By Ernest Chanda
BREBNER Changala has urged President Hakainde Hichilema to engage the media constantly as he used to do in opposition.
In an interview, Changala, a good governance activist, observed that President Hichilema has since “abandoned the commitment to inform the nation whatever is going on around the country”.
“I want to register my serious concern on the UPND Alliance, but most importantly our President Mr Hakainde Hichilema. We do realise as some of his colleagues and allies that he has not initiated any meaningful change that can insulate him from not falling in the same trap like his predecessor,” he said. “We realise that when he came into office, the first month was brilliant and highly celebrated because he communicated very well with the nation through the media. At every turn of his activity, he informed the nation. Carrying forward, the man has disappeared below the media radar. He cannot interact with the media other than at swearing-in ceremonies and the airport, which is the very behaviour and conduct of the previous president [Edgar Lungu]. He has abandoned the commitment to inform the nation whatever is going on around the country.’’
Changala cited several activities President Hichilema has undertaken which he needed to explain to the nation through the media.
“Six months down the line, this President has gone out of the country more than 11 times. But he has not found time and space to tour the country which is going through a drought that might create food shortage. He has not gone round or indeed speak to the nation to give them hope on the current economic challenges,” he observed. “He has not taken time to explain to the people of Zambia the long-term benefits of the removal of subsidies. He has not taken time to reassure and give energised hope to the youth who gave him the mandate to govern this country as to what timeframe will it take to accommodate them and have either reemployment, tertiary, apprenticeship, or indeed the famous empowerment programme.”
Changala said President Hichilema has shunned people who voted for him.
Changala noted that even if President Hichilema knew what he was doing, he still needed to explain to the nation regularly.
“In short, he has not been very active to engage the very people that elected him. I know he must have been exhausted by the long period that he stayed in the opposition. But also, I know he might have decided to work quietly, thinking that he knows what he’s doing is good for the country. Politics and governance does not work like that,” he said. “Politics and governance is anchored on constant communication with the governed. Any shortcut to that effect will invite the people to start issuing statements on his behalf; even statements that are incorrect. And that’s where they come and start creating unnecessary by-laws in order to fix those who speak for the government when the government cannot speak for itself because human life is dynamic.”
Changala has since encouraged President Hichilema to constantly engage the nation.
“I also invite him to engage the nation from time to time through press briefings so as to move in tandem with the people of Zambia as they suffer consequences of many economic reforms that he has energized; some of them without their consent,” said Changala. “He must also engage his own party structures. Those who supported him, those who lived with him for the last 16 years in the opposition. Those he has promised a better future, and yet there’s no constant reminder that the future of milk and honey is indeed within reach. He must not feel comfortable by being quiet and doing things because he knows it and yet the people who are supposed to benefit know nothing.”