Youth inclusion in Zambian Politics: Promise or Patronage
THE Arab Spring highlighted the power of youth in driving political change, sparking global conversations on their role in governance. In Zambia, many young people express disinterest in politics, yet politics shapes daily life through resource allocation and public services. What they often reject is not politics itself but the divisive nature of partisan competition. This raises important questions about their place in Zambia’s political system and the barriers to meaningful representation. In this context, President Hakainde Hichilema’s call for constitutional amendments to boost youth and women’s participation deserves closer scrutiny. Here are some important things to consider:
Zambian culture has long valorized youth as symbols of vitality and untapped potential. Familiar proverbs such as imiti ikula e mpanga and mathole niye cibaya reflect a cultural psyche that places great faith in the promise of youth. However, these narratives have often been co-opted to perpetuate inequality, as young people are systematically marginalized and relegated to the periphery of political discourse. In political rhetoric, youth are frequently patronized rather than empowered. The late President Michael Sata, for instance, infamously referred to the now-President Hakainde Hichilema as an ‘under-five,’ a term that trivialized his experiences, contributions, and aspirations for political office. While it is tempting to dismiss this as characteristic of Sata’s bluntness, it was far more than that. It reflected the mindset of a man who, after benefiting from numerous opportunities to advance his career as a young person under UNIP, turned around to shut the door of opportunity for others. This was not merely a reflection of Sata’s individual disposition; it betrayed the character of Zambia’s broader political culture.
This culture of exclusion raises a fundamental question: is the marginalization of youth in politics a cause of their lack of representation, or a consequence of it? The lack of well-defined and robust youth representation within political parties makes this exclusion worse. With the exception of the Socialist Party, few political entities in Zambia operate youth leagues that meaningfully engage and empower young people or adopted women in masse to contest political office. Instead, what we see is a clientelistic political culture, one that is top-heavy and transactional in nature. Within this system, young people are often pitted against each other as they compete for material rewards from the ruling elite; fostering dependency rather than genuine political engagement or empowerment.
It was not always this way. Zambia’s political history offers examples of young leaders who were given the opportunity to develop and contribute meaningfully to the nation. Rupiah Banda, Vernon Mwanga, and even Michael Sata himself grew up in an environment where opportunities for young people to rise were more accessible. Their brilliance, which we now celebrate, was not inherent; it was cultivated through the opportunities and experiences afforded to them in their youth. This history reveals an essential truth: the potential of young people is not realized in isolation. It relies on deliberate investment, inclusion, and mentorship. Moving Zambia forward requires moving beyond the rhetoric of youth empowerment and toward genuine transformation, it must break away from its current culture of exclusion and dependency, and instead create an enabling environment for the next generation to thrive.
The election of President Hakainde Hichilema in 2021 marked a crucial moment for Zambian youth, whose collective mobilization played a decisive role in advocating for change. There was widespread expectation that the new administration would prioritize youth engagement and representation. Yet, the reality has been profoundly disappointing. Political appointments have largely favored a select few well-connected individuals, leaving the broader youth demographic feeling sidelined, disillusioned, and betrayed. This apparent disregard for the very demographic that propelled the UPND to power mirrors historical patterns of political betrayal, reminiscent of the disillusionment experienced during the presidency of Frederick Chiluba. The UPND government may not realise it but this served as a litmus test for its commitment to young people. Political appointments are not merely administrative decisions; they reflect political intent and priorities. It was President Hichilema himself who famously declared, “You will see from the quality of our appointments.” Based on what we have seen thus far, it is clear that he and his party are no different from those who came before. He is entrenched in a political culture that views young people as a promise for the future, while failing to empower them in the present. This is the same culture that points to the sprouting trees as signs of a thriving forest, even as it cuts down the very trees needed to provide shelter. The President and his administration continue to claim that there simply aren’t enough “strong trees” to build with, but the truth is that they refuse to nurture the potential already present.
In light of the challenges facing youth and women’s participation in governance, the President has proposed what he considers his silver bullet – amending the constitution to facilitate greater engagement. When I first heard rumors of this, I dismissed them as one of those exaggerated stories often attributed to the head of state. Knowing the President’s penchant for impromptu, cringeworthy remarks whenever he see cheering crowds, I assumed it was a joke. Then came the newspaper reports and videos quoting him directly. If that wasn’t enough, the Minister of Justice appeared on television to discuss an “oven-ready” draft constitution. I was shocked. Has this administration even read our current constitution?
Granted, there are areas in which the constitution could be strengthened, but in typical political fashion, the President is offering a solution to a problem that does not exist. I have waited patiently, to hear which parts of the constitution have supposedly prevented President Hichilema from delivering tangible change for young people. The explanations, to date, have been little more than incoherent rhetoric.
The truth is that the Zambian constitution already contains provisions mandating youth participation in governance. The claim that constitutional amendments are necessary to expand opportunities for young candidates is not only misguided but also dismissive of the existing legal framework, which was specifically designed to promote inclusivity. This disingenuous narrative begs the question: what is truly preventing progress? Reflecting on the political conventions of 2021, the answer becomes painfully clear. These were, in many cases, spectacles of dysfunction. Consider the UPND, for example, a party that could not even organize a credible convention. Why did they not reserve 50% of their nominations for women and youth? What were they afraid of? Instead of meaningfully integrating gender and youth representation into their structures, they have relegated women to non-substantive roles in ‘women’s committees,’ whose primary function seems to be organizing singing and dancing for the President. Ironically, the President himself acknowledged, in the foreword of the 2023 National Gender Policy (page 5), that the Constitutional Amendment Act No. 2 of 2016 already guarantees gender equality:
‘The Constitution (Amendment) Act, No. 2 of 2016 was also enacted and provides for the equal worth of women and men and their rights to freely participate in, determine and build a sustainable political, legal, economic and social order. The Gender Equity and Equality Act, No. 22 of 2015 was also enacted to strengthen the legal framework for the elimination of all forms of discrimination against women and girls.’
Is this one of those cases, where the President does not even know what he signed? This contradiction shows a troubling truth: the problem lies not with the constitution but with the lack of political will to implement its provisions. Constitutional provisions serve as a foundation for youth engagement, for gender mainstreaming ; the challenge lies not in their absence but in the political will to implement them effectively. The struggle for youth or gender representation is not merely a matter of legal stipulations but rather a broader issue of political culture and accountability. The entrenched practices of political patronage and clientelism hinder genuine engagement and perpetuate a cycle of disillusionment among young people.
Young people and women in Zambia face persistent challenges in asserting their voices within the nation’s governance. While our cultural narratives may speak to the promise and potential of young people, systemic barriers remain entrenched, ensuring their continued marginalization in political discourse. This disconnection between the aspirations of youth and women and the actions of political leaders reveals a much deeper flaw in our political culture; one that prioritizes political maneuvering and point scoring over genuine reform.
The UPND government came into power buoyed by immense goodwill, a moment when real transformation seemed not only possible but imminent. I recall, how they were quick to acknowledge the critical role of the youth vote in their electoral victory. Yet, instead of addressing systemic issues such as ensuring youth and women’s participation through institutional mechanisms; a task well within their reach even amidst the debt crisis, they have instead resorted to diversion and political scapegoating; mastering the art of political fuffing around.
Young people desparetely need of affordable and decent housing, accessible sources of finance, and a supportive business environment that secures their future. They deserve clean water free of industrial pollutants, not empty rhetoric. If the president truly seeks to lead a reformist agenda for the nation, he must start by reforming his own political party. Only then can we believe his words hold any weight. Let actions, not words, pave the way forward. So far, the UPND has merely been fuffing around.
