MINISTER of Information and Media Cornelius Mweetwa says government’s role is not to distribute money but to create wealth for the people.
Speaking on Phoenix FM this morning, the Chief Government Spokesperson outlined how President Hakainde Hichilema’s administration is easing household economics through deliberate interventions.
Mweetwa pointed to free education as one of the most impactful measures, describing it as an invisible subsidy that allows families to redirect money previously spent on school fees.
He added that the school feeding programme, launched across all 116 districts, has reduced absenteeism and produced the best examination results in Zambia’s history.
“Free education in itself reduces home economics because the money was supposed to go and pay for your daughter or son. You now are keeping that money. That is a form of invisible subsidy,” said Mweetwa.
He explained that during the drought, government expanded social cash transfers and introduced cash-for-work programmes nationwide, enabling even non-government workers to benefit directly from state support.
“When did you ever see ‘you are not a government worker, but you are getting paid from government?’ This is the first government [to do so].”
“In the past, people accessed government money through corruption. Now you have a president who wants all citizens to appreciate that their government is at work,” Mweetwa stated.
The minister said Zambia is on the verge of an economic breakthrough, pointing to new mining projects in Northwestern Province and the Copperbelt, alongside ongoing geophysical mapping that promises significant discoveries.
“With a predictable and attractive mining regulatory regime, Zambia is assured for better things to come,” he said.
“You go into government to create wealth for the people. This is what President HH has been able to do, and the results are going to begin to show.”
By Daniel Banda
Kalemba March 3, 2026
