Alexander Nkosi wrote…
UPND and NDC had mammoth rallies on the Copperbelt. Those an insane crowds to pull regardless of whether you decide to pack yourself in a vacuum, running away from reality or not. My message to my fellow PF supporters is that don’t panic! So how do those who panic react? They will say people were ferried, they will say people only went there to watch, they will say even in 2016 it was like that but PF ended up winning. This is a true definition of panicking. Smart politician will take this as an opportunity to reflect and ask what exactly they are doing to ensure those numbers do not translate into votes because UPND has been gaining on the Copperbelt in the past elections. The question are:
1. What are we doing to ensure people experiencing over 18 hours of load shedding are happy after losing their businesses and incomes?
2. What are we doing to address the KCM issue which has lost the initial momentum it had? What do people feel about it?
3. What are we doing to address mealie meal prices and those of other essential commodities that keep rising?
4. What are we doing to address rampant youth unemployment? Are youths happy?
5. What are we doing to address the high cost of production and challenges faced by business enterprises?
6. What are we doing to address high taxes which are eroding people’s disposable incomes at a time the cost of living is so high?
If these critical issues are addressed, we don’t have to worry about whether those who go to attend rallies for the opposition will end up voting for then or not. We don’t treat malaria using a bandage so this situation is not about roads, schools, clinics, police housing units and shopping malls. Do not invest so much effort in promoting a solution that is not a solution to the major problem. We are dealing with a totally different situation.
If the issues listed above are not addressed, then how sure can we be that people will vote for us and not the opposition? What excatly are they going to endorse? When we begin asking such important questions then we can for once be real and tell ourselves that it is either we address the needs our people are facing or we lose them.
This situation requires a sober approach. This is not time for individuals to start massaging their personal interests as they try to atttact the attention of top leadership by dismissing these rallies without drawing important lessons. Let’s work together and address the serious economic challenges our people are facing. Let’s do it!
Read this article from the original source: Die Hard PF Cadre Says UPND, NDC Rally In Kitwe a Wake Up Call.