Dear Mr. President, We heard your speech today, read by Vice-President Mutale Nalumango during the Public Private Dialogue Forum (PPDF) 3rd Private Sector Day Re-Run meeting at Mulungushi Conference Center. It was filled with the usual promises—promises of economic growth, job creation, and a renewed commitment to the nation’s development. But with all due respect, those words mean nothing when they don’t match the lived reality of the people. The people in the compounds, the heart of Zambia, continue to suffer, and it’s becoming harder to ignore the glaring contradictions between your speeches and the dire conditions we face on the ground. You claim that the government is committed to economic growth and job creation. However, the truth is that economic growth on paper often doesn’t translate into immediate, tangible benefits for ordinary people. Unemployment remains a huge issue, and many people in areas like Lusaka’s compounds are still jobless or underemployed. The promise of job creation can feel hollow when the economy doesn’t seem to be improving for the average citizen. Our Question: Where are these jobs? Why do we still see so many youth with no meaningful opportunities, other than turning to drugs or illegal activities out of desperation? Your speeches claim economic growth, but for many, it feels like that growth is nowhere to be seen. You have spoken about how reforms will lead to growth and job creation, aided by the private sector. But while the private sector can certainly play a major role, there are significant barriers. Small businesses, which form the backbone of the economy in the compounds, struggle with unstable economic conditions, lack of capital, and the high cost of doing business in Zambia. Until the private sector is empowered with more consistent support and a conducive environment, it’s hard to see how it will lead to massive job creation, especially in places where people need it most. Our Question: Is the government doing enough to support small businesses and entrepreneurs who could provide jobs in areas like Lusaka? Are they focusing on the right sectors to bring about change? You’ve called the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) a game changer. While the CDF has potential, there are concerns about its actual usage. You’ve mentioned that it may be lining the pockets of a few. This is a common problem in many countries, where funds meant for development end up being mismanaged or misappropriated. The fund could help communities if there were more transparency and proper accountability. But as it stands, it’s hard to see the true impact. Our Question: Who is actually benefiting from the CDF? Are local communities seeing the benefits, or is it just another tool for political gain? Without transparency, we fear it may continue to be misused. You’ve mentioned the importance of free education, but the reality is that many children in the compounds are going to school on empty stomachs. They can’t concentrate or succeed in their studies because their basic nutritional needs are not being met. Education is crucial, but without addressing poverty first, children’s education will always be compromised. Our Question: What is being done to tackle the root issue of poverty that’s affecting children’s ability to succeed in school? How can the government ensure these kids are getting enough to eat and can focus on their studies? Without tackling hunger, education will continue to be an uphill battle. The Junkie Issue and Youth Unemployment, you’ve acknowledged the youth unemployment crisis, but the issue goes deeper than just jobs—it’s about hope, mental health, and poverty. The rising addiction rates among youth are not isolated; they are a direct result of hopelessness, lack of opportunities, and a poor social safety net. Addressing this issue is not just about providing jobs, but creating a support system that tackles the root causes. Our Question: Is the government offering enough support to help youth who are at risk of falling into substance abuse, or are these deeper issues being overlooked in favor of shallow solutions? The junkie issue is a symptom of a larger societal failure. You’ve mentioned the importance of the full participation of women, youth, and the private sector in Zambia’s development agenda. But inclusivity goes beyond just words. Are women and youth really being given a seat at the table in decision-making processes, or are their voices still being drowned out by the powerful? Real participation requires not just token gestures, but actions that allow marginalized groups to shape the direction of their communities. Our Question: How can the government ensure that the voices of marginalized groups, especially youth in compounds, are truly heard and acted upon? Is their participation truly being integrated into policy and development, or is it just a facade? You’ve spoken about the creation of technical working groups under the PPDF, including a focus on the green economy. While technical groups can be beneficial, they often become bogged down in bureaucracy and inefficiency. Delays in issuing licenses or conducting environmental assessments can slow down development and progress. The question is whether these reforms will result in real, tangible change, or just more paperwork. Our Question: How quickly can these technical groups make real changes, and will they be transparent about their progress? Will they lead to genuine improvement on the ground, or just more red tape that delays solutions? The people need action, not bureaucracy. You may claim that the government has created over 30,000 jobs in the last four years, but let's get one thing straight: Governments do not create the kinds of jobs that reach the ordinary man. The private sector does. The private sector is the lifeblood of any economy, and yet, under your leadership, the environment for business is not conducive for growth. Businesses are downsizing or shutting down altogether. Those that remain open are barely surviving, and most are not increasing wages to keep up with the rising cost of living. How can the people of Zambia benefit from your so-called job creation if businesses are struggling and the private sector is choking? The reality is that the government has failed to create a climate in which businesses can thrive. It’s not just about handing out numbers of new jobs—it’s about ensuring that the businesses which should be creating those jobs can operate without excessive red tape, high taxes, and an unstable economic environment. The government’s role is to enable businesses to flourish, not to suffocate them with bureaucratic obstacles. But the truth is, this government’s policies have created more barriers than opportunities. You may argue that you’re addressing the issues, but the truth is, the cost of living is unbearable for ordinary Zambians. We can no longer ignore the fact that parliamentarians walk out of sessions whenever the cost of living is brought up, as if it’s a trivial matter. Who are they trying to protect by avoiding this conversation? The people who can barely afford a meal, or themselves, as they continue to sit comfortably in their cushy offices? This is an insult to the people who are struggling every single day. If the current government can’t face the hard truths, maybe it’s time to step aside. Let the opposition take over and address the concerns of the people. At least they would be forced to confront the issues directly, instead of focusing on fighting individuals who have the courage to speak out against the glaring failures of this administration. Your government seems more interested in silencing critics than in solving the real problems facing the people of Zambia. Mr. President, we are tired of hearing speeches and promises. We are tired of waiting for change that never seems to arrive. The people in the compounds, the heart of Zambia, are suffering—many are starving, unemployed, and hopeless. The government must confront the root issues head-on and stop hiding behind rhetoric. This is not about politics; this is about the lives of real people who are desperate for solutions. If the current government is not willing to address these issues, then perhaps it’s time to step aside and allow those who are ready to tackle the real problems to take the lead. The time for action is now, not in 2025, not in 2027. People are hungry, people are unemployed, and people are desperate for real change. Your government cannot afford to keep hiding from these truths. We are watching, and we are waiting. Ephraim Shakafuswa Member - Tonse Alliance Council of Leaders