ON June 4, 2025, Kulima Tower Bus Station in Lusaka was anything but its usual self. Forget the usual busy scene of people and loading buses – this was a special day, President Hakainde Hichilema’s birthday. To celebrate the President’s birthday, the station announced a special offer: free bus rides for everyone born in June and other selected groups. Passengers simply had to show their NRCs or IDs to enjoy a free ride. However, what began as a simple, heartfelt idea for the President’s birthday quickly transformed into a massive community celebration, offering much more than just free rides. To make the day even more exciting, bus drivers set up a big stage right inside the station. They brought in...