Why not Hakainde Hichilema?

Hakainde Hichilema

By Mariane Pelekelo Nalishebo Masiliso

In 2001 when the Great Anderson Kambela mazoka lost the elections to the MMD, it was clear that he was robbed of a victory and the country had also robbed itself the oppotunity of having a great leader. I became a huge admirer of his personality, leadership and even more so his track record.

Unfortunately in 2006 he passed on. I also remember a Mr Siacheye Madyenkuku coming on Television adressing cadres that the UPND can only be led by a Tonga and Hakainde Hichilema was convinced to join politics,ousting and embarassing a founder Sakwiba Sikota. Apart from that when you look at his track record particularly his tenure as Grant Thornton Managing Director, his firm was one of the Big four audit firms but the lowest paying among the Top six showing his selfishness.

Thirdly I don’t condemn him for doing his job during the privatisation but rather I question his patriotism as many of the companys he sold he ended up partially owning without disclosing.

Also, when I look at Hakainde, I can’t associate him with any great leadership trait such as humility, courage, being a visionary, motivational or charismatic. This then begs the question what does he have to offer? I think people believe being a sucessful businessman can mean success in political leadership. I don’t think so but that’s just my opinion and counts for only a vote.

I will remain a close monitor of the UPND and HH to see whether they will convince me or the rest of the country that they are a viable alternative to what we have at the moment.