Lungani Zungu
Newly-elected Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema has had to fight against the odds as he worked to reach the highest office in the land.
His tough journey included being jailed as a result of dubious treason charges four years ago.
But the 59-year-old business tycoon and politician did not lose sight of his objective and on Monday, he dislodged his arch-rival Edgar Lungu in the presidential election.
In an interview, his wife Mutinta described him as a man who doesn’t give up.
Growing up in the village of Monze in the 1960s, Hichilema’s family, like the other villagers, didn’t have much but he performed well at school. He obtained a scholarship in 1986 to study at the University of Zambia where he later graduated with a degree in Economics and Business Administration.
This qualification opened many doors for him and he went on to study an MBA in finance at the University of Birmingham in England.
After a long stint in the private sector, Hichilema joined politics and was elected as the leader of the United Party for National Development in 2006. He then set his sights on the presidency.
But he failed in five presidential attempts to convince the Zambian people to vote for him, despite the country’s ongoing economic decline.
Hichilema’s efforts were rewarded this time and after Thursday’s elections, he was announced as the new president of Zambia.
Hichilema now has five years to prove to the population of more than 17 million that he is the right man for the job and that he will effect the changes he promised during campaigning.
His detractors have said that he is in the palms of powerful business people but he has rejected this and vowed that he stands with the people of Zambia.
“It’s time for a better life for all Zambians. Change is here,” read his Twitter message.
Hichilema is expected to deliver his acceptance speech today.
Image source: @AfricanArguments
