By Kapya Kaoma

The recent by-elections have revealed a critical weakness in the PF-Tonse Alliance: the branding of the political party on the ballot within the alliance. In Eastern Province, for instance, while the alliance celebrated a victory, there was confusion about which party won that election. This contrasts sharply with media reports that predominantly identified the UPND and other non-allied entities. This issue invites a broader discussion on the complexities of political branding and communication strategies that are central to competitive democracy.

Democracy depends on a strong communication stand branding strategy. A compelling manifesto and a strong candidate may lay the groundwork for political success, but without a robust communication and branding strategy, such efforts risk being ineffective. This is why political campaigns invest heavily in communication and branding long before the campaign season—they need to present themselves as viable alternatives to other candidates. In other words, the heart of competitive democracy beats in sync with clarity and cohesion in messaging. This is something the PF-Tonse Alliance must uphold immediately if it hopes to wrest power from the UPND in 2026.

To assume that voters’ disappointment with President HH’s lies and failed promises will automatically translate into the alliance’s victory is naive. Likewise, the belief that voters in every constituency will support all candidates from different political parties just because they are running on the alliance’s ticket is misguided. The candidate adoption process is bound to be messy, and those who are not adopted may be forced to run as independents or even on their own party tickets. Additionally, since not all voters have equal access to information, some of these candidates will play a role as spoilers–they may even be adopted by the UPND.This concern seems to underlie the UPND’s reluctance to allow the PF-Tonse Alliance to register as a political party, as it hopes to complicate voters’ decision-making process within the PF-Tonse Alliance.

The UPND’s apprehension regarding the PF’s resurgence—evident in their resistance to the legal registration of a new political entity led by PF leadership—should not deter the alliance from actively countering this strategy. Here, the importance of a name is secondary; the primary goal is securing victory in the 2026 elections. While voters are familiar with the PF, a comprehensive re-education initiative could help them align with the new political identity the alliance aims to project over time.

Continuing to contest the name “PF” only serves to benefit the UPND regime, which anticipates voter confusion as the electoral campaign progresses. By prolonging this identity struggle, the UPND intends to exploit the uncertainties surrounding the PF’s branding for electoral gain. To counter this tactic, the PF-Tonse Alliance must avoid giving the UPND any leverage and instead concentrate on redefining its identity and strategy to neutralize the UPND’s ability to manipulate voter decision-making processes.

Should the alliance wish to reinstate the PF name in the future, that decision can be revisited later. The current moment calls for unity and an emphasis on the masses—those whose dignity has often been overshadowed by UPND policies that exacerbate poverty. As the alliance prepares for the upcoming elections, its priority must be to consolidate its identity and streamline its messaging. The specific political party within the alliance may matter less than ensuring that the PF leadership remains in control.

For a successful campaign, the alliance should begin promoting a singular, cohesive name that voters can identify with, thus avoiding potential conflicts and confusion. Effectively utilizing print, television, and social media will be paramount, especially as the UPND is poised to exploit misinformation to foster discord in the critical lead-up to the elections using state media. The sooner the alliance adopts a unified identity, the better its position will be to counteract the UPND’s divide-and-rule strategy. It is naive to assume the alliance will hold together until Election Day; resolving the identity issue sooner rather than later will be advantageous. While the PF is the largest partner and boasts the most significant following, neglecting the identity issue until the end could expose the alliance to major divisions that would ultimately benefit the UPND.

Thus, the time has come for the PF-Tonse Alliance to focus on establishing a strong, collective identity. Jumping from one political party to another is a recipe for disaster in the general elections. Only through strategic communication and a unified front can the alliance hope to reclaim voter trust and secure a decisive victory in 2026. This is not merely a battle for a name; it is a call to reclaim the human dignity lost under the HH regime.

From now until the D-day (general elections) we shall be running a weekly column to basically bring to the fore pertinent issues that may require the President’s urgent attention. The reason is simple…..the people surrounding our Presidents at times want to shield the reality on the ground from them. And by the time they want to take remedial measures it’s rather too late.

We shall give two practical examples to buttress this hypothesis.

As the masses took to the streets early 1990s to vent their anger and frustrations over food shortages and the price of mealie meal, boisterously chanting, “Kaunda kuya bebele!” (It’s time for Kaunda to leave), the old man continued living in a cacoon constantly dismissing his critics as frightened little men! .

Somehow, his handlers and senior government officials couldn’ t see the writing on the wall. If they did, they pretended and kept the truth away from him.

Muhabi Lungu, our former Ambassador to Congo DR during the MMD regime was at UNZA at the time. His father, Mr. Mkhondo Lungu was a senior official in government. One day at the dinner table, young Muhabi narrated to his father that from what he was seeing and hearing on the ground, people were eager for change……it was time up for KK!

However, the senior Lungu held a contrary view. He insisted that citizens still wanted KK at the helm. When his son challenged him about the source of his confidence, he revealed that from the conversations he’s had with his driver, cooks and the guards, UNIP still enjoyed massive support.

Muhabi warned his father not to rely on his workers as they’d tell him what he wanted to hear. He advised him to abandon his Mercedes Benz for a while and jump on a public transport to assess for himself what was obtaining on the ground. One weekend, he jumped on a bus from Woodlands where they lived into town, and got on another one to Mtendere before heading back home. He wasn’t himself by the time he settled for lunch!

In the 1990s, the second Republican President, Frederick Chiluba was invited to officially open the Wesley Nyirenda Basic School which had been built in Kitwe with the support from World Bank. On the way from the airport, the Presidential motorcade used a road that been worked on overnight – Wusakile roundabout via Arthur Davis Stadium all the way to Amis village suburb. The state of the road was quite impressive – no potholes, devoid of litter while the grass had been meticulously slashed.

Grand speeches were made as usual – the Copperbelt provincial administration, MMD party officials, Cabinet ministers, the World Bank representative and finally the President himself. As a gifted orator, he obviously did not disappoint – the crowd adored and cheered him profusely!

Once the function was over, Chiluba surprised everyone when he instructed his chauffeur to make a detour and use a different route – Ichoso street via Tafuna Drive in Ndeke township before joining the T junction on the road he had used around Miseshi area.

There was panic in the delegation as vehicles made sudden U-turns to catch up with the Presidential motorcade. The road in question was in a deplorable state! When the President came to a spot which was literally impassable, he ordered his driver to stop.

“Well done Mr. Simwinga,” the President quipped as he chuckled. “I can see you’ve been working hard as a city, look at this road….”

Readers would imagine the look on Ali Simwinga’s face. Mr Simwinga who is now a commissioner at the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) was at the material time, Kitwe Town Clerk.

Despite inheriting an economy in shambles, the President is working round the clock to reboot it and set it forth on a trajectory to recovery!

However, here’s no need to keep on sugar coating; things aren’t okay pa ground. As we head into the elections next year, there will be 6 key issues glaring at the President: 1. Price of fuel 2. Exchange rate 3. Price of fertilizer 4. Price of mealie meal 5. Load shedding and, 6. Youth unemployment (unskilled labour).

The New Dawn Administration needs to identify and implement short term solutions to these challenges between now and August 2026 before it’s too late.

In our next offering, we take a look at a subject which is closer to our hearts – STREET KIDS!

Until next time!

Prince Bill M Kaping’a
Political/Social Analyst
Mayeng’u, Zambezi

Japan has provided Zambia with a grant of approximately $1.2 million (K33.6 million) to support the procurement of advanced laboratory equipment for the Geological Survey Department under the Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development.

During a signing ceremony in Lusaka, Japanese Ambassador to Zambia Takeuchi Kazuyuki emphasized that the grant, provided under the Economic and Social Development Programme, aims to enhance Zambia’s mineral analysis capacity and update geological data. He noted that improved exploration and mining activities could lead to increased national tax revenues and contribute to poverty reduction.

“The grant aid is expected to improve the mineral analysis capacity and provide up-to-date geological data, which will accelerate exploration and mining activities,” Ambassador Kazuyuki said.

Zambia’s Minister of Finance, Situmbeko Musokotwane, welcomed the grant, stating that it would allow the Ministry of Mines to acquire state-of-the-art mining equipment and strengthen the capabilities of the Geological Survey Department. He added that the new equipment would improve the accuracy and efficiency of geological surveys, ultimately attracting further investment in the mining sector.

Meanwhile, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Chief Representative Tateyama Jotaro highlighted that the grant complements Japan’s ongoing support for Zambia’s mining sector. He noted that seven officials and researchers from the Ministry of Mines had recently completed studies in Japan, further enhancing the country’s technical expertise in mineral exploration.

The signing of this agreement underscores Japan’s continued commitment to supporting Zambia’s economic development, particularly in the mining sector, which remains a key driver of the country’s economy.