CHIRUNDU - UPND National Youth Trustee Susan Tembo has urged voters in Chirundu and across the country to not only vote for President Hakainde Hichilema but also support UPND candidates at parliamentary and local government level.
Ms Tembo said President Hichilema needed a team of Members of Parliament, council chairpersons, mayors and councillors who understood his development agenda and were willing to work with him to deliver for Zambians.
Speaking after campaigning and interacting with residents in Chirundu, Ms Tembo said it would be unfair for Zambians to give President Hichilema the responsibility of delivering development while denying him the team he believes he needs to execute his vision.
"President Hakainde Hichilema never gave up on us. It would be unfair to give up on him now," she said.
Ms Tembo explained that President Hichilema remained in opposition for many years despite facing numerous challenges, but continued believing in the Zambian people and a better Zambia.
She said the opportunity given to him in 2021 had resulted in programmes such as free education and increased Constituency Development Fund (CDF), which she said were benefiting ordinary families and communities.
"Behind free education is a parent who no longer carries the same burden of school fees. Behind CDF are young people, women and communities being given opportunities closer to home. These are not just government programmes; they are things that are changing people's everyday lives," Ms Tembo said.
"The President understands governance and knows that he cannot deliver his vision alone. He needs a team that understands the programme and is ready to work with him," she said.
Ms Tembo also appealed to political players and their supporters to remain peaceful during the election campaign, saying political differences should not divide communities.
"Elections will come and go, but we will remain neighbours, friends, brothers and sisters," she said.
"Let us go out in numbers and peacefully exercise our democratic right. Let us give President Hichilema a team that can work with him and continue moving Chirundu and Zambia forward."
She ended by calling for unity, saying: "One Zambia, One Nation."
Source: Kalemba