Why HH will win the 2015 Presidential election Part 3 A long walk HH’s 8 years in the presidential race may turn out to be a very good investment. He now goes into the next election with the momentum of the previous 3 elections. In 2015 he will have been on the ballot paper 4 times. He will be the most frequent on the ballot, the most recognisable face and name (not withstanding Gen Miyanda). Many people may be moved to sympathise with him while others will be moved to reward him for his consistence and tenacity. Economic manager The mishandling of the economy by the PF government has basically rolled this election right up Hichilema’s alley. Today Zambia’s biggest problem is the ailing economy with unemployment standing at over 80%, a struggling Kwacha and interest rates steadily getting out of control. The cost of living has become unbearable for the average Zambian with mealie meal fetching above K70 per bag. Economic management is Hichilema’s bread and butter. He is in ‘the zone’ when he is articulating economic matters. At the Kanyama rally recently, he told the cheering crowd that he will lower the cost of essential commodities specifically referring to mealie meal, electricity, fuel and mobile phone talk time. How many of his contenders can confidently make such claims? During a recent feature on Hot FM’s famous Hot Breakfast show, when asked how he would handle the issue of street vendors, Hichilema simply stated, ‘my plan is to grow the street vendors out of the streets’. One cannot be any cooler than that! If this election is about the cost of living, then Hichilema is head and shoulders above the rest. Many young Zambians look up to Hichilema as a role model. They are mesmerised by the man who basically improved himself from being a ‘mere villager’ to become one of the richest people in Zambia today. There is no doubt that many of these ‘adoring fans’ will cast their vote on Hichilema. Regional vote It is becoming clear that Hichilema will carry the day in Western, North Western, Central and Southern provinces. Recent happenings and trends have shown that Lusaka province has also significantly shifted to the UPND. In Eastern province, HH is expected to have a good showing with the help of his vice president Canicius Banda, Andrew Banda, Maxwell Mwale, Lameck Mangani and a number of MMD MPs such as Victoria Kalima, Levy Ngoma and Peter Phiri (of Mkaika). The disastrous handling of agriculture by the PF has also helped to push the province towards HH whom the locals call ‘mulimi mu zatu’, (our fellow farmer). Consequently the ‘RB factor’ can only help the PF win Eastern province with a very slim margin, at best. Urban Copperbelt is also expected to give HH a reasonable vote due to the biting economy. Urban dwellers have one thing in common; day to day survival. Meanwhile there are high chances of HH sweeping the entire Copperbelt rural because of agriculture and the support of Lamba heavy weights such as Mr Litana, Jack Kalala, Peter Mumba and Lwipa Puma. HH is also expected to get decent votes in the Northern corridor riding on his alliances with people like Felix Mutati, GBM, Patrick Mucheleka, Chilekwa Munkonge and of course his own members Mutale Nalumango, Bernard Mpundu, Kuchunga Simusamba and others. The Chitimukulu issue may also have an impact. HH has already declared Henry Sosala the Chitimukulu come 25th January 2015 should he win. Just as it is clear that PF will win the northern corridor, it is also clear that they won’t win there with the same margins as they did under Michael Sata. Luapula province seems to be open ground as it was neglected under President Sata in terms of representation in cabinet with most portfolios going to Mchinga and Northern provinces. The Katele Kalumba factor may also come to bear.
Posted on: Sat, 17 Jan 2015 05:15:18 +0000
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