ARE ZAMBIAN YOUTHS JUST WATCHING THE COUNTRY IS BEING RUINED?

[Eaglesrock]

I am posting this topic after analising the composition of our current government. Looks like we are just being led by the same old recycled pipo in government like VJ, Shokapwasha, Mabenga etc. This trend is not just in the ruling government, even in the opposition we have the 69 year-old sata wanting to get into power. If he in the unlikely even that he won the next elections, he would be 74.Now my question are:

Have we the youths given up and left the fate of the country in the hands of old pipo only?

Have we been sidelined or we are just too unconcerned about the future of our country?

[Spiraka]

Your concerns are ever so valid, my Friend. There is no conceivable reason why the likes of Sata or Mwanga should be elected into office; what do they have to offer now that they did not have in all the years they have been in government? Our nation has seen no measurable improvements under their leadership.

Indeed, the current generation of Zambian youth seems rather unconcerned with the future of our country. I am sure we have all heard of the "brain-drain" concept. This notion argues that Africa as a whole is losing her youth (and future leaders) to the more favorable economic environments in the West. While it is true that a lot of Zambia's youth are migrating to Europe and the Americas, I believe that there is a core of grounded young Zambians who plan to one day return home to contribute to the growth of our country.

My observation is this: there is a gap between our generation and the one preceding, such that our elders are forced to remain active in politics because there is none to whom they can pass the baton. I predict that we will quite soon begin to see a shift in the status quo. A new breed of patriots is on the horizon. We will see more and more young economists and business majors return to Zambia to assume their roles as tomorrow's leaders. The trend was started by those like the late and great Kambela Mazoka, who (like many of our youth today) studied abroad and attempted to bring his expertise to Zambia's economic and political arenas. Today we welcome to the stage such fresh faces as Hakainde Hichilema, a sure sign that the tables are turning. Fellow Zambians, let us remember our nation as we plan for the future. We are the only hope for Mother Zambia. Granted, we come from an oppressed and raped culture, but ultimately it remains our responsibility to change Zambia and the way she is perceived in international circles. It’s going to be a long and rough journey, but the end result will have been worth every tear and drop of blood. Chipolopolo!!

[mikestyle]

Have we the youths given up and left the fate of the country in the hands of old pipo only?

No you and I havent given up. You see, most people our age are either struggling in school, trying to settle down, unemployed, looking for greener pastures abroad. Brothers and sisters, we are in an era where poverty rules our lives. I can swear to you that you can take an educated youth to be minister or something, but they will never utilise their knowledge because they would try to make as much money as they can, bearing in mind the poverty they had been walloping in. We have enough youth to run this country, but as poverty stricken as we are as a country, you need capital for you to climb to the ladder and that is what most of us, you and me do not have!!!!

We want to get involved in the governance, but we just cant compete with guys who have it all. Believe you me, in Zambia this time, educated or not, without money you will never be recognised. Look at your minister of science and Technology, health?

I believe that we are still far as the youths, not untill the issue of unemployment is addressed!!!!

So, how do we make sure this issue is addressed?

[Spiraka]

Great points, Farmboy1. I am a little concerned by your "can't do it" attitude.

We want to get involved in the governance, but we just cant compete with guys who have it all. Believe you me, in Zambia this time, educated or not, without money you will never be recognised.

The only way issues such as unemployment will be addressed is by flushing out the current system. Those in power right now have no clue on the issue. Zambia needs fresh minds like you and I to make any real difference. And as far as needing "capital" to run for public office: that is true everywhere; even in the States. Politicians in the West "lobby" for support; they find people who are willing to invest in their political agenda. Look at the Bush family and the Saudi Royal Family... classic example.

Why don't you and I search for some wealthy business people (perhaps Zambians??) who can invest in our political aspirations? Or how about just making our own money while we are abroad and then bringing it back home? There's always a solution...

[mikestyle]

Well, I say "can't" because of the poor situation in Zambia. Believbe you me, i feel the pain we go through here. 11/28/06 I was there deep talking to youths, even here on the fora, trying to plead with peoplke so that they can broaden their powers of thought for them to make informed decisions, but alas! Man people here were unbelievably ululating support for Sata. People, youths in particular are in desperation for Jobs, so if they could have jobs, then they would make informed decisions not irrational ones driven by some forces.

I am in Zambia myself and feeling the pain. So, if you are fortunate enough and abroad, I would say make the money as much as you can, but remember to come back and help this country. I see alot of determination in youths, but it seems to fade away at times due to poverty. Deep down in my heart, i know that there will come A TIME WHEN YOUTHS SHALL RAISE AGAINST ALL THESE INJUSTICES!!!! I know that the Zambian youth have the zeal but are either too scared to show it or are being deprived a chance to show it. If we can stick together starting from here on bwanji, I think we could make headways. Like late Lurther king said, "I have a dream that one day...... you know the rest,Ii also have that vision and come 2011, i shall still be actively involved in the sensitisation of youths on their rights and how they could vote for the best candidate, just for free!!!!

Mulemena, if we put all these efforts into place, we could flush this system out, but, i wonder, how many of us youths are willing or are able to run major sectors of the economy?

[taatsu]

Very interesting question PaulM. We need these sorts of discussions and I am deeply impressed by the level of thought from Farmy and Mulemena.

There are a number of issues, but first let me address your question :

"Have we the youths given up and left the fate of the country in the hands of old pipo only?"

The answer to your question is yes and no..

Yes the Zambians abroad have - there's no appetite from people abroad to really engage in issues. I mean before you walk you have to crawl...just look at Bwanji, how much time do we spend on discussing issues like this? Very little...now if we cannot even spare some mental capacity to think through our present situation how likely is it that we'll even aspire to run for office..and tackle important issues head on...most Zambian youths I know in London and elsewhere have no direction in their lives and are not really aspiring to be anything...this is the sad fact.....

No because when I was in Zambia....and spoke to students and other young professionals, there's real hunger to make a difference...but as Mulemena and Farmy have both noted there's a gap somewhere...either the youths have no capacity to get themselves in a position to lobby and challenge Government and ultimate be decision makers in the future....or the older people through culture and financial resources prevent the youths from doing so....[we must not ignore Culture....remember Sata's famous jibe at HH was that "he was born in hospital while Sata was born under a tree!! lol].....

now onto the wider point.....
the issue is not really about unemployment, as Farmy suggests, but about organisation....Zambians youths are just poorly organised both at home and abroad do not have a selfless attitude....

the real question I want from the youths to answer is : what will it take for you to start lobbying Government today? for you to form think tanks, ...and start now to influence policy? you don't have to be in Government to make a difference? What are we waiting for?

[Spiraka]

Gentlemen, fellow Zambians:

It is vitally important to remember that every revolution that was ever a success began with the committed few MAKING THE DECISION TO AFFECT THEIR REALITY.

Zambia has massive resources - farmable land being the greatest, in my opinion. We need to harness the beast of burden that is privatization (or denationalization). Despite his failures, I salute our Second Republican President, FTJ Chiluba, for having introduced this economic concept. We need to continue on the course of true denationalization if we are to see any substantial change in our economy. Let Zambia expand her reach into international commerce, inviting foregin investors to help us liquidate our raw resources. Let us recognize the power of negotiation and co-operative effort. The great nations of the West have not risen to such heights through isolation and perceived self-reliance.

To partially answer your questions, Comrade Cho...

"...the real question I want from the youths to answer is : what will it take for you to start lobbying Government today? for you to form think tanks, ...and start now to influence policy? you don't have to be in Government to make a difference? What are we waiting for?"

I have a network of compatriots strewn all across the globe who share our passion for Zambia. Some are persuing legal degrees, others Engineering and various other disciplines. I am personally dedicated to the study of Global Politics and economics. I am certain that we are not the only ones. I assure you, Sir, that there is a new breed of patriots on the horizon who are currently in training for the purpose of re-shaping the future of Zambia. The time draweth nigh; REVOLUTION COMETH!!!

[taatsu]

"I have a network of compatriots strewn all across the globe who share our passion for Zambia. " - mulemena

I am glad to hear that but please tell me one thing? What has been your ACTION so far?
Have you lobbied Government yet on anything? How are you bringing other Zambians on board to support your cause?

I would be interested to hear your assessment of the Group&#039;s achievement and your strategy in the <u>short term</u>. Zambia needs people who act in the present with an eye on the future.

In my view, and this does not apply to your group [I wanna hear more about your group], a lot of Zambians abroad especially talk a lot about changing and making a difference. Young Zambians are appear comfortable to sit down and discuss the latest economic theory and how it applies to Zambia or the latest paper World Bank Research paper on moving the continent forward. They even speculate on potential policies to make a difference to the common Zambian. But at the end of it all....
What I have found though is that they all haveone thing in common : zero end product.

All of these groups have no action at the end. When you tell them that let us get active and do something TODAY, they simply shy away and speak of tomorrow.

I am hoping that you will giving me a more positive outlook on your network.

[kumbu]

What has been your ACTION so far?

Am abroad right now and I think we are not just discussing economic theories and how they relate to our country. They say every journey begins with a step at a time and am sure u have heard that Zambians abroad are petitioning the Electoral Commission of Zambia because we want to exercise our right to vote. http://www.PetitionOnline.com/Zambians/

For those who have had the chance to live in a developed country, they will bear me witness that first of all people in these countries work on a 24hr clock and utilise every minute of their work schedule with minimum idle time (hence the term time is money). So there is no guessing why productivity is high. We have low productivity, and inefficiency in both the public and private sector due to hiring of incompetent personnel for favours (sexual or otherwise), nepotism and a host of other trivial issues while graduates still roam the streets jobless.

I think as youths we should be spending more time discussing issues like this if we are ever to take our country to a progressive level, and we need the ladies to contribute positively to such pertinent issues as well (Yeah ladies we all know u prefer discussing relationships and all but I know y&#039;all smarter than that). I wont take up a lot of space but I would like us to focus on burning issues like the 50 + 1% for a presidential candidate among other many things which are yet to be resolved in our constitution.

@ Cho. I must admit, to a larger extent Zambians are a little lax when it comes to taking action but here we are saying enough is enough........let us stand up for what is right. Let us take action for the betterment of our future.

[taatsu]

Masney,

&quot;am sure u have heard that Zambians abroad are petitioning the Electoral Commission of Zambia because we want to exercise our right to vote.

Yes I have heard, and but I have not voted because I don&#039;t believe people abroad should get a chance to vote....it leaves too much freedom for fraud and delays the voting outcome....however thanks for making the link available here. I think you should start it as a separate topic so others could get a chance to vote.

By the way, how is the Petition actually gonna work?


&quot;We have low productivity, and inefficiency in both the public and private sector due to hiring of incompetent personnel for favours (sexual or otherwise), nepotism and a host of other trivial issues while graduates still roam the streets jobless.&quot;

On this we agree. Mwanawasa has introduced so much nepotism.
He is the most tribal leader Zambia has ever had. Kaunda and Chiluba kept regionally balanced Governments and never evoked tribal lines.

&quot;and we need the ladies to contribute positively to such pertinent issues as well (Yeah ladies we all know u prefer discussing relationships and all but I know y&#039;all smarter than that)&quot;

Agreed. Its a pity that ladies who bear so much of the hand of poverty are the least participants in such dialogues. May be it is a cultural thing. I also question how far Zambian women have truly progressed. There attitude needs to change.

&quot;@ Cho. I must admit, to a larger extent Zambians are a little lax when it comes to taking action but here we are saying enough is enough........let us stand up for what is right. Let us take action for the betterment of our future&quot;

Agreed, but the action must be tangible. It is this that is missing in my view.
We don&#039;t know the real meaning of &#039;community. We do very little in terms of serious cooperation to make Government change its ways, and yet we sit here and blame politicians.