WITH a good number of Cabinet ministers announced yesterday, President Hakainde Hichilema has finally given some glimpse of who he wishes to work with under his administration.
There were some interesting choices for various portfolios and one or two already boasting of serving in the past governments.
Many citizens had expressed concern at the delay in announcing the Cabinet and the anticipation was palpable as people were glued to their television screens.
It did not help that the swearing-in ceremony was taking place at the same time as the Zambia-Tunisia World Cup qualifier being played at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola.
But right on cue, the swearing-in ceremony commenced shortly after the game went into halftime. It was not lost on many that the head of State was probably hoping for the Chipolopolo to set the right mood for the cabinet announcement.
However, everyone quickly tuned in to hear the announcements with bated breaths, as the partial Cabinet was named.
Such was the anticipation from the public to know who would be leading the various ministries and provinces that many did not even bother to switch back to the football game especially that Zambia was losing.
The majority of the lineup of ministers announced yesterday are new to the job, except for Sylvia Masebo and Felix Mutali, who have served in past governments.
It is still a formidable list of leaders with a wealth of experience in various professions and it will be interesting to see how they will perform.
President Hichilema was quick to remind the appointees of the UPND Alliance promise to the electorate, during campaigns, to deliver development to all parts of the country.
Indeed this will be a tall order for the government, especially with a battered economy and the recent revelations that they will have to work with a looted Treasury.
Whatever challenge they face, theirs is to stick to the promise and ensure a better Zambia, going forward.
And Mr Hichilema’s promise of a Cabinet committed to upholding promises made in campaigns is reassuring in this regard.
Even more assuring, is the warning to the Cabinet not to embrace corruption, but to make people’s lives better around the country.
Doing the right thing for the country and its people at all times, shall be their mandate even as more Cabinet appointments are set to be made.
There are appointments yet to be made in critical ministries such as Mines and Information, as well as provincial ministers.
Whoever makes the list of the full Cabinet should commit this promise of a new dawn for Zambia and help make life truly better for all citizens.