Five Things that will Destroy UPND
Allow me to share my thoughts on this topic. I have been back in Zambia for many months now and these thoughts are based on my experiences as a UPND member. Although I am an executive on the UPND USA/Canada Chapter, these thoughts do not necessarily represent the Chapter. They are my own.
1. Docile Secretariat. This is perhaps the most lukewarm secretariat the country has ever had. The UPND secretariat is so docile that members don’t even know who is in charge at Anderson Mazoka House. The secretariat has no vision for the party nor does it make efforts to engage its members. This is the time that it should step-up and show us that it exists and work for the party and people of Zambia.
2. Adopting Former Opposition Members in the Next Election. Recently, we have seen more and more opposition party members come to seek refuge into the UPND camp. Most of these newcomers have incessantly showered us with insults in the last decade or more. We all know that the reason they’re joining or supporting our party now is because their boat is sinking and they have nowhere else to run to. Don’t get me wrong—we can welcome as many people into the party as we please. However, letting these newcomers take centerstage at the expense of loyal members will be catastrophic. We should not even consider adopting them to contest on the UPND ticket in the upcoming general election. We have capable members who can contest as members of parliament, mayors, councilors and so on. We are not short of leaders in UPND. To show loyalty, we can ask the newcomers to support the party for five years before they qualify for a position in the party or government.
3. No Clear Succession Plan. Does anyone have an idea who will take over from President Hakainde Hichilema after his second term? Is it the current Vice President? If so, there is no evidence to show that she is being groomed to take over. An unclear succession plan is one of Zambia’s governance challenges. When we look at all our former presidents, NO ONE ever groomed a successor. Those who took over from them were mostly by pure chance. President Hakainde Hichilema should start thinking about UPND past his second term. The person who he picks as his running mate in the August general elections should be the person who will take over from him after he leaves office. Pick wisely.
4. Ignoring the Grassroots. One of the complaints I hear from party members as I travel the country is how they have been ignored by party officials. UPND party officials are not reaching out to the same people who campaigned and voted for them. In fact, even when they come into town, no one knows about their visit. This is a big problem. Although, I hear that now they’re beginning to reach out to members because of the coming election. My suggestion to party members is that, perhaps, this is an opportunity to replace our current party officials with new people. We need new party officials (especially at secretariat) who are going to bring new ideas and will continually engage the grassroots. Without the grassroots, we are nothing.
5. The Lack of Resources. Do you know that an average voter thinks that the party in power has unlimited resources? Well, history has shown us so. Unfortunately, this is not the case in the UPND era. The President has been clear that UPND does not use any government resources for its operations. Therefore, the party needs to find sponsors for its operations. UPND members and other well-wishers are the ones responsible for funding the party. I, together with many of my colleagues in the diaspora, have been donating our resources to the party for years. The Secretariat needs to get its act together and mobilize resources to keep the party running. I have shared some ideas to them on several occasions how we can make this happen. Needless to say, I have been ignored.
In conclusion, I honestly hope that we will make the necessary changes at all party levels so that we can be more efficient and effective in delivering our promises to the people of Zambia.
Wezi Ngwenya, MBA
Vice Secretary General
UPND USA/Canada Chapter