HARRY KALABA SUPPORTS MWEWA CHITAMBALA OVER STREET VENDOR REMOVAL. Citizen First President Harry Kalaba says his party will give Lusaka Mayor-Elect Mwewa Chitambala full support in his efforts to make the city clean, orderly and functional. Mr. Kalaba says Zambia has for too long normalised disorder in its capital city, adding that the removal of […]

HARRY KALABA SUPPORTS MWEWA CHITAMBALA OVER STREET VENDOR REMOVAL.

Citizen First President Harry Kalaba says his party will give Lusaka Mayor-Elect Mwewa Chitambala full support in his efforts to make the city clean, orderly and functional.

Mr. Kalaba says Zambia has for too long normalised disorder in its capital city, adding that the removal of street vendors from undesignated trading areas in Lusaka is a difficult but necessary step towards restoring cleanliness, order and dignity.

In a Facebook post on his official page, Mr. Kalaba said he was prepared to acknowledge good leadership despite political differences.

“Let me also say this directly to Mayor Chitambala Mwewa, I know you are a big critic of mine, but on the Keep Lusaka Clean project, you are on point,” Mr. Kalaba stated.

He said good leadership should be recognised wherever it is demonstrated, regardless of political affiliations.

“Good leadership must be acknowledged wherever it is demonstrated, regardless of our political differences. When something is being done in the interest of our city and our people, we should be mature enough to give credit where it is due,” he said.

However, Mr. Kalaba cautioned that the clean-up exercise should not overlook the livelihoods of the affected traders.

“But as we clean our streets, we must never forget that behind every stall is a person trying to put food on the table. These are our mothers, fathers and young people earning an honest living,” he said.

Mr. Kalaba said the solution should not simply be to remove street vendors, but to ensure that those affected are provided with safe, accessible and affordable trading spaces.

“The solution cannot simply be to remove them. The Council must ensure that those affected are genuinely given safe, accessible and affordable trading spaces where they can continue doing business. A clean Lusaka and thriving small businesses are not mutually exclusive. We can have both,” he said.

He further called for pavements to remain accessible, drainage systems to be kept clear, roads to be orderly and markets to function as intended.

“Our pavements must be accessible. Our drainage systems must remain clear. Our roads must be orderly. Our markets must function as intended. And our traders must have dignified places from which to earn their livelihoods,” Mr. Kalaba said.

He said keeping Lusaka clean should not be politicised, describing it instead as a matter of civic pride, public health and the future of the capital city.

“Keeping Lusaka clean should never be a political issue. It is a matter of civic pride, public health and the kind of capital city we want to leave to the next generation,” he stated.

By Harry Kalaba

LET US KEEP LUSAKA CLEAN

For far too long, we have normalised disorder in our capital city.

The removal of street vendors from undesignated areas in Lusaka this week is a difficult but necessary step towards restoring cleanliness, order and dignity to our city.

Let me also say this directly to Mayor Chitambala Mwewa: I know you are a big critic of mine, but on the Keep Lusaka Clean project, you are on point.

Good leadership must be acknowledged wherever it is demonstrated, regardless of our political differences. When something is being done in the interest of our city and our people, we should be mature enough to give credit where it is due.

But as we clean our streets, we must never forget that behind every stall is a person trying to put food on the table. These are our mothers, fathers and young people earning an honest living. The solution cannot simply be to remove them. The Council must ensure that those affected are genuinely given safe, accessible and affordable trading spaces where they can continue doing business. A clean Lusaka and thriving small businesses are not mutually exclusive. We can have both.

Our pavements must be accessible. Our drainage systems must remain clear. Our roads must be orderly. Our markets must function as intended. And our traders must have dignified places from which to earn their livelihoods.

Keeping Lusaka clean should never be a political issue. It is a matter of civic pride, public health and the kind of capital city we want to leave to the next generation.

On this one Mr Mwewa, keep going.