By 
Luanshya clergy, Bishop Victor Kalesha, has ignited a wave of public anger after suggesting that only people with children have the moral authority to speak on constitutional reforms.
In a video clip circulating on social media from a recent State House event, Kalesha — of Citygate Church — is heard dismissing critics of Bill 7, the controversial constitutional amendment process, by advising President Hakainde Hichilema to ignore “childless” individuals championing calls for the bill’s withdrawal.
“The home I am coming from, I have got children and my wife, so in terms of representation, I’m fit to contribute, not some with no ‘seed’ to start talking about the constitution,” he said, in apparent reference to Catholic bishops who are members of the Oasis Forum, a group calling for Bill 7 to be withdrawn and restarted.
The remarks, made during a meeting with selected pastors and civil society organisations believed to be aligned with the ruling party, have triggered immediate condemnation and reopened questions over who truly participates in national reform debates.
The backlash comes as President Hichilema on Monday welcomed the conclusion of public consultations on proposed constitutional amendments, noting a total of 11,860 submissions received by the Technical Committee on Constitutional Amendments (TCCA).
Hichilema said the number signalled growing citizen participation in the national reform process — but official figures show engagement remains a fraction of the national population.
According to the 2022 Census of Population and Housing conducted by the Zambia Statistics Agency (ZamStats), Zambia’s population stands at 19,693,423.
Based on this figure, the 11,860 submissions represent approximately 0.06 percent of the population, or roughly one submission for every 1,660 Zambians.
Measured against the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) figures of 7,073,513 registered voters as of February 2025, the submissions equate to 0.17 percent of eligible voters — or one submission for every 596 registered voters.
In a message posted on his official Facebook page, Hichilema commended citizens for their participation, noting that submissions came from physical and online consultations, as well as from Zambians living abroad.
He described the engagement as patriotic and thanked the TCCA for completing its work within two months of its appointment on 2 October 2025.
The Technical Report submitted to State House may mark the beginning of the next phase in the amendment process, but the Kalesha controversy underscores a parallel concern — whether national dialogue is truly inclusive, and who gets to decide whose voice counts in shaping the Constitution.
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