CONGRATULATIONS HH
WE congratulate Mr. Hakainde Hichilema and the United Party for National Development (UPND) for ascending to high office.
This was a feat championed by millions of Zambians especially the youth who thronged polling stations in the hope of securing for themselves change that would enhance their circumstances, creating improved social, economic, and political opportunities.
As we have said before, this aspiration rode on vision than party affiliation, therefore the UPND has the onerous duty of realising for the youth and the people of Zambia a vision that drives a progressive agenda intended to upgrade and therefore provide incentive for economic and social upward mobility.
The mantra and narrative for change, driven by Mr. Hichilema’s campaign inspired the long throngs of youths that hold very high expectation for real change to be delivered in the shortest possible time.
Zambians realise that God has endowed this country with tremendous potential that has remained untapped mainly on account of lack of acumen, capital, and opportunity. Foreigners with external support are able to mobilise resources to exploit even the most primary of endowments such as agriculture.
But above all is the internal character of the Zambian psyche, that is focused on indigenous self-criticism and destruction.
The media, the public and indeed social media are focused on corruption and every possible ill that the depravity of the human cesspit will deliver. We thrive on it. We make careers of it.
It is our hope that President Hakainde will focus on exploiting the positive energy and potential that this country holds to advance economic development which will ultimately result in economic and social development.
The tendency to exploit political advantage offered by high office has often been abused at the expense of meaning initiative for positive change and impetus.
Zambia like all developing countries needs a narrative that emphasises creativity, development and enterprise at the expense of time worn recrimination of finger pointing. We need a mew dynamic that gives a premium on creativity, initiative and an open governance system that responds to the pain and suffering that the ordinary people suffer.
It is our hope that Mr. Hichilema will eliminate all manner of corruption at the Ministry of Lands, Immigration and indeed licensing where applicants must pay form services which should ordinarily be free.
For example traffic Police are among the most corrupt, a fact well known to most motorists. This like many other forms of petty corruption must be curtailed to create a new culture of credibility, accountability and integrity.
We appreciate that Government cannot eliminate all social vice, but we expect that Mr. Hichilema will make a difference in creating a new culture of honest and accountability by being transparent and open to scrutiny.
Zambians have high expectations of the new administration as they hope for meaningful change in their day to day interactions with Government and related agencies.
Above all, Zambians expect that Mr. Hichilema will fulfil all the many promises that he made during the campaign season.
