Arthur Wina
| Arthur Wina | |
|---|---|
| |
| Arthur Wina in the United States of America in 1960. | |
| Office | |
| Term start | |
| Term end | |
| Predecessor | |
| Successor | |
| Nationality | Zambian |
| Political party | United National Independence Party |
| Residence | |
| Occupation | Politician, independence activist |
Arthur Nutuluti Lubinda Wina (21 July 1929 – 3 September 1995) was a Zambian independence activist, educator and politician. He served as Zambia’s first post-independence Minister of Finance from 1964 to 1967 and played a prominent role in the early development of the country’s political and economic systems.
Early life and education
Arthur Wina was born on 21 July 1929 in Barotseland, Northern Rhodesia. He received his early education at mission schools and pursued further studies in Southern Rhodesia and South Africa, where he became involved in anti-colonial movements.
In 1960, he travelled to the United States where he served as the Secretary and Chief Representative of the United National Independence Party (UNIP). At the time, he was also studying for a Master of Education (M.Ed.) degree at the University of California.[1]
Political career
Wina returned to Northern Rhodesia in 1962 and was appointed Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Finance in the UNIP–ANC coalition government. Following independence in October 1964, he became Zambia’s first Minister of Finance at the age of 35.[2]
As Finance Minister, he helped lay the foundation of Zambia’s post-colonial economic structure, overseeing the early nationalisation programme and institutional development. He later served in other key cabinet portfolios, including Local Government and Housing and Information.
Known for his integrity and independent thinking, Wina eventually distanced himself from the ruling establishment and became an early advocate for the restoration of multi-party democracy in the early 1990s.[3]
Personal life
Arthur Wina was married to Inonge Wina, who later became the first female Vice President of Zambia, serving from 2015 to 2021. The couple was active in both political and community development efforts.[4]
Death
He died on 3 September 1995 in Lusaka, aged 66. He was widely mourned as one of Zambia’s founding political figures.[5]
Legacy
Arthur Wina is remembered as a principled statesman and a key architect of Zambia’s independence-era political and financial institutions. In honour of his contributions, a public school named Arthur Wina Primary School was established in Chilenje, a residential area in Lusaka.[6]
See also
- Inonge Wina
- Kenneth Kaunda
- United National Independence Party
- Finance Ministers of Zambia
- History of Zambia
References
- ↑ Arthur Wina, UNIP Representative in U.S., 1960. Zambian Archives.
- ↑ Post-Independence Cabinet Appointments, Zambia Daily Mail, October 1964.
- ↑ Jotham Momba, Politics of Development in Zambia, Institute for African Studies, 2002.
- ↑ Profile of Inonge Wina, National Assembly of Zambia, 2015.
- ↑ Former Finance Minister Arthur Wina dies, Zambia Daily Post, 4 September 1995.
- ↑ Arthur Wina Primary School Listing, Zambia Ministry of Education Directory, 2023.
