KATEKA QUESTIONS QUALITY OF PROPORTIONAL REPRESENTATION MPS
New Heritage Party leader Chishala Kateka has questioned whether Zambia’s proportional representation system will achieve meaningful parliamentary representation, arguing that inclusion of women, young people and differently abled persons should also be accompanied by quality and independence.
Speaking on Capital FM’s Conversations with HOPE, Ms Kateka said the inclusion of traditionally underrepresented groups appeared positive in principle but could present challenges in practice.
“I understand why people feel strongly about the inclusion of women, differently abled persons and young people in Parliament,” she said.
Ms Kateka said her concerns had been heightened after the appointment of the first 40 proportional representation Members of Parliament, particularly regarding the power political party officials wielded in determining who entered Parliament.
She said the system has allowed influential individuals to favour relatives, friends and associates, or even facilitate the sale of parliamentary positions.
“That is where the danger lies,” Ms Kateka said
She maintained that parliamentary representation should not be assessed merely by whether particular demographic groups were represented, but by the quality of their contribution to national debate and oversight.
“The fact that someone is a woman, a differently abled person or a young person does not automatically mean that they will enter Parliament prepared to make the right arguments for the country,” she said.
Ms Kateka also expressed concern over a statement by a recently appointed proportional representation MP suggesting that Zambia did not need democracy and development.
“I was therefore particularly concerned when I heard a recently appointed proportional representation Member of Parliament say that Zambia does not need democracy and development,” she said.
She recalled Zambia’s 27-year experience under a one-party system, arguing that the return to multiparty democracy followed national debate and a collective decision by citizens.
“The return to multiparty democracy was not an accident,” Ms Kateka said.
She further warned against decisions that could reverse democratic gains and said Parliament should remain a platform for substantive national debate.
“For me, that particular statement personifies the fear I have about a system where people are placed in Parliament primarily because of who nominated them,” she said.
Ms Kateka said representation should ultimately encompass quality, independence and substance, rather than numbers alone.
“Representation should not simply be about numbers or fulfilling categories,” she said.
Ba Kateka…
This is full crap !!! People are NOT INTERESTED.
Why, Madam Kateka, are you making your submission NOW? Why didnt you make a submission to the Parliamentary commission, when Bill 7 was open to public debate ?
Madam Kateka….hasnt your mandate run out? Who do you speak for? When was your last convention?
You are not a leader…youre a parot. Zero value added. There some who are way younger than you but had the courage to stand for something while you truddled behind Edgar Lungu who you let define you. Look at Ezra. He has achieved more than you will politically. Njobvu made a dent as a first timer. Which woman would want to emulate you when you stand with plunderers? You stood behind Mundubile a person said to have supplied “air” to the state. Boy did he blow a lot of “Hot air”. And what does that translate to? You stood behind Edgar Lungu a known plunderer? Do you want to be defined by them? Then stop being a parot. Lead. Vain empty statements is what we see in the article.
Madam Kateka is right when she said, “The system allowed influential individuals to favour relatives, friends and associates or even facilities sale of parliamentary positions”. This is more rife in councils. I have seen this happen here in Chililabombwe where some councilor has been imposed on the people from “the authority above”.