IS HH UNSTOPABLE?

A sea of people accompany HH to file his presidential nomination at the Supreme Court

By Bruce Chooma

United Party for National Development UPND President Hakainde Hichilema has become a household name as a formidable front runner to win the January, 20, 2015 presidential by-election.  He has branded his campaign ZAMBIA UNITED a perfect theme for a country in desperate need of a unifier. How did he get there? Is he unstoppable?

Whilst his main rivals the Patriotic Front were heavily engrossed in succession wrangles since the death of their party president Michael Chilufya Sata, HH had assembled a solid team that hit the ground running with a focused message that endeared him to the masses to the extent of picking up endorsements from many prominent and eminent   personalities on Zambia’s political and social landscape and drawing unprecedented crowds during public appearances.

 Never in his political career has HH as he is fondly referred to pulled massive crowds including in areas that are not his traditional strongholds such as Northern, Copperbelt and Luapula Provinces. The author was in some remote parts of Northern and Luapula provinces and was quite amazed to learn of how even the children in these parts of the country are talking about HH.

Endorsements

HH with Zambian musicians in Lusaka including JK and Hamoba

Since HH rolled out his political campaign for the upcoming by-election he has picked up endorsements from former first lady Dr Maureen Mwanawasa widow to the late President Levy Mwansawsa one of the best presidents Zambia has ever had by public perception and opinion due to his strong stance on good governance, economic management and stability and inclusive governance.  Dr Mwanawasa declared herself the chief campaign manager for HH. HH has also received endorsement from veteran politician Vernon Mwaanga who said it was now time for the younger generation to lead. Leading MMD Members of Parliament lead by Lunte MP Felix Mutati  are also on HH’s campaign team. He recently got a warm reception in Luapula and picked one from Dr Katele Kalumba in Chiengi of Luapula. Geoffrey Samukonga, former MP for Chawama, Andrew Banda, the  son of former president Rupiah Banda, former army commander Malimba Masheke also endorsed HH. Businessman and former MMD national treasurer Suresh Desai has endorsed HH. He also got an endorsement from prominent musicians and other artists with Pilato producing a very touching campaign song and defending his stance to support HH intelligently on social media. The list of endorsements locally and internationally may be too long to exhaust here.

Consistent message

Zambian voters are alert and becoming more assertive, without a clear cut message that resonates with their reality it is impossible to draw their attention. For sometime HH was criticised for speaking economic jargon and failing to simplify his message for ordinary Zambians. This time around the consistency in his messages in as far as provision of free education to tertiary level, prudent management of the economy and investment in the social wellbeing of people is concerned, HH seems to be striking the right chords with the masses. It has now become fashionable for his rivals to copy his message during their own rallies. After HH went around the country and assured Zambians that he would re-instate all the fired nurses and other health personnel, PF President Edgar Lungu went to his first rally in Lusaka’s Mandvu area and echoed the same sentiments and a few days later the Minister if Health announced that the fired nurses would be re-instated unconditionally. It is almost as if HH is already governing the country but from the opposition bench!

HH cycles with locals in Chipata, Easten Province

 

Ground work

One of the best things UPND has done in addition to establishing strong social media presence is increasing their activity on the ground. A superb picture of HH riding a bicycle in Chipata with the locals was excellent political branding. In all parts of the country HH has mobilised successful meetings with locals, visited markets, churches and walked the streets talking to ordinary Zambians about how he will address their problems once elected. His structures must however keep working hard to mobilise voters at ward, section and household level.

Dismantling PF strongholds

One thing is certain, HH has completely changed his campaign strategy. He has already completed almost two rounds of visits to all the 10 provinces in under a month. Most importantly he has focussed on dismantling the PF strongholds of Copperbelt, Luapula and Northern provinces. Not only has he acquired more efficient transportation like a chopper but he has also recruited many of the local people in the campaign as foot soldiers.

HH is the man to watch, he seems unstoppable and perhaps just the man Zambia needs to address its many challenges including the need for an inclusive government and a reduction in the cost of living for Zambian citizens.  

HH addresses a mammoth rally in Kitwe, receives ceremonial key

 

The UPND needs to invest in strong parallel voter tabulation and ensure to have vigilant agents in all polling stations across the country to counter fears of vote manipulation by the state machinery. The party may not enjoy favourable coverage from the state media but must keep pushing as the dynamics on the ground have significantly shifted to the extent that state media propaganda is literally toothless.

My next blog piece will be on Edgar Chagwa Lungu, a man perceived as the anointed one in the PF.