Wesley Nyirenda

Wesley Pillsbury Nyirenda
Nyirenda after arrival a Lod airport for inauguration of the new Knesset Building in 1966.
Office	1st Speaker of the National Assembly
Term start	1964
Term end	1968
Predecessor	Thomas Williams
Successor	Robinson Nabulyato
Nationality
Political party
Residence
Occupation

Wesley Pillsbury Nyirenda (23 January 1924 – 7 July 1993) was a Zambian politician, educator and diplomat. He served as Zambia’s first elected Speaker of the National Assembly from 1964 to 1968 and also represented Fort Jameson (now Chipata as a Member of Parliament until 1973 before the Seat abolished and split into Chipata East, Chipata North and Chipata West. Later, he was President of the National Olympic Committee of Zambia (NOCZ) from 1968 to 1975.

Early life and education

Born on 23 January 1924, Nyirenda attended Lubwa Mission School and later studied in South Africa at Pholela Institution. Although offered a scholarship for medicine at the University of the Witwatersrand in 1948, he declined and instead pursued studies part-time after working to support his family. He earned a BA and a postgraduate diploma in education from the University of London.([turn0search0])

He began his career as a teacher, serving as headmaster of Kitwe Main School in 1953, principal of Ndola Secondary School (1957–1961), and later of Monze Secondary School. He joined the civil service as an education officer in 1961.([turn0search0])

Political and parliamentary career

In early 1964, Nyirenda was appointed **First Deputy Speaker** and shortly thereafter became the first **Speaker of the National Assembly** of independent Zambia, succeeding Thomas Williams. Unlike later speakers, he remained an elected Member of Parliament for Fort Jameson while holding the speakership.([turn0search13][turn0search12])

He served as both MP and Speaker until his resignation from the latter in 1968. He remained the MP for Fort Jameson until the seat was reorganized in 1973.([turn0search12][turn0search17])

Role in sports administration

From 1968, Nyirenda became the first indigenous President of the **National Olympic Committee of Zambia**, following George Crane. Under his leadership, Zambia participated for the first time as an independent nation in the 1972 Olympic Games in Munich and the Commonwealth Games of 1970 and 1974.([turn0search0][turn0search2])

Legacy

Nyirenda’s dual roles in politics and sports uniquely shaped Zambia's early post-independence institutions. As Speaker, he helped establish parliamentary procedures under the new constitution. As NOCZ President, he guided the nation into international sporting events for the first time.

Dates and facts

• **Born:** 23 January 1924
• **Died:** 7 July 1993 (aged 69)
• **First Speaker of Zambia:** 1964–1968
• **NOCZ President:** 1968–c.1975

See also

• Speaker of the National Assembly of Zambia
• Robinson Nabulyato
• Thomas Williams (Northern Rhodesian speaker)
• Education in Zambia

Career & Education

Educated at Lubwa Mission School, then went to South Africa to the Pholela Institution, Natal, where he was awarded a scholarship in 1948 for medicine at Witwatersrand University. He had to refuse it in order to earn money as a teacher to pay for the schooling of his brothers. But he continued his studies in his spare time, gaining his BA and a post-graduate diploma of education from London University.

After five years of teaching he became headmaster at Kitwe Main School in 1953, then principal of Ndola Secondary School from 1957 to 1961, when he was appointed principal of Monze Secondary School. He was an education officer in 1961 and then entered Parliament. Early in 1964 he was appointed Deputy Speaker and promoted Speaker in the independence Parliament. Four years later he was brought into the cabinet as Education Minister. While promoting a big expansion of the education programme in his first four years at the Ministry he maintained the high standards for which he was noted as a headmaster.

NOCZ President (1968-1975)

Wesley was the first indigenous Zambian to head the National Olympic Committee of Zambia after George Crane in 1968. During his time as President, Zambia participated in the 1972 Olympic Games in Munich, Germany (West Germany by then). Team Zambia consisted of 11 Athletes from two sports disciplines (Athletics and Boxing). The Country participated for the first time as Zambia in the 1970 Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh, Scotland. Zambia sent a team of 32 from four Sports disciplines, namely Athletics (16), Boxing (9), Lawn bowls (4), Weightlifting (3), the team won four medals (two silver and two bronze). Zambia also made an appearance at the 1974 Commonwealth Games in Christchurch, New Zealand with a team of 16 Athletes from five sports disciplines (Athletics, Boxing, Cycling Road, Lawn Bowls and Weightlifting).