ZAMSOF'S 11th NATIONAL SOCIAL FORUM ADVOCATES YOUTH INVOLVEMENT IN GOVERNANCE FOR SUSTAINABLE FUTURE,SPEAKS AGAINST "BOMA ILANGANEPO" MENTALITY

The Zambia Social Forum-ZAMSOF has held its 11th edition of the National Social Forum under the theme “Building a sustainable future through stewardship and inclusive governance” with a call on the youth to actively engage in matters related to governance.

Speaking during the annual event held in Lusaka today at the Civic Centre Nakatindi Wall, Zambia Social Forum Guardian, Sera Longwe, a prominent gender activist, encouraged young people to speak out and make demands regarding their needs,futher emphasizing the importance of taking action rather than relying on government’s intervention.

The National Social Forum is held as a run-up to the World Social Forum that takes every two years. Therefore, the next World Social Forum will be held in Nepal in February 2024.

Ms. Longwe emphasized that young people should proactively voice their needs to those responsible for managing the nationals affairs as this is essential for achieving inclusive and sustainable development in the country.

“So stewardship means you use whatever you have to make your needs known for us[the country] to have sustainable development and everyone be it the young, old,male or female will be happy. The first social forum was held in Brazil and the current President of Brazil was a union leader and he offered that his country, Brazil could be able to make a big forum and a lot of noise. Now coming to the theme [for this year] building a sustainable future through stewardship and inclusive governance, stewardship means not leaving everything to the boma which means Government…so we don’t need to always say ati boma ilanganepo [which means Government must do something or always waiting for the government to intervene] because we are the ones who elected them into office, they use our tax money to build all these buildings,"  Ms. Longwe said.

And ZAMSOF National Coordinator, Gershom Kabaso stated that the organization, established in 2003 and primarily working with grassroots communities, maintains a steadfast commitment to establish a platform for people to express their concerns about social issues with the ultimate goal to promote inclusive and sustainable governance.

Mr. Kabaso underscored the organization's stance to facilitate the active participation of the public in addressing crucial developmental issues bordering on climate change, debt, poverty, inequality, and healthcare, in order to find effective solutions to challenges within these areas.“So this platform is there always to engage communities to provide alternative solutions and also to work with other right-minded organizations on issues to do with cross-border trade on issues to do with education, health, Human rights, and climate change. This year, the theme is emphasizing that we are trying to build a sustainable future through stewardship and inclusive governance. This means that we cannot build inclusive governance if the citizens especially the young people don’t know spaces they can use to provide such alternatives,” he explained.

Officiating the event, Lusaka City Council Mayor Chilando Chitangala pointed out that the local authority remains steady and fast to tackle issues related to inequality, poverty, and social exclusion, and to promote greater participation and representation in government and decision-making processes, particularly for marginalized communities.

“Our focus on environmental sustainability, social equity, and inclusive governance underscores our dedication to addressing the challenges of our time. We are here to explore ways to reduce carbon emissions, protect biodiversity, and promote the sustainable use of our precious natural resources. We aim at tackling issues related to inequality, poverty, and social exclusion, and to promote greater participation and representation in government and decision-making processes, particularly for marginalized communities, “she said

Meanwhile Zambia Council for Social Development Board Chairperson Jacob Makambwe underscored the importance of supporting and facilitating initiatives such as decentralization, ensuring that they align with the needs and aspirations of communities.

Speaking earlier Fighting Inequality Alliance Zambia National Coordinator, Mputa Ngalande stated that the alliance’s work is centred on ensuring that the gap between the rich and poor is not widening.

Mr. Ngalande said the organization which values community engagement aims at creating a platform for people to highlight their challenges so that they can be heard by those in power.

He emphasized that organization is always against issues of inequalities which may exist in different sectors of the economy and in all forms.

“We are committed to ensuring that the gap between the poor and the rich does not grow to an extent where only a few elites can lead a comfortable life. For us, if people are not able to have three meals a day that constitutes an inequality because this has the potential to increase poverty levels in the country,” he said.

Profile

The Author (Christopher Chisi) is a Zambian journalist and an active member of the Media Institute of Southern Africa(MISA) Zambia. He is currently employed by 5FM-Radio Zambia (89.9 FM), a prominent adult contemporary radio station in Zambia. With over five years of dedicated work experience in radio reporting, Christopher has earned numerous accolades, totaling at least 20 media awards.

Contact 09975-198870