VICE-President George Kunda was yesterday among hundreds of Lusaka residents including first Republican president Kenneth Kaunda, Cabinet ministers, opposition leaders at an Inter-denominational Thanks Giving Service for the 45th Independence Anniversary.

Mr Kunda joined Zambians from all walks of life and gave a Bible reading from Philippians 2:1-4 which talked about reconciliation.

In a sermon, Reverend Davison Banda of the Council of Churches in Zambia (CCZ) said leaders should control their selfishness and consider other people's interests for the country to find unity and good neighbourliness.

He hoped for a Zambia where leaders and the church did not always think that they were the best.

"We should unite across tribal lines and church denominations and fight the common enemy of poverty and diseases," he said.

Rev Banda said reconciliation, good neighbourliness and unity were the core values for humankind's survival and our fore-fathers exhibited unity when they fought for independence.

He said if people only thought about themselves, then the country would lose what it had gained in the last 45 years.

He said Zambians should cultivate a seed of tolerance and always consider other people's interests.

CCZ president Moses Mwale said the prayers were held to thank God because he had been the country's pillar in the last 45 years.

Zambia's independence falls on October 24.