Thank you, Hichilema salutes UPND

Hakainde Hichilema has saluted UPND for ushering him into Government as Zambia’s 7th President, reports our Political Correspondent.

President Hichilema has promised to continue supporting the party urging his Colleagues to do the same saying they are Ministers today because of the UPND.

Hichilema having run the UPND for 15 years in opposition, says it is not an easy task to run a political party in Zambia.

The UPND spent 20 years in opposition the first five years with founder Anderson Mazoka who was alleged dribbled in the 2001 elections. Unfortunate Mazoka had only one attempt as he died in May 2005.

The then youthful Hichilema at 40 was invited from the corporate world to come and succeed Mazoka. He took over the mantle after a fierce internal party election where he beat Acting president Sakawiba Sikota who had serves as Mazoka’s Deputy.

After five unsuccessful attempts Hichilema finally ascended to the presidency of Zambia beating incumbent president Edgar Lungu who had twice beaten him in the previous elections.

Hichilema came in with a landslide victory which saw Lungu trail by about a million votes. He won in his traditional support base and picked Lusaka and Copperbelt provinces. Hichilema also performed well in PF strongholds in the Northern and Eastern part of Zambia.

While on a five day work visit Hichilema at a provincial party conference saluted the UPND for making him President of Zambia.

Zambian Eye, 16th March 2023.