I’ll offer best leadership, says HH

UNITED Party for National Development (UPND) president Hakainde Hichilema has implored Zambians to vote for him on January 20, 2015 as Zambia’s sixth president because he will offer the best leadership.
And Mr Hichilema has pledged to reduce the cost of mealie-meal if he is elected president of Zambia in next month’s presidential elections.
Mr Hichilema said yesterday at Comet ground in Kabwe when he addressed a public rally that the price of mealie-meal in the country is beyond the reach of many people.
At the same rally, former first lady Maureen Mwanawasa and Alliance for Democracy and Development (ADD) president Charles Milupi appealed to Zambians to vote for Mr Hichilema because he will be a good president.
Mr Milupi said his party is backing Mr Hichilema because it is satisfied that he has a “workable plans”.
Speaking earlier on a live phone-in programme on Kabwe’s KNC Radio Mr Hichilema, who will be contesting the presidential election for the fourth time since 2006, said he is a missionary in politics to turn around Zambia’s economy, thereby improving the living conditions of Zambians.
“I am standing as president not as your master but to serve you well, to serve you with respect and dignity,” Mr Hichilema said.
Mr Hichilema said all the 10 provinces will have representation in his cabinet, adding that his government will ensure that national resources are evenly distributed countrywide.
He said Zambians live under difficult conditions because of poverty, unemployment, high cost of living, while education and health delivery systems have gone down.
Mr Hichilema said he is the best person to move the country forward as it is in need of good leadership.
He said creating jobs will be one of his party’s priorities.
He also said UPND will reduce the retirement age from 65 to 55 years and will ensure retirees get their benefits on time so that they can engage in alternative economic activities.
He further promised to lift the wage freeze.
On education, the UPND leader said he will ensure less privileged children receive government bursaries because education is the best investment.
“In the UPND, we believe that education is the best investment, it’s the best equaliser,” Mr Hichilema said. “A country that has no skills cannot run the economy. Countries that have developed have invested in education.”
He also said UPND will create a better work environment for street vendors, marketeers, bus and taxi drivers.
Mr Hichilema also promised Kabwe residents that UPND will re-open Zambia China Mulungushi Textiles, relocate ZRL headquarters to Kabwe, create an enabling environment for agriculture and business to flourish to create jobs.
He promised to provide water, improve sanitation, improve the condition of roads and build infrastructure to improve living conditions of the people of Kabwe.

Zambia Daily Mail