Vernon Mwaanga

Vernon Mwaanga
Portrait of Vernon Mwaanga, ZANIS
Office
Term start
Term end
Predecessor
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Nationality	Zambian
Political party	United National Independence Party (UNIP), later Movement for Multi-Party Democracy (MMD)
Residence
Occupation	Diplomat, Politician, Author

Vernon Johnson Mwaanga (born 25 June 1944) is a Zambian veteran diplomat, politician and author. He played a key role in Zambia’s post-independence foreign policy and was instrumental in shaping the country’s media and international relations.

Early life and education

Mwaanga was born in Choma District in 1944. He studied political science and international relations abroad, including at universities in the United States and the United Kingdom.

Diplomatic career

At just 21, Vernon Mwaanga became one of the youngest ambassadors in the world when he was appointed Zambia's first Ambassador to the Soviet Union in 1965. He later served as Zambia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations and was also posted to Western Europe.

Ministerial roles

Mwaanga served multiple times as Zambia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, first under President Kenneth Kaunda and later under President Frederick Chiluba. He was also Minister of Information and Broadcasting Services, where he influenced national media policy and development.

Multi-party democracy

Mwaanga was a founding member of the Movement for Multi-Party Democracy (MMD), which challenged and defeated UNIP in the historic 1991 general election. He remained a key adviser and minister in the Chiluba administration during the 1990s.

Controversies

Mwaanga was named in various political controversies, including alleged interference in media independence and questions about electoral integrity. Despite these, he remained a respected elder statesman and voice in Zambian politics.

Writing and commentary

Vernon Mwaanga is also known for his memoirs and political writings. His most well-known book, An Extraordinary Life, provides an insider's account of Zambia’s foreign policy and political developments over several decades.

Books

• An Extraordinary Life, Multimedia Publications, 1982. No ISBN
• The Other Society: A Detainee’s Diary, Fleetfoot Pub. Co., c1986. No ISBN
• The Long Sunset: My Reflections, Fleetfoot Pub. Co., 2008. ISBN 9982-8510-0-4

See also

• Kenneth Kaunda
• Frederick Chiluba
• Movement for Multi-Party Democracy

References

• Lusaka Times – Mwaanga on Zambian media
• Zambian Observer – Mwaanga comments on elections
• African Library Project
• Mwaanga, V. (2003). 'An Extraordinary Life'. Bookworld Publishers, Lusaka.