Aspiring MPs Get Skills
By Francis Maingaila
Lusaka, Zambia24 — (8/4/2026) -- The Zambia Centre for Interparty Dialogue (ZCID), in partnership with the Institute of Parliamentary Studies and Training, is conducting a capacity-building workshop to equip aspiring Members of Parliament (MPs) with skills in law-making, oversight, and constituency representation, and to help them align their campaign promises with their constitutional mandate.
Mr. Samwika said Parliament plays a central role in law-making, oversight, and representation, stressing that its effectiveness depends on the preparedness, integrity, and competence of those elected to serve.
“This initiative comes at a time when aspiring leaders must clearly understand their roles, responsibilities, and the expectations that come with public office,” he said.
He noted that the training follows the recent launch of the Institute of Parliamentary Studies and Training by the Speaker of the National Assembly, making it one of the institution’s first major programmes.
Mr. Samwika also raised concern over low female participation, with only four women among the 15 participants.
“This is not very encouraging, but we hope more women will come forward, especially with the affirmative action provisions under the Constitution of Zambia (Amendment) Act No. 13 of 2025,” he said.
He urged participants to take the training seriously, engage fully, and make use of the resource persons, adding that the knowledge gained would be key to effective leadership.
Mr. Nyangu said many aspiring leaders confuse the functions of the Executive with those of Parliament, often leading to unrealistic promises during campaigns.
“Many people think executive functions are the same as parliamentary functions, when they are clearly different. This training is meant to bridge that gap,” he said.
He explained that the programme is a non-partisan civic education initiative aimed at helping aspiring candidates understand the constitutional functions of Parliament and what the public should expect from them.
Mr. Nyangu said better-informed candidates are more likely to perform effectively and avoid making promises outside their mandate.
The representative said voters often place unrealistic demands on MPs, while candidates sometimes make promises beyond their authority to win support.
“It is important that those aspiring for public office understand what is expected of them and communicate honestly with the electorate,” the representative said.
Some participants described the training as timely and necessary.
An aspiring candidate for Kanyama Constituency, Dr. Mwaka Nirends, said the programme would help address the gap between public expectations and the actual role of an MP.
“The expectations are sometimes too high and unrealistic. People expect an MP to solve personal problems, but this training will help us understand our real responsibilities,” she said.
Dr. Nyirenda said Kanyama faces serious challenges, including poor sanitation, flooding, and recurring cholera outbreaks, which she hopes to address through community-driven initiatives such as a “Keep Kanyama Clean” campaign.
Another aspiring candidate Mulemwa Njekwa from Kafue said his focus is on reviving the town’s industrial base and tackling youth unemployment.
He said Kafue, once a thriving industrial hub, has seen a decline in economic activity, leaving many young people without jobs.
“We need to create opportunities for young people, including forming cooperatives, especially in mining, so they can employ themselves and others,” he said.
He also pointed to the poor state of infrastructure, particularly roads, saying rehabilitation is key to restoring economic activity in the area.
Participants are expected to receive certificates at the end of the full-day training, which organisers say will help build a more informed and effective group of future legislators.
Comments
Post a Comment