LUSAKA - Independent Silwizya Ward 13 councilor aspirant Gabriel Kaoma and Independent Lusaka mayoral aspirant Simon Mulenga Mwila have pledged to work together to accelerate development if elected in the August 13 general election.
The two candidates, who are both contesting under the candle symbol, made the commitment during a joint branch meeting in Silwizya, where they engaged residents on issues affecting the community.
Kaoma said their partnership is based on people-centred leadership rather than party politics.
"Leadership is not about titles. It is about presence, about showing up, and about turning people's voices into action. That is the standard we are setting for Silwizya Ward 13 and Lusaka," Kaoma said.
Mwila said aligning ward and city leadership would improve service delivery in areas such as healthcare, sanitation, security and youth and women empowerment.
"When ward and city leadership share the same values, development moves faster. It means clean streets, working healthcare facilities, and accountable service," Mwila said.
The two candidates pledged that residents would begin seeing development within their first 100 days in office if elected.
Among their key commitments are lobbying for a 24-hour health facility, constructing a councilor's office in Silwizya Ward 13, improving drainage and garbage collection systems, and expanding skills training and cooperative funding opportunities for youths and women.
Kaoma said the construction of the ward's first councilor's office would be a priority.
"We have gone for too long without a place where residents can access their councilor, lodge concerns, and track projects. A councilor's office will institutionalise accountability and ensure that Silwizya has a permanent centre for service delivery," he said.
Mwila urged voters to support independent candidates, arguing that they are accountable to residents rather than political parties.
"An independent mayor and an independent councilor are free to put residents first. Our loyalty is to service delivery, not to party lines. That is how we will unlock development for Lusaka and for wards like Silwizya," he said.
Kaoma is contesting the Silwizya Ward 13 seat in Roma Constituency, while Mwila is seeking election as Lusaka Mayor.
The two candidates urged voters to support the candle symbol on August 13, saying coordinated leadership between the ward and city levels would promote transparency and effective use of public resources.