Congratulations to Speaker Nelly Mutti
Dear Editor,
I ALSO wish to congratulate Ms Nelly Kashumba Mutti on being elected as Speaker of the National Assembly. She went unopposed last Friday to become the first female Speaker.
Ms. Mutti is a qualified and seasoned lawyer with many years of experience spanning decades to her credit. She graduated from the University of Zambia with a Bachelor of Law degree.
She takes over from Dr. Patrick Matibini another prominent lawyer. Dr. Matibini had been at the helm as Speaker of the National Assembly from 2011 to 2021.
Ms Mutti will be deputised by Ms. Attractor Chisangano, the former United Party for National Development Gwembe Member of Parliament and Mr. Frank Moses Moyo, the Luangeni Member of Parliament as the first Deputy Speaker and second Deputy Speaker respectively.
Ms. Mutti is a partner of Lukona Chambers of Lusaka. As a human rights lawyer, Ms. Mutti has presided over the treason charges against the late first republican President Dr. Kenneth David Kaunda and the parentage case involving the late second republican President Frederick Titus Jacob Chiluba, among other cases.
Ms Mutti’s election as the Speaker of the National Assembly has elated many stakeholders such as the Non Governmental Organisation Coordinating Council Zambia National Women Lobby Group, the Law Association of Zambia to mention but a few.
However, President Hakainde Hichilema’s choice of Ms Mutti to vie for the position of Speaker of the National Assembly is welcome as the decision is aimed at promoting gender parity to positions of responsibility. Ultimately, this will inspire women to aspire for public office.
Some of the notable positions Ms Mutti held are vice president of the Law Association of Zambia (LAZ) and chairperson of the Anti Corruption Commission (ACC), among others.
I believe Ms Mutti will be equal to the task as Speaker of the National Assembly. She will deliver to people’s expectations because of her vast experience in the legal profession. If this is not enough, Ms Mutti has greatly contributed to the legal landscape of our country.
ELEMIYA PHIRI,
Author
