Mwanza: Zambia’s Aug. 13 election ‘too close to predict,’ major political realignment likely

ANTONIO Mwanza, leader of the Democratic Progress Party (DPP), says next week’s general elections are "too close to predict" and could go either way for the two main presidential contenders. Speaking on the Mind Your Business podcast by News Diggers, Mwanza said there are no guarantees in politics with President Hakainde Hichilema and Tonse Alliance

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ANTONIO Mwanza, leader of the Democratic Progress Party (DPP), says next week’s general elections are “too close to predict” and could go either way for the two main presidential contenders.

Speaking on the Mind Your Business podcast by News Diggers, Mwanza said there are no guarantees in politics with President Hakainde Hichilema and

Tonse Alliance candidate Brian Mundubile as the frontrunners.

“What might work in your favour today might not work in your favour tomorrow. There are no guarantees in politics because, in politics, a day can be longer than a year,” Mwanza said.

He said both leading candidates must consolidate their support bases while improving their appeal in areas where they are less popular.

Mwanza argued the ruling UPND initially underestimated the opposition.

“That is the reason the UPND did not take the opposition seriously. They were so sure it would be a walk in the park, but today they are panicking,” he said.

He also noted other parties remain in the race, citing Citizens First as one he has been monitoring closely.

Mwanza predicted a major reconfiguration of Zambia’s political landscape after the Aug. 13, 2026 polls.

“That is why I have said that after the election there will be many changes. Some people will move from where they are, there will be defections and there will be shifts,” he said.

“The political structures we see today, both in the opposition and the ruling party, will not remain the same.”

He warned that if the UPND loses, it could face internal chaos and decline similar to past ruling parties.

“If the UPND loses these elections, they will cross again. If the UPND loses, there will also be chaos within the party. It will no longer be the most powerful political party. It could follow the same path as UNIP, MMD and PF unless it learns from their mistakes.”

Mwanza said the DPP has not endorsed any political party but is engaging other opposition parties. He cautioned against alliances that risk smaller parties being “swallowed by larger parties.”

“Our goal is to position ourselves as the key opposition to whoever forms government after the 2026 elections because we want to change the way politics is conducted,” he said.

“We want to focus on policy and on issues that affect the Zambian people. We do not want to focus on tribalism, hate speech, insults or bitterness. Those things benefit politicians, not ordinary Zambians.”

Mwanza said the DPP is already building structures ahead of the next political cycle.

“Immediately after the next President is inaugurated, whether it is Brian Mundubile or Hakainde Hichilema, the party will begin preparing for the next political cycle. That is what we are working on every day.”

Zambia holds presidential, parliamentary and local government elections on Thursday.

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