It’s my time, UPND’s Zelipa eyes Lumezi

It’s my time, UPND’s Zelipa eyes Lumezi

By Tony Nkhoma

AS THE internal scramble for adoption for the Lumezi parliamentary by-election gets more frenzied in the United Party for National Development (UPND), one woman believes it is her time to represent the constituency because she is a daughter of the soil.

“I am the only candidate with a voter’s card from Lumezi, Zelipa Chisulo has said.

The Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) has set June 26 as the date for the Lumezi parliamentary by-election following the conviction and imprisonment of independent MP Munir Zulu.

Chisulo has decided to plunge into the race for adoption on the ruling party’s ticket.

“So, now that we have a vacancy I have decided to come on board and also stand because I’ve been going to Lumezi since 2021. I’m always with the people on the ground and I’m very strong on the ground,” she said.

In an interview with The Mast, Chisulo expressed confidence that she will be adopted because she is the only woman who has applied for adoption on the UPND ticket.

She said her adoption would be a response to President Hakainde Hichilema’s plea to have more women participating in politics.

Chisulo said was the only candidate among those who had applied with a voter’s card from Lumezi, which reflected her strong connection with the area.

“So this is the time that what the President has been wanting or preaching about is implemented and then not only that. I am the only one with the voter’s card for Lumezi, the rest they don’t have,” she said.

Chisulo said she understood clearly what the people of Lumezi constituency needed in terms of development such as roads and health facilities.

“So, there’s so many challenges that I think I’m the best candidate because I’ve lived with them. I feel their pain. I know their problems, so we’ll be able to work together with the people of Lumezi,” Chisulo said.

She said Lumezi did not only need a female member of Parliament but one who had lived with the people on the ground.

“Lumezi needs a female member of Parliament who understands their problems. Lumezi now does not want any more independence. Lumezi wants people who will be with the government. Lumezi has got a lot of problems that it’s facing in terms of health, in terms of roads and all that,” Chisulo said.

On May 14 the Non-Governmental Gender Organisations Coordinating council (NGOCC) said it had embarked on the “Her Time is Now” campaign to heighten awareness and accountability on the need for inclusive leadership.