CHAMBO NG’UNI
Kabwe
KWAME Nkrumah University Students Union (KWANUSU) says the recognition of young people in governance of the country in Parliament facilitated by Constitution of Zambia (Amendment) Act No. 13 of 2025 is a progressive development.
KWANUSU president Blessing Mapeso said having a mixed-member proportional representation system is critical in bridging the gaps in Parliament.
Mr Mapeso said his association is happy that many stakeholders supported the mixed-member proportional representation system.
“This is important and now that it is in the Constitution, despite the outcome of the elections, youths are assured of representation in Parliament,” he said.
Mr Mapeso said the amendment of the country’s Constitution has helped in curing governance gaps that existed and were problematic.
He said in past years, the subject of a mixed-member proportional representation system or ensuring that neglected interest groups were brought on board in holding key decision-making positions was left in the hands of political parties.
“We have been giving political parties the task to adopt young people. Unfortunately, we have not seen much youth representation in Parliament.
“What we realised was that it’s not political parties that could address this issue of youth representation but the Constitution,” Mr Mapeso said.
He said his union is happy that other marginalised groups such as those living with disabilities have been guaranteed representation in Parliament.
Mr Mapeso said a good Constitution is one that affords citizens from different backgrounds opportunities for fair representation in governance.
He said KWANUSU is also happy that the new Constitution clearly defines who a child is and who a youth is in Zambia
