IT’S YOUR TIME
Youths must take over leadership in 2026 – Chitimukulu
By George Zulu
NOW IS the time for you, the Zambian youths, to take over the leadership of the country by registering en masse ahead of next year’s general elections, Paramount Chief Chitimukulu of the Bemba people has said.
Speaking to Lwansase Radio in Northern Province on the sidelines of the Mukulapembe traditional ceremony, the Chitimukulu said the youth could only take over government if they registered in large numbers to vote and elect their peers into government next year.
“So, now you want old people to continue governing you? It’s your time as youths to take over the government and lead. But you can only do that if you elect youthful leaders, and you can only elect or participate in the election if you register to vote ahead of next year’s general elections,” he said.
“Nomba mulefwaya abakote e balesala? Kabili ba yufi abafwile ukusalwa. Bafwile ba yufi basala bayufi banabo. Nomba ifwe nga twasala, twakulasala abakote banensu. So imwe mwe balumendo imwe kano mulembeshe pakuti musale abalumendo banenu, bayufi balemwininako. Nomba ngatamulelembesha abakote bakulasala abakote banabo” meaning if the youth did not register in large numbers and elect their fellow youths, the old people would register and elect their fellow old people.
He said it was heartbreaking that young people had turned into stone throwers and tools for violence instead of taking up leadership positions.
The Chitimukulu urged youths across the country to take part in the mass voter registration exercise if they were to redeem themselves from the shackles of poverty and other injustices by taking over the government.
“It is good for our young people to concentrate on voter registration going on now. You need to vote for your fellow youths into leadership. How will these same youths around get into power if they cannot vote? How will they take up leadership positions if they are not elected?” he said.
“Kanshi imwe cawamako muleposako amano mwe mayufi. Lembesheni pakuti mulete amayufi yanenu. Pakuti mwingile mu buteko mutekeko. Nga aba bene ba yufi mwaba nabo bakengila shani mu buteko ngatabalelembeshe ukuvota? Nimwebo mufwile ukubengisha ngamulefwaya imisepela ukuteka. nimbwebo mwingacita decide. Imwe bene mwalembesha mwabula no musepela mwamusala aingila mu buteko,” he said meaning it is you the youths who must elect your fellow youths into government.
He warned the youth against engaging in illicit activities.
The Chitimukulu said there was no need for the youths to continue being tools of violence when the nation was in dire need of a youthful leadership.
“So, now you want to be a tool of violence, throwing stones? No way. Stop that. Go and register to vote for your fellow youth so that he may consider you in government. Electing people into leadership is your duty as a citizen, and you have to participate rather than complain,” he said.
“Even HH is a young man. We need more youths to lead us; it is your time to take over leadership of the nation, and that time is now.”
The Chitimukulu said the youth were in the majority and therefore could take over the government by electing their peers.
The mass voter registration began on Monday and will last for one month, ending next month.
