AFRICA’S NEWEST POWER COUPLE
IT’S impossible not to draw parallels between the election campaigns of Barack Obama and Hakainde Hichilema.
Both have their roots in small African villages, both put in the hard yards with their respective constituencies and both ran on a ticket of change and hope.
But perhaps the most significant parallel between Obama and Hichilema lies with their partners, Michelle and Mutinta – both strong leaders in their own right.
It may be a bit of a stretch but you would possibly have to go back to Nelson and Winnie Mandela for Africa’s last “power couple”.
However, given their profile and messaging throughout the election campaign and in their victory, the Hichilemas may just be on their way to being Africa’s newest power couple.
Hakainde Hichilema, the businessman and politician who has been president of the United Party for National Development, an opposition political party, since 2006, was born in a village in Monze District in the Southern Province of Zambia.
Hakainde, 59, fondly known as “HH”, scored a landslide victory in the presidential election, dethroning Edgar Lungu and his Patriotic Front from the presidency.
In his inauguration speech, he said he was humbled that Zambians were willing to trust a village boy to be their president.
“I stand before you today, humbled and filled with gratitude for your trust in a simple village boy who you have made the seventh president of the Republic of Zambia,“he said.
Hakainde married Mutinta in 1988 and together they have three children.
It hasn’t always been an easy ride for the Hichilemas.
Both Hakainde and Mutinta have suffered oppression at the hands of the Lungu – led state, including incarceration and trumped up charges.
Hakainde was arrested in 2017 and charged with treason.
Mutinta was prevented from visiting him in prison.
After a few months charges against him were eventually dropped and he was released.
Yet despite the difficulties, they stuck together and reached the top.
Hakainde and Mutinta have built up a considerable empire over the years, cementing their place as one of the richest couples in Zambia.
Both run farming operations that contribute significantly to Zambia’s GDP.
Hakainde received a scholarship to study at the University of Zambia and graduated in 1986 with a Bachelor’s degree in economics and business administration.
He then pursued an MBA in finance and business strategy at the University of Birmingham in the UK. During this time, Mutinta continued developing in farming, philanthropy and in her faith.
Hakainde was elected the leader of United Party for National Development in 2006, following the death of its founding leader, Anderson Mazoka.
Having lost in five previous presidential elections, Hakainde and Mutinta finally emerged victorious on their sixth attempt.
But with victory comes the responsibility of delivery.
That responsibility is clearly not lost on Mutinta.
“Thank you for celebrating with us on this auspicious occasion.
“Now the real work of building our country begins,” she said shortly after the inauguration.
In the weeks leading up to the inauguration, she also emerged as a fierce voice against gender-based violence, appealing to government to tighten up GBV laws in the country.
Hakainde faces a tough road ahead to deliver on his election promises of growing the economy and fighting corruption.
“The road ahead will not be without challenges, but with a clear vision and plan, which we have, and relentless determination, we shall overcome and deliver on aspiration of our people,” he said in his inauguration speech in the capital Lusaka.
Throughout their campaign, Hakainde and Mutinta promised to fix the country’s economy and deal decisively with corruption.
Understanding the aspirations of Zambians will be critical for the Hichilemas, something they both understand all too well. The couple have the added responsibility of uniting Zambians, following the hotly contested election.
“You believed in our message of change to move Zambia forward.
“Together as Zambians, we can successfully work towards the restoration of our country.
“Let us now look forward to new beginnings and to a brighter and better future,” said Mutinta.
At his inaugaration, Hakainde said the new government knew what Zambia needed in order to thrive.
“No Zambian should go to bed hungry.
“Food should be available and affordable for the people.
“The people have hope and expect us to address the cost of living which is beyond the reach of the majority of our citizens.
“We will aggressively promote the creation of jobs opportunities that will create wealth, especially for our youth, women and indeed all citizens,” he said.
“Our focus over the next five years will be on restoring macro-economic stability and promoting the economy.
“We will pay special attention to lowering the fiscal deficit, reducing public debt and restoring social and market confidence.”
The new administration promised to undertake an ambitious economic and social transformation agenda to move Zambia forward, create equitable opportunities for all people and reduce poverty. Following his inauguration ceremony in Lusaka, Hichilema wrote on his social media platforms that they had held private talks with several visiting heads of state and foreign dignitaries, where they shared Zambia’s development agenda.
Hakainde and Mutinta’s victory has not only inspired Zambians.
His victory has also galvanised opposition parties in the Southern African Development Community, many of whom described it as historic.
Dumelang Saleshando, leader of the Botswana Congress Party, said Zambian people have used their vote to transfer political power from one party to another.
“This is not a common development in southern Africa.
“Transfer of power through the vote is a critical feature of a mature democracy,” he wrote on his Facebook page.
He said despite losing five times in presidential election, the Hichilemas did not give up.
Opposition politicians from Botswana, South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia were also among dignitaries attending Hakainde’s inauguration ceremony.
The coming years will no doubt present significant challenges for Hakainde’s administration, but if he can be half as successful as a president as he was a businessman, with the driving force of Mutinta at his side, then Zambia will indeed have a significantly brighter future.