ZAMBIA NEEDS DIALOGUE, NOT DIVISION – CHISHANGE CALLS FOR CHURCH-LED NATIONAL INDABA
Lusaka – 9th October 2026
Political Strategist Maimisa Ciwele Chishange has called for genuine dialogue between the Church, Government, and Opposition, saying Zambia cannot develop when key stakeholders are working in isolation.
Mr. Chishange said the challenges facing the country – high cost of living, unemployment, and food security – require all leaders to sit at one table regardless of political affiliation.
“Let’s help one another. The Church, Government, and Opposition should find a common place to meet and dialogue. Zambia is bigger than any political party. When we fight each other, it is the ordinary Zambian in Chawama, in Chipata, in Mongu who suffers,” he said.
He said the Church has historically been the conscience of the nation and is best placed to convene such a dialogue.
“Government has the mandate and resources. Opposition has alternative ideas and represents millions of Zambians. The Church has the moral voice and the trust of the people. If these three sit together, we can unlock solutions for Grow Zambia, for peace, and for jobs,” he added.
Mr. Chishange urged political leaders to tone down insults and focus on issue-based politics.
“We can disagree without being enemies. We can compete without hate. Let’s choose dialogue over division, and unity over insults,” he said.
Mr. Chishange said this dialogue is not about 2026 politics but about saving the soul of the nation. He said Zambia has been known for peace since independence and that peace is now threatened by daily insults and political intolerance on radio, TV and social media.
He said the Church cannot remain silent when the nation is divided, adding that during difficult times in Zambia’s history, it is the Church that provided leadership and direction.
“When we sit together, we can agree on how to reduce the cost of fertilizer so our farmers under Grow Zambia can produce more. We can agree on how to create jobs for our youths in agro-processing and not on Facebook insults. We can agree on how to keep our peace. These are things we cannot achieve when we are fighting,” he said.
He concluded by calling on all political leaders, both in Government and Opposition, to put Zambia first.
“Let us put Zambia first. One Zambia, One Nation is not just a slogan. It is our way of life. Let the Church lead us, let Government listen, let Opposition speak. Together we can build a Zambia that works for everyone.”
The govt is fully in control and the issues that are outside it’s control like cost of fuel at the international market there is nothing dialogue can do.
As for the criminal cases, the cases are under competent courts of law. Wait until concluded. Why rush??
Some people are beyond redemption. No amount of dialogue will cure their rabid hatred for one man.
Let us leave them to scream until their voices grow hoarse. We must focus on developing Zambia. As the economy improves, their ranting will become irrelevant.
The Grow Zambia agenda is a good starting point. Let us work hard to actualise it.