Zambia: Starting Life Under a New Leader · Global Voices
Gershom Ndhlovu

Zambians have started life under newly elected President Michael Sata who was inaugurated on September 23, 2011, three days after the elections which ended 20 years of rule by the MMD government.
Netizens on various social network platforms have expressed different views on the inauguration and the new presidency.
Supporters in a truck celebrate the victory of opposition leader Michael Sata as he was sworn in as the fifth Zambian president. Image by Owen Miyanza, copyright Demotix (23/12/2011).
Commenting on the Zambian Watchdog website, angel of the lord, said:
as it stands, no one can reverse time. Mr sata has already been sworn in as president. The people of zambia have spoken. Wether we voted or did not vote for him, he is the president for all zambians. My appeal to the zambia loving people is that we should not relax, lets all fight for a better tomorrow. i stil think that it will be difficult or hard for those who dint want sata as president to see him improve zambia. I appeal to all of you to give mr sata a chance (which he alredy has) and appreciat him if he happens to do as he campaigned. Lets not put our hatered in front of us, as it will be difficult for us to see change. My appeal to the president is, he should not dismantle everything that mr Ruphia Banda had started and start from scratch but to continue where mr Banda has left. Our roads are still dusty. We need tar marks.childred are still not goin to school(in rural areas).the schools need to be finished
Holding President Sata to his promise of changing the face of Zambia in 90 days, chimpuno wrote under the same story:
Lets ensure that all the promises made are met and that within 90 days we need to start feeling the change we voted for. Am pretty sure that he has seen that the slogan of donch kubeba works and it can work against him as well
On the presence of the outgoing President Rupiah Banda and Zambia’s first President Kenneth Kaunda at Mr Sata’s inauguration, ine wine wrote:
THE MERE FACT THAT WE HAD THREE PRESIDENTS ON ONE PODIUM IS EVIDENCE THAT ZAMBIANS ARE PEACE LOVING. I ALWAYS TELL CADRES THAT YOU MAY JUST KILL YOURSELVES WHEN THE PEOPLE YOU’RE KILLING EACH OTHER OVER ARE ACTUALLY ON SPEAKING TERMS. ZAMBIANS LEARN TO CRITICISE WHEN YOUR PRESIDENT IS WRONG AND ALSO TO URGE HIM ON WHEN HE IS ON THE RIGHT PATH.
Commenting on Rupiah Banda’s concession speech in which he said past presidents should be treated with respect and humility, Kasololo Chisenga, posted on Zambian Peoples Pact Facebook group:
Do you agree that if wrong things happened in RB government we should just forget about them or should we make sure wrong things are exposed and corrected?
Responding to Chisenga’s post, John G. Henry responded:
Kasololo, RB's final decision has firstly made us so proud today and made an even bigger name for our democracy in all of Africa. Going out when people want you to go is bigger than coming in with a bang like FTJ in 1991 and then leaving shamefully and being stoned whereever you go, FTJ could not even face everyday life because he used to be stoned on the CB and even in Luapula but Zambians will always salute RB. Yes, I know KK was at State House yeesterday until RB agreed but just yesterday RB had power to rig and he chose the way of democracy, I really appreciate that.
One tweep commented about seeing reports on the new government on television news:
@VusumuziS: Listening to news on Muvi TV. So intriguing to hear about “ruling Patriotic Front” and also of the “opposition MMD”. #Zambia
Zambians also want a future where younger people will lead political parties:
@missbwalya: In our future I want to see MMD, UPND & NAREP led by YOUNG vibrant men & women going up against the old establishment. #Zambia
On Zambians who, before the elections were buying groceries in bulk in anticipation of violence, luchi7 reported buying something to celebrate with:
Unlike the other day where people in spar where shopping like it was doomsday today everyones shopping for alcohol only
Thinking about the future of Zambia under new government, Zambian Economist asked his readers, “How can the new government cut waste?”:
The new PF Government is committed to cutting wasteful expenditure. So that money can be channel to poverty reduction.  Zambian Economist wants to get your ideas on how you think Government can cut waste.  We will put together a short policy paper and submit it to the new administration as soon as possible.