Saviour Chishimba goes vulgar against Mundubile

By BARNABAS ZULU

SAVIOUR Chishimba, has gone after Brian Mundubile, spewing invectives and political diatribe, claiming that the Tonse Pamodzi presidential candidate is displaying ignorance on economic matters after he scoffed at government boasting about foreign reserves when Zambians are being subjected to excruciating economic hardships.

According to Mr Chishimba, the leader of United Progressive People and UPND Alliance partner, it is dangerous for leaders to dismiss key economic indicators that underpin national stability and growth.

“The most dangerous thing a leader can do is to make ignorance sound like wisdom,” Mr Chishimba said.

He argued that foreign exchange reserves are not mere statistics but serve as the country’s financial insurance, helping to stabilise the Kwacha, facilitate payments for essential imports, boost investor confidence and cushion the economy against external shocks.

“Any leader who tells citizens that these are meaningless has either failed to understand how economies function or is encouraging citizens to reject the very foundations upon which lasting prosperity is built,” he said.

Mr Chishimba said foreign exchange reserves provide stability and are a critical component of any serious economy.

He also defended the importance of low inflation, stating that it protects the buying power of households, encourages investment, reduces borrowing costs and creates an environment conducive to business growth and job creation.

“Low inflation is equally important. It protects the purchasing power of families, encourages investment, lowers the cost of borrowing over time and creates the conditions for businesses to expand and employ more people,” Mr Chishimba said.

While admitting the need for better public services and improved living standards, Mr Chishimba said objectives such as paying council workers on time, ensuring hospitals are stocked with medicines and making baby milk more affordable can only be achieved through a strong and stable economy.

“Should council workers be paid? Absolutely. Should hospitals have medicines? Without question. Should baby milk become more affordable? Every caring government should pursue that goal. However, these objectives are achieved by building a strong economy, not by ridiculing the very economic foundations that make them possible,” he said.

Mr Chishimba said sustainable jobs, better wages, quality healthcare, improved education and social services all depend on a stable, productive and growing economy.

He urged citizens to evaluate leaders based on their understanding of economic fundamentals rather than the popularity of their rhetoric.

“Leadership is not about telling people what they want to hear. Leadership is about telling people what they need to understand,” Mr Chishimba said.