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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.<ref>[https://www.lusakatimes.com/2018/10/18/veteran-broadcaster-ben-kangwa-has-died/ Veteran Broadcaster Ben Kangwa has died], [[Lusaka Times]], 18 October 2018</ref>
{{Infobox person
| name        = Ben Kangwa
| image        = <!-- Add image file if available -->
| caption      =
| birth_date  = 1955
| birth_place  = Zambia
| death_date  = 18 October 2018
| death_place  = Lusaka, Zambia
| occupation  = Broadcaster, journalist, media strategist, diplomat
| years_active = c. 1983–2018
}}


==Early life and education==
'''Ben Kangwa''' (1955 – 18 October 2018) was a renowned [[Zambia]]n [[broadcaster]], [[journalist]], media strategist and [[diplomat]]. He worked at the [[Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation]] (ZNBC) for 25 years, rising to the position of Director of Programs, and later served as Deputy Ambassador at the Zambian Mission in Washington, D.C.<ref>[https://www.lusakatimes.com/2018/10/18/veteran-broadcaster-ben-kangwa-has-died/ Veteran Broadcaster Ben Kangwa has died], [[Lusaka Times]], 18 October 2018</ref>
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.<ref>[https://www.znbc.co.zm/hundreds-bid-farewell-to-ben-kangwa/ Ben Kangwa Interred], [[ZNBC]], 20 October 2018</ref>  


==Career==
==Education and early life==
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.
Kangwa earned a Master’s in Journalism and Culture from Cardiff University in Wales.<ref>[https://chalochatu.org/Ben_Kangwa "Ben Kangwa – Chalo Chatu"]</ref>


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 (TV programme)|Business Review]]’ for 12 consecutive years.
==Broadcasting career==
Kangwa’s 25-year tenure at ZNBC included producing and presenting major programs:
* Hosted a daily financial show, ''Business Review'', for 12 years.<ref>[https://chalochatu.org/Ben_Kangwa "Ben Kangwa – Chalo Chatu"]</ref>
* Led 90-minute live political interviews with nearly every candidate in Zambia’s 2001 presidential elections, in partnership with ECZ, EU, and ZAMCOM.<ref>[https://chalochatu.org/Ben_Kangwa "Ben Kangwa – Chalo Chatu"]</ref>
* Produced a “live” phone-in programme on media reforms for four years, collaborating with MISA Zambia.<ref>[https://misa.org/news/ben-kangwa-dies "MISA Zambia mourns the death of veteran broadcaster Ben Kangwa"]</ref>
 
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.
 
He also served on boards including [[Evelyn Hone College]], [[Zambia Business Coalition on HIV/AIDS]], [[Yatsani Catholic Radio]], [[Zambezi FM]], Salvation Army and Keep Lusaka Clean Committee.<ref>[https://chalochatu.org/Ben_Kangwa "Ben Kangwa – Chalo Chatu"]</ref>


===Political and policy analysis===
===Political and policy analysis===
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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.
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 [[Zambian general election, 2006|2006 Presidential elections]], Kangwa yet again interviewed five Presidential candidates: [[Levy Mwanawasa]] – [[Movement for Multi Party Democracy]] (MMD), [[Michael Sata]] – [[Patriotic Front]] (PF), [[Hakainde Hichilema]] – [[United Democratic Alliance]] (UDA), [[Godfrey Miyanda]] – [[Heritage Party]] (HP), and [[Winwright N’gondo]] – [[All People’s Congress]] (APC)
==Diplomatic service==
After retiring from ZNBC, Kangwa was appointed Deputy Ambassador at Zambia’s mission in Washington, D.C., contributing to cultural diplomacy and media outreach.<ref>[https://misa.org/news/ben-kangwa-dies "MISA Zambia mourns the death of veteran broadcaster Ben Kangwa"]</ref>


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.
==Awards and honours==
 
* 1996 – Best Financial Journalist, [[Press Association of Zambia]] (PAZA).<ref>[https://chalochatu.org/Ben_Kangwa "Ben Kangwa – Chalo Chatu"]</ref>
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.
* 2010 – Recognized in Cambridge ‘Who’s Who’ for professional excellence.<ref>[https://chalochatu.org/Ben_Kangwa "Ben Kangwa – Chalo Chatu"]</ref>
 
===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==
==Death==
Kangwa died on Wednesday October 17, 2018 at the [[University Teaching Hospital]] (UTH). He died of kidney failure at the age of 63.<ref>[http://www.daily-mail.co.zm/death-of-ben-kangwa-huge-loss/ Death of Ben Kangwa huge loss], [[Zambia Daily Mail]], 23 October 2018</ref>
Kangwa died on 18 October 2018 at [[Fairview Hospital]] in [[Lusaka]] after an illness.<ref>[https://misa.org/news/ben-kangwa-dies "MISA Zambia mourns the death of veteran broadcaster Ben Kangwa"]</ref><ref>[https://lusakatimes.com/2018/10/18/veteran-broadcaster-ben-kangwa-has-died/ "Veteran Broadcaster Ben Kangwa has died"], Lusaka Times, 18 Oct 2018.</ref> He was buried at his [[Makeni]] farm, surrounded by family, friends and colleagues.<ref>[https://www.znbc.co.zm/hundreds-bid-farewell-to-ben-kangwa/ Ben Kangwa Interred], [[ZNBC]], 20 October 2018</ref>  


==Awards and honours==
==Legacy==
* In 1996, the [[Press Association of Zambia]] (PAZA) presented him with the ‘Best Financial Journalist Award’ of the year.
MISA Zambia commemorated Kangwa as a “pillar of the media profession” who upheld high standards and championed freedom of expression.<ref>[https://misa.org/news/ben-kangwa-dies "MISA Zambia mourns the death of veteran broadcaster Ben Kangwa"]</ref> He is remembered for elevating broadcast journalism in Zambia through in-depth financial analysis, political interviews, and media policy forums.
* In September, 2010, he was recognized by the Cambridge “Who’s Who’ for demonstrating dedication, leadership and excellence in his career.


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist}}
<references/>


[[Category:1955 births]]
[[Category:2018 deaths]]
[[Category:Zambian broadcasters]]
[[Category:Zambian journalists]]
[[Category:Zambian diplomats]]
[[Category:People of Zambia]]
[[Category:People of Zambia]]
[[Category:Zambian Ambassadors]]
[[Category:2018 deaths]]
[[Category:1955 births]]

Latest revision as of 18:55, 9 July 2025

Ben Kangwa - -
Born 1955
Zambia
Nationality
Occupation Broadcaster, journalist, media strategist, diplomat
Years active c. 1983–2018
Known for
Notable work
Awards
Children


Ben Kangwa (1955 – 18 October 2018) was a renowned Zambian broadcaster, journalist, media strategist and diplomat. He worked at the Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC) for 25 years, rising to the position of Director of Programs, and later served as Deputy Ambassador at the Zambian Mission in Washington, D.C.[1]

Education and early life

Kangwa earned a Master’s in Journalism and Culture from Cardiff University in Wales.[2]

Broadcasting career

Kangwa’s 25-year tenure at ZNBC included producing and presenting major programs:

  • Hosted a daily financial show, Business Review, for 12 years.[3]
  • Led 90-minute live political interviews with nearly every candidate in Zambia’s 2001 presidential elections, in partnership with ECZ, EU, and ZAMCOM.[4]
  • Produced a “live” phone-in programme on media reforms for four years, collaborating with MISA Zambia.[5]

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.

He also served on boards including Evelyn Hone College, Zambia Business Coalition on HIV/AIDS, Yatsani Catholic Radio, Zambezi FM, Salvation Army and Keep Lusaka Clean Committee.[6]

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.

Diplomatic service

After retiring from ZNBC, Kangwa was appointed Deputy Ambassador at Zambia’s mission in Washington, D.C., contributing to cultural diplomacy and media outreach.[7]

Awards and honours

Death

Kangwa died on 18 October 2018 at Fairview Hospital in Lusaka after an illness.[10][11] He was buried at his Makeni farm, surrounded by family, friends and colleagues.[12]

Legacy

MISA Zambia commemorated Kangwa as a “pillar of the media profession” who upheld high standards and championed freedom of expression.[13] He is remembered for elevating broadcast journalism in Zambia through in-depth financial analysis, political interviews, and media policy forums.

References

  1. ↑ Veteran Broadcaster Ben Kangwa has died, Lusaka Times, 18 October 2018
  2. ↑ "Ben Kangwa – Chalo Chatu"
  3. ↑ "Ben Kangwa – Chalo Chatu"
  4. ↑ "Ben Kangwa – Chalo Chatu"
  5. ↑ "MISA Zambia mourns the death of veteran broadcaster Ben Kangwa"
  6. ↑ "Ben Kangwa – Chalo Chatu"
  7. ↑ "MISA Zambia mourns the death of veteran broadcaster Ben Kangwa"
  8. ↑ "Ben Kangwa – Chalo Chatu"
  9. ↑ "Ben Kangwa – Chalo Chatu"
  10. ↑ "MISA Zambia mourns the death of veteran broadcaster Ben Kangwa"
  11. ↑ "Veteran Broadcaster Ben Kangwa has died", Lusaka Times, 18 Oct 2018.
  12. ↑ Ben Kangwa Interred, ZNBC, 20 October 2018
  13. ↑ "MISA Zambia mourns the death of veteran broadcaster Ben Kangwa"
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