The election of Hakainde Hichilema and his UPND Party has raised a lot of hope among Zambians and the regional community. The euphoria of this expectation can be understood from the 7 plus years of Zambia’s mediocre leadership.
All hope was lost and not only the sky but also all the areas of human endeavours became quite limiting under the PF regime. It was becoming slowly non-fruitful venture to go to school.
Perhaps parents struggled to counsel their children on the value of education as the only factors which assured a child to make it in life in the last seven years was either becoming a footballer and play in English premier league or other clubs in Europe or become a PF political cadre.
This is not being disingenuous but was a reality under the Patriotic Front government. State supported violence influenced youths to take to the gym and become muscle men to be accepted as a political cadre.Generally the country was actually in reverse and true to the Jordan Katembula’s ‘proverbial’ song DUNUNA REVERSE. It is against this back drop that the whole country is expectant of tomorrow’s inauguration ceremony.
ECONOMIC HARDSHIP
The citizens have expressed confidence in the President Elect that he will make pronouncement towards how the economy will be resuscitated to create more jobs and absorb both the youths and the elderly. HH’s credentials have increased the confidence of both the business community in Zambia and investors home and away. The bullish gain of the Zambian Kwacha against the dollar and other convertible currencies after his election is one example.
The Zambians expect nothing but improved economy however, the public should be reminded that building a rundown system is more difficult than to destroy it. HH is expected to talk about improving the tax regime and ensuring that the mining companies pay their fair taxes. He will also encourage business community to actively participate in the building of the economy with minimal government interference.
CADERISM AND POLITICAL HOOLIGANISM
One of the major factors which caused the loss of Patriotic Front government to the UPND was political hooliganism and criminal behaviour of the PF cadres. The rule of law became blind towards this group of political members. Right thinking members of society became infuriated towards the thuggery behaviour of PF cadres. The President Elect is expected to make serious pronouncements towards caderism in Zambia. He will encourage the Law enforcement officers to arrest any individuals irrespective of political affiliations. Zambians are eager to hear that the cadres should sternly be warned. The President is expected also to warn the country against political violence which was slowly becoming a norm under the PF rule.
CORRUPTION
HH was equally given more votes than any other political party based on the UPND‘s continued campaign to fight corruption. Corruption has become endemic in Zambia and UPND was resoundly voted into government with a view that it reverses corruption rooted in almost all the institutions in Zambia. The President elect will also be making serious pronouncements towards corruption crusade both in government and private sector. Zambians expect to hear HH make his government’s decree as regards the corruption under the PF government. Zambians have welcomed the idea of forgiveness from the President, but the government should however not have a similar position as regards corruption but ensure that everybody who dipped their hands in the national coffers accounts for the monies. As a country we must have precedence over this issue and people must be given an opportunity through the courts of law to explain how they utilised public funds whilst in government. Therefore the nation and donor community is eagerly waiting to hear the President make pronouncements as regards corruption.
TRIBALISM
Tribalism has become toxic in Zambia however the resounding victory of the UPND signifies that Zambians have rejected tribal divisions. The One Zambia One Nation must be escalated under the UPND government. The president is expected to get tough on members of the ruling class promoting tribalism. He is equally expected to balance up positions in the government based on gender as well as tribe.
UNITY
The call for one Zambia one Nation will be an important reminder to all Zambians to promote openness. This reminder will be supported by all Zambians who overwhelmingly voted against rants of tribalism from some Patriotic Front members. Tribalism was weaponised under the PF regime just to vilify the president Elect and his UPND party. Parlaiment was used to advance tribal sentiments for political reasons. The call of unity among the Zambians on his inauguration ceremony is a must. The Country is politically polarised and this call will bring back unity.
MEDIA
The importance of media freedoms cannot be overemphasised. President elect will also take time to speak on the importance of having independent media inclusive of ZNBC. It will be important too to take back to parliament Freedom of information Bill, ensure that the public was well informed of what government is doing.
Francisco Mumba
Governance Specialist.
