Teacher walks 224 km from Pemba and hands petition to Speaker

Kazelausha Chabota, a 26-year-old teacher from Jompa Village in Pemba District, has handed a petition to National Assembly Speaker Nelly Mutti after walking 224 kilometres toward Lusaka. Mr Chabota set off from Pemba at 09:00 on 9 October, after talks with local authorities and community leaders about his safety, aiming to cover about 300 kilometres to Parliament. His aim was to promote the Grow Zambia Agenda, encourage young people to take part in national development, and carry his community's concerns to Parliament. The walk On the first day he covered about 26 kilometres to Monze. From there he headed toward Mazabuka and spent the night at Kiyuni Katantano. He said the hardest stretch was toward Nega Nega, where there were few houses or shops. After resting at Nansenga, he continued with a friend, and in Kafue he met business people, marketeers and residents. He reached the Mundaunga entrance in Chilanga at about 21:00, where people were waiting to welcome him. He set off again on Tuesday morning, but his legs gave out at Kajima Roundabout on the outskirts of Lusaka, and supporters arranged help for him from there. He said he thought about giving up, but kept going because "their voices will die with me." At Parliament On Thursday morning, wearing a blue suit and carrying his petition in a khaki envelope, Mr Chabota was escorted to Parliament by Pemba Member of Parliament Obey Habeenzu. Speaker Mutti praised his determination, called the walk an example of civic responsibility, and said the country's future depends partly on young people taking part. She assured him the petition would be dealt with accordingly. The Clerk of the National Assembly also recognised his effort. Mr Chabota thanked the Speaker and welcomed Parliament's passing of Bill 7, which allows young people to be nominated to Parliament. Why it matters Mr Chabota's message was aimed at the gap between official reports and daily life. "Many times, we just have good reports in offices, and wha