Speaker of the National Assembly Nelly Mutti has officially received a petition from Chabota Kazelausha, a Zambian youth who walked about 300 kilometres from Pemba District in Southern Province to Lusaka to promote youth participation in national development.
Ms Mutti commended Mr Kazelausha for demonstrating active citizenship and engaging Parliament on matters of national importance.
She said young people should recognise that governance was not confined to government offices and parliamentary chambers, but required active participation by citizens in shaping public policy and democratic processes.
The Speaker said Parliament remained accessible to the public and encouraged citizens to present their concerns, aspirations, recommendations and proposals on national affairs.
Ms Mutti said young people have an important role to play in shaping Zambia’s future and contributing to the growing Zambia agenda.
She added that governance was a shared responsibility that required the participation of all citizens, beyond the presence of elected leaders.
And Mr Kazelausha said his journey from Pemba to Lusaka was aimed at sensitising fellow youths and the nation at large on the Grow Zambia Agenda, which President Hakainde Hichilema outlined when he officially opened the First Session of the 14th National Assembly on October 9, 2026.
Mr Kazelausha, who was accompanied to Parliament by Pemba Member of Parliament, Obey Habeenzu and his two friend Muleta Nyambe and Mutinta Kanyama, said he hoped youth representatives in Parliament would work with the Head of State to advance the development agenda by highlighting challenges and needs affecting young people in their communities.
He said the Grow Zambia Agenda presented opportunities for job creation, economic empowerment and improved living standards for Zambians.
Meanwhile, Clerk of the National Assembly, Loveness Mayaka said the petition would be handled in accordance with the Constitution and the relevant parliamentary procedures.
Ms Mayaka said Article 88 of the Constitution of Zambia provided for the right of citizens to petition the National Assembly on matters relating to the enactment, amendment or repeal of legislation, as well as to comment on parliamentary deliberations, statements and decisions.
She said the Constitution also required the National Assembly to facilitate public involvement in the lawmaking process.
She stated the National Assembly’s Standing Orders of 2026, particularly Orders 131 to 134 under Chapter 15, outlined the procedures and requirements for submitting petitions to Parliament.
The Clerk however, clarified that receiving the petition was an initial procedural step and did not automatically mean that it would be admitted for consideration, debated by the House or result in any particular decision.
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