WOZA Unveils Leadership,
By Francis Maingaila ♥️
Lusaka, Zambia24 -- (26-03-2026) --- ⁷3The We Are One Zambia Alliance (WOZA) for the 4th Republic has unveiled its leadership and adopted key governance and economic reform frameworks following a convention described by its leaders as transparent, inclusive and reflective of the will of the people.
Speaking during a media briefing, WOZA Chairperson Sakwiba Sikota said the alliance took deliberate steps to ensure that its leadership was not imposed but emerged from a credible and participatory process.
Sikota explained that an independent electoral commission was constituted to oversee the entire election process at the convention in order to guarantee fairness and transparency.
He said the composition of delegates went beyond political parties, as the alliance allowed equal representation from participating political parties, independent candidates and non-political actors.
This, he said, was meant to ensure that the process captured the voice of the broader Zambian society.
“We did not want a process where political parties alone determine leadership. We wanted a system that reflects what the wider society is thinking,” Sikota said.
He further explained that the alliance adopted a unique voting system in which each delegate was given two votes of equal value and required to select two candidates.
The system, he said, was designed to reduce the risk of manipulation, block voting and undue influence.
For the presidential position, Sikota said a candidate was required to secure more than 50 percent of the vote.
However, when no candidate met this threshold in the first round, a runoff election was conducted between the top two candidates using the standard one-delegate-one-vote system.
He said the process concluded with the election of Kapembwa Simbao as alliance president.
Sikota noted that the manner in which the elections were conducted demonstrated unity and maturity among alliance members, as all candidates accepted the results and immediately committed to working together.
“After the results were announced, all those who had contested embraced one another and agreed that we must move forward as one,” he said.
Following the election of the president, Sikota said the next step was the selection of the vice president. He explained that the president nominated five individuals for consideration, after which delegates voted to choose the preferred candidate.
He said Yusuf Dodia emerged as vice president after securing the majority of votes.
Sikota added that other leadership positions were filled through open nominations from the floor, followed by voting by delegates. In some cases, positions were filled unopposed where only one candidate was nominated.
He said additional roles, including that of Deputy Chairperson, were also filled, with Bishop Trevor Mwamba taking up the position, bringing what Sikota described as moral and spiritual guidance to the leadership team.
Sikota said the alliance is still in the process of filling other positions due to the large number of qualified individuals expressing interest in serving.
He emphasized that while leadership elections were important, the core purpose of the convention was to establish a clear governance and policy direction for the alliance.
To this end, Sikota said the alliance adopted three key documents—the Alliance Agreement, the Social Contract and the Minimum Programme.
He explained that the Alliance Agreement sets out the values and principles guiding the alliance, including unity, inclusivity, transparency, accountability and citizen participation.
The Social Contract, he said, defines the relationship between the alliance and various stakeholders such as traditional leaders, business leaders, labour unions, students and civil society, with a strong emphasis on citizen participation in governance.
Sikota said the Minimum Programme outlines how the alliance intends to address the country’s governance challenges, economic difficulties and concerns over the ownership and control of national resources.
“These documents are not just statements. They represent what we intend to deliver to the people of Zambia,” he said.
He added that all the documents were publicly signed at the convention in the presence of elders, who have been tasked with ensuring that the alliance adheres to its commitments.
Sikota stressed that the alliance remains open to other stakeholders and reiterated its commitment to building a united opposition.
“We are still committed to the idea of a united opposition. Our doors remain open to those who wish to join us in this national cause,” he said.
In his remarks, alliance president Kapembwa Simbao said leadership must be rooted in integrity, accountability and a genuine commitment to serving the people.
He acknowledged that many Zambians have lost trust in politicians due to unfulfilled promises and lack of accountability.
“People are asking why they should believe in us, whether we will be different, and whether we will listen to them,” Simbao said.
He said the alliance is determined to provide leadership that listens to citizens, responds to their needs and creates opportunities for improved livelihoods.
Simbao stressed that leadership must be judged based on character, track record and the ability to deliver meaningful change.
WOZA Vice President Yusuf Dodia highlighted Zambia’s vast economic potential, noting that the country is endowed with abundant natural resources, including minerals, water bodies, forests and agricultural land.
He said Zambia’s geographical position, surrounded by eight neighbouring countries, provides significant opportunities for trade in goods and services such as agriculture, education and healthcare.
However, Dodia expressed concern that the country is not fully benefiting from these opportunities due to challenges such as capital flight, illicit financial flows and brain drain.
He said the alliance intends to focus on promoting Zambian-owned industries, strengthening domestic production and enhancing industrial growth.
Dodia also emphasized the need to reduce the cost of doing business by improving infrastructure, particularly rail transport, and investing in education and healthcare systems.
He said a well-functioning free-market economy requires government support to enable businesses to grow, compete and contribute to national development through taxation.
“A strong national development agenda that is designed and driven by Zambians is key to achieving prosperity for all,” he said.
WOZA Vice Chairperson Bishop Trevor Mwamba said the alliance is committed to building a future that prioritizes the welfare of the poor and vulnerable.
He said meaningful development can only be achieved through unity and a shared national vision.
“This alliance is about working together to improve the lives of our people, especially those who are most vulnerable,” he said.
WOZA Chief of Staff Sivia Nawa said the alliance is built on the principle of unity, stressing that no individual or group can transform the country alone.
She said the alliance seeks to revive the spirit of “One Zambia, One Nation,” which she said has been weakened by division and regionalism.
Nawa called for an end to political and regional divisions and urged citizens to embrace equality and mutual respect.
She also emphasized the importance of women’s participation in leadership, noting that women play a critical role in uniting families and communities.
“We must come together, recognise each other and work as one if we are to rebuild this nation,” she said.
National Youth Chairperson Steven Tenson Munsanje said young people are increasingly frustrated by limited access to economic opportunities despite the existence of empowerment programmes.
He cited initiatives such as the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) and the Citizens Economic Empowerment Commission (CEEC), questioning how many young people have genuinely benefited.
“How many of us have actually received support from these programmes despite the announcements made every year?” he asked.
Munsanje called for fair distribution of resources and policies that directly address the challenges faced by young people at household level.
He urged youths to take an active role in shaping the country’s future and to unite in pushing for meaningful change.
The alliance said it will, in the coming days, release detailed versions of its policy documents to the public as part of its broader strategy to engage citizens and outline its roadmap for national transformation.
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