KELVIN SAMPA: AN ORIGINAL YOUTH LEADER

NOEL IYOMBWA writes

HE is one of the fresh bloods representing people in parliament and he is equally passionate about the well-being of youths in the nation.

His dream is to ensure the youths actively participate in the governance of the country. Meet Kasama Central law maker, Honorable Kelvin Sampa.

GIVE US A BRIEF BACKGROUND ABOUT YOURSELF

My names are Kelvin Sampa. I am the number nine in a family of 11.

I grew up in a humble extended family, guided by Christian values.

As Kelvin Sampa, I am not one person who does not believe in imitating others. I believe in myself and that’s how I was raised as a child. My parents taught me, one needs to co-exist with other people to succeed.

I grew up in Lusaka but I have always visited Kasama because it’s my home town. I have always been a businessman, I started as a helper and from the little I made, I started my own business.

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WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO JOIN POLITICS?

One of the reasons I joined politics, is because it pained me to see young people not well represented and how the young people were simply used and left unappreciated by some politicians during campaigns and elections.

So I said, we cannot have a young generation that is not represented in government, so I looked at ways I can contribute to the development of the country.

I must say I have proved that even young people can do it because I was competing with a political giant but I won the elections though most people thought I will not make it.

Young people can also represent the country. I have given hope to the young generation that we can actually do it.

Way back, it was a challenge for young people to be involved in governance and to contribute to the economy but now, the current President Edgar Lungu, has opened a door for the youths to participate in governance issues. So it’s up to us to prove ourselves.

For me, what I would like to see is a movement of young people who will develop in a positive way by coming together to prove themselves.

But the problem is that youths don’t believe in supporting one another.

Youths complain about this and that not happening when its infact them that don’t believe in moving together and supporting one other.

HOW CHALLENGING IS IT TO BE AN MP?

There is need to sensitise the electorate over the role of Members of Parliament. 

People think that an MP is Father Christmas who carries money everywhere, and once you don’t give them, they will label you names.

Who don’t give money? We just ignore but at the end of the day you need development.

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WHAT HAVE BEEN SOME OF YOUR ACHEIVEMENTS SO FAR?

I have brought the first ever boarding school, catering for day and boarding pupils in the outskirts of Kasama, some health post in places where people faced challenges in accessing health services.

I have also brought power through the Rural Electrification Authority.

The district will have a livestock college and laboratory to diagnose animal diseases, something which has never happened before.

WHAT ARE YOUR FUTURE POLITICAL ASPIRATIONS?

Where ever God takes me, I will go so for now, I cannot say this is my destiny because I always put everything in the hands of God.