Pens a touching endorsement of Maria Langa
"THE people of Zambia, particularly those from Chilanga, I wish to greet you and hoping that you're all fine. For me, life is okay although could be better but despite being confined there is life here too.
I write this letter in connection to the recent development surrounding the election of someone who will replace me in Chilanga. This constituency shall forever occupy a special place in my heart, as such I feel duty bound to add a voice.
In this respect, let me begin by giving what my agenda was for Chilanga with a view of offering my people and Zambians first hand information of what , if I had my way, I would love the winner of the election to carry on.
From it's initial economic status, Chilanga has always remained an economic hub which houses Lafarge Cement, Mount Makulu Research Station and Head Quarters of the Zambia Agricultural Research Institute (ZARI),Zambia Department of Fisheries, KnowledgeBeat as well as Sundy's Creation - these all mark this Constituency as a unique one among all. My agenda was to oversee a robust revamp of other ventures such as Munda Wanga and Eureka Gaming Park as well as offer an entrepreneurial opportunity to youths and women in the quarry mining business in the area. Chilanga seats on a rock hill and this is an opportunity we wanted to clutch and help our community.
However, we couldn't do these things without a heart for our people. This is to say, above everything else, a presentative of such an area must be an individual who should be above politics in the representation in Parliament.
I have bee a subject of ridicule before for standing up against partisanship in my duties as representative of Chilanga when I decided to stay put when the President Edgar Chagwa Lungu gave his State of Nation Address (SONA). My party discredited me and labeled me a saleout but the fundamental principle of any MP is to represent people who voted for him or her. We may differ on party lines but what we seek to do is to improve affairs of Zambia. I personally believe my decision to defy the directive given by the leadership of my party UPND was out of the heart I have for the people.
You may wish to know that this verdict set me apart with the leadership and membership of my party which persistently remained absent during my trial over the case I stood charged and convicted for.
My party alleged I was a surrogate of the PF but this accusation could not be justified because if the governing party was in any way benefiting from my representation, I would not be sentenced like how it is now. Of course, the tenets of democracy demands coexistence among rivals.
Last week, I was visited by a good friend of mine Honourable Miles Sampa. He came to tell me that his party had adopted Maria Langa. I have also learnt that my party UPND has adopted Charmaine Musonda whose identity I need not discuss. I want to put it on record that, if I had my way, I would endorse the PF candidate for reasons that the people of Chilanga deserve a presentative who has a heart for people, who will resist manipulation on party lines.
I thank the prison authorities for allowing me to draft this note. Above all, pray for me and my family as well as everyone in prison."
Keith Mukata
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