Veteran politician Vernon Mwaanga says he would turn in his grave if Zambia’s peace was thrown to the wind. The politician, fondly called by his initials VJ, called on young people to be more forwardlooking in protecting the interest of the country and building on the foundation that his generation laid. Mr Mwaanga, who turns 75 this week, had a stellar political career that started when he was only 21, appointed as ambassador to the then Soviet Union, and permanent representative to the United Nations.

“When I am six feet below, I would turn in my grave if I heard that the generation we have left behind have turned this country into a country of conflict. We have always been creators of peace and stability,” he said. Mr Mwaanga said discussion and dialogue must be entertained whenever differences arise as opposed to violence.

“We have seen what violence has done to other countries. We need to resolve issues in a pacific manner,” he said. “We need commitment, seriousness and sacrifice to take the country to the next level,” he said. M r M w a a n g a s a i d h i s generation may not have achieved what they set out to do, but they laid a foundation which can be used to build a better future. He said he would like to see the young people use their education to focus on building a better future for all as that is what development is all about.

He said service to humanity is the rent human beings pay for the space they occupy on earth, and must be used productively and in a mature manner. He said Zambia is renowned for peace, which all citizens must continue to embrace. “That is the spirit that has gotten us to where we are,’’ Mr Mwaanga said.