Annie mocks UPND over mayoral candidate
By Francis Maingaila
Lusaka – (08-07-18)- Chilanga Patriotic Front (PF) Mayoral Candidate Annie Patricia Brown has frowned the opposition United Party for National Development (UPND) for adopting a man to replace a late Council chairperson Teresa Maria Malila.
Brown told journalists when she features at the PF Interactive Forum on Sunday morning at Chrisma Hotel that the decision by the opposition UPND to choose a man to replace a deceased female council chairperson with a male candidate is a signal that the opposition party does not care about gender representation in decision making position otherwise the UPND could have nominated another women as its candidate for Chilanga.
She said the ruling PF nominated her to run for the vacant position of council chairperson in Chilanga because the party care a lot about the plight and warfare of women in the country.
Brown was particular happy that the PF has settled for woman to run for the vacant seat saying this was a reflection of the party’s dream to fulfil the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) protocol not only on women representation but also gender equality.
“I am particularly pleased with this act because it shows the government commitment”s commitment to gender equality and elimination against women discrimination which has been in the mouth of the people for a long time now.”
Based on this act of commitment, Brown invited the women movement and women in general to support the PF for having policies which are gender friendly.
She said the women movement will do this by ensuring that they campaign for her and win the vacant council chairperson seat in Chilanga.
She said once elected chairperson, she will dedicate her time alleviating the problems which has remained unsolved in Chilanga for a very long time.
She said Chilanga has many problem including markets, health and education facilities that need to be attended to immediately.
She regretted that despite having representatives from the opposition in the past, people still don’t have decent trading environment and women still give birth in homes and as a result many women die of maternal complications.
Brown promised to address these challenges immediately she is elected to head the Chilanga council seat.
“As council chairperson, I promise to execute my duty as prescribed by the laws of Zambia and no resident of Chilanga will be left behind including the UPND leaders Hakainde Hichilema who has a farm in the area.”
Using the strategic plan Brown said she will ensure to the satisfaction of all the people to the extent that those who still doubt will regret remaining in the opposition.
She counted herself a lack person because she will have to start from the scratch to develop the area because the first PF MP has set on a development agenda in Chilanga weeks after she was declared winner in last parliamentary by election.
She accused the opposition the UPND of having denied the people of a Chilanga development after refusing to work with the government that have access developmental funds.
She said voting for her and the PF in the forthcoming by election will be a plus for the people of Chilanga because they will be completing the developmental circuit which is already in motion through Maria Langa.
She said the people of Chilanga need a mayor and an MP who will be free to lobby from the government without fear of being disciplined.
“Its only then that the area can test development in the shortest possible time.”
Brown also decried the acts of violence and divisions being sponsored greed politicians.
He said the people of Zambia have lived as one for a very long time and there is no politicians to pity them against each other for the sake of election.
And speaking earlier, Chilanga council chairperson by election campaign manager, Japhen Mwakalombe told journalists that the people of Chilanga will not regret voting for Brown because she has a passion for the less privilege in society.
He assured the people of Chilanga that once elected, Brown will not only be accessible but will always be available to attend to their needs.
He said having stayed in the area for a long time Brown not only knows the problems but also has a solution to the problems.
He said Brown will use her influence and experience as an entrepreneur and civic work to address the challenges the people of Chilanga are facing.
Similarly Chilanga MP Maria Langa who was also franked with the candidate thanked the people of Chilanga for trusting her with the constituency saying the people will not regret for giving her a vote.
Langa said since voted into office a few weeks ago she has laid ground breaking for three hospitals which promised during her campaign trail.
Langa claimed she was in hurry to take development in the Chilanga but was was also quick to ask the people to give her a helper who will assisting her in implementing the developmental plans
“It is for this reason I am asking the people of Chilanga to vote for Brown in the coming election.”
She added the people of Chilanga should expect more development taking place after voting for Brown as council chair because the two will complete the development circuit for Chilanga.