FROM MY HEART TO THE PEOPLE OF MPIKA: THANK YOU FOR THE JOURNEY 🙏
By Hon Francis Robert Kapyanga, Former Member of Parliament for Mpika Constituency
Today marks the end of my first term as Member of Parliament for the people of Mpika Constituency. As I write this, my heart is full — full of gratitude, humility, and deep appreciation for the trust you placed in me to serve you.
First and foremost, I thank Almighty God for the gift of life, strength, and guidance throughout this journey. It is only through His grace, and through your will as the people of Mpika, that I was given this honour to represent you in Parliament.
I also wish to sincerely thank His Excellency Edgar Chagwa Lungu for adopting me to stand on the PF ticket and for believing in my ability to serve.
These five years have been among the most challenging of my life. When I entered Parliament, I stood among many young leaders filled with hope and determination to speak for the people. Along the way, some of our colleagues were removed from Parliament, others imprisoned, and some forced into exile simply for standing up and speaking for ordinary citizens. We were also suspended many times and lost personal benefits, but through it all, we remained standing.
We endured pressure. We endured intimidation. We endured uncertainty. But we never gave up on the people. We refused to betray the trust you placed in us, and we remained committed to defending democracy and speaking for those whose voices often go unheard.
Together, we achieved meaningful progress for Mpika. We brought electricity to communities that had lived in darkness for years. We built clinics for mothers and children, classroom blocks for our learners, bridges to connect our communities, small piped water schemes, markets, traffic lights, street lights, and police posts. We also completed two secondary schools — Katibunga Boarding Secondary School and Kampamba Day Secondary School — because we believed that every child deserves a chance at a better future.
But beyond all these achievements, what matters most to me is this: I never betrayed the people of Mpika, and I never betrayed the people of Zambia. In every decision I made, I tried my best to do what was right for the people, even when it was not easy. I carried your voices into Parliament — your struggles, your hopes, your dreams — and I made sure they were heard.
I wish to sincerely thank my senior colleagues, led by Honourable Brian Mundubile and Honourable Stephen Kampyongo, as well as my brother and colleague, Binwell Mpundu, with whom we stood side by side in defending democracy and speaking against laws we believed were unjust.
Even when some of those laws passed, I take solace in knowing that I stood where I believed was right — on the side of the people. I ensured that the voice of Mpika, and the voice of ordinary Zambians, was not silenced in Parliament.
To the people of Mpika, thank you. Thank you for your prayers when I was tired, your encouragement when things were difficult, your correction when I needed it, and your unwavering belief in me even when times were uncertain. Every achievement we made belongs to you. I will carry your trust with me for the rest of my life.
As this term comes to an end and our country moves into another election season, I remain in deep consultation with the people, my family, and those who have supported me throughout this journey as I reflect on my next step.
Whatever the future holds, one truth will never change- my love for the people of Mpika and my commitment to Zambia. May God bless the people of Mpika, may He bless our democracy, and may He bless the Republic of Zambia.
Aluta Continua!