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Antonio Mwanza, president of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), has criticised the growing culture of handout-driven politics, warning that the trend was weakening leadership accountability and undermining governance.
Mwanza said Zambia’s political landscape had deteriorated into a system where leadership was increasingly defined by “handouts and empty spectacles” instead of meaningful engagement on policies and national development.
In a statement issued in Lusaka on Thursday, he said many aspiring mayors and Members of Parliament were now prioritising short-term giveaways rather than presenting ideas or long-term solutions.
“Today, aspiring mayors and MPs don’t campaign on ideas, policies, or solutions. They go to markets, dish out a few notes, sponsor a football tournament and call it leadership,” Mwanza said.
He questioned the outcome of electing leaders who, he argued, were never challenged to think critically or articulate policy positions, adding that this lack of rigor was contributing to underperformance in councils and Parliament.
Mwanza attributed the rise of handout politics to widespread poverty, saying economic hardship had made citizens vulnerable to immediate incentives that politicians exploit rather than address.
“This is not just a failure of politicians – it is a system built on poverty and sustained by it,” he said, adding “When people are struggling to survive, immediate relief becomes more powerful than long-term solutions. Politicians know this, and instead of solving poverty, they exploit it.”
He stressed that handouts should not be confused with development, noting that governance required structured policies, planning, and measurable outcomes.
“What do we expect from leaders who were never required to think, plan, or articulate anything beyond handouts?” he asked.
Mwanza said true leadership involved improving markets, public services, infrastructure, and job creation, and required competence, vision, and accountability—not theatrics.
“Let’s be clear: handouts are not development. Charity is not governance. A football tournament is not a policy agenda,” he said.
He urged citizens to demand higher standards from elected officials, warning that failure to do so would entrench poor governance. Mwanza said both leaders and voters must reflect on the sustainability of current political practices.
“The question is simple: after the handouts are finished and the tournaments are over—what next?” he asked.
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