Zambia’s rebirth is nigh - Makebi

MANY Zambians have suffered both economically and politically during the last five years under the UPND regime as dissenting voices have been silenced through the use of State institutions such as the police and the courts, Tonse-Pamodzi Alliance vice-presidential running mate Makebi Zulu has said.

Mr Zulu said he and the Tonse Pamodzi Alliance presidential candidate Brian Mundubile had accepted the responsibility of leading the country to restore freedoms, improve livelihoods and provide citizens with genuine economic opportunities.

Speaking when he paid a courtesy call on Chief Mukupa Kaoma of the Lungu people in Lunte yesterday, Mr Zulu urged Zambians to vote for Mr Mundubile in the August 13, general election.

“Many Zambians have suffered during the last five years of UPND. Mr Brian Mundubile and I have decided to take up the mantle to once again liberate Zambians and give them real opportunities to lead decent livelihoods.

The best thing Zambians can do to rescue this country is to vote for Brian Mundubile,” Mr Zulu said.

He said agriculture would be one of the priorities of a Tonse-Pamodzi administration, particularly in rural chiefdoms where farming remains the main source of income.

“Our focus on areas like this chiefdom, which thrives on agriculture, is to once again start giving you enough farming inputs, which originally were eight bags of fertiliser,” Mr Zulu said.

He contrasted the late Michael Sata and Edgar Lungu’s infrastructure development across the country.

“Mr Sata made promises and fulfilled them, unlike the UPND, which has failed to do so,” Mr Zulu said.

He also accused the UPND regime of abandoning development projects initiated by the former Patriotic Front government.

“The UPND regime cancelled all the planned projects that the PF had started,” Mr Zulu, a lawyer and spokesperson of late President Edgar Lungu’s family said.

He said it was important to pay a courtesy call on traditional leaders because they were custodians of the land and key stakeholders in national development.

“We decided to pay a courtesy call on the Chief because he is the custodian of this land, and it is important to seek the blessings and guidance of traditional leaders, Mr Zulu said.

He was accompanied by among others former late President Edgar Lungu’s campaign manager Ng’onga Mukupa, Wright Musoma, Mulenga Kapwepwe, Namambo Nawa, president of the Liberty Democratic Party, Sebastian Kopulande, Kebby Mbewe, Kapembwa Simbao, Richard Musukwa, Godfridah Sumaili and Celestine Mukandila.

And Chief Mukupa Kaoma said political leaders should always recognise the role of traditional leaders by paying courtesy calls whenever they visited chiefdoms.

“It is important to visit the owners of the land. This visit has given me an opportunity to know those who are aspiring for the country’s highest office,” the traditional leader said.

Chief Mukupa Kaoma reminded political leaders that it would be the people who would determine the country’s next leadership on August 13.

“As chiefs, you are all our children and, God willing, if you win this election, you will be working with traditional leaders. When you win, ensure that you work for the poor,” he said.

The Chief appealed for improved infrastructure in his chiefdom, saying poor roads continued to hinder development.