By Daily Revelation Editor
The nation is right now mourning the demise of a huge political figure, FDD leader Edith Nawakwi, following her demise in South Africa, where she had been evacuated a few days prior.
Nawakwi had been undergoing medical treatment for a long time, both here in Zambia as well as abroad, mainly India.
During the same period, Nawakwi was also inundated with several court cases mainly emanating from her fearless political activism that defined her long career in public office and in politics.
Regardless, whatever views you may have about her, both when she was alive and in her demise, Nawakwi will always be defined by her fearlessness to stand up to power and speak her mind.
Her political journey is a compelling narrative in the landscape of Zambian politics.
Born in1959, Nawakwi worked as a civil servant in the administration of late founding president Dr Kenneth Kaunda, but disoriented with the one party system, she joined forces with other like-minded Zambians in the early 1990s to push for the reintroduction of multiparty politics in the country.
Nawakwi distinguished herself as an emerging leader in a predominantly male-dominated political sphere, where the new political winds in the country ushered her with the MMD into power following the landmark 1991 general elections.
Soon after she earned herself a ministerial appointment under the new government of Frederick Chiluba, going on to hold several ministerial positions, including minister of Community Development, minister of Energy, minister of Agriculture, minister of Labour and finally the top-most position of minister of Finance, and by so doing became the first woman to hold that position in the history of Zambia.
As minister of Finance she went on to implement several economic reforms, including the privatisation programme, a programme which seemed to have started the unsteady relationship she had with Hakainde Hichilema and his business partners Valentine Chitalu and Munakupya Hantuba.
But soon afterwards, Nawakwi could not continue in her ministerial position when she and several other ministers in the Chiluba administration fearlessly opposed his moves to seek a third term of office. That fearless move by Nawakwi and the others resulted in them not only losing the ministerial positions but also earned themselves expulsion from the MMD, leading her to join hands with others in the formation of Forum for Development and Democracy (FDD), while the others formed other political parties.
Throughout her career, Nawakwi demonstrated resilience and a commitment to social issues, advocating for the rights and empowerment of women and the marginalized. As leader of FDD she attempted to challenge the political status quo, and offered alternatives to the Zambian electorate, especially on issues of development and governance.
Despite facing numerous challenges, including political rivalry, the struggle for party relevance, and the complexities of Zambian politics – Nawakwi remained a prominent figure in the fight for democratic ideals and governance.
Nawakwi’s political journey is one marked by both milestones and obstacles, embodying the many struggles Zambians go through. Her legacy should inspire future generations of leaders, especially women who aspire to break through the barriers in political participation and governance. Nawakwi crafted her own legacy in the fearless manner she went about conducting her affairs as a leader.
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By Daily Revelation Editor
The nation is right now mourning the demise of a huge political figure, FDD leader Edith Nawakwi, following her demise in South Africa, where she had been evacuated a few days prior.
Nawakwi had been undergoing medical treatment for a long time, both here in Zambia as well as abroad, mainly India.
During the same period, Nawakwi was also inundated with several court cases mainly emanating from her fearless political activism that defined her long career in public office and in politics.
Regardless, whatever views you may have about her, both when she was alive and in her demise, Nawakwi will always be defined by her fearlessness to stand up to power and speak her mind.
Her political journey is a compelling narrative in the landscape of Zambian politics.
Born in1959, Nawakwi worked as a civil servant in the administration of late founding president Dr Kenneth Kaunda, but disoriented with the one party system, she joined forces with other like-minded Zambians in the early 1990s to push for the reintroduction of multiparty politics in the country.
Nawakwi distinguished herself as an emerging leader in a predominantly male-dominated political sphere, where the new political winds in the country ushered her with the MMD into power following the landmark 1991 general elections.
Soon after she earned herself a ministerial appointment under the new government of Frederick Chiluba, going on to hold several ministerial positions, including minister of Community Development, minister of Energy, minister of Agriculture, minister of Labour and finally the top-most position of minister of Finance, and by so doing became the first woman to hold that position in the history of Zambia.
As minister of Finance she went on to implement several economic reforms, including the privatisation programme, a programme which seemed to have started the unsteady relationship she had with Hakainde Hichilema and his business partners Valentine Chitalu and Munakupya Hantuba.
But soon afterwards, Nawakwi could not continue in her ministerial position when she and several other ministers in the Chiluba administration fearlessly opposed his moves to seek a third term of office. That fearless move by Nawakwi and the others resulted in them not only losing the ministerial positions but also earned themselves expulsion from the MMD, leading her to join hands with others in the formation of Forum for Development and Democracy (FDD), while the others formed other political parties.
Throughout her career, Nawakwi demonstrated resilience and a commitment to social issues, advocating for the rights and empowerment of women and the marginalized. As leader of FDD she attempted to challenge the political status quo, and offered alternatives to the Zambian electorate, especially on issues of development and governance.
Despite facing numerous challenges, including political rivalry, the struggle for party relevance, and the complexities of Zambian politics – Nawakwi remained a prominent figure in the fight for democratic ideals and governance.
Nawakwi’s political journey is one marked by both milestones and obstacles, embodying the many struggles Zambians go through. Her legacy should inspire future generations of leaders, especially women who aspire to break through the barriers in political participation and governance. Nawakwi crafted her own legacy in the fearless manner she went about conducting her affairs as a leader.
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