Zambia's controversial opposition leader Michael Sata, a leading contender in Thursday's presidential race, brands himself as a "Man of Action" who will transform the poor country's fortunes.

At 71, Sata's age is showing but his support remains as strong as ever among the urban poor and unemployed youths who call him "King Cobra" for his biting political rhetoric.

"Lower taxes and more money in your pocket," has become a chorus among poor Zambians who flock to huge rallies to listen to Sata, seen by many as a potential saviour in a country where almost 64 percent of the population lives on less than two dollars a day.

His campaign symbol is a boat that looks like Noah's Ark, and he parades through the streets in a speedboat pulled on a trailer, telling Zambians to jump on board if they are to be saved from poverty and under-development.

Thrives amid controversy

With little formal education, Sata presents himself as an experienced leader who served with distinction in various government ministries before he resigned to form his own Patriotic Front party in 2001.

"My record of achievements in government speaks for itself," said Sata, a former chain-smoker who quit the vice after suffering a heart attack this year.

Sata thrives amid controversy, and he has already raised dust by promising to force foreign companies to grant a minimum 25 percent stake to local investors as a means of empowering locals.

Alarming foreign investors

The announcement alarmed foreign investors, with Sata vowing to implement the order within 30 days of taking office and threatening to rescind the licences of companies that don't comply.

"The statements are undermining investor confidence and already our currency kwacha is slipping as investor confidence is tested," the ruling party said in a response to Sata published in the local press.

Still, he has toned down some of his rhetoric from the last campaign in 2006, when he threatened to expel Chinese investors and pledged to grant diplomatic recognition to Taiwan if elected.

Now he says he'll work with Chinese investors if elected.

"But I will not accept investors who bring their own people to push wheelbarrows instead of hiring local people," Sata told a campaign rally last weekend.

"I will clean this country within 90 days after being elected president," Sata said.

An open admirer of Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe, he has had a distinguished career in government, serving as minister of local government, labour, and health.

He eventually became minister without portfolio, the third-highest post in government.

He also served as governor of the capital Lusaka under Zambia's first president Kenneth Kaunda, but he quit in 1991 when the country introduced multi-party politics.

He has a large family with his wife Christine Kaseba.

This is his third presidential bid, having been trounced twice by Levy Mwanawasa in 2001 and 2006. He claims the last election was rigged, and his supporters rioted for days to protest his loss.

AFP