PRESIDENT HAKAINDE HICHILEMA DID NOT, HAS NOT AND WILL NOT SHUN ANY CHIEFS AND/OR ANY CITIZENS IN ZAMBIA.
It is highly regrettable that elements of division in our country mascarading as opposition political party leaders have “Zero” understanding of the logistics involved in movement of the Republican President.
Let me make it clear that His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zambia, President Hakainde Hichilema did not and has not shunned any Chief in this country despite some Chiefs shunning and shying away from him when he was in opposition only 10 weeks ago.
President Hichilema will not reciprocate the kind of treatment he received from some of our Traditional Leaders whilst in opposition based on two strong principles he continues to espouse.
Firstly that there shall be NO retribution and/or revenge over injustices inflicted on us by those in authority then when we where in opposition, now that we are in authority, compliments of the people of Zambia.
Secondly, that if whatever injustice that was metted out on us then was bad and it felt bad then, it still makes it bad now and shall feel bad if we do the same unto others and this includes our political competitors now.
Therefore, in his continued effort to re-unite the Country to bear to fruition both in words and deeds the One Zambia, One Nation motto, the President shall not segregate and/or discriminate against any Citizens of Zambia and this includes Traditional Leaders.
The Nation shall do well to recall that the President’s tour to Eastern Province was specifically to VISIT Petauke.
The President uses a fixed wing aircraft that requires an Airport to land and since there is no airport in Petauke capable of landing the Presidential jet, he had to land in Chipata where there is a suitable Airport for a STOP OVER to get onto a Chopper to proceed to Petauke. So the President has yet to VISIT Chipata.
In Petauke where he Visited, he met with the local Traditional Leadership in the Area.
Similarly, the Nation shall do well to recall again that the President went to visit Muchinga Province using the same means of transportation and logistics. There is no Airport in Muchinga Province capable of landing the Presidential jet therefore, the nearest suitable Airport is in Kasama where the President landed for a STOP OVER to change aircraft onto a Chopper to proceed to Muchinga Province where he was Visiting. The President is yet to VISIT Kasama.
Again, even in Muchinga Province, the President did meet with the local Traditional Leadership in the area.
It is important that our so called opposition leaders appreciate the difference between a VISIT and a STOP OVER. The President can not visit an area and fail to meet citizens including local Traditional Leadership in the area.
The area the President VISITS is a destination whilst where he stops over is a transit or connection point if you like.
That said, it is important for the opposition to desist from issuing alarming, non factual and divisive statements aimed at instilling a sense and feel of neglect in the minds of our country’s citizens in a given Region or locality.
Let us all work together in re-uniting our Country and support the Presidents efforts in achieving the same.
I thank you.
Thabo Kawana
UPND ALLIANCE MEDIA DIRECTOR.