Zambia holds grand ceremony for 50th independence anniversary

Zambia on Friday held a grand ceremony to wrap up celebrations for its 50th independence anniversary during a colorful ceremony.
The celebrations, which started with the laying of wreaths at the Freedom Statue in Lusaka, the country's capital, in honor of people who died while fighting for the country's independence, later moved to the ultra-modern National Heroes Stadium where various performances were on display.
At the Freedom Statue, acting President Edgar Lungu led other dignitaries in laying wreath in honor of the fallen heroes. Other notable people included the country's first President Kenneth Kaunda and fourth President Rupiah Banda.
Qiangba Puncog, vice-chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress who is a special envoy for Chinese President Xi Jinping to the celebrations, was among other foreign dignitaries and diplomats that layed wreath.
At the 55,000-seater stadium, cultural performances from different groupings were on display as thousands of both local and foreign invited dignitaries thronged the stadium to celebrate the event. Among the performances were martial arts antics by locals who were trained by Chinese martial experts while Egyptian Tanoura dancers mesmerized the audience with their dance.
Other foreign dignitaries in attendance included former South African President Thabo Mbeki, former Malawian President Bakili Muluzi and former Botswana leader Keture Masire.