PRESIDENT Hakainde Hichilema has called for a mindset change over the notion that one in leadership has to look the part by being flamboyant.
The Head of State instead urged for prudence in resource utilisation and setting priorities.
Speaking when he launched the Oxford handbook of the Zambian Economy yesterday, President Hichilema shared that when he took office, some people thought he was wearing the same suit everyday not knowing that he had his own limited colours of suits he likes wearing.
“I like wearing very limited colours of suits, navy blue, light blue, dark. I don’t like wearing brown suits, I don’t like wearing fancy shoes,” he said.
“And a narrative was driven in the market when I took office that, this president wears the same suit. Have you seen the mindsets? Because a president must look flamboyant. Shiny shoes… right, that is the expectation,”
said President Hichilema.
The Head of State noted that the economy can’t grow sustainably because of the priorities set by citizens and emphasised the need for a transformed mindset if Zambia was to socially and economically change for the better.
“This is what damages us. Why don’t [we] have the economy growing sustainably as Vietnam, as China. The differential between China getting its revolution 1950… We got independence in 1964, the differential is 14 years. Where is China today? Where are we today,” the President questioned.
“Because our aspirations is a VX, you appoint a chief executive of a parastatal, [the] following day, the first thing they do is invite tenders to supply them with expensive vehicles and to start flying first class.”
President Hichilema therefore encouraged citizens and his cabinet ministers to utilise the newly launched book so as to have the mindsets changed for the better.
“We [are] really pleased with what you authors have done, opening our minds to some of the reasons we are not making it. Our problems is as a result of the leaders we choose. Students, let’s utilise this handbook to ease our analytical work. Learning is continuous. I encourage cabinet to utilise this handbook, it has powerful lessons,” stated President Hichilema.
By Catherine Pule
Kalemba, November 13, 2024
