Government has cancelled October 18th as a public holiday. This follows the merging of the National Day of Prayer, Fasting, Repentance and Reconciliation which was observed on 18th October of every year with the commemoration of Zambia’s declaration as a Christian Nation…

Government has cancelled October 18th as a public holiday.

This follows the merging of the National Day of Prayer, Fasting, Repentance and Reconciliation which was observed on 18th October of every year with the commemoration of Zambia’s declaration as a Christian Nation commemorated on 29th December after consultations with the Church Mother Bodies.

Secretary to the Cabinet, Patrick Kangwa says the government has revoked Statutory Instrument No. 78 of 2015 that declared October 18th as a public holiday.

In a statement issued to the media in Lusaka today, Mr Kangwa added that the government has further issued Statutory Instrument No. 173 of 2026 declaring December 29 as a public holiday, being the National Day of Prayer and Christian Heritage, starting this year.

He said accordingly, the public holidays in Zambia have been amended, stressing that subsequently October 18, 2026 will not be observed as a public holiday.

Mr Kangwa indicated that the unified observance will be known as the National Day of Prayer and Christian Heritage, with the first consolidated commemoration scheduled for 29th December, 2026.