By Raymond Nyamuranga
Zambia needed a successful businessman to understand how to get the economy moving in the copper-rich nation, where there is high unemployment. Hakainde had used his agricultural roots to appeal to the country’s farmers, saying he could turn Zambia into a food basket for the region.
Hakainde Hichilema’s decisive election victory to become the eighth president of is a gust of good news that Africa and the world at large badly needed. His win is an endorsement of democracy in a region where we’ve seen so many other countries move depressingly in the other direction.
Mr. Hakainde Hichilema is the sixth president of the Republic of Zambia, preceded by Mr. Edgar Chagwa Lungu.
Giving his first inaugural speech at the National Heroes Stadium, Lusaka, Mr. Hakainde rekindled hope for Africa’s emerging democracy and one of the fast-growing economies in the Africa.
Once again, Zambia has proved of certainty that Africa is ripe to manage its political affairs without any external interference
A victory under the umbrella of United Party for National Development (upnd), a political party founded Twenty-three years ago by a visionary leader named Anderson Kambela Mazoka. UNDP had been in the opposition until the historic date of 12th August 2021, the day Zambians marched to the poll to choose the leader that appeals to their aspiration for the small peaceful Southern country of Africa
Mr. Hakainde, in his inaugural speech, expressed gratitude for the level of trust accorded to him by the people of Zambia, at 59, he has described himself as an ordinary “cattle boy”, who herded his family’s livestock in his youth before exploring the business terrain to become one of Zambia’s wealthiest business man turned politician. Mr. Hakainde believes in the young people and had employed active use of the social media to win the support of the youthful population of the 18 million Zambians.
To the entrepreneur, seeking capital, an investor and a better operating environment, a government is here that understands your challenges and knows exactly what you need in order to thrive
As at the year 2020, Hakainde Hichilema is the richest man in Zambia. A businessman and politician who has been President of the United Party for National Development, an opposition political party, since 2006.
The wealth of experience in business and politics is what Hakainde has brought to play in his current role as the new President of Zambia.
He told voters during the campaign that they needed a successful businessman to understand how to get the economy moving in the copper-rich nation, where there is high unemployment. He also used his agricultural roots to appeal to the country’s farmers, saying he could turn Zambia into a food basket for the region.
Mr. Hakainde antecedents has paid off as he was sworn in as the 6th president of Republic of Zambia on the 24th of August 2021 after six consecutive attempt at the presidency. A man who represents resilience at all fronts, which he had employed judiciously to sway public interest on his side with an overwhelming margin of over a million vote to emerge the new leader of the land of copper.
Mr. Hakainde in his inaugural speech has vowed to clean up Zambia’s economic crisis messed up by wrong economic judgement of previous administrations as he itemized each crisis after the swearing-in ceremony at the Heroes Stadium packed to bumper.
“We showed the world, the resilience of our democracy and we reaffirmed that power belongs to the people.” The people decided it was time for change and today, we can boldly say, change is here!”
“The road ahead will not be without challenges but with a clear vision and plan, which we have, and relentless determination, we shall overcome and deliver on the aspirations of our people.
To the jobless youths, a new dawn is here where you will be skilled and find opportunity to work or do business in an economy that we will revive.
To the mother, struggling with the high cost of food, a lower cost of living will soon be a reality.
To the entrepreneur, seeking capital, an investor and a better operating environment, a government is here that understands your challenges and knows exactly what you need in order to thrive.” He said.
As Africa suffers the plight of managing its diversity which has continually set people along war paths of ethnic division and confusion, Mr. Hakainde promised to bring Zambians together by promoting unity in diversity and ensure respect for the fundamental human rights and freedoms for all.
Zambia’s victory is Africa’s victory” said Diaspora leader, Njoku SaintJerry A., youth Ambassador, State of Africa’s Diaspora. Former president Edgar Lungu would have retained his post, had he not bungled his chances at the first attempt as his popularity began to wane by constant headline news of unsustainable infrastructure spending that plunged the copper-rich southern African nation of more than 18 million people into debt and frustration of the citizenry.
But I commend Mr. Edgar LUNGU for his statesmanship and civility which has earned him an honor in addition to being former president. This is what other African rulers like Paul Biya of Cameroon, Yoweri Musevni of Uganda and others in like manner should learn from these emerging democracies in Africa.
Zambia becomes only the second country in southern Africa in recent years to transfer its presidency to an opposition candidate after Malawi in 2020. A credit, Nigeria earned in 2015 and has maintained till date. We celebrate Zambia, we celebrate Africa for another resounding victory!
