The Editor Zambia
Prior to the 2021 elections, Edgar Lungu went to Kabwe and lied to the Zambians that he had commissioned Mulungushi Textiles factory.
The event excited Kabwe residents, especially former Zambia- China Mulungushi Textiles employees who have lived a redundant lifestyle for decades. 
That occasion was merely to hoodwink Zambians for votes.
Compare Edgar Lungu’s political stunt of 2021 to President Hakainde Hichilema’s commissioning of the textile factory.
People should also note that Kabwe has limited commercial entities, so the commissioning of the Mulungushi Textiles plant is a milestone activity in reviving the town from a ghost town to a vibrant commercial hub.
What has taken place under President Hichilema is not a recycled political stunt but a concrete and lasting investment in the people.
The official reopening of Zambia-China Mulungushi Textiles signals a new chapter for a town whose economic heartbeat had long faded.
For nearly two decades, the plant stood silent, a reminder of lost opportunity. Today, it stands as a symbol of renewal, industrial revival, and a government determined to restore dignity to local economies.
Historically, Kabwe has depended on such commercial activities as it did in colonial Zambia when it at one time employed more people than the mines, leading to the town being the hub of early nationalism activities that birthed nationalists like Dixon Konkola, Grey Zulu and Paul Kalichini.
The town was once a beacon of industry and political awakening.
The closure of Mulungushi Textiles, therefore, was not just the shutdown of a factory but the collapse of a vital economic ecosystem that supported families, small businesses, and community life.
The consequences of that closure were devastating because shops closed, livelihoods disappeared, and hope dwindled.
Kabwe became a shadow of its former self. That is why the reopening of this facility is far more than a ceremonial act by a political leader but the restoration of a town’s pride and economic engine.
President Hichilema’s approach of being a methodical player demonstrates a clear break from the past of promises to delivering there and then.
By directing Defence and Security wings as well as the Ministry of Health to procure uniforms locally from Mulungushi Textiles, the government is guaranteeing a steady market for the plant.
This is not just policy rhetoric but a deliberate strategy to sustain local industry and to ensure that public resources circulate within Zambia, creating jobs and building capacity.
The partnership with Xi Jinping has also played a crucial role in making this revival possible. The investment of 140 million dollars underscores the confidence in Zambia’s economic direction and the strength of international cooperation under the current administration.
This collaboration is already translating into tangible benefits, including the creation of between 500 and 1000 jobs and the production of 20,000 metres of chitenge fabric daily.
Beyond employment, the ripple effects are significant. The outgrower scheme spanning Kabwe, Kapiri Mposhi, Mumbwa, and Eastern Province will stimulate cotton production, injecting life into rural economies.
With an investment of K100 million, this initiative connects farmers directly to industrial demand, creating a sustainable value chain that benefits both producers and manufacturers.
This commissioning is, therefore, not about one man cutting a ribbon. It is a giant leap in transforming livelihoods. It is about restoring confidence in governance and proving that promises can be fulfilled with sincerity and planning.
It is about turning dormant infrastructure into productive assets that serve the people.
For Kabwe and indeed for Zambia, the reopening of Mulungushi Textiles is a defining moment. It reflects a broader vision of industrialisation, self-reliance, and inclusive growth. Where there was once silence and decay, there is now activity and hope.
All is well that ends well, and for Kabwe, this is not just an ending but a powerful new beginning.
