Zambia’s ex-President Mwanawasa’s widow dies aged 61
Written by ZimLive on August 14, 2024
LUSAKA, Zambia – Late former Zambian President Levy Mwanawasa’s widow and former First Lady Maureen Kabubo Mwanawasa has died. She was aged 61.
Maureen Mwanawasa died on Tuesday at Maina Soko Military Hospital in Lusaka.
A member of the Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD), she served as First Lady of the Southern African country from 2002 until her husband died in office in 2008.
MMD President Nevers Sekwila Mumba offered condolences to the Mwanawasa and Kakubo families.
“My heart goes out to the entire Mwanawasa family during this difficult time. May God comfort, strengthen, and keep us united in this bereavement,” Mumba said in a statement.
He praised Mrs. Mwanawasa’s legacy, noting her dedication, kindness, and compassion, which left a lasting impact on the nation, adding, “May her legacy of hard work, kindness, compassion, and dedication to our nation continue to inspire us.”
“Rest in peace, Mrs. Mwanawasa. You will be deeply missed.”
Zambia’s former First Lady is remembered for her role in advocating social causes and her unwavering commitment to her country’s development.
She was born on 28 April 1963 in Kabwe, Central Province, Zambia, to Jeniya Lupumpaula Chilunga Kakabo and Lupumpaula Buluwayo Kakubo.
She was the eighth of ten children in a family of six boys and four girls.
Her educational journey began in 1970 at Raphael Kombe Primary School in Chimanimani Township, Kabwe.
In 1976, she moved to St Mary’s Secondary School in Maramba, Livingstone, where she graduated in 1981.
Maureen met Levy Mwanawasa in Kabwe and they were married on 7 May 1987. The couple have four children: three daughters and a son.
During the 2001 presidential election, Maureen actively campaigned alongside her husband, who won the election on 27 December 2001 and was inaugurated on 2 January 2002.
In 2006 she was considered a potential presidential candidate, but after her husband’s death she did not seek to represent his party in the election.
In particular, she clashed with Michael Sata of the Patriotic Front at her husband’s funeral, resulting in Sata being removed from the premises.
Maureen Mwanawasa was a former president of the Organisation of African First Ladies Against HIV/AIDS and founded the Maureen Mwanawasa Community Initiative (MMCI) in 2002.
She also co-owned Mwanawasa & Company, her husband’s law firm, until he entered politics. In 2006, she was honoured with World Vision’s International Hope Award.
Originally a Jehovah’s Witness, she was excommunicated in 2001 for her political activities and later became a Baptist Christian.
In May 2016, Maureen announced her candidacy for the position of executive mayor of Lusaka under the United Party for National Development (UPND).
She received endorsements from prominent figures and promised to address the city’s problems, including cholera outbreaks, water shortages and garbage issues. Despite her efforts, she came second in the Lusaka mayoral election on 11 August 2016, losing to Patriotic Front candidate Wilson Kalumba.
Maureen Mwanawasa’s contributions and dedication to her community and country will be remembered with great respect.
The nation mourns the loss of a respected leader and cherished figure.
