Edith Nawakwi
Edith Nawakwi | |
|---|---|
| Minister of Finance | |
| In office 1998 – 1999 | |
| President | Frederick Chiluba |
| Preceded by | Ronald Penza |
| Succeeded by | Katele Kalumba |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Edith Zewelani Nawakwi 24 June 1959 Mwenzo, Northern Province, Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland |
| Died | 7 April 2025 (aged 65) |
| Nationality | Zambian |
| Political party | Forum for Democracy and Development |
| Spouse | Geofrey Hambulo |
| Children | 3 |
| Alma mater | |
| Occupation |
|
| Profession | Economist |
Edith Zewelani Nawakwi (24 June 1959 – 7 April 2025) was a Zambian politician and economist by profession. She was the first woman in Zambia to hold the post of Minister of Finance following her appointment in 1998 since Zambia's independence 33 years previously to that time. She was also the first woman to hold that post in the SADC region. She was the President of the Forum for Democracy and Development under which she ran for president at the 2016 general election.[1]
Early life and education
Nawakwi was born in Mwenzo, now in Northern Province of Zambia. She held a degree in Agriculture Economics and Business Management from the University of Zambia and a post-graduate diploma in Economics of Energy and Development from Imperial College London, London.[2]
Career
Nawakwi's political career saw her join the Movement for Multi-Party Democracy (MMD) in 1990. She held various political positions including Minister of State for Energy & Water Development, Minister of Energy & Water Development, Minister of Agriculture, Food & Fisheries, Minister of Finance and Minister of Labour & Social Security between 1992 and 2001.[3]
In 2001, she and some ex-members of the Movement for Multi-Party Democracy formed the Forum for Democracy and Development where she served as the party's secretary-general and vice-president before she was elected party president in 2005, making her the first woman in Zambia to achieve such a feat.[4] In 2011, under the platform of the Forum for Democracy and Development, she was the only woman who contested the 2011 general election, placing seventh on the log with a total of 6,833 votes.[5][6][7] She also contested the 2015 presidential election, placing third with a vote percentage of 0.92%.[8] In 2016, she ran for the presidency at the 2016 general election where she placed third, receiving a total of 24,149 votes.[9][10]
Personal life and death
Nawakwi was married to Geofrey Hambulo, a former Citi Bank banker and entrepreneur, with whom she had three children.[11] In January 2013, one of her daughters, Hatamba Hambulo was murdered. Her dumped body was found in a manhole in Ibex Hill with her hands and legs tied.[12]
Nawakwi died after a long illness in South Africa, on 7 April 2025, at the age of 65.[13] Her husband, Hambulo, predeceased her on 5 December 2021.[14]
References
- ^ Michael Chawe (22 July 2016). "Meet Zambia's sole woman presidential contender". Africa Review. Lusaka, Zambia. Archived from the original on 27 August 2016. Retrieved 29 August 2016.
- ^ Eric Gondwe. "Edith Nawakwi". zambian.com. Retrieved 30 August 2016.
- ^ David Kapoma (9 February 2016). "The positive side of your candidates – Edith Nawakwi". Zambian Eye. Archived from the original on 11 September 2016. Retrieved 30 August 2016.
- ^ Hildah Lumba (23 January 2015). "Why women leaders perform badly in presidential elections". Times of Zambia. Lusaka Voice. Retrieved 30 August 2016.
- ^ "Edith Nawakwi – Set to be the country's first female President". News Time Africa. 20 September 2011. Retrieved 30 August 2016.
- ^ Paul Monde Shalala (20 January 2015). "FACTSHEET: Zambia's presidential candidates and their promises". Africa Check. Retrieved 30 August 2016.
- ^ "2011 presidential election results" (PDF). Electoral Commission of Zambia. 28 September 2011. Archived from the original (PDF) on 9 August 2014. Retrieved 30 August 2016.
- ^ "2015 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION: National Totals / NAWAKWI, Edith Z NAWAKWI, EDITH Z". Electoral Commission of Zambia. Archived from the original on 23 September 2016. Retrieved 30 August 2016.
- ^ "2016 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION: National Totals / NAWAKWI, Edith Z NAWAKWI, EDITH Z". Electoral Commission of Zambia. Archived from the original on 23 September 2016. Retrieved 30 August 2016.
- ^ Kizito Sikuka (15 August 2016). "Edgar Lungu re-elected Zambian president". Southern African Research and Documentation Centre. Southern African News Features. Retrieved 30 August 2016.
- ^ Malupenga, Amos (8 May 2005). "Zambia: I'm Happily Married - Nawakwi". The Post. allAfrica. Retrieved 30 August 2016.
- ^ "Nawakwi's daughter murdered". Zambian Watchdog. 9 January 2013. Retrieved 30 August 2016.
- ^ "President Hichilema Mourns Edith Nawakwi, Puts Humanity Before Politics". Lusaka Times. 7 April 2025. Retrieved 7 April 2025.
- ^ "Husband To Edith Nawakwi Has Died". Zambian Observer. 6 December 2021. Retrieved 8 April 2025.