A critical look at President Hichilema’s alleged attempts to manipulate Zambia’s demographic and historical identity Bemba heritage for political gain!
By Mpandashalo Mwewa.
Lusaka, Mar. 8 – President Hakainde Hichilema’s recent actions have raised serious concerns about his administration’s approach to Zambia’s national identity and electoral integrity. His government’s introduction of a new currency, which omits both the ‘K’ from Kwacha (a Bemba word) and the iconic Freedom Statue (depicting a Bemba freedom fighter), appears to be part of a broader effort to erase the historical legacy of the country’s north-eastern regions.
Also Read: Democracy Isn’t About Winning Elections – It’s About Letting People Shape Governance! True democracy goes beyond ballots and power struggles; it prioritizes serving the people through inclusive governance. When politics focuses on humanity and cooperation, it fulfills its purpose as a vehicle for national development, not partisan division.
Additionally, reports have emerged alleging that Hichilema has instructed the Zambia Statistics Agency (ZSA) to falsify the population figures for Southern Province—his party’s stronghold. Such a move, if true, raises alarming questions about the credibility of Zambia’s electoral processes and the potential rigging of the 2026 general elections.
This pattern of governance has put his administration at odds with institutions like the Catholic Church, which upholds principles of truth and justice. The recent friction between Hichilema and the ZSA over anomalies in the 2021 election results from Southern Province has only added to growing suspicions about his leadership.
These concerns are not new. The late President Levy Mwanawasa once characterized Hichilema as a man willing to manipulate facts for political gain, a sentiment documented in Levy Patrick Mwanawasa: An Incentive for Posterity by Amos Malupenga. Mwanawasa warned that Hichilema’s approach to politics was based on deception rather than integrity, a warning that now seems more relevant than ever.
If a sitting president – who has sworn to uphold Zambia’s Constitution—is indeed pressuring a government agency to doctor demographic data, it threatens not only the legitimacy of future elections but also the democratic principles upon which the nation was founded.
About The Author: Mpandashalo Mwewa, currently the Chief Editor at Woodpecker’s Digest, formerly held the same role at Zambia Reports. Known for championing Pan-African education reforms with a focus on critical thinking, he employs journalism to instigate social transformation.
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