'Participate in constitution making process'

By SITEMBILE SIWAWA

THE youth have been asked to participate in the constitution- making process because they constitute the majority of the population in Zambia.

Youth Democratic Focus (YDF) executive director Elijah Siatwambo said it is unfortunate that many youths have not made any submissions to the Technical Committee on Drafting the Zambian Constitution (TCDZC).

Mr Siatwambo said this in an interview recently after the launch of Constitutional and Governance Youth Clubs (CGYC) in 17 high schools at Lusaka's Munali Boys High School.

Others schools are Arakan, Chelstone, Chilenje South, David Kaunda, Great North Academy, Kabulonga Boys, Kabulonga Girls, Kamulanga, Kamwala, Libala, Matero Girls, Matero Boys, Munali Girls, Olympia, Roma Girls and Saint Marys.

Mr Siatwambo also reaffirmed the urgent need to equip youths with adequate information for them to make informed submissions to the constitution making process.

He said the youth who constitute over 70 percent of the country's population supposed to be well-informed and enlightened unlike the current scenario where the majority youths have decided to engage in bad vices such as beer drinking and immorality.

"There is need for the youths to make submissions to the constitution making process so that their views can be heard and be considered for their betterment", Mr Siatwambo said.

He said the CGYC are meant to provide information and learning experiences to equip and empower students to participate in democratic processes.

"We want to start with young people so that they are knowledgeable before they get to university, he said.

Mr Siatwambo said the clubs would also be involved in debates on governance, democracy, adding that reading materials would be made available to all participating students.

He said "We intend to extend these initiatives to rural areas where most of our youths are lagging behind in the issues of governance and democracy", he said.

Munali Boys High School head teacher Lloyd Yamboto bemoaned the high levels of ignorance exhibited by pupils in high schools on issues of democracy and governance.

"It is disheartening to note the high levels of ignorance displayed by pupils on issues of governance and democracy, especially that we interact with them on a daily basis," Mr Yamboto said.

He said currently there is a vacuum in the leadership of the country because many pupils who are the supposed to be future leaders are not up-to-date with information.

And former Zambia Development Agency director of investment, promotion and privatisation Muhabi Lungu urged the youth to engage in debates that factual and not opinions.