Dear Editor,
AS we transition from 2021 that left us shell-shocked to a 2022 full of expectation, our focus remains on the Patriotic Front, a party whose ticket drove me to Parliament on behalf of the great people of Kantanshi Constituency in Mufulira.
Yes, we were left shell- shocked by the results of the August 12, 2021 general elections in which President Hakainde Hichilema of the UPND emerged winner with his party assuming a simple majority in Parliament.
That result effectively end- ed the journey of our lead- er, President Edgar Chagwa Lungu, as the sixth Republican Head of State.
While the result may have shocked us, it is time to move on! Michael Sata, our founding father spent 10 years in oppo- sition, and his party spent 10 years in power.
Yet his dream was not to see the organisation he built into a
strong unit disintegrate wheth- er in opposition or power. The fragmentation seen after we lost power is unfortunate, but I believe the greater good of our party means well.
AndasaPFMP,Iwishtoset the tone that the hangover of our loss is over. The party must rise from this fall and begin to build towards regaining power in 2026.
Doing so will not be easy, but remains a huge possibility. The same people who gave us the mandate transferred it to President Hichilema and can restore back to us.
But this restoration will not be done overnight and through lip-service. The people can only trust us again when they see radical changes that made them grew apart from us.
And this as they say be- gins with the Head. President Lungu has indicated he is no longer available to steer the boat and some among those he worked with closely have equally made their way into retirement.
In mind is Mr Samuel
Mukupa (ex-National Chairman) and Davies Mwila (ex-Secretary General). This is a good step in the right direc- tion.
The people grew averse to President Lungu and his in- ner circle, so it will be very key for the PF to do due diligence and ensure that the concerns of the general populace are ad- dressed.
The elders of the party who have run their full course can still be useful by playing an ad- visory role and allow for new brooms.
Leaders that tolerated heavy handed caderism and contrib- uted to the fall of the mighty PF should not be among those seeking office to try and re- brand our battered image. That is a faux pas! It will take us nowhere.
People must be allowed to speak because that’s what in- tra-party democracy entails. And speaking unpleasant truths for the love of the party does not mean, and should not mean, that those that express themselves are hired guns.
Like my young brother. Christopher Kang’ombe artic- ulated the issue of leadership overhaul when featuring on 5FM’s Burning Issue program- mme on Thursday, as the MP for Kamfinsa admits, rebrand- ing with the same leaders that plunged us into the abyss of opposition will be a waste of time.
With a mandate from the people of Kantanshi, I appeal to those who know and partici- pated in us being where we are today to speak to their moral conscience and stay away from seeking office of our great par- ty.
Only those with a heart, re- newed hope and vigour must be lining up to assume top leadership of the Patriotic Front. The people are ready to trust again but only when we demonstrate that we can win back their confidence.
For this reason, there is no time to waste in 2022. It’s a New Year and a new PF lead- ership at the helm.
ANTHONY MUMBA (Dr)
