TODAY is a special day for every Zambian whereever they may be. In the history of any nation, Independence Day is a defining moment when the collective sense of nationhood shifts back to recollect the genesis of an auspicious start at being an equal in the ranks of nations.

As acting president, Rupiah Banda has pointed out, Independence Day is an occasion to reflect on what Zambians have achieved in the 44 years that we have been a self-determining nation.