Nalumino Mundia

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Nalumino Mundia
Nalumino Mundia speaking at a lectern, LA, USA in 1986. Photo by Guy Crowder
Born21 November 1927
DiedNovember 7, 1988(1988-11-07) (aged 60)
OccupationPolitician, Diplomat
Known for4th Prime Minister

Nalumino Mundia (21 November 1927 – 7 November 1988) was a Zambian politician and freedom fighter who served as the first Minister of Commerce & Industry from 1964 and later became the 4th Prime Minister of the country from 18 February 1981 to 24 April 1985. He went on to serve as Zambia's ambassador to the United States, Brazil, Peru and Venezuela.

Early life and education

Mundia was born on 21 November 1927 in Kalabo, Western Zambia. He studied at the University of Delhi in India and later in the United States of America.

Career

Mundia started his career as a teacher in Namibia and Zimbabwe. He later joined politics becoming a founding member of Kenneth Kaunda's United National Independence Party (UNIP), under which he held the position of deputy national treasurer.

First Cabinet: Mundia (third in third row from left) with Kenneth Kaunda's UNIP.

When Zambia got independent in 1964, UNIP formed government and Mundia became Zambia's first Minister of Commerce & Industry in Zambia's first cabinet under the leadership of President Kenneth Kaunda.

Resignation and arrest

Mundia opposed some of Kaunda's policies and resigned from his ministerial position and the UNIP party in 1967. He went on to form his own political party, the United Party (UP). In May 1968 he held a rally in Lusaka's Matero township announcing his intention to contest in the 1968 general elections and drum up support for his party. Police raided the rally and Mundia was detained along with other party officials including Adamson Mushala (who later led his own rebellion against the Kaunda regime), Dickson Chikulo Henry Ndhlovu and Julius Namakando. This was amidst growing tensions between his party and Kaunda's UNIP.

Prime Minister

When he was release from jail, Zambia had become a one-party state, which was declared in February 1972. This essentially abolished all other political parties and unauthorised group gatherings and made Kaunda's UNIP the sole party. Munidia was appointed Prime Minister of the country replacing Daniel Lisulo. He served in this position from 18 February 1981 to 24 April 1985.

Death

Nalumino Mundia's resting place. Photo by Ned Chivube

On 7 November 1988 Mundia collapsed at a diplomatic function and subsequently died of a heart attack in Bollivia. He was survived by his wife and six children. He was 60.[1]

Books

References


Political offices
Preceded by
Daniel Lisulo
Prime Minister of Zambia
1981–1985
Succeeded by
Kebby Musokotwane