In his Christmas message dubbed:’ Young People should become more responsible, as they hold the key to the future,’’ Dr Mwaanga has implored young people to work hard and remain focused considering that they are the future leaders.
Dr Mwwaanga said he is concerned that young people today are growing up in a world beset by crises in their localities and abroad.
“Even more disappointing, is to see young people being paid and used my irresponsible politicians as tools of violence against their opponents. This is not right,’’ he said.
Dr Mwaanga said as the young people grow up, it is important to involve them in decision making processes.
“As generational change kicks in, the country will be guaranteed of continuity with change. This will only be possible if they are politically brought up the right way,’’ he warned.
Dr Mwaanga said the young people are better educated and should ideally have a better understanding of current issues such as climate change, new technology, development issues, social issues, population issues, the Constitution of Zambia and the laws that flow from it.
He said the tendency by most young people to throw stones at opponents simply because they hold a different view point, excessive alcohol consumption, addiction to harmful substances and disorderly behaviour is wrong and unacceptable.
“Africa has the youngest population in the world, with 70 percent of Sub-Sahara Africa having young people aged 30 years or below. I see this not as a curse, but as an opportunity for this generation to learn values and leadership skills, in readiness for assuming leadership in future,’’ he emphasized.
Giving his own example, Dr Mwaanga said he joined leadership as a young man, working with elders and learning from them every day.
“The result was that i became Deputy High Commissioner to the United Kingdom in 1964. I was promoted to Ambassador to the Soviet Union in 1965 at the age of 21 years. I was promoted to Permanent Secretary in the President’s Office in 1966 at the age of 22 years. I was appointed Ambassador to the United Nations in 1968 at the age of 24 years. I then became Minister of Foreign Affairs first time round in 1973 at the age of 29 years,’’ he said.
Dr Mwaanga said all his appointments did not come by accident as he had to prove to his elders and mentor, Zambia’s founding President, now late Dr Kenneth Kaunda that he was serious and capable of handling state responsibilities.
Dr Mwaanga has since appealed to young people to regard themselves as important stakeholders in the future of their respective countries and our one world.
He said the youth are capable of coming up with innovative ideas and energy, which would help create and build a better society for tomorrow.
}Iam usually inspired, when i interact with young people pursuing collective action by bringing together diverse voices to care for their communities. We must accept that today, we live together in a global village and it is only by interactive dialogue, understanding each other and having respect for one another, that we can create the necessary climate for a peaceful and sustainable world,” Dr Mwaanga said.
He said he is optimistic that the young people would rise to his challenge.
