Zambia's President Hakainde Hichilema has come out fighting after a bruising month that saw him come under attack by stone throwers as he was trying to make a speech.
Video clips of him crouching and then being whisked away from a rally in the Copperbelt province shocked Zambians and many people, irrespective of their political affiliation, condemned what happened.
But with nine months to go until elections and a run for a second term, the president is under pressure.
On Tuesday, in his first press conference for 18 months, Hichilema set out to defend his record and laid out his achievements on the key issues of the economy and power generation.
This level of hatred is shocking, you can see and even touch the venom, he said, while appealing for Zambians to love each other.
However, the message may not hit home with those who are continuing to struggle day to day.
The president has lost touch with the real pulse of the people, according to an opposition candidate to be mayor of the capital, Lusaka, Simon Mwila, who was trying to explain why people were throwing stones rather than flowers.
Critics argue that Hichilema has turned his back on his initial promises. This sentiment was echoed by historian Sishuwa Sishuwa, who stated that in power, he has become what he once criticized about his predecessor, Edgar Lungu.
The president insists he has made progress, managing to stabilise the economy and reduce inflation, but his messaging struggles to resonate in a nation facing high living costs and unresolved power shortages.
In his recent policies, Hichilema has acknowledged the hurdles brought by drought on hydroelectric power supply, announcing plans to diversify energy sources to include solar and thermal projects.
As Zambia's political and social tensions escalate, Hichilema's call for patience may fall on deaf ears, highlighting the urgent need for tangible improvements in citizens' quality of life.
