Mwanawasa daughters endorse Mundubile
By Thandizo Banda
LATE former president Levy Mwanawasa’s oldest daughters Miriam and Lorna Mwanawasa have endorsed Tonse-PF Pamodzi Alliance presidential candidate Brian Mundubile’s candidature for the August 13 general elections.
In a joint speech delivered in Lusaka at the weekend, the sisters said they were speaking not merely as daughters of a former president but as patriotic Zambians who believed that the country was greater than any political party, any government or individual.
Miriam and Lorna framed their endorsement around constitutionalism, the rule of law and national unity.
They invoked the country’s founding values, quoting Dr Kenneth Kaunda’s ‘One Zambia, One Nation’ and President Michael Sata’s reminder that God had stopped making new countries.
“These principles belong to no political party. They belong to Zambia,” they said.
The sisters warned that when institutions became weak, the people became vulnerable and when justice became selective, confidence in democracy began to disappear.
They called for an independent Parliament, Judiciary, constitutional institutions and professional law enforcement.
“Justice delayed weakens confidence. Justice denied weakens democracy. Justice must be equal for all,” Miriam and Lorna said.
They also acknowledged President Hakainde Hichilema for continuing national development through investments in infrastructure, roads, education and other public services.
“Development belongs to the people of Zambia, and every administration has a duty to build upon the foundation laid by those before it,” they said.
However, they stressed development should go with strengthening democratic institutions and upholding the Constitution.
The sisters also called for constitutional reforms before and after the elections to safeguard judicial independence, reinforce checks and balances and protect the rights and freedoms of every citizen.
“A constitution must never be written to benefit those who govern today. It must protect generations yet unborn,” they said.
The two Mwanawasas said they were backing Mundubile for the presidency and Makebi Zulu as vice president.
“We believe they have the capacity to strengthen constitutional governance, uphold the rule of law and serve all Zambians,” they said.
