18/07/2026
Imbidi Mbashila writes,
๐ ๐๐จ๐ฎ๐ฅ๐ ๐๐จ๐ญ ๐๐ฏ๐๐ง ๐๐๐ง๐ค ๐๐ฒ๐ฌ๐๐ฅ๐ ๐๐ฆ๐จ๐ง๐ ๐๐จ๐๐๐ฒ'๐ฌ ๐๐๐๐๐ญ๐๐ซ๐ฌ
Let me begin by saying this: today's candidates were academically accomplished, and there was certainly no shortage of qualifications.
We had also hoped to see Bruce Kanema participate in the debate. After all, the core responsibility of a Member of Parliament is to debate, scrutinize legislation, and present Bills in Parliament.
For that reason, I travelled to attend the debate in person. Unlike some of the previous debates held, today's debates candidates came prepared, confident, and ready to engage. Both Mr. Kawina Poho and Mr. David likash made strong statements. As for Mr. Rodgers Kavula, your technical expertise as an engineer is genuinely admirable. However, this debate was ultimately won by those who demonstrated action-oriented leadership.
To those who did not attend, two things stood out throughout the debate: qualifications and demonstrated action. It was refreshing to see candidates who could not only speak well but also demonstrate a strong educational background.
Mr. Poho Kawina
This young man made a strong statement that he is ready for public office.
One thing we must appreciate is what our younger candidates are bringing into Solwezi Central politics. First, you demonstrated a clear understanding of the constitutional role of Parliament. If I am being fair, I believe one mistake your opponents are making is underestimating you because of your age.
An elderly gentleman sitting next to me summed it up perfectly:
"๐๐ฐ๐ ๐ฆ๐ฐ๐๐ง๐ฒ๐ข๐ค๐, ๐ฅ๐๐ฅ๐จ ๐ฎ๐ฃ๐ข ๐ง๐ ๐ฆ๐ฎ๐๐ก๐ข๐ฆ๐ ๐ฐ๐ ๐๐ฎ๐ค๐ฎ๐ฅ๐ฎ๐ฆ๐ฉ๐."
Roughly translated, this means:
"๐๐จ๐ฎ๐ง๐ ๐ฆ๐๐ง, ๐๐ฅ๐ญ๐ก๐จ๐ฎ๐ ๐ก ๐ฒ๐จ๐ฎ ๐๐ซ๐ ๐ฒ๐จ๐ฎ๐ง๐ ๐ข๐ง ๐๐ ๐, ๐ฒ๐จ๐ฎ ๐๐๐ซ๐ซ๐ฒ ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐ก๐๐๐ซ๐ญ ๐๐ง๐ ๐ฐ๐ข๐ฌ๐๐จ๐ฆ ๐จ๐ ๐๐ง ๐๐ฅ๐๐๐ซ."
You clearly outlined your legislative agenda by identifying Bills you intend to champion in Parliament. These were progressive proposals, and I particularly agreed with your emphasis on accountability.
Your proposed Bills included:
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Mineral Royalty Tax Bill
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SI 68 into Law
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Constituency Accountability Bill
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National Services Digitalisation Bill
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Civil Servants Housing Bill
What impressed me most was how you transitioned from discussing legislation to explaining how those Bills would translate into development within the constituency. That shift demonstrated an understanding that an MP has both legislative responsibilities and representational duties.
Your development priorities included:
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Water Infrastructure
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Road Development Through Sustainable Mining Revenue Mechanisms
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Youth Empowerment
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Women's Empowerment
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Industrialisation and Value Addition
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Restoring Dignity to Miners and Ensuring Civil Servants Receive Respectable Wages and Accommodation
Beyond the debate itself, one of your greatest strengths is that you have demonstrated action through community engagement rather than relying solely on promises.
One issue I believe still requires further thought is the question of artisanal mining licences and ensuring that local people benefit fairly from the province's mineral wealth. This is an area where practical legislative solutions would be welcome.
Mr. David Likashi
One thing is beyond doubt: this man can speak.
Your passion for Solwezi and your knowledge of its history came through clearly. Advocacy is undoubtedly one of your strongest qualities.
Your priorities included:
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Piped Water Supply for Solwezi Central
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School Laboratories
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Residential Plots for Government Workers
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Six Police Posts
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Working Closely with the Church
However, my biggest concern with your manifesto is that it focused almost entirely on projects without explaining the policy framework needed to achieve them.
For example, you mentioned value addition using Solwezi beans as an illustration. While that highlighted an opportunity, it stopped short of explaining how value addition would actually be implemented.
There is a significant difference between saying what should be done and explaining how it will be achieved.
Many young people already know what they want to do. The real challenge is access to finance, markets and policy support that enables those ideas to become businesses.
I also disagree with your suggestion that North-Western Province has already given enough opportunities to young people in Parliament. I do not believe we have consistently entrusted young leaders with meaningful representation.
Where I agree with you is that we sent people previously and we should not send them back to Parliament.
Mr. Rodgers Kavula
Like Mr. Katolo in the North, you strike me as a credible technocrat.
I genuinely believe Solwezi would benefit from experienced professionals providing independent technical oversight over infrastructure projects undertaken by the local authority. In fact, I would welcome the idea of working with you and Mr. Katolo to explore establishing a Technocrats Advisory Board that could independently assess council projects and provide professional recommendations.
Your priorities included:
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Improving Roads
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Expanding Water Infrastructure
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Youth Empowerment
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Increasing School Infrastructure
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Empowering Women Through Grants
However, many of these proposals are issues that nearly every candidate has been raising for years. I was hoping to hear something more distinctive that reflects your technical background.
One area where I think you could stand out is by championing evidence-based oversight of infrastructure projects.
My biggest concern was that your manifesto lacked examples demonstrating a track record of implementing community initiatives. Voters are increasingly looking for evidence of delivery, not only good ideas.
A Few Reflections
One thing became very clear from today's debate: there was a candidate who stood out.
I will also say this because civic education remains important.
The primary responsibility of a Member of Parliament is legislation. Representation and oversight follow from that constitutional role.
It is not technically the duty of an MP to build schools, roads or hospitals. Those projects are planned and funded through the Executive, line ministries and national budgets. Likewise, the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) already has legally prescribed allocations across different sectors.
An MP's responsibility is to legislate, represent constituents, and exercise oversight to ensure public resources are properly utilised.
One point Mr. Kawina Poho made particularly well was reminding the audience that the Constitution obliges the President to work with Members of Parliament, regardless of political affiliation.
It is therefore inaccurate to suggest that development cannot reach a constituency simply because its MP belongs to a different political party. National development planning involves the Executive, ministries and government agencies, while Parliament provides oversight and approves legislation.
We must continue strengthening civic education so that citizens understand these constitutional distinctions.
One Important Issue That Was Missing
There is one issue I hoped every candidate would address.
What policies should be introduced to protect local participation in the mining sector, particularly for communities displaced by mining operations?
How do we ensure local people receive meaningful access to mining licences and economic opportunities instead of watching wealth leave their communities?
๐๐ก๐๐ฌ๐ ๐๐ซ๐ ๐ช๐ฎ๐๐ฌ๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง๐ฌ ๐๐๐ซ๐ฅ๐ข๐๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ญ ๐ฌ๐ก๐จ๐ฎ๐ฅ๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ญ๐ข๐ง๐ .
The Questions Solwezi Central Must Answer
As voters, we now have to ask ourselves:
1. Who has demonstrated the ability to deliver?
2. Who has presented practical development agendas rather than campaign promises?
3. Who can genuinely work with businesses, young people and women to move Solwezi Central forward?
4. Who has the courage to introduce legislation that challenges the status quo?
One thing is certain: the people of Solwezi Central deserve more than promises. They deserve leadership that combines sound legislation, practical solutions and proven action.@
