CHIEF Kanyesha of the Lala-Swaka people in Luano District has endorsed President Hakainde Hichilema for the August polls. The traditional leader says Zambia is gradually becoming economically free under the leadership of President Hichilema. In an interview, Tuesday, Chief Kanyesha said President Hichilema had delivered measurable national progress that has benefited citizens. “My fellow Zambians, […]

CHIEF Kanyesha of the Lala-Swaka people in Luano District has endorsed President Hakainde Hichilema for the August polls.

The traditional leader says Zambia is gradually becoming economically free under the leadership of President Hichilema.

In an interview, Tuesday, Chief Kanyesha said President Hichilema had delivered measurable national progress that has benefited citizens.

“My fellow Zambians, when heading to the polls, I ask you that we should be peaceful and also remember the regime we are coming from. On top of that, what you see is what you have. Do not lose what you have. Just look at the progress our President has done. In as much as it is your right to vote, let’s put a President that will work for the people. If it were up to me, and looking at the projects and development this government has done both at national and district level, I would say let’s vote for President Hakainde Hichilema, because the projects he has done are huge such that Zambia is slowly being economically free. I’m equally encouraging Zambians to remember the government that has brought about peace. Even during elections, we are still experiencing the same peace under the UPND government,” he said.

Meanwhile, Chief Kanyesha encouraged farmers to remain patient and not sell their maize to private buyers.

“Even though you are going through a lot of problems, please be patient and wait for government to announce the floor price of maize so that you can sell it at a good price, unlike selling it to private buyers. They will offer you less money. I also encourage you to preserve your harvest because you do not know how this rain season will be. We might have a drought as predicted by the Meteorological Department. So let’s be wise enough to keep our produce. We are equally grateful for the initiative President Hichilema has done to utilize our natural resources and turn it into energy. We are pleased with this solar plants because we suffered a lot with load shedding, but now we are assured that load shedding is the thing of the past. We thank God for giving us a president that thinks about the Zambian people,” said Chief Kanyesha.

The endorsement comes shortly after Transparency International Zambia expressed concern over traditional leaders endorsing candidates, saying this risks increased regional divisions during campaigns.