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President Hakainde Hichilema has emphasized that Zambia’s current generation carried the responsibility to deliver economic development, jobs and opportunities for the country’s youthful population.
Speaking in Lusaka during Africa Freedom Day commemorations on Monday, President Hichilema said past generations secured political independence, while this generation should now focus on faster economic growth and social independence.
The Head of State said this during the wreath laying ceremony on the occasion of the Africa Freedom Day Commemoration at the freedom Statue in Lusaka, celebrated under the theme: “Sustainable water availability and safe sanitation systems to achieve the goals of agenda 2063.”
He said government programs such as the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) were creating business opportunities for graduates trained in artisanal skills like carpentry and welding through local procurement policies.
Hichilema added that the policy of not importing desks had allowed trained graduates to supply schools, generating income while ensuring children have seats instead of sitting on the floor.
“Are you surprised that the pass rate was low? You shouldn’t. Are you surprised that the pass rate went up in twenty-five first time since independence? You shouldn’t be surprised. All this is delivered. This is the way, this is the role of this generation right? To bring about peace stability, security to allow us to drive the economic agenda for security, energy,” he said.
The Head of State said efforts to address load shedding were on track, noting that the government had said the situation would improve by December and that it had.
He stressed that leadership and public office were serious responsibilities aimed at delivering opportunities for children, women, youth, and people with disabilities through quotas and targeted programs.
“So now for us to deliver this economic social independence for opportunities for all our people be it children, be it differently abled, be it women through the women quota, through the youth quota, through the differently abled quota that’s the opportunity we’re delivering to our people,” Hichilema stated.
He described the return of 2.5 million children to school under the free education policy as part of the generation’s duty to prepare the way for future generations.
President Hichilema added that the responsibility of this generation was to deliver results, not to engage in quarrels, noise, abuse or insults, and called for responsible and united leadership.
He said unity and responsibility were essential to protect peace, order, and the rule of law, noting that public gatherings now took place without the violence seen in the past.
“Let’s protect that environment. Let’s move the country forward. And I think that’s what’s important. Nothing else is important. Not easements not the language you speak, not the region you come from but this is Zambia. One Zambia, one nation, one people for development,” President Hichilema said.
He urged Zambians to protect the environment of freedom and tolerance, saying people should be able to wear any party regalia without fear of attack.
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