President Hage Geingob has urged Zambians to guard and cherish the freedom and peace the country has been enjoying for the past 58 years.

Dr Geingob was the guest speaker at this year's independence anniversary held at State House in the capital, Lusaka.

He says Zambia's independence was crucial as it inspired liberation movements in southern Africa to fight the colonial occupations of their motherland.

In his address, Dr Geingob says it is now time to translate that freedom into prosperity as espoused in the continental agenda 2063.

Zambian President, Hakainde Hichilema, also paid tribute to the fallen heroes and heroines of Zambia at Freedom Square, where they laid wreaths.

Geingob and Hichilema also took time to honour and pay respect to Zambia's first President, the late Kenneth Kaunda.

The two leaders laid wreaths at Kaunda's grave at the Presidential Burial Site and lauded his immense contributions.

Kaunda, a key figure in Zambia's fight against British colonialism, died last year aged 97.

President Geingob, First Lady Monica Geingos, and the delegation returned to Windhoek today.