Vice-President Mutale Nalumango has called for a return to clean politics in Zambia, emphasizing that political integrity is not only possible but essential for national progress. Speaking at the official opening of the Africa Lead Summit on Wednesday, Nalumango delivered a powerful message on the need for upright leadership, stating that the political landscape only becomes corrupt when individuals within it lack moral conviction.
“It is very possible to do clean politics,” she affirmed. “The game only becomes dirty when the players are dirty.” Her remarks come at a time when Zambia continues to confront the realities of poverty, corruption, and underdevelopment—challenges she believes stem in part from a lack of moral and spiritual light in the nation’s leadership.
Vice-President Nalumango warned that corruption thrives in secrecy, away from accountability and truth. “Corruption cannot be done in the light,” she stated, urging leaders to operate with transparency and a sense of higher purpose. She pointed out that perceptions of Zambia as a weak and impoverished country plagued by disease and corruption may hold weight if citizens and leaders alike do not embrace values grounded in integrity and responsibility.
Her sentiments were echoed by Bishop Emmanuel Chikoya, General Secretary of the Council of Churches in Zambia (CCZ), who highlighted what he described as a persistent leadership crisis in the country. According to Bishop Chikoya, genuine transformation can only occur when leaders are guided by conscience and a commitment to public service rather than self-interest.
The Africa Lead Summit provided a platform for discussions on leadership transformation across the continent, with Zambia’s current state of governance taking center stage. Vice-President Nalumango’s address resonated with a growing call from civil society and faith-based organizations for leaders who are accountable, ethical, and people-centered.
As Zambia continues its journey toward economic development and democratic maturity, the call for clean politics and leadership rooted in values could not be more timely. With increasing scrutiny from citizens and global partners, the country’s leaders face mounting pressure to demonstrate integrity in both word and action.
Vice-President Nalumango’s remarks serve as a reminder that the path to national renewal begins with individuals in positions of power choosing to lead with light—choosing service over self, transparency over secrecy, and justice over compromise. It is this kind of leadership that offers real hope for a prosperous and corruption-free Zambia.