THIS is not a church, it is politics, naise tifuna kudyamo (we also want to eat some), UPND national youth chairperson Gilbert Liswaniso has told President Hakainde Hichilema.
And Liswaniso says true elections will only be held in 2041.
Addressing youths at a rally at Maramba Stadium in Livingstone, Friday, Liswaniso, who is fondly known as General Mosquito, said President Hichilema’s appointees were not looking into the plight of the youths.
“[Justice Minister Princess] Kasune, go and tell the President that us as youths will campaign for him, but we want to tell him to remove those that are not helping us. For HH to be popular, it’s the youths, they love him, but what is supposed to come to us is not coming. You Kasune, you’re working, but there are others who are not helping us. We don’t see them. We are not playing, this is not a church , it’s politics, naise tifuna kudyamo (we also want to benefit). Tell HH not to worry, these other political parties, we are ready for them, those that killed youths and arrested HH and want to come back,” Liswaniso, who spoke in Nyanja, said as he received loud applause from the crowd.
And Liswaniso said UPND would fight to be in power for longer than they were in the opposition.
“True elections will only be in 2041. We have been in the opposition for 23 years, so we want to be in power for 23 years,” he said.
Liswaniso insisted that some government officials were letting down President Hichilema.
“To you youths, yes us as leaders [we] may not serve you well, but your true leader is HH. Let’s love each other, let’s forgive each other, let’s reconcile but the biggest issue is HH,” he said.
Liswaniso said the youths were President Hichilema’s messengers, but was quick to add: “But they are also asking for a little that you can give them. They want to benefit and be part of leadership, so we ask you to please amend the constitution and delimitate some constituencies so that we can also benefit from the CDF.”
Sesheke UPND member of parliament Romeo Kang’ombe, who is also UPND Mobilisation Chairperson, urged the youths not to be cheated by the opposition and asked for patience as President Hichilema delivers on his promises.
“So for us, we ask that you give us more time, so that slowly but sure, we can deliver, we will get there. We will not be confused or derailed by those who don’t know what is happening. HH has done a lot and a lot more still awaits to be done,” Kang’ombe said.
He appealed to President Hichilema to find time and hold a rally in Livingstone.
Southern Province youth chairperson, who is also Magoye UPND member of parliament, Mweemba Malambo said youths were happy with President Hichilema’s numerous achievements, especially free education and enhanced CDF.
He also hailed the President’s commitment to recruiting more youths into the military, health and education sectors, and also managing to sort out the huge debt left by PF.
“Fertiliser to farmers was given out on time and we expect a bumper harvest. A lot has been done through CDF. In Tonga they say utalumbi muubwa (only a dog does not appreciate),” said Malambo.
He urged all the youths that do not have NRCs to take advantage of the mobile NRC issuance programme so that they can vote next year.
Meanwhile, Kasune urged the youths to be strong and campaign for President Hichilema.
By Edwin Mbulo
