HARRY Kalaba has told Ndola residents that it will be their fault if they fail to change government in 2021.

And Kalaba says the PF would have been “sweeping” the Copperbelt Province if it were their bedroom.

Meanwhile, the former foreign affairs minister, who is being courted by the opposition Democratic Party (DP) to stand as the party’s presidential candidate in 2021, has complained that there’s now no money for ordinary people but more money for leaders.

Kalaba, who was a special guest when several National Democratic Congress (NDC) officials from Ndola’s four constituencies defected to the DP at Vine Lodge in Ndola’s Kansenshi area on Saturday afternoon, said: “Those of you who have joined, know that when you decide to jump out, the bus will continue with its journey.”

Several NDC officials from Kabushi, Ndola Central, Bwana Mkubwa and Chifubu constituencies joined the DP.

For Ndola Central Constituency, the entire executive led by former NDC constituency chairman Frank Mulenga defected.

And Kalaba, the Bahati PF member of parliament, complained that the current narrative in the government was “no money by ordinary people but more money for leaders”.

“When we won the elections in 2011, Mr [Michael] Sata insisted that we embrace the poor and he added that there shall be more money in people’s pockets, lower taxes and more jobs. But all those plans vanished the moment Mr Sata died and what has now come is no money by ordinary people but more money for leaders. It is now no jobs for ordinary people but more jobs for leaders’ relatives and it’s lower taxes for leaders but more taxes for the poor. On top of that, Zambia has been given to the Chinese and because of all such things, I thought of relinquishing my ministerial post,” Kalaba, whose commentary alternated between Icibemba and English, said.

“As Zambians, our businesses now are centred on asking from foreigners. Bushe ebuntungwa twalwile (Is that the freedom that we fought for?). We have to find means of ending this! If you look at Ndola town, it had so many industries and I used to come all the way from Mansa with my father to come and buy stuff here in Ndola. There was Colgate Palmolive, Dunlop, Lever Brothers and many other industries. But today, Ndola is just a name – there is nothing!”

He appealed to Zambians to reflect on the state of their living conditions where jobs that could help to sustain their lives continue to be elusive.

“So, ichikankala chakutila natwime pamo, tumane akapi, tuye kuntanshi (So, what is key is that we need to stand up and work together and move forward). Batila ukwebele imfwa yakwanoko mutanshi (they say to be foretold is to be forewarned). It’s you who are suffering and it’s also you who know campaigns because you know the state of your homes. Tomorrow, they will come and distribute chitenge material and T-shirts to you and entice you to vote for PF because this place is the PF’s stronghold. Nomba nangu ati Copperbelt e bedroom yaba PF, kwaliba bedroom iyo tabapyanga (They say Copperbelt Province is the PF’s political bedroom but is there is a bedroom that is never swept?) If it were their stronghold, they would have been sweeping. You massively voted for the PF in 2011, 2015 and 2016 but what you have received in terms of development is not corresponding with your support,” Kalaba explained.

And Kalaba reiterated that Zambia has had enough of politics that only work for politicians.

“We now want politics that will positively change the living standards of ordinary Zambians. It cannot always be the politically connected to benefit from politics. As Harry Kalaba, I’m saying no to that and even if I died tomorrow – he who doesn’t talk about death is enslaved by fear – I want my children to be moving here in Ndola with a lot of pride,” he emphasised.

“From the time I entered government, I have never tendered for a single contract. Never! I have never bid for anything – not even using a proxy. What I believe in is that I’m a social worker and I’m supposed to advocate for the poor’s well being. It was enough just being a minister and I don’t even know how to thank the people of Zambia for having made me a foreign minister at the age of 37!”

Kalaba reminded Zambians that “mwachula pafula (you have suffered enough).”

“Elo ndefwaya ndande ili ishiwi (I want to say this); ngatamwakakwanishe apa ukuchinja government mu 2021 (if you don’t change government in 2021), ngamuketa ubowa ati uboba (if you’ll decide to call mushroom by what it is not), ninshi lwenu (then it is your fault). Ngamwabomfya umulumbe uwakabwa akabulile ukulu elokalefwenena kumutwe, kasha ukuboko kuli mupepi, ninshi lwenu (if you act like a dog that uses its rear leg to scratch its face, instead of its front leg that is closer to the head, then it is your fault),” Kalaba said.

Meanwhile, Kalaba pointed out that the DP wanted order in the 2021 general elections.

“We want order in 2021, noti nolubuli, noti nokutukana (no fighting and no insults) [because] it’s not necessary. Pantu nangu mutuke ba Lungu, bushe elo ubunga bwalabwela (will insulting Mr Lungu trigger a reduction in the price of mealie meal)? Tiyeni tubalange ama politics ayaibelako (let’s show them exceptional politics) – elevated politics, issue-based politics. The choice is yours. The opportunity to make Zambia right is in your hands – it’s either you take the right path or you make the mistake now. Inga mwasalapo ukuwila kubakumbila umusunga, lwenu (if you choose to side with those who wield wealth, it’s your fault),” said Kalaba to a cheering crowd.

DP interim president Gift Kalumba, party spokesperson Judith Kabemba and Copperbelt Province DP vice-premier John Mulenga were among other senior party officials present at the event.