REDUCED LOAD-SHEDDING, KWACHA APPRECIATION WON’T WORK IN FAVOUR OF UPND – KATEKA
NEW Heritage Party President Chishala Kateka says it is too late for the increased power supply and appreciation of the Kwacha to work in favour of the UPND in this years’ general election.
Kateka adds that the reduced loadshedding will not disadvantage the opposition.
The Kwacha has continued on an upward trajectory and has gained strength against major convertible currencies, with some banks and bureaus buying a Dollar at K19.2 and selling at K19.5.
Meanwhile, loadshedding has eased, with most areas receiving not less than 15 hours of power every day.
In an interview, Monday, Kateka said politicians should strive to always do what is good for the people, not only when they want to stay in power.
“I really doubt that it will work in favour of the UPND because it has come too late. Zambians are now very savvy and they are tired of things changing at the last minute [and] being lied to. Why didn’t this happen last year? Why is it happening this year? Is the opposition going to be disadvantaged? I doubt it; we’ll definitely put up a good fight. This approach of lying about everything has to stop. We have to become a normal society where things should happen because they need to happen and not because it’s in an election year. Some of us are trying to change all that so that we become a normal society, not based on politics, not based on the politicians doing things simply because they want to stay in power, we are tired, we are very tired. We’ll definitely be speaking to that as opposition,” Kateka said.
“Number two; in terms of the fundamentals, you actually have to explain, what is it that is causing the Kwacha to appreciate and whatever it is, is it sustainable? Is it because of the fact that the Dollar is weakening? As opposed to something we have done as a nation, is it something that somebody else has done, in which case, it’s not sustainable.
If it’s something that we have done then it should be explained to Zambians to say this is what we have done, it has resulted in XYZ and this thing that we have done is not a temporary thing, it’s a permanent thing going forward. Now, what is it that impacts on the Kwacha to the Dollar rate, what is it that affects that?
It’s the fact that you have more Dollars in the country, either you are generating it or somebody has given us some money and if it’s the latter case, then it’s not a sustainable appreciation. Once the Dollars that have been given to us finish, then we go back to ground zero”.
She stressed that it is important for government to clearly explain to citizens what has brought about the appreciation of the Kwacha.
“That’s why it is so important for the government to always communicate with people; always communicate so that they know, carry the people along so that they have confidence in the system.
You saw that issue that I had raised on the ECZ website, the communication was bad, they were not communicating adequately until you call them out then they start to communicate. So, for me, a very detailed explanation of what is going on with regards to the Kwacha-Dollar rate, what has caused it, is it permanent, etc., will go a long way towards helping them,” said Kateka.
News Diggers
This is the deep seated malice, the hatred for HH and the progress that UPND has made. That HH was talking about. These imbeciles were praying that UPND would fail. Now that they are succeeding, they want to twist the narrative. Bupepelefye.
Madame Kateka, tell us what you stand for, what programmes you have to better the lives of Zambians. Hatred and malice for the successes of UPND is hardly an agenda to better anyone’s life. Not even your own. Democracy is competition of ideas. I have never heard of any alternative idea floated by our so called opposition. Hating and removing HH is counterproductive because you are now fighting the people who put him there. And those whose lives have been transformed by his policies.
My comments exactly. What is her blue print. She sounds everyday like a dumped girlfriend. What are you doing to mobilise your base. Haven’t you seen Kalaba? She just attends boardroom type of meetings with others. The lady is not a politicians. Zambia is tough, you can’t be an alternative govt in waiting by issuing rebuff all the time. What do you stand for? What can you do differently?
For your own information, you never voted for HH and you can’t say it is too late. The 2.8m have been waiting for the turn around, he explained to us what he was doing, I.e. that he is investing in alternative energy sources so much of it is now being evacuated.
He also told us he was negotiating with the debtors you owed billions, revitalised the mines and improving agriculture. Recently, instead of mines changing kwacha to dollars to pay taxes, they pay directly. Obviously, you have not been paying attention or it is jealous. That is what is making kwacha tick. We, the 2.8 are satisfied and guess what, it is not too late for us.
It might be too late for you though to make a mark beyond boardrooms and family. Just enjoy the new Zambia. Have you been to chawama? Peace!!!!
But hooligans have reached in Kasama and immediately they clashed with police. What a shame
Mubepelefye (in the words of late someone’s sister)
Kateka, you’ve lost it. Your credibility has vanished
Vanished…
Madame, continue dreaming until you dream no more after August. Some political commentators have rightly projected that after August, 2026 elections, most if not all of you opposition leaders and the so called Activists will be totally irrelevant if you are still relevant at all. Many Zambians had lost hope on our economy, because it had totally collapsed. Even now, honest Zambians can’t believe that this is the same economy which was in a total mess barely four years ago. Someone has worked hard to turn it around, and people are seeing and appreciating it. No one can listen or will listen to you Madame. This country is now ten times better than it was four years ago and no one would want to go back to that messed economy again, you could be the only one.
Good luck. Let’s wait and see. You speak like you and your family are the only Zambians with valid voters cards.
Reduced load shedding and kwacha appreciation is working in favour of the Zambian economy. So Ba Kateka use your brains correctly.
This woman should be honest because playing politics the way she is doing is very unfortunate . It’s no longer a secret that HH and UPND have performed and deserve a longer period in government. Currently no other political party is near UPND. With only a few months remaining we all know that election will be there for formality ‘ sake otherwise HH and UPND have already campaigned successfully through numerous sch during the first term in office.
Currently, madam, your thoughts resemble those of a street prostitute. What is truly bothering you? Has hunger escalated to that extent? I will refrain from saying much, as the educated individuals have articulated everything on your behalf; simply read these few comments and make your own judgment.