Famous Zambian People

Kenneth Kaunda is a Zambian former politician. He served as the first president of Zambia from 1964 to 1991. A major figure in Zambia’s struggle for independence from British rule, he became the first president of independent Zambia. As the president, he implemented many educational and economic reforms to accelerate the rate of modernization in the country.

Former Zambian president Rupiah Banda is known for his efforts to reduce corruption. Born in Southern Rhodesia, present-day Zimbabwe, he was sponsored by a preacher and later studied at the Rusangu University in Zambia. He made headlines when he married his second wife, who was 30 years his junior.

Frederick Chiluba was a Zambian politician best remembered for his service as the President of Zambia from 2 November 1991 to 2 January 2002. After leaving office, he became the subject of an arduous investigation regarding alleged corruption. He even went on trial and was acquitted in 2009.

Inonge Wina is a Zambian politician who became the highest ranking woman in Zambian history in 2015 when she was elected to serve as the Vice President of Zambia, a position which she held until 2021. An important politician, Wina has also served as the Minister of Gender and Child Development and as the Minister of Chiefs and Traditional Affairs.

Michael Sata was a Zambian politician best remembered for his service as the fifth President of Zambia from 2011 until his death in 2014. He also served as the leader of a major political party called the Patriotic Front (PF). A social democrat, Michael Sata was praised for his strong values and admirable abilities as a politician. 

Victoria Kalima was a Zambian politician best remembered for her service as the Minister of Gender from 6 October 2016 until her death on 11 June 2018. During her political career, Victoria Kalima spoke against social evils such as child marriages and was an activist against gender inequality.

Nkandu Luo is a Zambian politician and microbiologist. She is best known for her extensive research into HIV/AIDS at the University Teaching Hospital, where she was the former Head of Pathology and Microbiology. An important politician, Luo has held various ministerial offices, including the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries, Ministry of Higher Education, and Ministry of Gender and Child Development.

Mainza Chona was a Zambian diplomat and politician. He is remembered for his service as the Vice-President of Zambia from October 1970 to August 1973. Mainza Chona also served as the first Prime Minister of Zambia from 25 August 1973 to 27 May 1975. He then served as the prime minister again from 20 July 1977 to 15 June 1978. 

Thandiwe Banda is a Zambian educator and political science teacher. She is also known as the widow of former President of Zambia, Rupiah Banda, as she served as Zambia's first lady during Rupiah Banda's presidential term from 19 August 2008 to 23 September 2011. Thandiwe Banda was the youngest First Lady in the history of Zambia. 

Charlotte Harland Scott is a British-born Zambian social development and economic specialist. She is best known for her service as the Acting First Lady of Zambia from 2014 to 2015, during which her husband Guy Scott served as the interim president of Zambia.

Margaret Mwanakatwe is a Zambian politician best known for her service as the Minister of Finance from February 2018 to July 2019. Prior to holding the office of the finance ministry, Mwanakatwe served as the Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry from 2015 to 2018. Previously, Margaret Mwanakatwe worked as a bank executive and accountant. 

Christine Kaseba is a Zambian surgeon, physician, and politician. She is perhaps best known for her service as the First Lady of Zambia from 23 September 2011 until her husband President Michael Sata's demise on October 28, 2014. Christine Kaseba is currently serving as Zambian Ambassador to France. As a physician, she specializes in gynecology and obstetrics.

Sylvia Masebo is a Zambian politician and entrepreneur. She is best known for her service as the Minister of Health from 2005 to 2006. She first came into prominence in the 1990s when she served as the Deputy Mayor of Lusaka. In 2021, Sylvia Masebo was appointed as the Minister of Health, marking her second term in the office.

Esther Lungu is a Zambian public figure best known for her service as the First Lady of Zambia from 2015 to 2021. During her tenure as Zambia's First Lady, Lungu focused on campaigns against child marriage. Esther Lungu is currently serving as the chairman of the Esther Lungu Foundation, which aims at empowering Zambian women and children.

Brenda Muntemba was a Zambian diplomat who was involved in a fatal accident in 2019 when she was serving as the Zambian High Commissioner to Kenya. A multi-talented personality, she also worked as a teacher at Leopards Hill High School between 1993 and 1995. Brenda Muntemba also authored four motivational books before passing away at the age of 48.

Vera Tembo is a Zambian politician best known for her service as the First Lady of Zambia from 1991 to 2001. Her separation and eventual divorce from Frederick Chiluba attracted a lot of attention, an experience which she later termed as humiliating. Vera Tembo made a comeback in 2006 when she was elected to the National Assembly from Kasenengwa constituency.

Edith Nawakwi is a Zambian politician and economist. In 1998, she became the first woman to serve as the Minister of Finance in Zambia. In 2005, Edith Nawakwi also became the first Zambian woman to serve as party president when she was elected as the president of the Forum for Democracy and Development.              

Tilka Paljk is a Slovenian-born Zambian swimmer who earned a silver medal at the 2018 African Championships in Algiers and a bronze medal at the 2019 African Games in Casablanca. In 2018 and 2019, Tilka Paljk was named Zambia Sportswoman of the Year. In 2021, she was mentioned in Forbes magazine's Forbes Africa 30 under 30 list.