The Editor Zambia
The fictional album title “PF Has Regrouped” under another name of Tonse- Pamodzi Alliance may sound like a catchy political slogan, but for many Zambians, it also evokes memories of a troubling chapter in the nation’s recent history.
If one were to imagine the album’s lead tracks, they would likely tell a story of machete-wielding violence, cadreism, corruption, and economic mismanagement—issues that became synonymous with the final years of Patriotic Front rule. 
For nearly a decade, Zambia witnessed the rise of political cadres who operated with increasing influence in public markets, bus stations, and other strategic economic spaces.
What began as political mobilisation gradually transformed into an entrenched system where ordinary citizens often found themselves subjected to unofficial fees, intimidation, and harassment.
The phenomenon became so widespread that the term “cadreism” entered the national political vocabulary as a symbol of lawlessness and political patronage.
Perhaps even more disturbing was the emergence of political violence. Images of machete-wielding gangs terrorizing communities and attacking perceived political opponents shocked the nation.
Political competition increasingly became associated with intimidation rather than debate. Many Zambians feared that democratic participation was being replaced by a culture of fear and coercion.
At the same time, allegations of corruption continued to dominate public discourse. Questions were raised over procurement processes, public expenditure, and the management of state resources.
Successive reports from oversight institutions highlighted concerns about financial irregularities, while the country’s debt burden ballooned to unprecedented levels.
By the time the PF left office in 2021, Zambia had become Africa’s first pandemic-era sovereign default, a development that significantly damaged investor confidence and strained public finances.
The economic consequences were severe. Rising inflation, a weakening currency, and increasing unemployment placed enormous pressure on households.
Essential commodities became more expensive, and many citizens struggled to make ends meet. The promise of prosperity that had accompanied earlier years of PF rule appeared increasingly distant.
Today, as opposition political formations seek to reposition themselves ahead of future elections, they face a difficult challenge: convincing voters that they have genuinely learned from the mistakes of the past.
Rebranding and regrouping may be politically necessary, but many citizens remain focused on accountability and institutional reform rather than slogans.
Any political movement seeking a return to power must first address the concerns that led to its rejection at the ballot box. Voters are likely to ask tough questions.
What lessons have been learned from the era of cadreism? How will political violence be prevented? What safeguards will be implemented against corruption? And how will economic stability be protected?
The answers to these questions will matter far more than campaign songs, rallies, or political branding exercises.
Zambia’s democratic journey continues to evolve, and citizens increasingly expect leaders to be judged on governance, transparency, and service delivery.
If the imagined album “PF Has Regrouped” were ever released, its most important track would not be about returning to the past.
It would need to be about demonstrating a credible break from the politics of violence, patronage, and corruption that many voters associate with the party’s final years in office.
For Zambia, the future will depend not on who has regrouped but on who has truly reformed.
