HH tells opposition

By MUBITA KATETE PRESIDENT Hakainde Hichilema has assured the 13 presidential candidates who challenged him in the August presidential contest that they are not losers and that their interests will be taken care of as his administration works for all Zambians, including those who did not vote for him. And President has Hichilema has ordered that farmers who are yet to receive payment for their maize supplied to the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) would have their money paid to them expeditiously. Speaking at the 2026 Samu Lya Moomba traditional ceremony yesterday, President Hichilema said winning an election should not mean excluding those who participated in the democratic process, stressing that the winner had a responsibility to represent everyone. “To my 13 colleagues who contested the presidency, just know that you are not a loser. Your interests will also be taken care of as we work for the people of Zambia,” Mr Hichilema said. He said there could only be one winner in a contested position, but the outcome should not create division among Zambians. “There was always going to be one winner in any contested position. And when that one wins, in my case, the presidency, we represent all of you,” he said. President Hichilema urged the opposition and all citizens to prioritise peace, security and stability, saying every Zambian had a role to play in the country’s development. “Our country will always have space for everybody. All of the 21 million Zambians have space and a role to play in the development of our country. Please keep as much maize as possible because we have a drought coming. Don’t say you were not told,” Mr Hichilema said. The President also warned Zambians to prepare for a possible drought by keeping as much maize as possible, stating that food production should remain a key component of the government’s Grow Zambia agenda, with the country targeting 10 million tonnes of maize, one million tonnes of soya beans and one million tonnes of wheat. Mr Hichilema also disclosed that he had produced wheat on 400 hectares wheat and was harvesting and delivering the crop to his customers. “I have produced 400 hectares of wheat and we’re harvesting today and delivering to our customers. We’re getting $550 per tonne. It’s good money,” he said. He called on Zambians to emulate previous generations who sacrificed for the country’s independence by working hard, working smart and working together to achieve economic and social independence. “Today’s struggle is to work hard, to work smart, to work ingeniously to develop our country,” he said. Mr Hichilema said paid tribute to traditional leaders who contributed to the liberation struggle, saying the historical significance of Samu Lya Moomba and other sites should be properly documented and taught to young people. “The young generation must read our history and read the correct history,” he said. And President has Hichilema has assured farmers who are yet to receive payment for their maize supplied to the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) that Government will settle them expeditiously. President Hichilema said ensuring that all outstanding farmer payments are cleared remains one of his priorities. “It is my priority to ensure that all the farmers who haven’t been paid by FRA are paid expeditiously. No one will die of hunger this year, but do your part by preserving enough maize,” President Hichilema said.

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