LAST week, assistant Parish Priest at Our Lady of Africa Parish in Kitwe Fr Chalwe Chonde delivered a homily in which he urged congregants to observe how load shedding would likely reduce as the country approaches the 2026 general elections. There was nothing extraordinary, malicious or inflammatory about this statement. In fact, it reflected a reality that most Zambians already understand. Fr Chonde merely stated what citizens already know and have experienced under previous governments, whether it was the MMD, PF or now UPND. He did not call for people to vote against the ruling party. He did not endorse any political formation. He did not insult anyone. He simply made an observation based on people’s lived experience. Unfortunately, his...
