Zambia on Friday celebrated its 61st independence in style.
Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema, with his special guest Daniel Chapo, presided over the celebrations in Lusaka.
Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema said the abrupt cut in health support by donors is painful but long overdue.
Hichilema, however, said his government will enhance its partnership with the church that has been running mission hospitals on the continent.
The presidents of Malawi, Zambia, and Mozambique, Lazarus Chakwera, Hakainde Hichilema, and Daniel Chapo, witnessed the Kulamba Traditional ceremony of the Chewa people in the three countries, which takes place annually on the last Saturday in August.
Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema has bestowed honours as officers of the Order of the Eagle of Zambia on WHO Director-General Tedros Ghebreyesus and Africa's CDC Head Jean Kaseya.
The President of Zambia has recognised their dedication to diligently reforming the health sector.
President Hakainde Hichilema says Zambia and Namibia have signed progressive agreements that will change the lives of people in the entire region.
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah returned from her introductory visits to Botswana and Zambia on Friday evening.
The President's visits were aimed at strengthening bilateral relations between Namibia and the two neighboring countries.
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah emphasized the need for landlocked countries like Zambia to gain access to essential commodities, particularly oil, through efficient transport routes.
The legacies of the late Founding President of Namibia, Dr. Sam Nujoma, and the late President Dr. Hage Geingob were honoured in Lusaka through the renaming of two major roads: Sadzu Road and Kasama Road, respectively.
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah and her Zambian counterpart, President Hakainde Hichilema, have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the long-standing bilateral ties between Namibia and Zambia and to enhancing both people-to-people and business relations.
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has arrived in Zambia's capital Lusaka for a working visit.
The plane carrying the Namibian President touched down at Kenneth Kaunda international airport in Lusaka Zambia this afternoon.
