OPERATION YOUNG VOTE 6th Floor, Lotti Hse. Suite 21 Phone: 0955/0966/0967/0977-769688 Cairo Road P.O. Box 30153 Email: oyvleader2000@yahoo LUSAKA All correspondence should be addressed to the Executive Director THE MODERATOR; MEMBERS OF THE GRAND COALITION PRESENT; THE MEMBERS OF MEDIA AND JOURNALISTS PRESENT; FELLOW YOUNG PEOPLE AND CITIZENS; COUNTRY MEN AND WOMEN MY TASK IS TO GIVE AN INSIGHT ON THE QUESTION: WHY NOW IS THE MOST APPROPRIATE AND RIPE MOMENT TO GIVEN UNTO OURSELVES THE PEOPLE DRIVEN CONSTITUTION AS A NATION AND THE ROLE YOUNG PEOPLE SHOULD PLAY IF THIS IS TO BECOME REALITY AMONG THE MANY REASONS The earlier processes on the constitution making and other related ones which have gobbled billions of tax payers (processes which include the Chona, Mvunga, Mwanakatwe and Mungomba Constitution Review Commissions –CRCs plus the National Constitution Conference – NCC and the Electoral Reform Technical Committee – ERTC) should annoy us as young people because the moneys abused could have been used to advance proper youth empowerment and employment; It was one of the Patriotic Front campaign issue in the run up to the 2011 elections, which they went further and articulated in their Manifesto (2011-2016) on page 42 and I quote “In order to redress the above, the PF in government shall Establish in consultation with stakeholders a Committee of Experts to review the recommendations of all previous Constitutional Review Commissions in order to draft and present a constitution which will reflect the will and aspirations of the people for submission to a referendum and subsequent enactment only, by the National Assembly”; Why should the now refuse to release our document. They never used PF money but citizens’/tax payers’ money. The ball is in our court to ensure that they deliver and deliver now; Further, in his address while opening Parliament 3 years ago, the President noted and emphasized that he and his part would deliver the constitution in 90 days; If the PF is allowed to dupe us now we shall set a bad precedence for ourselves as a people and no political party would ever be accountable to the Zambians; Our numbers as young people have swelled than ever before in the history of our country – note that this is also beyond the 2011 figures that were used as a springboard to the PF,s victory – and we can perform miracles; We must be more determined than ever before to beginning thinking of ensuring that the PF are shown the exit door from government and usher in serious leaders that will deliver the constitution which is the first step in fair development for all; The new and people driven constitution is the best equalizer – Quota system including adoptions; We should not rest as young people unless and until we the Zambians give unto ourselves a people driven constitution THROUGH A NATIONAL REFERENDUM that recognizes young people as an integral part of Zambia and speaks to the young people’s issues among them: Being entitled to enjoy all rights and freedoms set out in the Bill of Rights as enhanced by the inclusion of the Economic, Social and Cultural Rights; and Access to quality and relevant education and training for personal development; Participation in governance; Access to gainful employment; Adequate opportunities in the social, economic and other spheres of national life; Freedom of association to further our legitimate interests as young people; Protection from any culture, custom or tradition that undermines young people’s dignity or quality of life; and Freedom from discrimination, exploitation or abuse. (Unfortunately the clause of protection of young people is the only part of the so called functional constitution that talks about the young people – who are the majority; Article 24. If South Africa, and other African countries we helped liberate and recently Kenya and Zimbabwe did it, we must be gripped with shame and work towards concluding our constitution making process; It’s the Jubilee year – New release biblically – the Lord is on our side, let’s go; WHAT THEN IS OUR ROLE LET DO THIS TOGETHER I THANK YOU Guess Nyirenda Executive Director Operation Young Vote (OYV) Rainbownews Zambia Rainbownewszambia Rainbow Tourism Register To Vote - Its Easy! Vote for Edith Z Nawakwi for President in 2016 On The FDD Ticket.
Posted on: Mon, 06 Oct 2014 22:27:28 +0000
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