By Isaac Mwanza
Why did Mr. Hakainde Hichilema and UPND insist on renaming the Opposition Alliance as UPND Alliance?
Background
Mr. Hakainde Hichilema had just emerged from the Party General Assembly where he not only went unopposed for the position of the UPND Presidency but also amended the Party Constitution to ensure no candidate contest for a specific office of the National Management Committee but everyone would be appointed by him.
From the UPND General Assembly, Mr. Hichilema had just become a god to UPND members who had been elected to nameless positions in the NMC, as KK was to UNIP when all party powers had been vested in him in 1971.
HH Project to rename Alliance
Quickly, Mr Hichilema’s next task was: how to deal with the Alliance now that he had successfully managed to deal with his internal party politics. The danger in that Alliance was the National Democratic Party (NDC) and Chishimba Kambwili. The other so-called Opposition Alliance members are just nothing but shell of themselves having no influence and no following at all.
Hakainde Hichilema has some belief that in 2021, he would form Government. No doubt, Dr. Kambwili was the most probable running mate because among all others, either within the UPND or the Alliance, none would manage to canvass the vote from Bemba-speakers, the Copperbelt and Lusaka as would Dr Kambwili.
Paradoxically, even the newly appointed UPND Vice President Mutale Nalumango, she has little influence among Bemba-speakers just as GBM influence had been overrated when he became the running mate in 2016.
What Mr Hichilema needed was Dr. Kambwili and not necessarily the NDC. Kambwili would simply have jumped on the bandwagon without questions but this is the man who, no doubt, tried to look out for the best interest of everyone than himself. What he didn’t know is that some of those whom he had tried to look for their interest were the opposite of him.
With the belief Mr Hichilema carries that he would win the August 2021, the UPND probably started contemplating the thought of having a powerful and ambitious Republican Vice President as Chishimba Kambwili with a good percentage of Members of Parliament belonging to his party.
If by any chance the PF lost elections as did MMD in 2011, it would be a little easier to dismantle the PF in Parliament than it would be to dismantle the NDC whose leader would, at that time, be the Republican Vice President and potential President in 2026. With Mr Kambwili as Vice President, NDC and PF still having numbers in Parliament, it would not be easy for Hichilema to govern, so the UPND could have reasoned. So what was the plan?
The plan was to frustrate Chishimba Kambwili in the same manner Michael Sata and Wynter Kabimba played a fast one on Hichilema during the PF-UPND Pact. I have a fair understanding of what was happening when the PF-UPND Pact was being dismantled but that is the story for another day.
Bridget Atanga who was until 2017 a member of the UPND had just been appointed Secretary General of the NDC and Joseph Akafumba who was rejected as UPND aspiring candidate for Livingstone Central had just been appointed as Vice President of the NDC. The appointing authority was Dr Kambwili himself, whom the duo now claim is not a registered office bearer of the NDC and has no powers at all.
The two former members of the UPND who now occupied the 2nd and 3rd Position in NDC were an entry point for the scheme to do away with Dr. Kambwili. This is where the journey is. But what is the benefit of this to Mr Hichilema in particular?
Unless you were young then Kaunda started on the same path as Hakainde Hichilema on a journey towards a One-Party State. Mr Hichilema does not want to form Government where NDC has Members of Parliament and a Republican Vice President he cannot control.
Mr Hichilema has just managed to become a god within his party where everyone now occupied a position at his pleasure. They can be replaced at any time at his own pleasure. For NDC to be in Government with the UPND, it is first impossible to fire the Republican Vice President. It is equally impossible to discipline Alliance MPs who would be in Parliament on NDC ticket.
Worse, Mr Hichilema whose party Manifesto has promises amendments to the Constitution if he assumes power would still not have it easy to amend the Constitution with Members of Parliament who belong to NDC and under the command of his Republican Vice President Chishimba Kambwili.
Mr Hichilema’s insistence to rename the Opposition Alliance to UPND Alliance was to ensure every MP stands on the UPND ticket in 2021, can be disciplined by the UPND even expelled if they espoused allegiance to any other person apart from Hichilema himself.
Kambwili would not only become toothless but also Hichilema would fully control Parliament even turn it into One Party Parliament, if he managed to get the PF MPs to defect. This is what he has done to his internal party arrangement. I know they may insult me for saying this but deep down this is the reality they won’t acknowledge. Mr Hichilema has gone the similar path Kenneth Kaunda went.
In short, Mr Hichilema’s scheme of the UPND Alliance and everyone standing on the UPND ticket is about loyalty to Mr Hichilema himself. This is the project that begun with changing internal arrangements where all UPND leaders espouse loyalty and sing praises to Mr Hichilema or risk being replaced.
What Mr Hichime did to UPND was extended to the Alliance of Political Parties, a few days after he successfully installed himself as the all-powerful Father within the UPND, the same way Kaunda did with those who seemed to have had influence. Kaunda had to bring them under the wings of UNIP and he was later to declare a One-Party State and become a dictator, “kumulu lesa, panshi Kaunda.”
The name of the Opposition alliance was quickly changed at a time when UPND had no office bearers to negotiate with other Alliance partners. So, who finalised the negotiations of the name and adoption of the UPND Alliance Presidential Candidate on behalf of the UPND? It was Mr Hichilema himself as all the 70 NMC Members could not have sat with a few to finalise the arrangements.
Mr Hichilema is moving at the same path that Bashi Panji was moving into transforming himself into a dictator. Kaunda had UNIP and a few good numbers of other Opposition leaders cheering him in the same manner some UPND and those Milupis are doing to him.
Again, let this sink that Mr Hichilema wants every other opposition person to stand on the UPND ticket, the party he himself has taken full control, because he wants only the party he controls to have MPs. If there is no NDC, and if he managed to subdue the PF MPs after August 2021, then Zambia will be back to a de facto One-Party State. With such power, one can only imagine the legislation Mr Hichilema will pass in Parliament.
Kambwili’s fate and future politics
As to Kambwili’s fate, the English say, it shall be seen what will become of him next. He is not wanted by the Opposition Alliance as long as he stands on his principles and does not bow down to Hichilema.
Can he go back to PF? The sad part is that he has stepped on the toes, insulted so many people, including Edgar Lungu.
What Kambwili can count on though is that President Lungu is a man with a big heart. Almost all who tried to undermine him (Miles Sampa, Mulenga Sata, GBM, etc) he embraced them, some he gave positions in Government, others in the party, Government bodies or diplomatic service. On that basis, President Lungu who is always forgiving no matter what can seat and listen to Kambwili if he shows remorse. Afterall, Kambwili and everyone is just in politics. There are no permanent enemies in Politics but only same interests.
Well written, I would say. This article has laid bare the intentions of the UPND Alliance.
Wako ni wako!
Mr.Mwanza just shut up.
If UPND was led by an easterner, renaming UPND into UPND Alliance would not have been an issue.
Your article is shallow and full of hatred and misconceptions.
Chanda, shut it!
It’s no skin of your nose.
We all know that Isaac Mwanza is a PF Cadre. He should tell us when is the Panga Family Convention and who is going to be elected President and PF Presidential Candidate? Isaac Mwanza should tell us why PF Cadres are threatening Concourt Judges and attacking Malawi Judiciary? PF should leave Zambia Concourt Judges alone and allow them to determine ECL’s Eligibility Objectively and Professionally. Clearly in terms of the Republican Constitution ECL is illegible to stand in 2021 becoz he has held office, elected and sworn in twice in 2015 and 2016. PF should find another Presidential Candidate. That’s what Isaac Mwanza should be advising PF and leave HH and UPND Alliance alone after all they can speak for themselves.
I personally don’t agree to renaming the Alliance into our party name. But Mwanza is right. Those are the reasoning of HH
Kambwili will punish HH by campaigning for Lungu. This will make us lose elections again due to selfishness by UPND
Kambwili will punish HH by campaigning for Lungu. This will make us lose elections again due to selfishness by UPND.
In 2015 and 2016,you are the same people who said you will punish HH and voted for pf, are the prices of mealie meal, fuel, cooking oil etc only punishing HH?
Mr Boza married Miss Wenye and some of their children Ubufi, Boza junior, Utesi, Ulabeja
HH can’t win elections in Zambia. CK was going to help him. Waste of vote to vote for him
Isaac Mwanza and PF overate the usefulness of CK. They think that if CK rejoins PF then the whole CB will vote for ECL and PF inspite of discontent among Zambians. PF’s Corruption and Mismanagement of the Economy has made life unbearable to most Zambians. Prices of Goods and Services have skyrocketed and with the sharp depreciation of the Kwacha prices of consumer goods by August 12, 2021 Elections will have trebled making ECL very unpopular and unelectable. CK is untrustworthy and is now heavily tainted and PF can have him. What value has GBM brought to PF since he rejoined to eat the vomit? Now GBM is seen roaming around with twusaka twandalama buying votes in Provinces. CK can join GBM in fooling Zambians but won’t get them the votes.
Once an Under 5, always Under 5. That’s Kalusa for you.
GBM told the Nation that CK will be re-joining PF in 8 week’s time. GBM and PF believe that CK is an Asset to PF and will bring all the CB votes to PF in the 2021 Elections. Let PF dream on and Good luck to ECL and PF.
If HH ‘a man with no smile’ was to win, Zambia will go through serious dictatorship.
I see a bad future for Zambia if he become President.
Lets put EL back as we look around for a better Leader in 2026.
This Mwanza chap has absolutely no business here, why can’t he first sort out his PF cadres brandishing cash
KAMBWILI = Chameleon !!
GET RID OF HIM !!!!!!!!
CROOKED RACIST
Well articulated Mr Isaac Mwanza and I respect your opinion Sir. I am wondering if you are alive to the fact that Chishimba Kambwiri as we speak is a convict? Does our law allow convicts to hold public office? Do you have any idea what Lungu and his appointed Judges would do if HH was caress to an extent of your insinuation to put CK as running mate? What you are merely doing Sir is to persuade CK to go back to PF. Conversly, your subtle preparation of Ediger Chagwa Lungu to accept CK is so clear for us all to see. Call a spead what it is, that is being a real man Mr Mwanza Sir.
UPND has consistently lost elections because they refuse to acknowledge their shortcomings. CK and GBM could have contributed positively to UPND but HH has always seen things only through his eyes.
2021 could have been for HH easily but…
Just rename it to Hatonga HaOnly party. Speaking of tribalism and racism.
Thoughts and good wishes to harry and Meghan. If racism can be shown to their mixed race child based on darkness of his skin, what more these Sudan black upnd diasporans. You guys must be suffering there abroad. Why suffer like that. Sad
Well bloggers, I have noticed that some bloggers reasoning is off so they tend to insult other bloggers. I thought as bloggers we needed to analse this article for or against to see through what mwanza has written
Is the argument the name or the alliance? If its the name then what is the issue?. Its very clear that from the acronym UPND , UP was picked and from NDC, N and D was picked making UPND? Any issue with that?
Even if he names it HH, there is no problem. This post must not be moderated. Just concentrate on your PF party whose fortunes are declining by the day
Halwindi, do you think Kaizars reasoning is like that, for him, any body with a divergent view is a full forgetting that he is the biggest full
WHO IS KAMBWILI THAT HE SHOULD BE AN ISSUE IN UPND, A PARTY TO WHICH HE DOES NOT BELONG? AIZEKI MWANZA SHOULD BE SHEDDING MORE LIGHT ON LUNGU’S ELIGIBILITY TO CONTEST. IF YOU BELIEVE KAMBWILI WAS BETTER PLACED AS UPND RUNNING MATE BECAUSE OF HIS BEMBA FIMO FIMO, OTHERS BELIEVE OTHERWISE. GOD IS IN CONTROL JUST AS HE CONTROLLED THE DAVID VS GOLIATH BATTLE. TO BELIEVE THAT UPND HAS BECOME WEAK JUST BECAUSE A GOLIATH HAS BEEN SPURNED IS PURE POLITICAL MYOPIA.
THE PASSION OF THE SPURNED HAS GRIPPED ISAAC MWANZA AND HIS ILK MORE THAN IT HAS DONE TO KAMBWILI HIMSELF. WHY? IS IT BECAUSE THEY HAVE A GENUINE LIKING FOR UPND? NO! POLITICAL PARTIES MUST BEWARE OF MOLES FROM THEIR COMPETITORS!
UPND is ever in denial. Election loss, denial, CK can bring you votes. Denial. Now we shall see how.
Titambako chabe
The Bemba adage goes like this “ICHKWANKA BACHIMWENA KUMAMPALANYA” Loosely translated means you can know the character of something or someone through the apparent colours it/he displays in front of you. I am not Bemba, but I learnt bemba through formal education as a subject. back to the article, What Mr Mwanza has done is to dissect the events in the UPND and link them to what the Bembas say “Ichikwanka….” some indication clearly point to the fact that we are dealing with a potential “IDI…” In every society there are extreme individuals and Zambia is no exception. The Germans had “IDI…”of their own in the name of Rudolf Hitler who later led them to world wars. Our own “Ichikwanka…” has shown those traits (Dictatorship) for some time even without amending his…
… The Germans had “IDI…”of their own in the name of Rudolf Hitler who later led them to world wars. Our own “Ichikwanka…” has shown those traits (Dictatorship) for some time even without amending his constitution those colours are apparent. Those who have been close to him have given various descriptions such as egoistic, selfish, self-conceited etc but these are some of the traits that dictators have, and they also still claim that people love them. Democracy will return to our land when we involve our ECZ in all democratic elections in our country. Otherwise we will continue to wittiness the kind of dictatorship that we see in these small presidents and their conventions.
Mr Mwanza,
Eyes on the ball, mune, keep your eyes on the ball. The UPND issues should not be an issue as they are not in
Government. You should focus your Talk, instead, on the prevailing kleptocracy and the downward spiral in the currency , unemployment, mismanagement of the country at all levels; the list is endless. These are the topical and burning issues. Not what HH might or might not do if he does or does not get power. The burning question is why PF should be given another mandate to run the country completely off the rails. . It is clear by your concluding remarks that you are dyed on the wool PF lap dog.
This is rubbish, malabisi. One question is that why can Kambwili with his all belly accept to get back to PF when he has a party in this country? We do not have time to re-draft our constitution but ours is to go forward. Soon we will win even if there will be a second round race.
NDC and others will flop when PF rigs through round one. Round two UPND will win because all those who defected to join other parties will never vote or drop their vote on devil PF.
The alliance partners played their game pretty smart. In fact too smart. The plan of the detractors was to have the alliance etch a new name then throw in spanners at registration. That would have caused turmoil considering that elections are just a few months away. Life is not as plain as you see it, no?
Akanwa kobe, kakakuletelela
That’s the description of an evil devil. Kleptoh² is the devil in the making. What wretched schemes.
CK is also a problem here.
I said it that CK was choosing a career end for himself the moment he started his rants out’a PF. Twaliitambapo movie iyi.
His enemy is his lack of reading times and control for his tongue. Timing is of the essence. When you have an energetic president who is not done yet, you don’t move an inch while watching your mouth.
His mouth started it, his mouth would save him. Let him just humble himself.
Every dog has its day.
NDC with ka one MP want their name also on the UPND alliance. Why do light weights overate themselves so much in Zambia. The other day, it was Mmembe saying we won’t join the alliance as if his personal to holder party would add any value to the alliance.
These ruling party mushanina bwali always talking about HH this and that, but they forget to advice the big boss ECL who prevailing over a failing economy and country. Things keep getting tougher for the locals and don’t think people will be fooled by the donations the PF is throwing at them
The attempt to swallow smaller parties and give them one Surname is worrying. This is how dictators are made.
I wonder what else HH would do once given presidential powers. I am beginning to get worried.
UPND will cry again this year. I can predict with certainty.
UPND will cry again this year. I can predict with certainty!
This is one of the FEW MOST accurate articles I have ever read about HH/UPND or UPND/HH (well! HH = UPND and UPN =HH). TRULY, we have a worse-than Adolf Hitler Dictator in the making. In English they say, “fore warned fore told”. Similarly, in Bemba they say, “Uukwebele imfwa yaba noko emutanshi”. From inception HH/UPND has ever highlighted the element of dictatorship and separatist tendencies along the lines of traibalism/racism. These are the elements electorate fear about HH/UPND and the electtorate are absolutely right. I wonder why and how Zambians would put themselves in obvious danger by HH in absolute power. I am appealing to Zambians to go ahead and vote for this highly potential dictator if they wish to have a taste and share of dictatorship regime. And mind you once living…
…dictatorship regime. And mind you once living in dictatorship, the point of return to normalcy is almost non existence. Don’t say you haven’t been warned.