"THIS world demands the qualities of youth," Robert Kennedy said, "not a time, not life, but a state of mind, a temper of the will, a quality of imagination, a predominance of courage over timidity, of the appetite for adventure over the love of ease."
It can be said that if one has
interest in certain activities but
refuses to participate in them, one
of the penalties for refusing to do
so is that he or she ends up being
governed by their inferiors.
This week the column features Christopher Kang'ombe, a Riverside ward
councillor in Kitwe.
Kang'ombe, 29 is one of the youths who have reclaimed their places and
vowed never to be used as tools of violence in society.
He was born in Kitwe, to Elizabeth Pikiti and Francis Kang'ombe.
"We are small family of four children," he says.
He began his education at Justin Kabwe Basic School, then went to
Rokana basic in 1994. He later went to Kitwe Boys Secondary where he
completed his education in 2002.
Kang'ombe was the head boy of Kitwe Boys and it was during this period
that he started realising his role in society as a Zambian youth.
"2003 seemed to be a long year seeing that I was eager to enter university
when I discovered that I had gotten good grade 12 results. I always wanted
to study mechanical engineering because dad used to run a mechanical
workshop and I used to do technical drawing and metal work at secondary
school. Eventually, I applied for a Bachelor of Engineering in electrical/
mechanical at the Copperbelt University. I was offered admission in the
said programme," he says.
While at university, Kang'ombe used to play football and became active in
student politics.
He joined the Copperbelt University Students Union, and faced the
challenge of balancing school work and serving in the union.
"I had to overcome such challenges by putting in extra study hours and
working very hard. The other activity that I was involved in at university,
apart from students' politics and football, was debate society. I also helped
establish the students against drug abuse," he says.
Kang'ombe is currently in his second term of office as councillor for
Riverside ward.
In the corporate world, he serves as a sales engineer for Atlas Copco.
"So far, acquiring a degree in electrical /mechanical engineering has been
my biggest academic achievement.
I am a Christian, married to Ngoza
Ndhlovu. We have one daughter, her name is Mubanga and in three
months time she'll be turning two," he says.
He says he decided to join politics at a young age and his interest in
politics was as a result of his father telling stories of the political history
of Zambia when he was growing up.
"I had served as head boy in secondary school as earlier mentioned and it
was easy to join student union politics when I arrived at the Copperbelt
University in 2004.
I became councillor in 2006 at the age of 21 after
serving as president for the students union. By then, I was in my third year
of study.
10 years from now, I am not sure (where I'll be), but hopefully
serving my country in higher public office," he says.
Kang'ombe says being a young politician, he faces many challenges.
"Sometimes I feel those that are older than me have not given me and
other young politicians the required space to grow in politics. Whatever
progress I have made has been out of individual effort with help from
friends and not out of consideration by the elderly," he says.
"I schedule my commitments well in order to be at work during the work
and attending to civic issues over the weekend. I also get time from work
by going on leave when I have a meeting at the council."
He says the right time for a youth to start is as early as possible.
"The interest has to be developed in high school through public speaking
forums. Young people should consider participating in politics because at
the end of the day, the decisions made by the leadership in various offices
affect them directly or indirectly," he says.
Kang'ombe advises youths to reclaim their place in society and much of
this he has articulated in detail in his book 'Students reclaim of a place in
society'.
"I have different role models starting with my father, Francis Kang'ombe.
Politically, I have great respect for Cuban revolutionary leader Fidel
Castro.
My hobbies are watching football and reading political literature
and in my own view, the key to success in politics is honesty and hard
work," he says.
He says he would want to be remembered as a genuine public servant.
It's possible you can also do it! He did it at the age of 21.
For comments:0966 461 943/0950 594/mwenyamuleba@gmail.com
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