It is in this vein that we welcome the advice from veteran politician Katele Kalumba, that Zambians must put elections behind and join hands in support of progressive policies of the new administration.
IT is important for the now ruling United Party for National Development (UPND) to get down to work and deliver as they promised during their campaign for the August 12 general election.
It is equally important for the rest of the nation, particularly from the opposition ranks to support progressive policies of the new administration.
Only in this way would the country move forward and in unison. Zambians chose who will preside over the country’s affairs for the next five years and that decision must be respected.
It is in this vein that we welcome the advice from veteran politician Katele Kalumba, that Zambians must put elections behind and join hands in support of progressive policies of the new administration.
Dr Kalumba said there was need to change the narrative and move together for the betterment of the country.
He said hate speech, violence and advocacy for inequitable treatment should not have place in this decision Zambians made to change political leadership to govern them with their consent.
But the onus is on the UPND to ensure that they embrace those from the opposition ranks and not try to “lord” it over them.
This is because the real victor in the August 12 election was the country’s democracy.
As Dr Kalumba pointed out, Zambians have succeeded in transferring power from PF to the UPND. “President Hakainde Hichilema is now our Republican leader for all Zambians.”
President Hichilema therefore was now responsible for the lives of all Zambians.
The new republican President has promised that his would be an all-inclusive government going beyond the political divide.
Indeed, he needs the support of all Zambians to tackle the country’s numerous problems, especially turning round the economy.
His new administration also has to look into and find answers to the country’s ballooning unemployment rate, particularly amongst the youth.
The UPND campaign was premised on improving the country’s economy and tackling unemployment.
The nation therefore must graduate from the post-election euphoria and get down to getting the job done.
Dr Kalumba said it was important for the Head of State to inspire all Zambians through his administration’s policies for all the citizens.
We agree with Dr Kalumba that it was the collective will of Zambians to confront those perceived governance and developmental challenges that led them to vote for “Bally” as the seventh President of the Republic.
“A loss breeds grief. The grieving process should be over now. Victory breeds euphoria, energy that needs to be controlled to avoid political hysteria and possible violence. We are One Zambia, One Nation under God. A Christian Nation,” said Dr Kalumba.
Yes, now is the time to close ranks after the divisive August 12 elections to pull resources together to develop the country.
