Harry Kalaba’s CF Stamps Authority Over Loadshedding, Positions Itself as Zambia’s Government-in-Waiting
The Independent Correspondent
LUSAKA – In a powerful and defining address, Citizens First (CF) Secretary General Vincent Chintu has boldly declared that his party’s unwavering advocacy has forced the government’s hand on the critical issue of loadshedding, framing it as a clear victory for people-powered pressure. The statement, seen as a major political offensive, positions the CF not merely as an opposition party, but as the nation’s de facto guardian and the inevitable next government.
Chintu asserted that the CF’s consistent and forceful campaigning is directly responsible for compelling the UPND administration to reconsider its policy of exporting electricity while Zambian homes and businesses languish in darkness. “We have made this government change its tune on power exports,” Chintu declared, stamping the CF’s authority on one of the most pressing national crises. “This is not a victory for the UPND; it is proof that when a party truly fights for the people, the government has no choice but to listen. But a change of tune is not enough; we demand a permanent end to the suffering.”
The Secretary General then launched a sweeping indictment of the government’s economic stewardship, accusing it of deliberate neglect towards ordinary citizens. He stressed that the UPND’s priorities are fundamentally misplaced. “This government does not care about the citizens,” Chintu stated emphatically. “Their economic blueprint is written for the boardrooms of large corporates, whom they shower with incentives, while systematically taking away the very support that Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs)—the backbone of our communities—need to survive and thrive. They are choking the life out of Zambian entrepreneurship.”
A Catalogue of Failures: Where the Government Has Let Zambia Down
Chintu outlined a damning catalogue of what he termed the UPND’s “failures,” which have compounded the hardship faced by millions:
· The Burden of High Taxes: From the much-maligned land tax to the increased cost of fuel, the government is accused of squeezing every last Ngwee from an already overburdened populace, stifling disposable income and economic activity.
· Abandonment of Farmers: The chronic delay in payments to farmers for their produce has been highlighted as a betrayal of the agricultural sector, discouraging production and threatening national food security.
· Soaring Cost of Living: The relentless rise in the cost of essential inputs—from fertilizer to seed—and basic necessities like mealie-meal, cooking oil, and transportation has made daily survival a struggle for ordinary families.
“From the darkness in your homes to the empty shelves you cannot afford, from the unpaid for harvest to the closed small business,” Chintu summarized, “this is the true legacy of this administration. A legacy of broken promises and profound disconnect.”
In a rousing conclusion, Secretary General Chintu turned to the future, expressing unwavering confidence in the impending political shift. “Despite all their propaganda and noise, the UPND’s line has come to an end. The evidence is in your homes and your pockets. They are losing this election, and Zambia is ready for change this August.”
He issued a passionate, direct appeal to every dissatisfied Zambian to unite behind President Harry Kalaba and the CF movement. “The hour for change is now. We call on every citizen, from Chirundu to Nakonde, from Shangombo to Chipata, to join us. Unite behind a leader who listens, and a party that acts. Join the Citizens First, the party with robust structures in every district, the fastest-growing political force in the nation.”
Chintu emphasized the CF’s inclusive nature, noting it is attracting professionals, farmers, marketeers, youths, and veterans from all walks of life, all united by a single, burning desire to see transformative change in August. “This is not just a political party; it is a national revival movement. Together, behind President Kalaba, we will end the loadshedding of both power and hope. We will rebuild an economy that works for the marketeer, the farmer, and the shopkeeper. Zambia’s moment is here. Join us, and let’s put citizens first, once and for all.”
