FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
OFFICIAL STATEMENT
15 January 2015
UPND President Hakainde Hichilema Gives Strong Performance At Presidential Debate
Hakainde Hichilema again demonstrated tonight why he should be elected Zambia’s next President: he is the candidate with the right combination of vision, expertise, and leadership qualities to move Zambia forward.
Speaking directly to the people he hopes to serve, Mr. Hichilema summarised his campaign platform by saying: “We are seeking to address the paradox of poor people in a rich country. I know that in the past our leadership has failed us but we can realise that potential and that is why we are seeking office”. He later explained why voters should cast their vote for Hakainde Hichilema on 20 January 2015: “If you are sick you go to a doctor, if your car is broken you go to a mechanic, and if the economy is sick you need to go to an economic manager”.
It is the message of national unity and moving forward that we will continue to bring across the country in the final days of this campaign.
He once again stressed the importance of education stating “Education is the best investment. It is the best equaliser. It is the best heritage.” Explaining “Education breeds the skills we need to develop the economy”.
On job creation Mr Hichilema explained the UPND approach saying “We will create jobs by supporting businesses, Zambian businesses, to not only survive but to grow and create job opportunities for the Zambian people”. While saying of economic management that ‘It is very important for those of us seeking public office to think in a way that is connected because the economy is interconnected”.
We are extremely disappointed that PF President Edgar Lungu decided that he could not be bothered to show up for this debate. Those who seek to hold offices of power and responsibility should not be afraid to engage in respectful discussion, and have their positions exposed and challenged. With that said, we are not surprised that Mr. Lungu chose to hide rather than defend the PF’s record of broken promises in front of a national audience. It is yet another example in a pattern of absence and avoidance that has plagued the PF government since day one. Fortunately for the Zambian people, those days will come to an end on 20 January 2015.
On behalf of Mr. Hichilema and the UPND, I want to thank Muvi TV and Hot FM for organising the debate as well as Dr. Mumba, Ms. Nawakwi, Mr. Chipimo and Mr. Sinkamba for their participation. To the people of Zambia, a new journey awaits us all with Hakainde Hichilema as President. We hope to earn your vote on Tuesday 20 January 2015.
Dipak Patel
UPND Campaign Manager
Nawakwi won the debate.
1.Nawakwi
2.Chipimo
3.Nevers
4.HH
5.Sinkamba.
Official results from international judges.
I totally agree. She had a better understanding of the issues and was not making unnecessary promises. An example was when she said not every Zambian can have a job. Chipimo was the most polished and eloquent.
The information I have is that Edith Nawakwi gave the most impressive performance.
Clearly it is a matter of opinion because Nawakwi did fumble a couple of times and had the hardest time speaking within the limitations of time but exuded knowledge and was indeed impressive but often leading subject matter back to her comfort zone which is decentralisation.
HH was the most prepared, in phased and very comfortable. Chipimo had to find his groove and got better as time passed, making a very strong finish and was the only one to make it a point to state ED should have been there to answer for himself.
PF supporters were quick to decide on an order that didn’t truly reflect how strong the three were. Truth is it’s a toss up between HH and Nawakwi with Chipimo second, because it took him a while to come out of analogy mode and begin to answer brilliantly.
unphased… Spell cue on cell phone is brutal!
1. HH
2. Nawakwi
3.
4.
.
11. Edgar Lungu
Elias was by far the best. He outclassed all the other candidates. He is just brillant and one for the future. Zambians must consider him seriously for Presidency after Edgar Lungu and vice versa Lungu should work together with Elias. Edith came a distant second as she weaved decentralisation and the constitution into all arguments. HH came across as cold, distant and a know it all, quite snobbish in his response and style. In terms of perception, it didn’t favour HH
Yes that is the reality. Laura Miti and the lady from Radio Hot FM during the break during live debate categorically stated that Edith was the best on almost all issues, while Elias was equally good on taking power back to villages, people. Nevers Mumba came out very well on International relations. HH was his usual pompous and self-praise. He was distant 4th. Mr. Sinkamba was hilarious and won a lot of kudos for his humorous participation.
NOW I BELIEVE THAT UPND JUST SUPPORT FOR NO VALID REASON. IT’S BLIND SUPPORT.. LAST NIGHT’S DEBATE WAS VERY CLEAR THAT NAWAKWI WAS BEST SECONDED BY CHIPIMO.. U Know that’s what happens when u participate in something with the idea that u are the best and underrate your opponents. He was outsmarted by A woman. Just humble yourself and give a woman the credit she deserves. Viva Nawakwi
I also agree that Madam Nawakwi carried the day. She was not only able to clearly spelt out her party programme but also showed she had a very good understanding of the specific things that needed to be done to change things in the country. For me, Nawakwi is a rising star to look forward to. Her ideas were very refreshing. HH was too general and uninspiring and lacking in specifics on what he would do if elected. His lack of public service experience was clearly evident in his responses.
That is your opinion also but HH to me was the best on the debate. Vodka kachasu could have bubbled without anything to say ,no wonder he chickened out. Zambians know now where to cast their vote. Chipimo gave valid points against PF ‘s kaminamisa.
HH was a total disaster on foreign policy no diplomacy no nothing but did well on other topics overall he came a close third after Nawakwi and Chipimo.
Its easy if you belong to the United Party for National Destruction (upnd) to claim your baby won… Thats just expected for political expedience.
Even PF can claim their man won even if he was not there
I cant wait for next week when our sixth President Edgar Lungu will be sworn in
Nawakwi won the debate.
1.Nawakwi
2.Chipimo
3.Nevers
4.HH
5.Sinkamba.
Why those from Wednesday line-up not appreciated, so much discrimination in Zambia.
and where did you put your Vodka.Even in class if you abscond for an exam you will be the last one and even be beaten by that one who got zero because he tried. So Vodka was the last one!
I am actually disappointed with HH performance. It is a pity really. I had high hopes but I am left confused. With all the hype and publicity from MUVI the guy just did do it for me.
It looks like everyone in UPND has selective attention. How is it that only your candidate the best in everything? Ba Dipak, this debate has no bearing on the outcome of the elections. Do not think Zambians are stupid. UPND gave MuviTv money to come up with the debate and even told Mwansa what questions to ask. Keep on trying
And your party is giving voters money so they will vote for your party………….Do not think Zambians are stupid.
UPND now regret that their candidate attended the school debate. He has been trounced by Chipimo and Nawakwi. We are understand they are desperately looking for replacement. Probably ADD president.
Misleading headline. The statement only speaks of a strong performance.
It was a strong, concise and consistent from start to end. He is clearly well prepared.
Coupled with a well run campaign and popularity on the ground, even the audience response gave indication that a warning shiver has been issued to the incumbents, that not only HH but Nawakwi (who has to adjust to making her points quicker within short time frame) and Chipimo (who started shaky but warmed up brilliantly) are very capable of providing quality leadership, vision and knowledge to a nation in need of a huge shift in direction and focus to develop for the betterment of all.
HH exhibits a steady pair of hands and provides a credible option. His voice and controlled tone are a huge asset. Good luck.
A Phiri ana bwe..
You are some what economical on your assessment.
Sure true HH looked prepared for the debate but not prepared to govern, his lack of public service experience was showing in his presentation.
ba monitor please that argument has cobwebs on it. the entire mmd cabinet of 1991 apart from chaps like sata came out of private enterprise and immediately took up public positions. try another angle.
@Monitor. I can only provide my own opinion and therefore limit it to my observation. We should all be putting ourselves up for public service in one way or another. He has. If he is smart he will make good use of the many public servants prepared to do a good job. His intro was stunningly good and was appreciated by all including those he was debating with. They all seemed friendly which is refreshing as the incumbent seems to prefer to be combative. Just my humble opinion Boss.
Nawakwi definitely won the debate. ichilema is overrated even with Costa and MUVI being in his corner
1.Nawakwi
2.Chipimo
3.Nevers
4.HH
5.Sinkamba.
It was fraudulent of the donchi kubeba proportions for PF to once more play hide and seek with the Zambian people.
In manner they withheld Sata and governed on pretext on a healthy president and refused any attempt to have public contact through press conference so they are doing with Lungu to perpetuate a fraud of what they are advertising.
Zambians largely are not educated to the level they can discern this subterfuge by PF.
Lungu is a lawyer and should have been there to defend PF’s performance and explain increased prices, failed FRA, reduction in fuel price, road projects, suspected corruption, deteriorated exchange rate etc.
How about teaching PF that we are not fools?
These are direct quotes:
Maureen Mwanawasa at a rally says “HH could have been a President long time ago had it not been his tribe.”
HH at a rally in Northwestern says, “Do not vote for party that digs Copper from here and develop Muchinga.”
Charles Milupi at a rally says “Southerners, Westerners and Northwesterners should unite in this election to win the President.”
Master of Politics of the Belly, one Daniel Munkombwe says at rally, “It is time for a Tonga President.”
I agree with Maureen. If people were not looking at HH’s tribe, he would have long been President. Thank God this is history now. Yes it is cruel digging copper in Muchinga to go develop NW. Why not benefit the locals first? If Western, NW and S give HH 100% vote it can help him canvass votes but HH needs votes from other Provinces. Yes I agree that it is time for HH bkos it’s clear he will win!
Sometimes we make people view us in the way they view us. How come Mazoka, though being Tonga was loved by all tribes nonetheless? HH created this for himself. He is to blame and not Zambians
Maureen is aconfirmed tribalist laced with tribal bitterness. In power she told people in Newyork that these Musambachimes Bembas are still allowed towork here at UN representing Zambia. Returning to Zambia, muwelewele fired prof musambachime
Interesting analysis from all so far. Wouldn’t know who won and will not speculate since I failed to stream the radio link. Overall comments on this blog are in favor of Nawakwi so far, things could change as the hours tick away.
many are saying hh won followed by nawakwi, mumba and chipimo
This headline is misleading! Did UPND say their man won the debate? Come on LT, you can do better. HH seems to threaten PF well wishers and they label him and his party all kinds of insinuations. This wont work my dear colleagues.
Hh is ni Mosses wa nomba. HE will step foot in the promissed land NOT. UPND needs a Joshua. Mosses saw it but never crossed because what he did at some was bad.
and that is your assesment of the debate? geez.
My assesment is that hh in just politikinng. Give me the cost of sending someone of grade one to UNZA. Now you have many universities. GIVE THE STATISTICS OF KIDS IN ZAMBIA. What % of the budget will hh use. Is it sustainable. Lets not waste time on thsese debates.
Lungu is busy making deligate list.
The Truth is as follows;
1. HH
2. EN
3. EC
4. NM
5. PS
7. LS
8. TK
9. 4R
10…..
11……
meanwhile its HH2015.
(Source: IMF December 2014)
Three things worth noting.
First, the GDP growth for 2014 is actually likely to be around 6% according to Ministry of Finance not 5.5% as suggested by the IMF. We need to see the final figures from the CSO in due course to be sure. Clearly the size of GDP is important for interpreting debt and fiscal space, but generally crucial in terms of how fast the economy is growing and it’s ability to withstand external shocks. In this case we are talking about a reduction in the growth rate – and possibly similar slower growth in 2015. However, in general Zambia is registering very good growth.
Secondly, as we had previously noted the “the 2015 financing requirement is likely to be larger than planned”. The IMF attributes this to “the current international…
including likely lower GDP growth all add to these pressures. These challenges of course mean that any presidential candidate promising you manna from heaven or change in the current course is not only not speaking sense, but possibly even dangerous to the economy. What the economy needs is more stability. It is also important to note that any reduction in mining taxes will worsen the funding challenge. Again that means GRZ for now must stay the course for 2015-16.
Moses did not entered the promised land. Only Joshua entered the land.
But who will take Zambia to that land?
Moses–HH
Joshua–E Lungu.
Kikikikikikikilolololololololomumumumu. Eeeeeoooobaabbaabbablelellefwayayayayaya Edgaaaar Lunguuuu babaleeefwwwwayaaaaaa!
The best candidate of the night was Nawakwi followed by Chipimo who was really brilliant. It shows that governance experience matters. I would urge Chipimo to have a grip of things by serving in government then he can really excel. The other debaters were good competitors. Sinkamba’s marijuana idea ought to be explored. The greatest minds on earth were once ridiculed. ECL my MAN!
vote wisely El runs away from debate goes drinking useless man?
please see for yourself lungu drinking in instead of debating.
see the pic
David Cameron in the UK also stated he would not take part in the TV debate ahead of this year’s elections there if certain conditions were not met, it’s not cowardice. PF’s SG explained why EL couldn’t take part. If you want proof check the link. ***
We know every plan but from the look of things its a planed move but our president already knows!
Nawakwi was far much better than self proclaimed winner HH.
You can talk but can you do it? We left debates in grade 7. You want him to abandon the most important debate – talking to people face to face?
You miss it….this was talking to the whole nation in company of competitors.
PF are simply deceptive….that is why they shunned the debate.
Kombe BT
MUVI TV has a viewer ship of restricted audience who may already know Edgar Lungu and therefore makes more sense for Lungu to go and campaign to people who may not know him in Solwezi Chavuma and Zambezi.
Something seems to be the matter with LT. The heading and the content do not agree. How much have you been paid by paki Patel?
You Chitutuma, a runaway from Zambia, stop calling Dipak Patel names. You are a racist Bemba Monkey. Look at Vodka he is always limping and his godfather a grasshopper. Dipak is doing his job. He is not a Paki, he is a Zambian like any other Zambian. He is more black than the blackest Chitutuma.
@Mwiinga you Tonga Cow Dung. What makes you think Chitutuma is Bemba?
Truth be told:
I support HH in this election. He has a better chance against the failed PF project.
The debate was a revelation of Chipimo Jr. He was well researched and sold himself well from the parents accident. I am not convinced he yet has the witherall to lead the nation.
Edith is an acquaintance and good talker and this was seen at the debate. I withhold what I do know but do believe that like in the past she would make a good minister. Edith is stubborn…..and when one come close to Hambulo, then big trouble.
Mumba should go back to the pulpit.
Abash marijuana pusher. Is it even legal to advertise marijuana. Where was DEC? Sure if this is allowed on Presidential debate, how will we stop our children from doing ganja? DEC mumangeni Sinkamba.
HH is a loser. Laundered by Dipak and Maureen but still snobbish, pompous and self-praise mode. He is a typical tonga, stiff nose.
@Malupanga
Still held in tribe gridlock….move on. The debate was the best thing that happened to Zambia.
The loser was Lungu and PF. Zambians who watched the debate have a choice amongst those who showed them respect to turn up for the job interview.
I will be surprised if many sane Zambians who watched the interview will score favourably for the Lungu who snubbed them.
My score for PF Lungu = Refused to attend interview and therefore ZERO.
I am very happy to learn that even ba UPND did not believe in the debate. If they did they would concede Edith and Chipimo did better than HH. All he wants is EL. PF is seasoned and they know such to be rubbish. Its like interviews. It is not always that you do well in interviews. But you may even be in a position to do a better job than the best in the interview.
Shut up you bloggers!! You have nothing to argue about. You are all expressing your opinions with PF cadres whose Kaminamisa was absent are shooting HH because he is the pain in their flesh. Hichilemania is causing shivers to all the PF cadres. Anyway, the best candidate will emerge after January 20th. Your debate as who came out best wont help you anything.
I think all debaters did their best apart from lungu who is a failure and completely failed to peach up. Zambia shall be saved . Nervers for president
I’m a UPND supporter and frankly my party President wasn’t as impressive as Elias Chipimo and Nawakwi. HH was prepared, but I’m a little disappointed in the answers he gave to questions that we have, most of the answers were a little over-generalized.
Elias Chipimo pointed out the most serious issues we are facing and gave the most sound solutions. My president did the same but exaggerated on some issues and their possible solutions.
I will still vote for HH.
But why are you still going to vote for a person who failed to address your concerns? Wasn’t the idea behind the debate to help you choose your leader based on their understanding of problems the country faces and their possible approach to resolving them?
Dokowe, if HH were to form Government, I would be happy if he surrounded himself with the likes of you because you would be able to tell him the truth even when things are not going well. You are a true example of loyalty that is not blinded by reality and this is what breeds accountability in leaders, when even their own are able to tell them things that they may not be happy to hear. Keep it up, its a good trait.
YA YA YA. IT SEEMS YALUKA AGAINST BA UPND. ITS LIKE THIS WAS A DEBATE ORCHESTRATED BY HH IN ORDER TO FIGHT EL. THE FIRST TIME EL WAS ABSENT, HH ALSO ANGRILY BOYCOTTED THE DEBATES. THIS TIME HH KNEW THAT EL WILL STILL NOT BE AROUND SO HE CREATED A BOGUS E-MAIL ADRESS IN THE NAME OF LUNGU TO GIVE A FOOLISH EXCUSE FOR NOT ATTENDING. THEN CAME THE DEBATE. AND UNFORTUNATELY FOR HIM, NAWAKWI AND CHIPIMO CAME OUT AS TOP DEBATERS. BA HH INVESTED SO MUCH IN THIS DEBATE BUT HAS EVIDENTLY FAILED WITH OR WITHOUT EL. IT SEEMS YOU CAN NOT BEAT EL AT HIS GAME. MUVI TV HAS BEEN RUNNING A BOGUS OPINION POLL IN FAVOUR OF HH HAS ALSO MISSED IT.
Nawakwi won the debate HH lacked understanding of first of all the Zambian economics regional and world structural fit forgetting to read and understand that capital is shifting in Africa from west and south towards the east in countries like Kenya Tanzania and Rwanda
He has basically no understanding on economic matters as they unfold globally and in the regions affecting Zambia
I know and I follow the minds of Dr Scot and Nawakwi yayamba ABC and others in the BOZ and Ministry,they have the fundamentals right
Nawakwi is a future leadership to nature and preserve for future to work with lungu and the others with well meaning thinking
Dr Scot Nawakwi Lungu…
1. Nawakwi-did well in all areas
2 .Chipimo .did well in all areas but just lacked experience
Nevers- was the best in understanding leadership issues and international relation and linkags
3.HH- always narrows Presidency to corporate understanding and lacked understanding of intentional linkages. otherwise countries like china can not work with him
4. Not well organised
Regardless who came out tops the point is, and this is from my extensive research, not everyone that is the most eloquent, the most pursuasive, is the best performer practically when given a chance.
kIKIKI ba UPND just concede defeat.Chipimo and nawakwi were the best.HH was number last to my own judgement.He was there to attack PF and he memorized the everything.He was pompous and had no solutions to anything.He was busy saying i’ll reduce production cost,fuel,melie meal etc.But how are u going to reduce them?He couldn’t answer where he gonna get the money.He could not even defend govt to increase the taxes on mines but he attacked govt that the tax is too much.HH is on record saying Zambia needs windfall taxes but why is he supporting mines owners now?in conclusion don’t vote HH otherwise he’ll sell Zambia.We thank Muvi Tv to know HH better.He is being supported by coward n lazy pipo.we know them!!Pabwatoooo
tts y we always tel u ba upnd tt yo man hh has no experience on governance thats y he was outclassed by a woman cos she has worked in many position but the many always thinks he is the best let him humble himself and God will lift him up
Well for me HH did not express himself well. He did not answer the questions correctly. He might have been tired. If I were to choose a president from the discussions, I would go for Nevers, Elias or Nawakwi. Anyway any of the fools can be president and I do not care because nothing will change after 20th January. We might even get worse. Everybody here must mark my words.
The hidden word is foools
Deeds not Words are more important.Debates without Deeds are useless. Edgar Lungu meanwhile was with the grass roots showing what the Mighty PF has done and will continue doing!
Zambians you amaze me. Honestly as a debater myself and judge, the best candidate was HH, followed by CHIPIMO, NAWAKWI, MUMBA and SINKAMBA in that order. This is official results. During the debate all other Candidates agreed with HH points he raised that makes him outstanding.
Meanwhile, EL could not even watch the debate, he was extremely drank.Chakolwa.
conspicuously missing from the blogs are upnd cadres who were crying for a debate and were handsomely rewarded. Their candidate failed to articulate himself and came out as a cold stiff naked stone faced man. He would not hesitate to order the army to open fire on its citizen, he has no shred of ubuntu. Frankly speaking, upnd decampaigned itself yesterday!
ZAMBIANS PLEASE OPEN YOUR EYES. PF HAS NEVER TOLD ZAMBIANS ANY TRUTH EVER SINCE THEY CAME INTO POWER IN SEPTEMBER 2011. REMEMBER HOW ZAMBIANS WERE PLEADING FOR SATA TO ADDRESS THEM ON IMPORTANT NATIONAL ISSUES BUT ALWAYS PLAYED HIDE AND SEEK. REMEMBER HOW THEY CONTINUED TO HIDE SATA’S ILLNESS, AND EDGAR LUNGU WAS IN THE FOREFRONT LYING TO US, SAYING SATA WAS NOT SICK. THIS IS THE SAME DEMON THAT SOME FOOLISH ZAMBIANS ARE BUSY CAMPAIGNING FOR. LUNGU IS DISASTER FOR ZAMBIA! LUNGU IS NOT NOT AN INTERNATIONAL FIGURE. IT WILL BE A MOCKERY FOR ZAMBIANS TO PUT LUNGU AS OUR NEXT PRESIDENT. THIS LIAR WILL CONTINUE LYING TO US WHILE THEY ARE BUSY LOOTING OUR COUNTRY. LUNGU IS NOT ACCOUNTABLE, HENCE HIS ABSENCE FOR THE DEBATE. HOW CAN WE VOTE FOR SOME ONE WHO CAN NOT ARTICULATE HIMSELF? LUNGU RAN.
does hh know anything about security and international relations? the man thinks being president is the same as privatising companies where he can have some loot. he did badly on international relations.
does hh know anything about governance
What do you expect from Hakalusa Humwine? That is the only contest he can ever win!
Incoming President HH.
To the organisers. Next time you arrange a Presidential debate please feed through to community radio stations through out the country for wider coverage. To me this was more of an urban debate which marginalised key voters like me from rural Mwanya (Mukasanga Village) to be specific. Please remember that Lusaka is not Zambia.
Never Mumba and Nawakwi showed the understanding of what leadership is all about but HH always reduces himself to a chief executive officer there by narrowing his understanding of governance. As for Green party man. I think he needs to get organise himself. I think the guy smokes
HH might have come out as best speaker.
But his red eyes and red tongue (confirm with pictures) are clues that undermined his performance.
Red is not a good sine. Its certainly something associated with blood. Umulopa/Magazi, scary
HH and UPND will continue suffering from a disease called KULIBONESHA TAA. ba Nawakwi was the best despite HH having a leak edge from Muvi . GRZ is team work .
When some one called Hachipuka got appointed GM for ZCCM Central Division and later Zambia Railway MD the two companies became Tonga and non Tongas became victims until KK removed him from there
We cannot forget the torture my uncle went through. Subordinates became his boss based on tribe
UPND strategy failed again . With all the leakage from MUVI tv HH still failed the test. What a shame. It not too late . You can replace him with that fat Tonga MP(Not sure what his name is, but looks like a cow).
He can be replaced with Daniel Munkombwe.
So Dipak has grown so old that he cannot distinguish between the winner and the loser. Why start things you cannot control. I am sure he just signed that statement without agreeing with it unless njala yamunyokola and is looking for a job like one Gongs Jhala
My advice in life is that,whenever you are told that you did not perform as expected,accept and work on it. As me who was just listening to the radio without seeing faces agree that HH came third after mukazi na chipimo.
All I have to say is Kudos to all these guys. Ninety percent of success is turning up. I have great hope just listening to all these guys.
In my eyes, there’s only one position that is inarguable – Lungu came last
Why do bembas hate Tongas so much?if you listened to Komponi radio,yasan radio and Qfm analysis HH was the best followed by chipimo,Nawakwi but anyway i don’t expect any Bemba to see anything good in a Tonga,if they find Tongas in high positions they say it is because of tribalism when we beat the whole country in both grade 9 and 12 exams like it has always been to them is tribalism,when they see Tongas succeed they are satanists What kind of jealousy is this.
@TETA,MABWE ETC
Just work hard otherwise you will die poor and be buried in unnumbered grave every day showing jealousy are we the ones who made you poor?we know your economy is anchored on Finkubala.you boast about having successfully taking your fellow dunderheads to state house but you still remain the poorest tribe in Zambia just yapping every day.
HH failed the debate. Even my small daughter said why is HH peaking like that. He lamentably failed
its now clear that pf members, cadres and every one is scared to teeth . hh is winning without problems from voters everywhere hence the effort to talk ill about him. why cant they say all the same our poor kachasu vodger lungu failled to attend just like sata hated appearing before the zambian people. remember a president need to have good people in place which upnd has unlike pf with its confused ministers . its viva hh via upnd winners of 20 january 2015 elections . good bye pf.see you no where.