LIEUTENANT HICHILEMA: A SYMBOL OF DISCIPLINE, TEAMWORK, AND PATRIOTISM
By Michael Lombe
As expected, detractors and armchair critics have emerged with loud objections to the commissioning of Lieutenant Habwela Hichilema into the Zambia National Service (ZNS). These are the same individuals who, since President Hakainde Hichilema’s opposition days, have deliberately misrepresented his values, work ethic, and commitment to national service.
But the truth tells a different story, one of quiet discipline, hard work, and patriotism rooted in family tradition and national pride.
Lieutenant Habwela Hichilema could have chosen to join elite wings of the military, the Zambia Air Force, where he could have trained to fly state-of-the-art fighter jets, or the Zambia Army, where he could have pursued marine or special forces training. Instead, he chose ZNS, a service known not only for military discipline but also for national development through agriculture and skills training.
This decision was not by accident.
President Hakainde Hichilema himself is a proud graduate of the Kenneth Kaunda-era compulsory military and skills training programme for school leavers in the 1970s and 80s. He completed 20 months of rigorous training at the Mushili ZNS camp in Ndola at just 20 years old, emerging with both military honors and valuable agricultural skills.
This family history of discipline, self-reliance, and nation-building has clearly inspired the young lieutenant’s path.
Lieutenant Hichilema underwent nine months of intensive military training, side by side with his peers, without receiving any special treatment or privileges as the son of the Head of State. He completed the full ZNS programme, participating in all physical, tactical, and technical modules required of every officer.
His conduct throughout the training exemplified humility, discipline, and respect for teamwork, values at the core of both his family and the Zambia National Service.
Lieutenant Hichilema has deliberately turned away from the trappings of privilege often associated with the children of some past heads of state, no gifts of luxury fleets, nor gifts of mansions, no globe-trotting in private jets with rich friends. Instead, he has embraced a path defined by discipline, humility, and service.
This reflects a strong family culture, one that values teamwork, respect for others, and the dignity of hard work.
At the ZNS pass-out parade, there were no special announcements or handshakes to single out Lieutenant Hichilema. He marched and stood in formation like every other officer, one among many young Zambians ready to serve their country.
According to those near the saluting dais, the First Lady turned to the President after he inspected a huge Guard of Honour, and asked with quiet surprise, “Did you see him?”
To which President Hichilema, smiling, simply replied, “Yes, I did.”
This moment reflects more than just personal achievement, it sends a message to all Zambians, especially the youth: that service to the nation is honorable, that whatever kind of leadership, begins with discipline, and that true strength lies in humility, hard work and teamwork.
Lieutenant Habwela Hichilema’s journey is a reminder that Zambia’s future depends not on privilege, but on purpose; not on entitlement, but on effort; not on shortcuts, but on service. This reflects how President Hichilema views the nation.
President Hakainde Hichilema was very specific when he stated that none of his children would take up any government jobs or positions. Now is this not a government job that his son is taking up?
The boy is there to do volunteering work and not for any payment. He is likely to go overseas for his studies .He is a Zambian he can do whatever he wants just like you,jealous is not good.He is growing up and can make his own decisions without the father
Too many cooks, it could be crooks, spoil the Broth , an English proverb which rings true in Hakainde’s Praise Legion.
Nothing Hakainde Hichilema touches is ever free of propaganda. How do you govern a country where every activity should be accompanied by Elevated levels of Propaganda.
Recently commissioned 2nd Lieutenant Habwela Hichilema has now become another Hichilema with Superlative Accolades…Humble, Team worker, Exemplary,…and whatever superlatives the propangadist can think of..
Am thinking of North Korea ‘s Kim IL sung, the Great Leader, and his son Kim IL Jong , the Dear Leader..the similarities in the way the ‘Praises ‘ are looking at the Hichilemas are very striking.
This is what puts people off. The young man has graduated from ZNS like many Zambians have done before him.. This is his choice of Career.
Propagandists are now trying to Link the graduation of 2nd Lieutenant Habwela Hichilema , the Dear Leader to the Great Leader – Hakainde Hichilema ‘s humility, Exemplary service at Mushili Military Camp for Form 5 graduates..it runs in the family!
Who didn’t go for National Service in the 70s and 80s..Now propagandists are trying to present Hakainde Hichilema as to have possessed unique attributes for him to go for National Service.
Please give us a break. 2nd Lieutenant Habwela Hichilema has graduated from ZNS. Congratulations.Thats it!
But the Cooks, or Crooks never learn, and soon Elephants will be given to the young man, for this great feat , A FIRST, never ever seen in the history of Zambia since Creation. Bwafya.
The family of President Hakainde Hichilema, along with First Lady Mama Mutinta Hichilema and their children, exemplifies humility and discipline.
Before assuming the role of Republican President, His Excellency Hakainde Hichilema was already wealthy and well-known; however, his family chose to live modestly and avoided seeking public attention.
Lieutenant Habwela Hichilema is a humble and devoted patriot committed to serving the nation with integrity and diligence. Those who criticize and make disparaging remarks are driven by jealousy and hatred. I take great pride in the Hikainde Hichilema family, and I pray that God Almighty continues to bless and protect them.
Mr Lombe
I personally take great exception to your broad description of past former president’s children being given jets, mansions and luxuries. Which former president exactly are you talking about because some of us went for National Service, including the Military as children of past former presidents, and we had no privileges or favoritism, nor did we go “globetrotting”all over the world! No favoritisms whatsoever were bestowed on us because of who we were. We were treated just like everyone else and DID NOT, I repeat, DID NOT expect any special treatment from anyone. So please be very specific, and refrain from generalizing and misleading the public if you don’t know Anything about us.
You are either a child of Kaunda or Mwanawasa, actually even Sata I think.
Though I prefer to remain anonymous, I confess that I am one of them, I will leave the guessing to you.:) Thank you God bless.
@ Mai.B
You are absolutely right. This article is completely off, and just like Hamasaka ‘s comments.
Which President’s sons or daughters were showered with Jets and other Luxuries, and didn’t go for National Service?
We have the children of Dr Kenneth Kaunda, Rupiah Banda and Michael Sata, they all went for National Service in the 1970s and 1980s.
Dr Kenneth Kaunda’s Children Colonel Panji Kaunda and Major Wezi Kaunda even went further and pursued Military Careers..
And there was also Youth Service for Volunteers, and many youths did go for this in 1970s/80s.
So what is this about Hakainde and his family?
Hakainde Hichilema is a self Confessed Cattle Herder with no special attributes which made him unique, and set him apart from the thousands who went for National Service in the 1970s and 1980s ? He was a nondescript ZNS form 5 recruit, just like the many Zambians, who were enlisted in the National Service .
Today he is being seen as a special recruit at Mushili Military Camp.. Humble, a Team Player, Exemplary, Disciplined…
The virtues also being accorded to 2nd Lieutenant Habwela Hichilema, and the entire family by propagandists.
Unhinged praise and propaganda doesn’t usually result in Positives…The result is resentment from the public.
Tone down on the propaganda meant to create a cult in Hakainde Hichilema.
The Architects of this are not helping Mr Hakainde Hichilema in anyway…
personally, I feel he should be entitled to a salary like all the rest, that will give him more independence unless it was his choice not to get anything, he deserves his salary just like anyone else and he is a Zambian.