By TROY MUKUPA
In Zambia, where youths comprise the largest demographic and voting bloc, their influence on politics has become increasingly significant. As “King Makers,” youth movements have proven pivotal in shaping electoral outcomes, not only in Zambia but across Africa. As the 2026 elections approach, the 2024-2025 period has seen a surge in young leaders expressing interest in political leadership. Amidst this backdrop, Proculious Mwape, Founder and President of Light of Zambia (LOZ), has emerged as a notable figure, spearheading a movement that seeks to bring about change and garnering attention for its bold vision.
In an exclusive interview with Daily Nation Lifestyle, Mwape shared his vision for a new philosophy of governance in Zambia. The Ubuntu Model of Governance, as he calls it, aims to revolutionize the way Zambia is governed, prioritizing direct democracy, state-owned enterprises, and capacity building.
According to Mwape, the current system of governance in Zambia is flawed, and the country needs a new approach that responds to its leadership and economic needs. “The core objective of the Light of Zambia project is to introduce a new philosophy of governance in Zambia called Ubuntu Model of Governance,” Mwape said. “I have observed that even if every ward was to be made a constituency, Zambia shall remain held in this quagmire of poverty.”
One of the key features of the Ubuntu Model is direct democracy at the chiefdom level. Citizens will elect their Prime Minister, who will then form a cabinet to run the affairs of the chiefdom. This approach, Mwape believes, will bring efficiency and effectiveness in projects and programs implementation. “Citizens of a chiefdom will elect their Prime Minister, who will then form a cabinet to run the affairs of the chiefdom,” Mwape explained. “This will bring efficiency and effectiveness in projects and programs implementation for citizens will have direct access to their leaders at chiefdom level to propose projects and have them done without having anyone to lobby for them.”
Mwape also critiqued the current democratic system, arguing that it promotes liberalization of the economy and free market economy, which can lead to foreign capital dominance and profit externalization. “Democracy promotes liberalization of the economy free market economy,” he said. “The underlying principle of this ideology is that government should not have any direct connection to its economy as it in most cases turns out that the economy of a democratic nation depends upon foreign capital whose profits are externalized.”
Another key aspect of the Ubuntu Model is natural resource nationalization. The government would create parastatal companies like ZCCM-IH to obtain majority shares in all mining companies, promoting high-level profit realization and transparency. “The government would create some parastatal companies Like ZCCM-IH and obtain majority shares in all mining companies,” Mwape said. “This would put our people in charge of all operations in the mining industry, thereby achieving high-level profit realization and transparency.”
Mwape is passionate about his vision for Zambia and invites others to join the Light of Zambia movement. “We are ‘Bantu’ people, and as such we have to use a system of governance that relates well with us,” he said. “Don’t waste your time, become part of this realistic and futuristic movement. Come, join the Light of Zambia movement today so that together we can uplift the economy of our country. And as we say as our movement motto, ‘Let there be Light’.”
As the Light of Zambia movement gains momentum, Zambians will be watching closely to see how this new vision for governance will shape the country’s future.