Zambia's firsts

The list below contains names of Zambians who have been the first achievers in various fields. It also contains other related topic such as places and events.

People

Arthur Wina – first Minister of Finance Betty Kaunda – first First Lady of Zambia Buumba Malambo – first and youngest Zambian to win the Women4Africa Award 2015 Catherine Namugala – first female Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly Catherine Phiri – first Zambian/African female boxer to win the World Boxing Council (WBC) bantamweight gold title Cherry Muchindu – first Zambian and indigenous African to win a Bronze Medal at the 2023 Arnold Classics Strongman Championships in Washington, USA. Dingiswayo Banda – first Minister of Housing and Social Development Edith Nawakwi – Zambia’s first female Minister of Finance. Ester Banda – first Member of Parliament of Roan Constituency Esther Phiri – first Zambian female boxer to earn international accolades Elijah Mudenda – first Minister of Agriculture Evelyn Mwansa – first female locomotive driver in Zambia Fashion Sakala – The first Zambian to score in Scottish Premeriship Francis Manda – Zambia's first urologist General Kingsley Chinkuli – first indigenous Commander‑in‑Chief of the Zambia Army (appointed December 1970) Godfridah Sumaili – first minister of National Guidance and Religious Affairs Godwin Mbikusita Lewanika – first president of a political party in the country. Lewanika was president of the Northern Rhodesia Congress (NRC) established in 1948. Due to limitations that came with his royal duties in Barotseland, he handed over leadership to Harry Mwaanga Nkumbula. Grey Zulu – first Minister of Commerce and Industry Inonge Wina – first female Vice-President of Zambia James John Skinner (Irish) – fist Minister of Justice Jay Rox — first Zambian singer to be nominated for the MTV Africa Music Awards John Mwanakatwe – first Northern Rhodesian to obtain a university degree (1950), first African headmaster of Kasama Secondary School (1958). first Minister of Education (1964) Justin Chimba – first Minister of Labour and Mines Kapelwa Sikota – first registered nurse and first African Chief Nursing Officer in Zambia's Ministry of Health Kay Sifuniso – first Zambian female journalist Kelvin Siwale – first president of the Zambian Agriculture Show from 1982 to 1983. Kenneth Kaunda – first President of Zambia, first Mkushi Member of Parliament

Lawrence Katilungu – first President of the African Mineworkers' Union Lazarus Tembo – first visually challenged Member of Parliament and Minister of State under the Ministry of Labor and Social Services Lewis Changufu – first Defence Minister of Zambia Lillian Muwina — first Zambian female Aeronautical Engineer Linda Kasonde - first female President of the Law Association of Zambia. Lucy Sichone - first Zambian woman to receive a Rhodes Scholarship in 1978. In 2015, a portrait of Lucy Banda-Sichone was unveiled at Rhodes House, Oxford University, making her the first female Rhodes Scholar to be honoured in this manner. She was nationally known for her fearless criticism of abuse of power, corruption and violations of civil liberties. Matiya Ngalande - first member of parliament for Kasempa. Margaret Siamoya — first woman Territorial Commander of the Salvation Army Church in Zambia Mumba Kapumpa – first Zambian resident Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Republic of Korea in September 2014 and first chairperson of the National Arts Council of Zambia (NAC) Munukayumbwa Sipalo – first Minister of Natural Resources Muzala Samukonga – first Zambian athlete to medal at the Olympics in 28 years, winning bronze in the men's 400m at Paris 2024 Olympics. Nakatindi Wina– the first female member of National Assembly Nalumino Mundia – first Minister of Local Government Nelly Mutti – first female Speaker of the National Assembly Norena Chiteba – first female president of Zambia Squash Association Reuben Kamanga – first Vice-President of Zambia, first Minister of Transport and Communications Safeli Chileshe – first African mayor of Lusaka from 1964 to 1965 Samuel Matete – first Zambian Olympic medalist (bronze, 400 m hurdles, 1988) Sikota Wina – first Minister of Health Simon Kapwepwe – first Minister of Home Affairs Solomon Kalulu – first Minister of Land and Works Stella Libongani – first female Inspector-General of the Zambia Police Service Wesley Nyirenda – first Zambian Speaker of the National Assembly, first indigenous President of the National Olympic Committee of Zambia Yichida Ndlovu – first female civilian commercial pilot in Zambia Vera Tembo - first woman Member of Parliament for Kasenengwa Constituency for the MMD in 2006..

Places

• Kalomo – first administrative centre of Northern Rhodesia
• Livingstone – first capital city of Northern Rhodesia
• Lusaka Hotel – first hotel in Lusaka
• Munali Secondary School – first secondary school for black Zambians in 1947

Events

• Zambia at the 1964 Olympics – only nation to enter under one name and exit under another (Northern Rhodesia → Zambia)

Other topics

• Chalo Chatu — first Zambian online encyclopedia
• Northern Rhodesia African National Congress – first native political party
• Radio Phoenix — Zambia's first commercial private radio station

See also

• List of Zambian people
• History of Zambia