GOVERNMENT has with immediate effect revoked October 18 as a public holiday, merging the National Day of Prayer with the commemoration of Zambia's declaration as a Christian Nation on December 29. Secretary to the Cabinet Patrick K. Kangwa announced the change today in a statement, saying the decision followed extensive consultations between Government and the

Audio article Listen to this story Share Send this story GOVERNMENT has with immediate effect revoked October 18 as a public holiday, merging the National Day of Prayer with the commemoration of Zambia’s declaration as a Christian Nation on December 29. Secretary to the Cabinet Patrick K. Kangwa announced the change today in a statement, saying the decision followed extensive consultations between Government and the Church Mother Bodies. “Following consultations between the Government of the Republic of Zambia and the Church Mother Bodies, the National Day of Prayer, Fasting, Repentance and Reconciliation observed on 18th October has been merged with the commemoration of Zambia’s declaration as a Christian Nation commemorated on 29th December,” Mr. Kangwa said. He said the unified observance will now be known as the *National Day of Prayer and Christian Heritage*, with the first consolidated commemoration scheduled for December 29, 2026. To effect the change, Government has revoked Statutory Instrument No. 78 of 2015 that declared October 18 a public holiday and has issued Statutory Instrument No. 73 of 2026 declaring December 29 as a public holiday. “Accordingly, the 2026 Public Holidays in Zambia have been amended. Subsequently, 18th October, 2026 will not be observed as a Public Holiday,” the statement reads. The move formalizes President Hakainde Hichilema’s announcement in December 2025 during the 34th anniversary of Zambia’s declaration as a Christian Nation by late President Frederick Chiluba in 1991. President Hichilema had declared that December 29 would become a permanent public holiday starting in 2026 to reinforce Zambia’s Christian identity. Church Mother Bodies, in a joint statement on Thursday, said the consolidation will help strengthen the observance, placing it strategically between Christmas and New Year to allow wider participation. October 18 was first declared as the National Day of Prayer by former President Edgar Lungu in 2015 following a call for national prayers to address economic challenges. It has been observed annually with inter-denominational prayers at Showgrounds in Lusaka and across the country. With this amendment, Zambians will still pray for the nation on October 18 through regular church services, but it will be a normal working day, while December 29 will be the official public holiday.

Engage with this story

Comment 0Likes 0Reactions 0Comments 0Shares Be the first reader to react to this story

Discussion

Join the Conversation

Share your thoughts. Let's keep it respectful and constructive.

Start the discussion Sort by: No comments yetBe the first to bring a thoughtful perspective to this story. Comment as a guest No account is needed. Sign in only if you want your comment tied to your profile. Sign in instead