The Freedom Statue is located in Lusaka, capital of Zambia. It represents the independence of Zambia and memorializes those who lost their lives in the movement to secure independence. The 12-foot statue was erected on the orders of Kenneth Kaunda in 1974 for the 10th anniversary of independence. It was made by British sculptor James Butler. The statue is depicted on the Zambian kwacha, and the center for celebration on Africa Day.[1][2]
The statue is said to represent a scene in which freedom fighter Zanco Mpundu Mutembo broke the chains he was imprisoned in in front of 18 soldiers, after being told to do so or be shot.[3][4]
References
edit- ^ Phiri, Bizeck Jube; Shaba, Thokozile (2023). Historical dictionary of Zambia (4th ed.). Lanham (Md.): Rowman & Littlefield. ISBN 9781538146026. Retrieved 11 February 2024.
- ^ "The Freedom Fighter of Zambia – Lusaka – James Butler". Archived from the original on 11 February 2024. Retrieved 11 February 2024.
- ^ "Meet Mutembo, Zambia's Freedom Statue inspirator". Africa Latest News. 26 June 2016. Archived from the original on 28 September 2023. Retrieved 11 February 2024.
- ^ "Zambia's Freedom Statue". Taste Of Southern Africa. 14 December 2018. Archived from the original on 30 September 2022. Retrieved 11 February 2024.