President Hakainde Hichilema’s recent confession—that “leadership is not easy, it is assumed to be easy from a distance, it is pretty challenging”—might just be the first truth he’s spoken since taking office. For a man who campaigned with an “I know it all” attitude, this overdue admission explains the endless parade of broken promises and his authoritarianism. It seems he’s realized that there’s a big chasm between campaign slogans and the actual work of governance.
From a distance, President Hichilema seemed convinced that catchy slogans, rehearsed speeches, and global charm offensives were all it took to transform Zambia. He genuinely believed that with a little technocratic tweaking and the magic dust of his business reputation, investors would pour in and problems would vanish. He thought he could fix what others had struggled with for years—armed only with a Bally wand and bravado. But once he got to Plot One, that wand turned into a twig. And it’s splintering fast.
Political theorist Max Weber once said that power lies in the “slow boring of hard boards.” But Hichilema treated the presidency like a TED Talk—symbolic, sanitized, and style over substance. Coalition-building, compromise, humility? Not his thing. Instead, he bulldozed over the legacies of his predecessors, acting as if anything before him was obsolete. His obsession with his own ideas (“I am the only one… in the history of this country”) and his compulsive finger-pointing at Edgar Lungu have become so stale that even his die-hard supporters are cringing. One woman called shaking the President’s hand “ukuiishamika”—a curse.
Now, the office that once appeared so glamorous is clearly wearing him down. The Messiah, once worshipped by crowds, is now likened to satan. These days, the best compliment he gets is being called Bashi Promise. The same people who once jeered Lungu under HH’s approving gaze now mock HH in the same breath. Karma has a Zambian passport.
But if HH always knew leadership was this difficult, why did he mock the legacies of Mwanawasa, Banda, Sata, and Lungu as if their struggles were signs of incompetence? Each led Zambia through thorny domestic and global challenges. None of them, it must be said, faced the kind of disillusionment HH has stirred up in just three years. His political capital has all but evaporated. Even “Bally Will Fix It” T-shirts have become unwearable—unless you’re trying to insult your own intelligence. Rumor has it even the First Lady has retired hers.
Still, we must give credit where it’s due. A confession, however calculated, is a rare thing in politics. As my people say, “umwana ekalisha ilyo anya”—a child only sits still after soiling itself.
But let’s not be naïve. As a student of politics, I know better than to take anything from Plot One at face value. This “humble” confession may just be a strategic plot—political framing ahead of the 2026 election. And it comes with two clear advantages.
First, it builds a sympathetic strategy: “I’ve learned, I’ve matured, now I’m ready.” It’s a plea for forgiveness dressed in the robes of wisdom. Second, it sets a rhetorical trap: anyone who criticizes him too harshly is now just “watching from a distance,” as he once did—meaning they don’t really get how hard it is to lead. Classic anticipatory deflection: admit your flaws before your opponents can turn them into weapons.
But that trick only works if Lungu stays off the ballot. If Lungu runs, he’ll blow that “you don’t understand” excuse to bits. He’s been in the trenches. He knows the weight of the job. Which explains HH’s relentless efforts to keep Lungu off the 2026 ticket.
Now the big question. Will Zambians buy it? Will they see HH as a humbled, seasoned leader deserving a second chance—or a failed experiment seeking political cover?
To me, HH came to Plot One with the mind of a baby boss. And in doing so, he misjudged the patience—and intelligence—of the Zambian people. Now, the country is paying the price–unmet expectations, economic strain, and a boiling public mood.
A second term might bring wisdom. But whether the electorate is still interested in Bashi Promise—that’s the real challenge.
Kapya Kaoma
Name me one person in Zambia that has better leadership skills than the current president?
Answer: No one.
President HH is one of the most distinguished Zambians leader EVER.
He is a statesman, he is cultured, he is articulate and he is great leader of people.
Stop asking yourself silly questions that you will Answer with your tunnel vision: There are 10 million adults in Zambia whom you should not insult with such myopic opinions. I can list you a dozen visible leaders: 1 Sishuwa Sishuwa 2 Kalaba 3 Mundubile
4 Given Lubinda 5 John Sangwa 6 Mumbi Phiri 7 Linda Kasonde 8 10 Million Adult Zambians etc etc
Ibrahim Traore.
Just read the first paragraph and knew who the author is…Brother man whatever your name is ,HH is the president of Zambia whether you like ir or not.You hate him but the people who voted for him are happy and they like him.Your narrative doesn’t change anything.Lungu is not coming back.So these malicious writings won’t change anything
Calling yourself Musonda won’t hide your identity. Respond to article as an individual. What do you mean by people? It seems you need help. Post your face with Bally will fix it T-shirt. Lusaka Times will probably publish it.
From recollection ,every president from KK to HH have once said leadership is hard, as does the bible.Dont misconstrue a simple fact of life to mean failure
Noone hates him its not a word we like to use
he is the president and shall be till 2026 there is no doubt in that and respected !!
However for all his good qualities doesnt translate to being a good president and would be more suited in commerce and trade for zambia
we can only hope those within UPND can see this
Musonda, be truthful. Who can still be happy with bashi promise with what Zambians are going through. Economy has worsened, it was even better under PF
Kikikikikiki! I love Kapya Kaoma’s wit. Or is it the editor s? Ati from Bally to Belly Up. Monga ni boza!
Are you sure that the people that voted for him are happy? Just because people have been carteled using cybercrime law are quiet does not mean people are happy bwana.
You never voted for him and nothing will change.Keep on crying here.Those who voted for him are not on LT,only haters
We are extremely disappointed with 2H leadership because we genuinely thought he had a few tricks under his sleeves to deal with the imperialists. How can you sleep at knight knowing that you are destroying your own home?
Go and do basic economics.You Start by growing the GDP before you stabilise the economy.There is no magic here.Ignorance talking.You Lung left you in serious trouble.He could not pay the Eurobond,He defaulted,why?Use your common sense
The above pictures shows a clique of thieves scheming how they will bankrupt Zambia….useless Pompwes…they should be ashamed of themselves
I knew HH is a bandit the moment he started welcoming and embracing the same PF Politicians he said were thieves….people like Kelvin Sampa and Sunday Chanda….Moses Mawere etc
Don’t give him another term please! I am a very unhappy voter who regrets supporting these guys. I even donated some little euros I was making and made sure to come home to vote.
First three months I knew this man wasn’t serious about the people but rather business interests.
He raised the floor price of maize and tried to justify it on the basis on encouraging the 2percent commercial farmers so they could make profits. That was the start of the rise in mealie meal price, aside from the negligent sale of maize reserves.
Secondly, we have it on good authority that he is a shareholder of IRH which bought the mine without ‘buying’ it since there was no transfer of shares (just shift of shares) as stated by mines minister when explaining why parliament wasn’t involved.
Go and do basic economics,demand and supply,you might learn few things there…You don`t even have a small garden for tomatoes on your back yard and you want cheap maize?Your country didn’t have rain for crying out loud.What do you smoke you people?Even if its hatred Ikona man
Bashi promise has failed and has no plan going forward. That’s is the reason he wants to oppress people through laws that are only found in countries like Cuba.
He voluntarily promised(not under duress)
– sworn in at 10, Kwacha picks at 14
– Cut out middlemen to bring price of fuel to K12(4 years down the line, nothing)
– Price of mealiemeal would be K50
– Price of fertiliser would be K250
– Loadshedding was due to poor leadership, it is still there now. ZESCO gives us power at 22 and by 04 it is gone
– He was going to abolish cyber laws
I am not going to be told this again in 2026. I have made up my mind.
4 wasted years and 1 more to go
I just polited posted unfulfilled promises by UPND, and either LT or shushushus in the background have moderated it out. Frightened little men.
Yes, these chaps are moderating things. You won’t lie to me again in 2026. I wasted my vote in 2021
Bashi Promise has lamentably failed. Even his people are telling us in private. Bashi promise wants to listen to the likes of Brank Fwalya, Mevers Numba and Sark Mimuwe who are just misleading him further
You never voted for HH stop lying from your back side.HH is doing fine so far.
-Mines are opening
-Paid out the pensioners and farmers
-Free education and meal allowances for our students
-Recruitment of our young people
-Dismantling the debt Lungu left,he just started paying back guess you are not aware
-CDF
-Opening Mulungushi Textiles so that thieves who were stealing through Military uniforms (tendering) won’t have that chance.
-Fertilizer plant opening soon
-Wiring supplying company opening soon
Mukose bakawalala NO MORE Tantamene!
You never voted for HH stop lying from your back side.HH is doing fine so far.
Where is fuel for K12, mealiemeal for K50, Fertiliser for K250, repealing cyber laws, ending loadshedding(ZESCO power now comes at 22 and goes by O4)
Thank you to the PF for the Kafulafuta dam project. THANK YOU EDGAR CHAGWA LUNGU
This failure by the UPND has an adjective called lamentable. Before the word failure, always add lamentable because it is what it is. Total failure. A nephew to the VP recently told me that our auntie and her government have lamentably failed.
Liswaniso says the ground is tough as the economy is bad and is calling his youths to defend the President, meanwhile the President is totally disconnected from reality and is in self praise mode saying he brought free education. Who ever eats free education mwebanthu please. But also Liswaniso needs to know that there is nothing that can be defended now, its too late. Just pray the opposition continue wandering in the wilderness for UPND to have one percent chance of be reelected.
He is busy buying tickets for soccer fans. If you are a Nkana supporter dont worry he will pay for the seats you destroyed in our stadium
Very funny country this one, stage managed defections are being shown on ZNBC TV regularly(the only TV channel in the world which shows one sided ‘defections’) but real defections are happening daily in compounds. The ground has shifted, the people on the ground keep saying they are sure and know who to remove but do not know yet who to vote for in view of a fragmented and directionless opposition specialised in press conferences and all of them without any tangible plan on how to rescue people from hunger and worst cost of living brought about by the incompetent UPND leadership
I posted a polite comment talking about UPND incompetency and it has been moderated out
These Uni Students trying to run this site are lacking
Freedom of speech not understood fully
That’s highly probably because your post is BS
Do you see how self praise is contagious and confusing, somebody is now even saying Ndola is now looking like Joburg. Obviously the first indication is that he has never been to joburg or secondly medical attention is required urgently. He may be needing help. Treat such things with urgency please
Kikikikikikiki For Ndola to look like Jo-burg You must build a railine to the airport, highways from Twapia to Chifubu and Lubuto West up to Ndeke. Bally can do it?
No he cannot. How can he? Capacity and competency both lacking
What we have is a failed government. Hichilema and his people have failed us. They have made too many mistakes. If you give away minerals for free to white people, where are you going to get the money to develop the country? How is Hichilema funding the free education and CDF foolish projects. Over taxing Zambians, selling our maize and exporting electricity. These people should be ashamed of themselves. Please, stop giving Nalumango the microphone because every time she speaks, it is like a mad person from Chainama
The masters love our President. It’s game over for Zambia.
NO IT”S NOT OVER !!!
LOADSHEDDING AND BELLY UP THE SLOGAN
Kapya Kaoma the perennial “know-it-all columnist ? Naahhh ,lets just move on.
The most unfortunate thing too is that most of the commentators here is like they say ” you shall know them by their language” birds of the same feather flock together,”
If you claim your kinsmen were better because they could borrow monies to tantamika you and give you the money for consumption why did you remove them? It’s the mindset like the one for most commentators here that has landed this country in the mess it is. We are people who don’t believe in planting the little seeds and wait to harvest bountifully for us and children tomorrow. ” Tantameni tumipele mulye ifya maili fikaimwena” your bad mentality. People who appreciate what HH has achieved is not you and you have never been. Keep lamenting. They will vote for him massively. Keep your vote for ka faza Lungu
Just call yourself by your real name. Hamusonda?
-Free education and Meal Allowances to our student
-Debt restructuring and dismantling it by paying back
– Mines are Opening
-Mulungushi textiles opening
-Kafue plant to produce cheap fertiliser
-Employment of young men and women
-Paying farmers and pensioners on time
-CDF
-No more Hooligans at our bus stations and in our Markets
-No has been killed under HH by the police
Mokose ba kawalala!
Thank you Milton Muzala for your words:
1.Who in this world doesn’t know the cause of our load shedding?
2. Who in world doesn’t know that we are servicing a huge debt that that was gotten in the pretext of improving the very facilities that generate power and even alternative sources?
3.Who doesn’t know your very kinsmen and women who once ruled us at one time defaulted in paying back the money they borrowed which even attracted penalties?
The only issue I’m seeing here is the Man himself is one you have never liked right from the time he was in opposition. Even u know this deep down your hearts but we don’t care because you never share his vision, hence you never even voted for him despite he won with a wider margin which may even be doubled next year.
Kapya I am not Bemba but I grew up learning the language at Copperbelt schools. We were made to understand that the saying Umwana ekalisha nga anya referred to a stubborn kid who would squat (against advice by adults to put his buttocks on the ground) until that posture forced him to fart. Then he would embarrassedly realise he needed to take the advice to avoid farting. Correct me
@Ngandu “Just call yourself by your real name. Hamusonda?”The reason you will remain foolish and dull forever is looking at people`s names and where they come from as if your name carries Gold…Travel and stay outside the country for 5yrs to open up your brain
@Museke wa Museke… I ve travelled around the world and stayed in places where you can sh!t in your pants.Zambia is still a very big village. I am Not even scared to post my face with Bally will fix on a T shirt.Even those who went to school are disappointing, unfortunately are the majority. The education system in Zambia is still very far behind.