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{
    "id": 661933,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/661933/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 316,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. (Dr.) Zani",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13119,
        "legal_name": "Agnes Zani",
        "slug": "agnes-zani"
    },
    "content": "Madam Temporary Speaker, sadly, as has been said, this is a Bill that originated from the Senate and it is now coming from the National Assembly in more or less the same form. However, these issues need to be sorted out. It is an important Bill because it removes our ego and helps us to remember where we fit in. The Bible says that when you go somewhere, you should sit behind so that you can be told to go sit in front. Other times you could be sitting in front and you are told to go and sit at the back because you are not ‘honorable.’ That can be very embarrassing. As it has been said, I think we all like titles. People like to give themselves all manner of titles, for example, doctor or professor. Some prefer to be referred to as a minister, reverend, doctor; all the titles together. One really wonders whether it is that important. Some people ask about titles and what they prefer. At the end of day, it is important to have the right reference. We are in a new dispensation and Constitution. This is something that needed to be made clear because different office holders give themselves different titles. I am not sure whether after this Bill is passed and assented to, it will be easy to remove those titles that have stuck from right at the beginning. Maybe this Bill should have come earlier so that we identify specific positions and titles. A title, especially politically, gives the order of seniority and hierarchy. That is what politics is all about. That is why people prefer to speak last, so that they feel authoritative and answer everybody who cannot answer them back; they are the ones with the last word. The Bill is very clear in the objects and purposes, to maintain public order and decorum. We have seen ugly scenes of lack of decorum. We have seen people snatching microphones from one another, saying that they be the ones who deserve to address the audience. This needs need to be sorted out. Titles also create a culture of respect, order, discipline and form of doing things. When it is stipulated like this, nobody will ask specific questions. As has been said, it is also important in guiding the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) in determining the specific scales which will be critical. The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposes only. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor, Senate"
}