Emotional moment

• Speaker Mutti describes historic swearing-in of 40 PR MPs as deeply emotional

MATHEWS MALAZIKA,

ESTHER NG’ANDU

Lusaka,

Kitwe

FORTY Members of Parliament elected under Zambia’s new proportional representation (PR) system have taken their oaths of office in a ceremony Speaker of National Assembly Nelly Mutti described as one of the most emotional she had ever presided over.

The MPs, drawn from the categories of women, youth and persons with disabilities, formally assumed their seats yesterday, marking the first major implementation of the constitutional reforms that introduced proportional representation into Zambia’s National Assembly.

“This has been one of the emotional swearing-in ceremonies that I have ever, ever conducted. Thank you very much and congratulations,” Ms Mutti said in her closing remarks.

The moment carried particular significance for lawmakers who said their entry into Parliament represented an opportunity for groups that have historically sought greater participation in national decision-making.

Ms Mutti said the swearing in had been successfully conducted in accordance with the Constitution, adding that the process would, at an appropriate time, continue for Members of Parliament to be nominated by President Hakainde Hichilema.

The 40 PR seats were established through the Constitution of Zambia (Amendment) Act No. 13 of 2025, which introduced a mixed-member proportional representation electoral system intended to guarantee representation for women, youth and persons with disabilities.

The amended Constitution provides for 20 women, 15 youth and five persons with disabilities under the PR arrangement.

For Lazarus Hakalebula, one of the MPs elected under the ‘persons with disabilities’ category, the occasion was deeply personal.

He thanked President Hichilema for creating an opportunity for persons with disabilities to have representation in the House, where laws are made, describing the development as historic.

Caroline Katotobwe, another beneficiary of the PR seats, said the development had given women renewed hope that their voices would contribute to national decisions.

The emotional significance of the occasion was also reflected in comments from UPND spokesperson Cornelius Mweetwa, who said the development demonstrated the importance of inclusion in governance.

Meanwhile, UPND Kitwe District youth spokesperson Chambala Mazimba said the implementation of the PR system was beginning to demonstrate the intended opportunities for youth, women and persons with disabilities to participate in governance.

Mr Mazimba urged the newly sworn-in MPs to put national interests first and use their positions to advance the interests of Zambians.

He said the reforms should be viewed not merely as changes to the electoral system, but as a mechanism for widening participation in decision making.

Among those sworn in were Susan Tembo, Francis Kope, Gertrude Imenda, Mwanto Kabaso, Jemimah Mwaba, Michelo Chizombe, Vincent Musilikani and Lloyd Nsonga. https://enews.daily-mail.co.zm/welcome/home