No Vision, No Victory

As Simuwe warns opposition can’t win without national presence or credible policies.

By Francis Maingaila 

Lusaka, Zambia24 - (14 July 2025) – United Party for National Development (UPND) Media Director Mark Simuwe has criticised Zambia’s opposition, accusing them of lacking both national vision and policy direction, and declaring that such political players cannot win the confidence of the people or govern a modern state like Zambia.

Speaking during a media briefing following recent by-elections, Simuwe recounted key engagements he held in China as part of the UPND delegation, where he and UPND Secretary General Batuke Imenda met with officials from the Communist Party of China (CPC). 

Simuwe explained that the engagements were focused on deepening party-to-party and state-to-state cooperation and learning from China’s economic strategies.

He said the visit was a learning curve, with 90 percent of what was discussed already agreed upon at presidential level between President Hakainde Hichilema and his Chinese counterpart. 

Among the major outcomes were plans for relaxed visa conditions, direct passenger flights between China and Zambia, and the strengthening of transport and energy cooperation through Chinese investment.

Simuwe emphasised that the discussions were not mere political rhetoric, but a continuation of President Hichilema’s vision for Zambia’s global reintegration.

“Some of the dividends are already visible,” Simuwe said. “We are also pushing what the President proposed to China—direct flights, better transport links, and eased visa restrictions. This is a strategic push, not propaganda.”

He revealed that discussions with the CPC also touched on China’s targeted poverty alleviation strategy, which could offer lessons for Zambia. 

He explained that in China, poor populations are separated into different categories—those who can survive on their own and those below the poverty line. This system, he said, enables the government to provide more accurate support.

Domestically, Simuwe reiterated that President Hichilema’s government inherited a broken economy under the former Patriotic Front (PF) administration. 

He accused the previous regime of fiscal indiscipline, citing failure to pay retirees for over two years, unpaid salaries for civil servants, collapsed public services, and failure to recapitalise critical institutions like TAZARA and FRA.

“Farming inputs were delayed. Farmers handed over maize and went two years without being paid. Mining collapsed. Over 25,000 jobs were lost. Even NAPSA money was borrowed just to pay civil servants,” Simuwe recalled.

He said under UPND leadership, the country has moved away from near-state collapse to a trajectory of recovery, economic stability, and inclusive development. 

He cited ongoing dismantling of domestic debt, timely farmer payments, and the disbursement of Constituency Development Fund (CDF) projects as signs of serious governance.

“UPND is not just another political party—it is the only party with ‘development’ in its name,” Simuwe noted. “We are not recycling slogans. We’re solving real problems.”

On the political front, Simuwe took a direct swipe at opposition leaders, accusing them of hiding behind new party names such as NACP to mask their PF roots and failure to reform.

He mocked the opposition’s inconsistency in fielding candidates across the country and their alleged attempts to use funerals for political gain, particularly during the just-ended by-elections.

“Using the death of a person as a campaign strategy backfired. People rejected them. Voters want leadership, not emotional manipulation,” he said.

Simuwe stressed that recent by-election results were not flukes, but a reflection of a strong national presence and voter trust in UPND. He said the ruling party swept areas where opposition leaders had campaigned, including Roan, Manguza, and Trauma.

He added: “In Trauma alone, UPND polled 887 votes. Where was the so-called opposition? You can’t jump from fifth place to first without groundwork.”

He argued that the opposition lacks any defined structure or programme, noting that some parties don’t even have Members of Parliament.

“Politics is about numbers and policy. What do they have? They’ve no manifesto—only ‘2026’ as their campaign strategy,” he said.

Simuwe further revealed that President Hichilema and UPND Cabinet ministers are open to presidential debates and media engagements, encouraging independent media to organise such events.

“Our President is ready. Ministers are ready. We are not afraid of debates. Let them bring alternatives. What is their plan for education? Energy? Agriculture? Let the people hear,” Simuwe challenged.

He called for a shift away from empty rhetoric and insults, urging the opposition to propose real alternatives to existing government policy.

“The truth is: we have no credible opposition right now. And democracy needs one,” he said.

He lamented that while UPND continues to recruit teachers, build health posts, and stabilise the economy, the opposition remains stuck in political gimmicks. 

He warned that relying on past loyalties will not win the people’s mandate again.

Simuwe cited massive job creation, expanded exports, and renewed manufacturing, including the production of batteries and veterinary vaccines now being exported to nine countries. 

He said UPND has opened direct flight routes to Istanbul, Uganda, Zimbabwe, and Malawi, and is pushing for more.

“Investors don’t come on foot. They fly. That’s why we’re working to establish direct air links with key markets. It’s part of our long-term economic diplomacy,” he said.

He reminded critics that the UPND inherited an empty treasury but chose not to seek revenge on its predecessors. 

He said President Hichilema declined to strip immunity from former President Edgar Lungu and rejected any form of political retribution.

“People expected HH to arrest ECL. But he didn’t. That’s leadership. The PF were arresting journalists and ignoring court orders. Under UPND, there’s rule of law,” Simuwe said.

He also reiterated his personal commitment to listening to Zambians through the media, saying he regularly follows radio shows, blogs, and TV debates across platforms to gauge public sentiment.

“I listen to Central TV, Millennium Radio, even vlogs. I want to know what people are saying. That’s how a leader must operate,” Simuwe said.

He concluded by urging media houses and the electorate to hold all leaders accountable through debate, not insults. 

He called on opposition parties to release manifestos and present real alternatives.

“This country is moving forward. If anyone wants to lead it, they must show us how. Not by crying foul or changing names. No vision, no victory,” Simuwe said.