Hakainde Hichilema
UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema says socialist ideals cannot thrive without enterprise driven by capitalism.
In an interview, Hichilema argued that globally, no state could grow the economy without enterprise.
“This is the way we look at the policies and nobody should criticise us and say no ‘we are bad capitalists’. If you have a good heart and have no value, you have nothing extra, can you share with a brother who has nothing when you have nothing also? You can’t! Why do we help people who are less able than us? It is because there is something from us to help people with. That is how the economy works,” Hichilema said.
“The truth of the matter is that you cannot grow anything, whether you are socialist or capitalist, without capital. You cannot grow your economy. This is a fundamental issue. We believe that what Zambia needs is a team like ourselves that will create an attractive investment and business environment so that we can bring in investors and we are not just talking about foreigners.”
He said for one to talk about socialism, they must look at the strength of the economy.
“If inflation is [at] 22 per cent and if interest rates are 40 per cent, who is going to invest? Capital competes depending on where it goes; it competes within the sector where it is and across boundaries. Without enterprise, you cannot create value even if God gave you water and land. If we generate value, the weak members will be looked after,” Hichilema said.
“That is where the social element comes in. The social element is not viable without enterprise, investment. If you don’t generate resources, how would you buy medicines in hospitals? If you do not grow the economy, can you look after those who need help? Can anyone share poverty? The difference between us and others is that we believe and we know that you can’t share poverty. We have a social element in us in that first, we believe that we must be able to have enterprise and grow the economy and then be able to re-distribute income.”
He added that the UPND was of a view that there must be an equitable partnership between labour, which means capital and investments.
“Even with good intentions, no one can share poverty, nobody! So for us, we are saying enterprise will generate value investment mixed with labour, workers being remunerated properly and also those that are vulnerable will be looked after,” said Hichilema.
“People the world over have understood that without enterprise, you kill the economy. That is what PF has done.”
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