Thread by @LusakaBM

What are the events that led to Youth Day being celebrated on the 12th of March in Zambia and how did these evens contribute to the country's fight for independence?

THREAD:

Youth Day honors the youth of the country and acknowledges how vital they are to its prosperity. This holiday is bookmarked on the anniversary of the 1962 events that lead to the deaths of young Zambians as the country began to make its way towards independence.

In 1962, Zambia (Northern Rhodesia) was in a struggle for independence from British colonial rule. The two main opposition parties - ANC led by Harry M. Nkumbula and UNIP led by Kenneth Kaunda - were a threat to the British Federation.

Ergo, a plot was allegedly hatched by the British to kill the two opposition leaders and pin the blame on the parties themselves.

However, after an attempt to kill one of the leaders failed, a rally was called, on 12th March 1962, in Chimwemwe to expose the plot.

This rally led to riots in the streets, with the youth throwing stones and rocks at the police. The police in turn responded with live ammunition, resulting in the death of several rioters.

Because of the efforts of the rioting youths, authorities were distracted so the rally was allowed to go ahead.
At the rally, the politicians promised the people that when independence was attained, the events of the day wouldn be commemorated as Youth Day.

Zambia eventually gained its independence on 24 October 1964, and Kaunda became Head of State. As promised, Youth Day was proclaimed a public holiday in 1966.

Today, a statue known as 'Muposa Mabwe' (stone thrower) stands in Kitwe city centre as a tribute and commemoration to the day when the Youth of Zambia fought with nothing but stones against live ammunition.
#Zambia #ZedTwiter

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