“Leadership Is Not Easy”: Dr. Mwelwa Responds to President Hichilema’s Candid Admission
Renowned academic and commentator Dr. Lawrence Mwelwa has weighed in on President Hakainde Hichilema’s recent admission that “leadership is not easy,” describing the statement as “perhaps the most honest thing he has said since taking office.”
Speaking in response to remarks made by the President during a donation of K200,000 to the Mushili Central SDA Church in Ndola, Dr. Mwelwa said the moment marked a rare public acknowledgment of the weight of governing. “From the safety of the opposition benches, everything looks easy,” he told reporters. “But when you’re on the pitch, with the entire nation watching, the game changes.”
Dr. Mwelwa likened Hichilema’s transition from critic to Commander-in-Chief to that of a fan-turned-player. “He was Zambia’s loudest critic. Now he is learning, sometimes painfully, that intelligence alone does not win wars. It takes wisdom, patience, and political maturity,” he said.
The former university vice chancellor pointed to several governance challenges the President has faced since assuming office. “We’ve seen scandals in the health sector, troubling accusations from whistleblowers, and controversies in the mining industry. These aren’t isolated issues, they’re tests of leadership,” he noted.
He cited the illegal sugilite mining saga in Luapula Province, the mysterious gold scam involving a private jet from Egypt, and the Glencore-Mopani transaction as “examples of crises that require more than just press statements, they demand decisive leadership and transparency.”
Dr. Mwelwa also referenced the growing public distrust in key institutions, referencing Transparency International’s recent index that placed police, councils, and hospitals among the most corrupt. “The President needs to understand that governance is not a lecture hall it’s a battlefield. And it’s time to lead from the front.”
He called on President Hichilema to reflect deeply on his approach to governance. “Jesus said, ‘Judge not, lest ye be judged.’ But HH judged. He judged his predecessors harshly. Now he must wear the crown with humility and openness,” Dr. Mwelwa said.
Concluding with a call to action, Dr. Mwelwa urged the President to rise above politics and deliver on his promises. “Leadership is not theatre. It is not prophecy. It is not academic theory. It is a long, hard walk through fire with the nation watching.”
“When the music changes, so must the dance,” he added. “Play the game, Mr. President. But never forget, even the finest striker must sometimes pass the ball.”
May 12, 2025
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