Since Zambia gained independence in 1964, the country has had seven official presidents and one acting president. The first president was Kenneth Kaunda, who led until 1991.
After Kaunda, the presidency was held by Frederick Chiluba, Levy Mwanawasa, Rupiah Banda, Michael Sata, Edgar Lungu, and now Hakainde Hichilema.
Guy Scott briefly served as acting president after Sata’s death. Since 1991, Zambia’s president has also been the head of government, as the position of Prime Minister was removed.
The president leads the government, appoints the Cabinet, oversees national policies, and represents Zambia internationally. Hichilema became president on August 24, 2021, after winning the 2021 election.
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List Of Zambian Presidents Since Independence
Name | Took Office | Left Office | Political Party |
|---|---|---|---|
Kenneth Kaunda (1924–2021) | October 24, 1964 | November 2, 1991 | United National Independence Party (UNIP) |
Frederick Chiluba (1943–2011) | November 2, 1991 | January 2, 2002 | Movement for Multi-Party Democracy (MMD) |
Levy Mwanawasa (1948–2008) | January 2, 2002 | August 19, 2008 | Movement for Multi-Party Democracy (MMD) |
Rupiah Banda (1937–2022) | August 19, 2008 | September 23, 2011 | Movement for Multi-Party Democracy (MMD) |
Michael Sata (1937–2014) | September 23, 2011 | October 28, 2014 | Patriotic Front (PF) |
Guy Scott (Acting President) | October 28, 2014 | January 20, 2015 | Patriotic Front (PF) |
Edgar Lungu (born 1956) | January 20, 2015 | August 24, 2021 | Patriotic Front (PF) |
Hakainde Hichilema (born 1962) | August 24, 2021 | Present | United Party for National Development (UPND) |
Who Was The First President Of Zambia?
Kenneth David Kaunda was the first president of Zambia, serving from 1964 to 1991. He was born on April 28, 1924, in Lubwa Mission, near Chinsali in Northern Rhodesia, which is now called Zambia.
After finishing secondary school in the early 1940s, he worked at Lubwa Mission and later in Tanganyika, now known as Tanzania.
He eventually returned to Northern Rhodesia, where he became more involved in politics. Kaunda’s political career began when he joined the Northern Rhodesian African National Congress (ANC) in the late 1940s.
He became a key figure and was appointed Secretary General of the ANC. He strongly opposed British colonial rule, especially the proposed federation of Northern Rhodesia, Southern Rhodesia, and Nyasaland.
His activism against this plan led to his imprisonment in 1959, making him a hero in the eyes of many Zambians. In 1960, Kaunda became the leader of the United National Independence Party (UNIP).
Under his leadership, UNIP gained support, eventually winning the elections that led to Zambia’s independence from British rule on October 24, 1964.
During his time, Kaunda built the nation and improved social services like education and healthcare. However, he faced economic difficulties, when copper prices dropped in the 1970s.
Despite these challenges, he stayed in power by turning Zambia into a one-party state in 1971. Kaunda also supported liberation movements in southern Africa, helping groups that fought against colonialism and apartheid.
In 1991, he allowed multi-party elections, which led to his defeat. Kaunda peacefully stepped down and is remembered as a key figure in Zambia’s history. He passed away on June 17, 2021, at the age of 97.
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Who Was The Fourth President Of Zambia?
Rupiah Bwezani Banda, born on February 13, 1937, in Chipata, Eastern Province, Zambia was the fourth president of Zambia.
He studied at the University of Zambia and later earned a degree in economics from the University of Massachusetts in the United States.
Banda worked as a teacher and held different jobs in the private sector before he became the president. In the 1960s, after Zambia gained independence, he joined the government and served as a diplomat.
He was Zambia’s ambassador to Egypt and later to the United Nations. Banda’s political career began when he joined the United National Independence Party (UNIP) under Kenneth Kaunda.
He served as a member of parliament and held government positions during Kaunda’s presidency. In 2002, he was appointed vice president under President Levy Mwanawasa.
During this time, Banda helps economic development and foreign relations, improving agriculture and rural livelihoods. In 2008, when President Mwanawasa passed away, Banda became acting president.
He later ran for president in the October 2008 elections and won, representing the Movement for Multi-Party Democracy (MMD). Under his leadership, Banda worked on economic growth, agricultural development, and improved healthcare.
He also worked on infrastructure projects, supported farmers, and partnered with international organizations to fight diseases like HIV/AIDS and malaria. Banda also strengthened Zambia’s ties with other countries, especially in Africa.
However, his presidency faced challenges like inflation, food shortages, and criticism over corruption. In the 2011 elections, Banda lost to Michael Sata of the Patriotic Front.
Who Is The Current President Of Zambia?
The current president of Zambia is Hakainde Hichilema, and he has been in office since August 24, 2021, after winning the election with a large margin against the former president, Edgar Lungu.
Many young people supported him because he promised to create jobs and improve the economy. The election had the highest voter turnout in Zambia’s history.
Hakainde Hichilema was born on June 4, 1962, in Monze, Zambia. Despite his modest upbringing, he earned a scholarship to the University of Zambia, where he studied Economics and Business Administration.
Later, he continued his education in the United Kingdom, earning an MBA in Finance and Business Strategy from the University of Birmingham.
Hichilema had a successful career in business. He became the Chief Executive Officer of Coopers Lybrand Zambia in 1994 and later led Grant Thornton Zambia in 1998.
He is one of Zambia’s wealthiest individuals, with investments in areas like ranching, property development, healthcare, and tourism.
His political career began when he joined the United Party for National Development, which he eventually led. Although he lost five presidential elections, he remained determined and finally won in 2021.
Since becoming president, Hichilema has strived to improve Zambia’s economy, provide free education, and strengthen the country’s global partnerships.
He is also working on reducing Zambia’s debt and using the savings for national development. Hichilema is married to Mutinta Hichilema, and they have three children.
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Who Is The Current Vice President Of Zambia?
The current Vice President of Zambia is Mutale Nalumango. She took office on August 24, 2021, and is a member of the United Party for National Development (UPND).
Mutale Nalumango, born on December 12, 1955, serves alongside President Hakainde Hichilema. She attended the University of Zambia and earned a degree in education.
Nalumango worked as a teacher and held administrative roles in the education sector. She later joined the UPND and served as a Member of Parliament for Zambezi East from 2006 to 2011 and again from 2016 until she was appointed vice president.
In 2021, she was chosen as Hakainde Hichilema’s running mate in the general elections. Together, they campaigned to improve Zambia’s economy, promote good governance, and ensure inclusivity in decision-making. Their victory was the end of ten years of rule by the Patriotic Front.
