The Editor Zambia
As the August 13 general election approaches, Tonse Alliance presidential aspirant Brian Mundubile has unveiled a nationwide “listening tour” under the banner of his “100 Days of Hope” campaign.
Framed as an effort to reconnect with citizens and shape policy from grassroot concerns, the initiative may sound appealing on the surface. 
But for many Zambians, it raises a more troubling question: can a resurrected Patriotic Front (PF) party whose recent past is defined by misrule, lawlessness and corruption credibly present itself as a vehicle for renewal?
The PF, which Mundubile seeks to revive through this tour, did not simply lose power in 2021 by accident.
It was voted out decisively (even in its strongholds) by citizens who had grown weary of a governance style marked by shrinking democratic space, political intimidation, and economic instability.
Any attempt to repackage that legacy without confronting it honestly risks being seen not as a listening exercise but as an exercise in political amnesia.
Zambians remember all too well the breakdown in the rule of law that characterised the PF’s final years in office. Institutions that were meant to operate independently were widely perceived as compromised or weakened.
Law enforcement often appeared selective, with opposition voices facing harassment while ruling party loyalists operated with impunity.
This erosion of institutional integrity did a lasting damage to public trust, and it is not something that can be brushed aside with campaign slogans about hope.
Equally fresh in public memory is the phenomenon of cadreism, which became deeply entrenched under PF rule.
Markets, bus stations, and other public spaces were effectively captured by party-aligned groups who exerted control over economic activity, often through intimidation.
Ordinary citizens, especially small traders, bore the brunt of this system. For many, the end of PF rule was not just a political transition but a liberation from daily harassment.
Against this backdrop, calls to give the same political machinery, another chance, are understandably met with skepticism.
Corruption, too, remains a central concern. Numerous scandals during the PF era contributed to a perception that public resources were being mismanaged or diverted for personal and political gain.
While every government faces challenges, what stood out was the scale and brazenness of these issues, coupled with a lack of accountability.
For a party seeking to return to power, acknowledging and addressing this record is essential. Yet Mundubile’s messaging so far appears focused more on future promises than on past accountability.
The idea of a “listening tour” is not inherently flawed. In fact, meaningful engagement with citizens is a cornerstone of democratic leadership.
However, listening without accountability risks becoming performative. Zambians are not merely looking to be heard; they are looking for leaders who demonstrate that they have learned from past mistakes.
Without a clear break from the practices that defined PF governance, such a tour may come across as an attempt to rebrand rather than reform.
Moreover, the timing of this initiative invites scrutiny. With elections just months away, a nationwide tour can easily double as a campaign strategy designed to rebuild political networks and mobilise support.
There is nothing unusual about that in politics, but it should be acknowledged for what it is. Presenting it primarily as a neutral exercise in consultation risks underestimating the electorate’s ability to see through political messaging.
Mundubile’s emphasis on youth empowerment and women’s participation touches on important issues, but Zambia has a young population eager for opportunities, and women continue to play a critical role in national development.
However, these priorities are not new, nor are they unique to one political actor.
What matters is credibility. Can a party like PF associated with past governance failures convincingly deliver on these promises without first addressing the concerns that led to its rejection?
In the end, the challenge for Mundubile and the PF is not simply to listen but to reckon.
Zambians have shown that they are willing to demand accountability and to vote for change when their expectations are not met.
Any serious bid for political revival must start with an honest appraisal of the past, not an attempt to move past it too quickly.
A listening tour may generate headlines and create the appearance of engagement. But without a clear and credible commitment to break from the legacy of misrule, cadreism, and corruption, it is unlikely to persuade a public that remembers all too well why it chose a different path.
