Ben Kangwa

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Ben Kangwa (1955 - 17 October 2018) was a Zambian media strategist, political analyst, journalist and broadcaster. He was former ZNBC Director of Programs and former Deputy Ambassador at Zambian Mission in Washington.[1]

Early life and education

Kangwa earned his Master’s Degree in Journalism and Culture from Cardiff University in Wales. He was buried at his farm in Makeni with hundreds of people in attendance.[2]

Career

As media strategist and political analyst, Kangwa had full electronic and print media career, having worked in both radio and television at the Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC) for a period spanning 25 years and rising to the position of Director of Programs. He was responsible for the running of Radio, Television, News, the core business of broadcasting.

With over 10,000 hours of broadcasting to his credit, Kangwa was the only known journalist at some point in Zambia who had produced and presented a business program called ‘Business Review’ for 12 consecutive years.

Political and policy analysis

He was also credited for having produced and presented ‘one-on-one’ 90 minute political interviews with each of the eleven Presidential candidates in the Zambia 2001 tripartite elections on ZNBC.

Additionally, in collaboration with the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ), the European Union (EU), the Freedom Forum of the USA and the Zambia Institute of Mass Communication (ZAMCOM), Kangwa produced and presented a “live” debate style 90 minute TV program featuring 10 of the 11 presidential candidates at the same time at the Mulungushi International Conference Center (MICC) during the 2001 elections.

In 2006 Presidential elections, Kangwa yet again interviewed five Presidential candidates: Levy MwanawasaMovement for Multi Party Democracy (MMD), Michael SataPatriotic Front (PF), Hakainde HichilemaUnited Democratic Alliance (UDA), Godfrey MiyandaHeritage Party (HP), and Winwright N’gondoAll People’s Congress (APC)

Kangwa also produced and presented live programs for both radio and television on the National Constitution sponsored by the Willa Mu’ngomba Constitution Review Commission where he sat on the Publicity Committee.

In collaboration with the Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA), Zambia Chapter, he also produced and presented a live phone-in program on Media Reforms on both radio and television for a stretch of four years running.

Others

Kangwa served on several professional Boards such as the Evelyn Hone College School of Journalism Department Advisory Committee, the Zambia Business Coalition on HIV/AIDS, the Yatsani Catholic Radio Station, Zambezi FM in Livingstone, the Salvation Army and the Keep Lusaka Clean Campaign Committee.

Death

Kangwa died on Wednesday October 17, 2018 at the University Teaching Hospital (UTH). He died of kidney failure at the age of 63.[3]

Awards and honours

  • In 1996, the Press Association of Zambia (PAZA) presented him with the ‘Best Financial Journalist Award’ of the year.
  • In September, 2010, he was recognized by the Cambridge “Who’s Who’ for demonstrating dedication, leadership and excellence in his career.

References

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