IMMATURE POLITICS UNINSPIRING TO YOUNG PEOPLE – HH

By Lumbiwe Mwanza

A mentality of name calling among Zambia’s politicians has continued to contribute to divisions in the fraternity and not inspire the young people to come on board and offer a service, Party of National Unity and Progress (PNUP) leader Highvie Hamududu has said.

Mr. Hamududu told The Scoop that it was disheartening to see current politicians focusing so much on political belonging other than offering credible checks and balances for the benefit of the general public.

He said that it was incumbent on the current crop of politicians to work on improving the political fraternity with the view to deliver the much-needed services for the Zambians.

“The young people are disappointed in the current type of politics we have in the country. There is too much petty politics, lack of civility, and immature politics, and divisions are still there. Politicians are more focused on belonging to a political party than being Zambian. Belonging to a ruling or opposition political party should not determine the kind of checks and balances we offer. We can do so much better. It is an incumbent upon all of us politicians to commit ourselves and improve the political fraternity.

“Let us clean the political fraternity so that we inspire the young people to join politics and be able to offer a service in the political arena,” Mr Hamududu said.

He said that for political systems to be representative, all parts of society must be included which required that the young people’s voices were also heard.

He said that when young people were disenfranchised or disengaged from political processes, a significant portion of the population had little or no voice or influence in decisions that affected them.

He said that to make a difference in the long-term, it was essential that young people were engaged in formal political processes and have a say in formulating the desired future type of politics.

He added that inclusive political participation was not only a fundamental political and democratic right but also crucial to building stable and peaceful societies and developing policies that responded to the specific needs of younger generations.

He said that for young people to be adequately represented in political institutions, processes, and decision-making, and in particular in elections, they must know their rights and be given the necessary knowledge and capacity to participate in a meaningful way at all levels.