of nation are we becoming if even in death, our leaders cannot find peace?.”
Zambia must rise above petty divisions. We must reconcile not only with each other but also with the spirit of truth and justice that once defined our nation.
