CHAMBO NG’UNI
Kapiri Mposhi
PRESIDENT Hakainde Hichilema has urged students and young people in Zambia to support him and all UPND candidates in the August 13 general election.
The head of State said continued progress in education and youth welfare depends on young people’s vote.
Speaking when he addressed scores of students at Mulungushi University in Kapiri Mposhi yesterday, President Hichilema said his administration has delivered key benefits for students, including free education, meal allowances and construction of student hostels.
“We are in an election period and you know what needs to be done. I have come here for a meeting of our candidates and our party officials. And I decided that before I go in that meeting, I must greet my fellow monks,” he said.
“We are going into an election on August 13 this year. You know that if you want to continue with free education, you must turn out and vote for Bally on August 13.”
The President added: “If you want the meal allowances to continue, you must vote for Bally on August 13, if you want the students’ hostels to be constructed, you have to vote for Bally.
“Those who took away your meal allowances, they want to come back. Those who took away free education, those who did not complete, they want to come back. Are you going to allow them to come back? Vote for Bally and his candidates.”
Mr Hichilema said the New Dawn administration still has a lot of work, but has delivered on his promises to Zambians.
“When we came in office, we found a debt mountain, we have dismantled the debt, and we have restructured the debt which those people there created.
“Because of that, instead of paying US$2.3 billion every year to service debt, after debt restructuring, we are now paying US$900 million per year, and we are saving US$1.4 billion per year.
“Now you want those people to come back again? This Bally loves the youth of Zambia, this Bally loves the people of Zambia, this Bally cares for you,” he said.
The head of State said because he cares for youths, the New Dawn administration has delivered free education, meal allowances and students’ hostels.
“You can’t continue with the progress you are seeing without voting. If you don’t vote, those who took away the meal allowances will come back,” he said.
“Those are the risks that will come if you don’t vote. Last week we signed into law the Free Education [Bill]. This is how organised leadership works, not chipante pante.”
The President also pledged to address concerns raised by student leaders and reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to improving the welfare of young people.
President Hichilema said Zambia is getting orderly now and that it will be retrogressive to go back to those days.
“And for us to avoid going back to those days, all of you must turn out and vote. You know that Bally loves you, you know that Bally cares for you. “What you want you will get.
Bally loves you, Bally cares, Bally delivers and there’s still work to be done, and that’s why we need to win the August 13 election,” he said.
UPND Keembe West parliamentary candidate Princess Kasune is happy that she has been elected unopposed.
Ms Kasune, who is former Minister of Justice, implored students to rally behind President Hichilema.
Mulungushi University Students’ Union president David Banda assured Mr Hichilema that the students will vote for him.
Mr Banda said students are grateful to Government for developing the infrastructure at Mulungushi University….https://enews.daily-mail.co.zm/welcome/home
