. Hichilema

HAKAINDE Hichilema has weathered many storms, and he has been through a good measure of huffing and puffing to keep up with his competitors in the race to State House.
He has faced many hostilities, with accusations that he is loyal only to his tribesmen particularly loaded with vitriol.
But the United Party for National Development (UPND) leader has proved he is an intrepid politician, and is unfaltering in the face of the abysmal ratings he has often been awarded by his critics.
His share of votes sagged at the last election in 2011, when he garnered 18 per cent of the presidential votes, down from 20 per cent in 2008.
In fact, his performance has been on a downward trajectory from the first time he participated in presidential elections in 2006 following the death of the UPND founder leader Anderson Mazoka, when he managed to collect 25 per cent of the votes.
However, Mr Hichilema seems unflinching as he repositions himself for the January 20, 2015 presidential by-election.
The 52-year-old business executive is one of the contenders for the presidency left vacant by the death of Zambia’s fifth President, Michael Sata on October 28 this year.
Mr Hichilema has obviously gained some valuable experience in the political arena and has, in this current race, accentuated his campaign by pronouncing crucial measures that will help drop the tag of tribalism which has been hanging on his party for some years.
One such declaration is that, should be voted into power, he would pave the way for the enthronement of Henry Kanyanta Sosala as Paramount Chief Chitimukulu of the Bemba speaking people in Northern Province.
Some political commentators have acknowledged some steps taken by the Tonga-speaking leader from Southern Province who, over the years, has broadened the UPND management team, taking it closer to bearing a national character.
Mr Hichilema says the inclusion of Canisius Banda from Eastern Province as his deputy, Richard Kapita from North-Western Province as another vice-president, Mutale Nalumango from Northern Province as chairperson, and Winstone Chibwe from Central Province as secretary general of the party should be sufficient to deflect the tribal slur that has been cast on his character.
He has promised to appoint his Cabinet from all the 10 provinces of the country should he ascend to the office of Republican President.
The warm reception he has so far received in districts such as Chama in Eastern Province and Nakonde in Muchinga Province could denote the acceptance he is winning in places which previously he was accused of shunning.
The local political landscape has vastly changed in large part due to the social media, and young people are especially on tenterhooks waiting for better results, more so in job creation.
The candidates seeking to take over from Mr Sata should, therefore, work hard to discuss issues that will resonate with the electorate.
On Mr Hichilema’s part, he is thriving on his experience as a trained business negotiator and qualified change management practitioner to lay out wide-ranging reforms which he promises to undertake if elected as the next leader of Zambia.
Mr Hichilema, who holds an economics and business administration degree from the University of Zambia, and an MBA in finance and business strategy from the University of Birmingham in the United Kingdom, is bothered that Zambia has 28 per cent youth unemployment, as reported by the international Non-Governmental Organisation Junior Achievement.
“Job creation is one of my top priorities if elected President. There are two main reasons why people don’t have jobs. One is that there aren’t enough jobs and the other is that we are not providing our children and youths with the right education and skills training so that they can get a job. We must address both these reasons,” he says.
He says his approach would be centred on good economic management, youth empowerment, and education and training reform.
It is Mr Hichilema’s conviction that good economic management is fundamental to job creation.
“This means no more reckless borrowing and no more waste. It also means introducing policies that incentivise the growth of local businesses and encourage investment.
“This will lead to more jobs being created and increased Government revenues that we can then invest in education and training,” he says.
As a means to empower the youth, Mr Hichilema has promised to support those with business ideas through increased access to relevant training and affordable credit.
There is need, he adds, to revisit the school curriculum and to review training opportunities on offer to youths so that they have the right skills to find work or start in business by the time they leave school or university.
He envisages a situation where all Zambians, regardless of their gender or tribe, have the same opportunities available to them in terms of education and training.
Mr Hichilema says job vacancies should be filled according to merit and using open procedures.
On economic remedial measures, the UPND, if voted into power, would reintroduce subsidies on fuel and mealie-meal, and ensure that electricity and water tariffs are reduced.
Mr Hichilema argues that the reduction in fuel prices should not merely be for political expediency, but should be part of a well-coordinated and bigger plan to address the weaknesses in the economy.
High fuel prices, he says, are driving up food and transport costs for Zambians across the country. They are further making it harder for local businesses to grow, flourish and create the much-needed jobs.
Mr Hichilema, who is a commercial farmer, says investing in agriculture is the best way to bring down food prices.
He has extended hope to the public service workers. The wage freeze would be lifted and allow unions to bargain for their members, while all the nurses fired by the Patriotic Front Government would be reinstated.
While some progress has been made in building more clinics and other health facilities, which the UPND leader appreciates, he is of the view that they should be staffed properly and stocked with the right medicines.
Mr Hichilema says the UPND would prioritise the enactment of a people-driven Constitution under which the 2016 elections should be held.
He is eager to promote peace, with a promise that his party would not be vindictive or pursue political opponents if the UPND formed Government.
“UPND will endeavour to unite the country that has been divided on regional and political lines for a long time,” he says.
The race to State House has certainly gained momentum, and Mr Hichilema appears to be undaunted in marching forward with his desire to deliver change to the Zambian people.