If I don’t become president, others will become – Kalaba
CITIZENS First party leader Harry Kalaba has declared that if he does not become president in 2026, others will, but his efforts will pave way for a brighter future for Zambia.
Kalaba’s remarks culminate from chief Government spokesperson, Cornelius Mweetwa was quoted by a named newspaper, expressing skepticism towards Kalaba’s candidacy, asserting that his experience was limited to minor positions, thereby rendering him unfit to lead the country.
Unbothered by Mweetwa’s prediction of failure in the 2026 presidential election, Kalaba hit back, asserting that Mweetwa’s doubts do not bother him in his mission to change Zambia for the better.
He asserted that while he remains dedicated to his vision for Zambia, if he does not ultimately succeed in becoming president, he recognises that others may be able to continue the fight for positive change.
Kalaba said becoming president or not is not the critical issue for citizens as at now, because what is essential is for Zambians to have reliable access to electricity, with loadshedding coming to an end.
“Our citizens need affordable mealie meal and other basic necessities. What our people truly require is equitable access to opportunities in government and beyond. They should be able to mine their gold without fear of intimidation or exploitation,” Kalaba told #Kalemba in an interview.
“These are the pressing issues that our country faces. Our citizens deserve to have their resources respected and the right to mine their gold without fear. This is what truly concerns me about our country’s future.”
Kalaba further urged government to focus on the real issues that Zambians are facing, rather than wasting time and energy in criticising the opposition.
“I remain unfazed by the comments made by the Chief government spokesperson; my attention is solely on what matters to our citizens,” declared Kalaba.
By Sharon Zulu
Kalemba August 13, 2025
Kalaba the registry clerk. That is only a possibility but the point is that. Those that want to be President have to come up with Transformational ideas that will
1. Deal with the debt that still looms over us. The mess that PF is among us. And has not been fully resolved.
2. We have a growing youth population. The nation has to strategic in dealing with their needs as a resource through education and human capital development and opportunities. Teach them to fish instead of giving them fish.
3. The growth and integration of our nation to meet regional and global challenges. Unless we grow and meet the challenges we will continue to live in the fringes and shadow of those who would like to exploit us. Lets not be someones saddle stool.
Kalaba and the opposition none of you look at any of the above. You just think state house is your means to an end. Yet you seek to serve in Public office 1st. Stewards of the Zambian people not just those that praise but even that tell you off. Cause they are your employer. What is important is to pick sense and non sense to grow Zambia for Zambians.
Mweetwa is not the barometer for presidency, so his comments should not bother you or anyone aspiring for presidency, he should be reminded that other people said the same about HH but today he is president. Politicians never seen to learn from history.
Yes those who offer themselves must offer transformational ideas and not just populist arguments. A week ago, kalaba was criticizing governments and claiming ncz should be revamped so that fertiliser is locally produced. Today, with private investors, zambia is poised even export some fertilisers to other countries. He yaps even where and when not necessary, blurting out cheap simpplistic solutions for yesteryears Africa. His real level of thinking shows through as ahallow and low level. A registry clerk at cabinet office is not for critical thinking, Just give people forms, they sign and you file and deliver the files to officers who make decisions. Let kalaba stop talking like pretending like he has and knows it all.He is actually next to an empt vessel who dreams he could get the chance to be president just because Sata who had almost zero school, also made it
Is it only in our country that people wake up to
Say they want to be president?
Mr. Kalaba, what is your vision for Zambia? Do you know the consequences of unregulated gold mining? Are you aware of what is happening in Kanchibiya constituency?
This kind of ignorant leaders are a danger to our country. The MP for Kanchibiya constituency, Mr. Sunday Chanda, has sued Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA) and Water Resources Management Athority (WARMA) over the pollution of water bodies with mercury and cyanide (used as collectors in gold mining).
The environmental toll is not worth the benefits. The locals are left to grapple with poisoned water sources and land because of unregulated mining being advocated by clueless politicians like Mr. Kalaba.
Mining needs to be carefully regulated to avoid environmental damage.