Zambians want change, they only go for rallies to watch Yo Maps – Katuta
INDEPENDENT aspiring presidential candidate Given Katuta says her interactions with voters across the country have convinced her that many Zambians are yearning for change ahead of the August 13 general election and that they only go to rallies to watch Yo Maps.
Katuta said this in an interview with Crown TV yesterday, where she explained that although she has not yet campaigned in all 10 provinces, the response from the areas she has visited shows a growing appetite for new leadership.
“The ground is very fertile for change,” she said.
She said her campaign has largely focused on door to door engagements rather than political rallies, arguing that the approach allows her to directly interact with citizens and understand their challenges.
Katuta said large rallies often create a false impression of political support because some people attend mainly for entertainment rather than genuine political conviction.
“People get entertained by the artists that sing at rallies, and it is very expensive to watch them. So this is the opportunity that they have to watch for free,” she said.
She said one of the biggest challenges raised by citizens during her engagements was unemployment among youths, which she believes has contributed to increased alcohol and drug abuse.
“The young men say, ‘Look, we don’t have jobs. We have nothing to do. Our parents are poor.’ It is a reason most of us are just junkies, and there were a lot of junkies there,” Katuta said.
She added that she opted for door to door campaigns to avoid political violence and create room for meaningful conversations with voters.
“We have been avoiding rallies because we know that attracts jealousy and bitterness. We don’t want to be beaten,” she said.
Katuta said independent candidates can govern the country, arguing that they are more accountable to citizens compared to those aligned with political parties.
“We, as independent candidates, directly talk to citizens more than political parties,” she said.
She further stated that she has no plans of joining any political alliance, insisting that she remains committed to contesting as an independent candidate.
“I don’t go into alliances. I believe in being independent. At the end of the day, you end up not finding an independent party,” she said.
Meanwhile, Katuta accused the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) of disadvantaging her campaign after allocating her campaign dates that coincided with visits by President Hakainde Hichilema and Vice-President Mutale Nalumango in parts of Northern Zambia.
She said she has since written to the ECZ requesting additional campaign days in the provinces, arguing that she was denied an equal opportunity to reach voters.
By Elizabeth Muchape
Kalemba, August 4, 2026