Blueprints for Change
By Francis Maingaila ♥️
Lusaka, Zambia24 --- (24-06-2026) ---People’s Pact presidential candidate has unveiled his party’s manifesto, describing it as a people-centred document aimed at restoring Zambia’s sovereignty, rebuilding public services and returning national decision-making power to citizens.
Launching the manifesto, M’membe said it was shaped by the lived experiences, aspirations and daily struggles of ordinary Zambians, offering what he called an alternative path for the country’s future.
“This manifesto is about reclaiming our country back. It is about our sovereignty, our liberation and recovery from an economic and social system that has stolen our future,” he said.
He argued that Zambia’s development agenda should not be dictated by external institutions, insisting that government must retain full control over key budgetary decisions in education, health, agriculture and infrastructure.
“When you have sovereignty over your economy and your destiny, nobody tells you how much to allocate to education, health services, agriculture or infrastructure. You make those decisions yourself,” he said.
M’membe criticised what he described as fiscal restrictions linked to International Monetary Fund (IMF) programmes, saying they limit investment in essential social services and weaken long-term development.
He pledged that a People’s Pact government would prioritise education without compromise, arguing that the sector is central to national survival.
“There will be no compromise on what is spent on education. If we start reducing what is allocated to education, we are sacrificing the future of this country,” he said.
M’membe also raised concern over Zambia’s population growth, warning that urgent planning was needed in education, healthcare and food security.
He said projections suggest the population could exceed 40 million within 15 years if current trends continue.
“What will these children eat? Where will healthcare come from? What about their education? These are issues that require planning today,” he said, adding that Zambia must not rely on external actors for solutions.
The opposition leader noted that despite its vast natural resources, Zambia remains among the poorest countries globally, arguing that economic transformation requires deliberate investment in human development.
He further observed that around 70 percent of the population is below the age of 35, describing young people as the country’s most important asset.
M’membe said Zambia’s challenges cannot be solved through slogans or political theatrics but require serious leadership and national commitment.
“You cannot solve these problems by dancing and singing. You cannot solve them by slogans,” he said.
He called on traditional leaders, churches, business leaders, trade unions, professionals and the media to actively participate in shaping national direction.
Presenting the manifesto as a roadmap ahead of the 2026 elections, M’membe said Zambia stands at a critical crossroads.
“The crossroads is not a resting place. It is a point for decision-making about what direction our country should take,” he said.
He urged citizens, especially young people, to make informed political choices grounded in reality rather than promises of quick fixes.
“This is not about magic. It is not about gambling. It is about making real choices and real changes,” he said.
Meanwhile, People’s Pact Initiative running mate said the manifesto belongs to all citizens and must be actively interrogated by the public.
She said young people, who make up about 70 percent of the population, stand at the centre of the policies outlined in the document.
“This manifesto is not about those of us sitting up here. This manifesto is yours and everybody else’s,” she said.
Banda said Zambia has little to show for nearly 64 years of independence despite abundant natural resources, arguing that better outcomes are possible through disciplined leadership and long-term planning.
She said the future depends on creating opportunities for younger generations.
“The future is not about us. It is about our children, our nieces, our nephews and our grandchildren,” she said.
She added that the People’s Pact envisions a Zambia built on justice, equity, unity, development and peace.
“We can have a much better country for our people than the country in which many exist today,” she said.
The manifesto was unveiled as part of preparations for the 2026 general elections.
At the same event, Socialist Party Secretary General presented a separate manifesto he described as an accountability-driven framework designed to replace traditional political promises with measurable commitments.
Musumali said the party is introducing an integrated policy system designed to ensure implementation can be tracked in real time.
“We are not presenting a single document. What we are presenting is an integrated policy communication ecosystem,” he said.
He said the manifesto includes a master policy document, a policy matrix, 29 sector-specific documents and a communication strategy.
Each commitment, he said, is assigned a code, measurable indicators, responsible institutions and timelines.
Musumali said the system allows citizens, researchers and the media to independently track government performance.
The manifesto is structured around four pillars: People’s Economy, People’s Services, People’s Voice and People’s Future.
Under the economic pillar, the Socialist Party proposes reforms in mining, including increased local processing, greater state participation, higher royalties and windfall taxes.
It also proposes ending load shedding by 2030 through investment in solar energy and reform of the power utility.
Musumali said electricity generation would be expanded to 6,000 megawatts by 2031, with priority given to hospitals and schools for solar installation.
The party also proposes creating 500,000 jobs through cooperative-based economic programmes in mining, agriculture, housing and energy.
In agriculture, it plans irrigation expansion, construction of 10,000 small dams and boreholes, and measures to reduce production costs.
On the cost of living, the party pledged protection for informal traders, improved access to credit and reduced prices of basic goods.
It also proposed a “dignity wage”, arguing the current minimum wage is insufficient.
Under social services, the party proposes raising education funding to 25 percent of the national budget and healthcare to 20 percent.
It plans to recruit 10,000 health workers in its first year, expand access to medicines and strengthen national health insurance coverage.
Housing reforms include 100,000 affordable units, a K1.5 billion cooperative housing fund and land regularisation programmes for low-income communities.
On governance, Musumali cited corruption as a major obstacle and pledged stronger oversight, transparency and institutional reform.
The party also pledged to repeal the Cyber Security and Cyber Crimes Act, citing concerns over media freedom.
Under its future-focused pillar, the manifesto prioritises youth employment, women’s empowerment and climate resilience.
It proposes a youth employment guarantee funded by three percent of the national budget, alongside expanded opportunities for women and increased investment in green jobs.
Musumali said the manifesto includes a full implementation roadmap covering the first 100 days, the first year and the full five-year term.
“This is not simply a manifesto of promises. It is a contract with the people,” he said.
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