President Hakainde Hichilema has acknowledged that securing a
second presidential term was not easy, as he knelt before
supporters during a Thanksgiving political rally in Choma and
repeatedly thanked them for re-electing him.
Addressing the gathering in Choma during his 10-day working
visit to Southern Province, Hichilema said only a few people
managed to secure re-election, expressing gratitude to those
who gave him another mandate.
“Few people manage to get re-elected. It’s not easy. Thank you!
Thank you and thank you,” he said.
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In a symbolic moment, the President went down on his knees
alongside elected Members of Parliament and councilors who were
present at the rally, as he thanked the electorate for giving
him a second term.
Promises major projects for Southern Province
Hichilema pledged to work hard to serve the people following
his re-election, outlining a number of major infrastructure and
development projects he intends to deliver in Southern
Province.
Among the projects he promised were the establishment of
Southern University in Choma, construction of an international
airport for the province, a general hospital and a dual
carriageway.
The proposed Southern University is particularly
[24]significant for Choma, which is already the provincial
headquarters and has been identified by the President as the
preferred location for the institution.
The airport and road projects, if implemented, could also have
implications for connectivity, trade, investment and economic
activity across the province.
However, the President’s announcements are commitments, and
their implementation will depend on planning, financing and the
commencement of the respective projects.
A second term amid a disputed election
Hichilema was sworn in for a second five-year term on September
1, 2026, following the August 13 general election.
His re-election came amid controversy, with opposition figures
disputing the outcome and raising allegations of electoral
irregularities.
International election reporting also raised concerns about
aspects of the electoral process, including the counting and
tabulation of results, the deployment of military personnel at
some polling and counting sites, and the wider political
environment surrounding the election.
The opposition’s leading presidential candidate, Brian
Mundubile, rejected the election outcome. He and his running
mate, Makebi Zulu, were subsequently arrested and [25]charged
with treason alongside other opposition figures.
The group of 18 accused persons includes Mundubile, Zulu and 16
others. They have denied wrongdoing and remain entitled to the
presumption of innocence.
The political developments have continued to attract attention
as the country enters Hichilema’s second term.
The challenge of turning promises into delivery
Beyond the emotional moment at the Choma rally, the President’s
commitments place expectations on his administration to
translate campaign and public pledges into tangible
development.
For Southern Province, the proposed university, international
airport, general hospital and dual carriageway represent major
projects that could reshape the province’s infrastructure and
public services if delivered.
As Hichilema thanked voters for giving him another five years,
the focus now shifts to how his administration will use the
second mandate to deliver on the promises made to the people.
The President’s Thanksgiving rally therefore carried both a
message of gratitude and a renewed set of expectations for his
second term.- ZE