No Clear Alternative Economic Plan Yet from the Opposition
Let me throw a challenge! At this stage, no opposition presidential hopeful in Zambia stands out with a fully developed alternative economic plan that matches or effectively challenges – the ruling party’s agenda across all key sectors. The opposition landscape remains fragmented, with overlapping rhetoric, conflicting claims, and limited policy detail.
That said, several aspiring candidates have consistently criticised the ruling administration for neglecting core socio-economic challenges and have hinted at alternative approaches. While most of these proposals remain broad and uncosted, their public articulation at least signals a growing recognition that Zambians deserve more than criticism, they deserve credible, evidence-based alternatives.
Why This Matters
1. Voters need credible choices – Without a clear and actionable opposition roadmap on jobs, diversification, inflation, and debt, elections risk becoming contests of personality rather than policy.
2. Economic direction is crucial – With rising debt, overdependence on commodities, low value addition, and persistent rural poverty, Zambia urgently needs a coherent, long-term strategy beyond short-term populist fixes
3. Accountability and competition improve governance – When opposition leaders table realistic policy alternatives, they elevate public debate and compel those in power to refine their own strategies, ultimately strengthening democracy.
4. Implementation capacity matters – Even the best ideas require clear financing frameworks, capable institutions, and measurable milestones. The absence of such detail in most opposition proposals remains a glaring weakness.
5. The stakes are high – Policy choices in agriculture, mining, manufacturing, debt management, and social protection will define Zambia’s medium-term trajectory. A vacuum of credible alternatives limits both national debate and development options.
Conclusion
While a few opposition figures are beginning to offer more substantive policy commentary, Zambia still lacks a detailed, costed, and widely supported alternative economic blueprint. For the electorate, the defining question ahead of 2026 should not be who shouts the loudest, but who presents a credible, evidence-based plan to transform the economy.
As the next election approaches, the divide between policy and personality will increasingly determine not just who wins, but how Zambia moves forward.
Wishing you a fruitful Tuesday!
Hon Sunday Chilufya Chanda
Member of Parliament – Kanchibiya Constituency
Advocate for Inclusive Development & Worker Empowerment
Now here is a politican who understands his role and articulates it correctly.
One has to wonder what he believes in ideologically. He doesnt fit the PF “double breasted suit” that is about status and not purpose.
Ba Chanda…and ba journo do an interview with the man. How does such a man have anything to do with the like of Edgar Lungu who could not make a distinction between the state and the Party and anything that the state owned was “his” at his whim.
Sunday Chanda makes sense. I like the way he approaches issues….!!! So great the guy. He is fantastic.
Very mature & sober minded, this Sunday Chanda. How I wish we had more of his kind yet someone, somewhere will find something to criticize about what he has said, such is life.
I am surprised at the limited analysis of issues even by average people above who have reacted to the rhetoric by Sunday Chanda. Sunday Chanda fails to challenge the unpatriotic tendencies by the ruling party to denied the Zambian a fair choice by using the institutions to almost eliminate the choice the people so deserve. He calls himself an ‘advocate’, my foot! Sunday for once just be sincere for you to deserve a title of Hon.
But Chanda in his Article is talking about the Opposition’s “Policy Alternatives” and their slant towards “Personality Politics”. Assuming the Ruling Party allows the Opposition to campaign 24/7 till August 2026, what will be the message in their Campaigns and Rallies between Policy Alternatives and Personality Politics? That is what I think in my view is the gist of Chanda’s Article*
Thank you bo Stiali. Ba Analyser simply demonstrates what is emblamatic of the opposition all talk and no substance. Why can people think critically?
The transformation of Mr. Sunday Chanda is pleasantly surprising. From being such an obnoxious character as PF media director to an MP who has done so much for his constituency, Kanchibiya.
His engagement on issues is mature and objective. This is an MP who can win whichever ticket he stands on, even Citizens First. Keep up the good work Mr. Chanda. You can’t quarrel with success.
Sunday is right, there can’t be any clear economist plan from the opposition because in the first place, they don’t have any. Most of these opposition lot are just good at mismanaging and not at managing, they have nothing to offer to this country, they are pure time wasters.
Fortunately, right now he is leading as one of the best MPs developing his constituencies. Practically he is proving to be relevant. I see his reasoning as very important.
Personally I hear a lot of noise and attacks about some things not being done which is ok because of our current political state.
However, what is concerning about some of these self proclaimed wanna be Presidential hopefuls is that they have absolutely nothing substantial to offer.
By this I don’t mean they are not making noise on social media, this they have managed to achieve with a skill that is surprisingly intense. Though with little success in convincing well meaning Zambians, as a simple verification of most propaganda shows most news is not entirely credible. Very emotional but no substantial punch. To do real damage there is need to give practical alternative solutions not emotional kindergarten ranting. It is just not effective.
What I have not being able to hear from a single one of the opposition candidates is what they will systematically and logically offer as solutions. All I hear are uncoordinated statements about doing it better but no real practical solutions or alternative to what exist as a solution now. why is this important part of politics lacking? Could it be that we the voters have created a monster which comes out to hurts every after Five years. Food for thought.
We certainly acknowledge our Democracy is maturing to include other political parties. But honestly is it not better to have one or two candidate who are able to articulate how the intend to sort out issues and are trying to practically do it. Than to trust some people who don’t have a clue of what they are talking about. Especially, that some of these individuals are the ones who put us in the very mess we are in today.
I feel what has been raised by the honorable MP is a fair question. What exactly do you guys have to offer apart from the wild statements of sorting out the mess you participated in creating? We the Citizens really are interested to know your thoughts on this.
Maybe these aspiring Presidential candidates must be subjected to a live debate to show case what they have to provide for the voters
It will honestly reveal a lot about the capacity and state of mind of those wanting to rule us. At least we will be able to see ahead of time the dangers that lurk behind most slogans which are very easy to do with a little bit of cash and imagination.
Let us raise the bar and seriously demand to know these candidates thoroughly before we make irreversible and irrepairable damage to our lives.
Campaign songs and party uniforms for cadres is not enough. We are tired of dancing queens and thugs dressed up as party representatives taking us all for a ride.
It is time to know the real you!! What makes you tick as a leader. How capable are you to truly lead. We are not interested in your bitterness or sour grapes and undesired anger problems.We just want to know if you know what you are talking about and if you are humble enough to be entrusted with power. That is all.
We the voters by the way, have matured and grown in terms of knowledge and wisdom. We can see incompetence miles away and hence avoid any contact with such candidates.
Let us organize real interviewers who will ask the real needed questions that bring out the strengths and weaknesses of the candidates.
This will greatly expose most of those who don’t qualify. Let us do this. It is time to shine the spot light on the most craved after position in the land. Let us see if all talk and practicality can run together.
Sometimes, if we note that the performance of the so called hopefuls is so bad on alternatives it may help to make decisions which help the nation to save the much needed cash to just agree that we are better off to continue with what is present or just advocating for some parties to collaborate and be fussed into the running government if their ideas are identical to what is already running.
Lastly I feel it is about time especially after 61 years of self rule that we as a nation come up with a national strategic plan which will take us into the next 100 to 150 years. lets us priotise the national interest where politician fit into the strategic plan instead of politicians subjecting us to different ones every time the come into power. For this to work we need to depend on our professional workers who will spear head these functions to the letter. Maybe MP’s need to consider passing laws which empower these government workers to work independently and responsibly instead of being loyal to the political appointees. If we can achieve this level of efficiency then Zambia will be focused to have measured development which is inhibited by political hopefuls.
As a simple minded and elementary educated individual, I believe this is what should be our preference. Not political gymnastics. I pen down. What do you think?