Alexander Grey Zulu
| Alexander Grey Zulu | |
|---|---|
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| Office | |
| Term start | |
| Term end | |
| Predecessor | |
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| Nationality | Zambian |
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| Occupation | Politician |
Alexander Grey Zulu (3 October 1924 – 16 August 2020) was a Zambian politician who served as the Secretary General of the United National Independence Party (UNIP), the ruling party during the one-party era under President Kenneth Kaunda[1]. He was a key figure in Zambia’s liberation movement and post-independence politics.
Early life
Zulu was born in Chipata District in the Eastern Province of what was then Northern Rhodesia[2]. He trained as a teacher and became active in nationalist politics in the 1950s[3]. He was subsequently educated at Munali Secondary School in Lusaka.
Political career
Zulu joined the African National Congress (ANC) and later became a founding member of the Zambia African National Congress (ZANC). He subsequently helped establish the United National Independence Party (UNIP) in 1960[4].
Zulu was one of the 75 members of the National Assembly from 1964 until 1968 who constituted first Cabinet of Zambia elected in January 1964.
He was appointed Minister of Commerce and Industry 1964; Minister of Transport and Works 1964; Minister of Mines and Cooperatives 1965-67; Minister of Home Affairs 1967-70; Minister of Defence 1970-73; Secretary General of the Party (equivalent to vice president) 1973-78; Secretary of State for Defense and Security 1979-85; Secretary General 1986-1991.[5]. He was appointed Secretary General of UNIP in the late 1970s and was a close ally of President Kaunda during the one-party era[6].
Personal life
In 1959, Zulu, who was then manager at Kabwe Co-operative Society, met Mary, a school teacher. The two married in 1960 and together they have four sons and four daughters.[7]
Books
Later life and death
Zulu retired from active politics in the early 1990s after UNIP lost power to the Movement for Multi-Party Democracy (MMD). He remained a respected elder statesman and occasionally commented on national issues[8].
He died on 16 August 2020 at the age of 98 in Lusaka[9].
Legacy
Grey Zulu is remembered for his contributions to Zambia’s independence struggle and the consolidation of the post-colonial state[10].
See also
References
- ↑ Times of Zambia, 17 August 2023, p. 1
- ↑ The Post, 4 October 1999, “Grey Zulu turns 75”
- ↑ Mulenga, C., Zambian Political Figures, 1992
- ↑ Phiri, B.J., A Political History of Zambia, 2006
- ↑ Zambia Daily Mail, 22 June 1973
- ↑ Kaunda, K., Zambia Shall Be Free, 1980 edition
- ↑ True love endures, tolerates all odds Zambia Daily Mail, 5 October 2014
- ↑ Times of Zambia, 12 July 2005
- ↑ ZNBC News, 16 August 2020
- ↑ Phiri, B.J., A Political History of Zambia, 2006
