PRESIDENT Rupiah Banda yesterday hosted a luncheon for former Zambian freedom fighters and some guests from South Africa who attended the 45th independence anniversary celebrations at the weekend.

Special assistant to the president for Press and public relations, Dickson Jere told the Times in Lusaka yesterday that the luncheon at State House was a private one.

Mr Jere said other people who attended the luncheon were Cabinet ministers, members of Parliament and some opposition leaders.

He named some of the freedom fighters as former army commander, Benjamin Mibenge, former prime minister, Malimba Masheke and former agriculture minister, Simon Zukas.

All People's Congress leader, Ken Ngondo also attended the luncheon, which was part of the Independence Day observance.

Some South Africans had travelled to Zambia to witness the honouring of late veteran freedom fighter, Oliver Tambo during the investiture ceremony held at the Lusaka Showgrounds.