Elvis Nkandu is not only a top notch politician, but he’s also kind hearted and very generous. In this treatise, we seek to elaborate the reasons behind this hypothesis. Early 2000s we led members of Action Against Vandalism (AVA) on a marathon walk from the mining town of Chingola to Ndola to raise awareness on vandalism.
During those years, vandalism of public infrastructure was rife in the country, including draining oil from the ZESCO transformers for whatever reasons! AVA was an NGO that existed to prevent and raise awareness on the scourge. We set-off from Chingola around mid day and got to Kitwe as the sun was retiring for the night.
We desperately needed a place to stay for the night. Left with limited options, we plodded into the sprawling Chisokone market in search of the office for ZANAMA. We finally hobbled into the office, haggard and emaciated, and found Elvis Nkandu, Chairman of the association at the time addressing a meeting.
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Upon being ushered into his office, we introduced ourselves and presented our predicament to him. He seemed to listen with avid interest as we narrated events leading us there. “In short Mr.
Chairman,” we cut the long story short. “We’re stranded and need a place to stay for the night….” “That is not a big deal!” Was the immediate response. As if on cue, he instructed his ‘kandiles’ to immediately go around the market stands with a begging bowl and collect enough food for us.
The effort yielded fish, vegetables and mealie meal! Actually, enough food to last us the duration of the walk was gathered! He gave us some pocket money and also ordered his men to move the furniture around and create enough space for us to sleep.
If this isn’t the epitome of utmost kindness and generosity, then what is? Coming to politics, very few politicians can beat the Sports minister at this game. He’s a household name in Kaputa for obvious reasons!
For instance, look at the multitudes that turn up to welcome him whenever he’s in his constituency? This one has already campaigned and won the seat….. anyone who would contemplate challenging him both within and outside the party would be wasting their time and precious resources!
As if this wasn’t enough, Elvis keeps delivering victory wherever he’s assigned by the President during the by-elections. He went into Kasama and single-handedly demolished and wrestled the mayoral seat from the jaws of PF/Tonse. He has also previously delivered Kawambwa constituency, among others.
The minister would venture into an area and effortlessly unveil his campaign message, punctuated with jokes and songs. As they say, alaa Elvis wakulefafye! Some of us are even left wondering why he hasn’t yet been elevated to one of the deputy secretary general positions, previously occupied by Mubanga Mucheleka, as he’s the right fit for the job. With a possible combination with the vibrant Youth Chairman, Gilbert Liswaniso, the UPND national Secretariat would never be the same again.
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