Zambia's 62nd Independence Day was marked on Saturday 24 October with events in all ten provinces and, at State House in Lusaka, with the annual investiture at which the President confers national honours. According to the Times of Zambia, President Hakainde Hichilema decorated 20 people for acts of courage, sacrifice and contributions to national development. News Diggers reported that the ceremonies across the country took place in intense October heat that drew complaints from many of those who turned out.
The Times of Zambia's account gives the fullest list of recipients. Among those honoured for bravery were Robby Chitambo, recognised for helping to rescue 13 young women abducted in Lusaka in 2022, and Newton Nalumilo, a fisherman who saved a fellow fisherman from a crocodile attack. The Zambian Observer reported that Chitambo received the Gallantry Medal: in 2022 he was a civilian who helped the authorities locate the captives in the Chalala area, and he has since been employed by the Zambia Air Force. News Diggers described the case as the abduction of mobile money agent Pamela Chisumpa and twelve other young women.
Business, law, education and the liberation struggle
Business was represented by Iqbal Patel, whom the Times of Zambia describes as founder and chairman of Trade Kings, with investments it says have created more than 16,000 jobs, and by Yaochi Huang, proprietor of the Wonderful Group. News Diggers' headline referred to the two as the Trade Kings boss and a Chinese investor. Patel told the Times that the recognition would motivate the company to keep supplying quality products.
This recognition by the President is a motivation.
— Iqbal Patel, Trade Kings, speaking after the investiture at State House on Saturday 24 October, as reported by the Times of Zambia
The late Ambassador Cox Sikumba was honoured for peacekeeping work in Mozambique. His widow, Naomi Sikumba, told the Times of Zambia that the honour meant a great deal to the family, noting that he died in the 1986 plane crash that also killed the Mozambican president, Samora Machel. From the independence struggle the Times lists Timothy Hakalinda, who lost his left eye during the liberation fight, and Mwewa Chibwe, Rabson Chibululu and Saul Mambepa, recognised for their efforts to restrict the movement of colonialists. Professor Chalo Bayeyani and Dr George Lipimile were honoured for contributions to international law, Veronica Kunda for her work as a firefighting instructor, Dr Michael Chilala for education reform and digital development, Mr and Mrs Sharadchandra Desai jointly for education, healthcare and community work, Mubmwae Smith for education and youth empowerment, and Joseph Daka for agricultural development.
Three from sport
Three sporting figures were decorated. The Zambian Observer reported that boxer Patrick Chinyemba, who fought for Zambia at the Commonwealth Games and the Paris Olympics, was recognised for his amateur career; that Carol Kanyemba, head coach of the Under-17 women's team, was honoured for youth development and women's football; and that the late Ashios Melu, a former national captain and coach, was honoured posthumously. ZamFoot, citing confirmation from the Football Association of Zambia, reported that Kanyemba received the President's Insignia of Meritorious Achievement. A Zambia Army officer and first assistant coach at Green Buffaloes Women, she is the first Zambian woman to coach a national side at a FIFA World Cup and the first Zambian coach of either sex to take a team to three consecutive World Cups: the Under-17 women's tournaments of 2024, 2025 and 2026.
I'm so honoured and so blessed for the recognition.
— Carol Kanyemba, Copper Princesses head coach, after the investiture on Saturday 24 October, as reported by ZamFoot
News Diggers also reported that King Charles III sent Independence Day wishes reaffirming the relationship between the United Kingdom and Zambia, and that the President, in his anniversary message, called the 62nd anniversary a reminder that building the nation is everyone's responsibility, urging citizens to unite and work hard. Lusaka Brief reported his full Independence message, and the opposition's response to it, on Sunday 25 October.
The honours list as reported by the Times of Zambia
- Bravery: Robby Chitambo (Chalala rescue, 2022); Newton Nalumilo (crocodile rescue)
- Business: Iqbal Patel (Trade Kings); Yaochi Huang (Wonderful Group); Joseph Daka (agriculture)
- Liberation struggle: Timothy Hakalinda; Mwewa Chibwe; Rabson Chibululu; Saul Mambepa
- Public service and the professions: the late Ambassador Cox Sikumba; Prof Chalo Bayeyani; Dr George Lipimile; Veronica Kunda; Dr Michael Chilala; Mr and Mrs Sharadchandra Desai; Mubmwae Smith
- Sport: Patrick Chinyemba (boxing); Carol Kanyemba (football); the late Ashios Melu (football)
Confirmed vs. alleged
Confirmed: That 20 people were honoured at State House on Saturday 24 October is reported by the Times of Zambia, and the Saturday date and venue are confirmed by the Zambian Observer and ZamFoot. The names above are the Times of Zambia's list; Chitambo's Gallantry Medal is reported by the Zambian Observer and Kanyemba's Insignia by ZamFoot, citing FAZ.
Alleged or unverified: The grade of honour conferred on most recipients was not given in the pages read. Spellings differ between outlets: News Diggers calls the rescuer Robert Chitambo and the Trade Kings founder Mohamed Igbal Patel, while the Times of Zambia uses Robby Chitambo and Iqbal Patel; News Diggers calls Patel a co-founder and the Times the founder and chairman. The full citations read at the ceremony have not been published by the outlets cited.
Sources: Times of Zambia, “HH honours heroes” (25 Oct 2026); News Diggers, “62 years in heat as HH honours Trade Kings boss, Chinese investor, among others” (25 Oct 2026); Zambian Observer, “Hero who helped rescue 13 abducted girls in Chalala honoured by President Hichilema” (25 Oct 2026); Zambian Observer, “HH honours Chinyemba, Kanyemba and late Melu” (25 Oct 2026); ZamFoot, “Kanyemba honoured for historic achievement with Copper Princesses” (25 Oct 2026).