Susan Mulala’s dance with Veep sends shockwaves to Mabumba’s camp
….as 26-year-old UPND political newcomer shakes up Mwense Central
By DAVID KANDUZA
THE battle lines for Mwense Central Constituency have shifted from dusty town halls to the rhythmic beat of political showmanship.
Susan Mulala, the 26-year-old University of Zambia (UNZA) graduate and UPND youngest adopted candidate, sent strong shockwaves through her opponent’s camp.
This follows a widely publicised campaign encounter where she was captured dancing enthusiastically with Vice President Mutale Nalumango, signalling unwavering endorsement from the highest levels of the ruling Government.
The bold display of political synergy is targeted directly at veteran politician David Mabumba, the immediate past Member of Parliament and former Minister of Education. Mabumba, a seasoned political powerhouse who has dominated Mwense politics for 15 years, is facing a fierce grassroots youth movement that is rapidly reshaping Luapula Province.
Rather than staying intimidated by her rival’s decade-and-a-half dominance, Ms Mulala has transformed her youth into a powerful political weapon.
Pitching herself as a highly relatable leader representing Zambia’s under-30 majority she defied widespread advisory demands to run for local councillor instead of challenging a veteran parliamentarian.
To understand how a 26-year-old political newcomer is actively dismantling the armory of a 15-year veteran, we must look at the deep tactical plays shaping the Mwense Central race.
In traditional rural politics, age and experience are heavily revered.
Ms Mulala’s biggest hurdle was convincing conservative village elders that a 26-year-old woman could represent them in Parliament.
The public dance and subsequent closed-door prayer sessions with Vice President Nalumango served a vital dual purpose:
It framed Ms Mulala not as a rebellious youth, but as a nurtured, hand-picked daughter of the State House.
It sent a clear message to voters that while Mr Mabumba offers experience from the opposition benches, Ms Mulala offers a direct, unhindered telephone line to the national treasury and the Presidecy.
Instead of talking about macroeconomic policies that alienate rural voters, Ms Mulala has localised her campaign to emotional, everyday survival issues.
She has weaponised two distinct failures under Mabumba’s long tenure:
She frequently highlights the lack of reliable medical transport in remote areas of Mwense, forcing pregnant women to travel long distances.
Despite Mr Mabumba being a former Minister of Education, Ms Mulala points out schools in Mwense where children still sit on mud floors with over 100 pupils packed into a single classroom.
As a fresh UNZA graduate, she positions herself as the ultimate champion for the student population.
When Ms Mulala first announced her intentions, senior politicians from both sides of the aisle privately advised her to “start small” by running for Local Government Councilor. She publicly rejected the advice.
By aiming straight for the parliamentary seat, she captured the imagination of the youth.
Her campaign message is punchy: “If the youth are the majority, why should we settle for the sidelines?”
Mr Mabumba is no easy target. He understands the terrain of Mwense perfectly.
However, the entry of Mulala has completely disrupted his traditional defensive playbook:
Mr Mabumba’s main selling point has always been his 15-year track record.
However, Ms Mulala’s team has successfully turned “15 years of experience” into a liability, rebranding it as “15 years of the same old problems.”
More than 65 per cent of registered voters in the constituency are under the age of 35.
Mr Mabumba’s traditional, highly formal political rallies struggle to compete with Ms Mulala’s viral,
This election is a high-stakes litmus test for the ruling UPND.
Historically, Luapula Province has been a difficult region for the ruling party to secure.
By backing a young, charismatic female candidate, the UPND is attempting to fundamentally alter its regional identity and build a completely new, youth-driven voter base from scratch.