Statecraft & Independence
Landmark
Mainza Chona
1930 – 2001
Zambia's first Prime Minister, and the man who stood aside for Kaunda
Landmark is level 2 of 4 in the Zambia Hall of Fame: a first that opened a door, or the pre-eminent figure of their generation in this country. See how the levels work.
Why they are here
He formed UNIP and was its president — then handed the presidency to Kenneth Kaunda and took the deputy job. He later became Zambia's first Prime Minister.
Born at Nampeyo village in 1930, Mainza Chona returned from studying law in London and formed the United National Independence Party, of which he was president.
He voluntarily gave up the presidency of the party to Kenneth Kaunda and became vice-president instead. He was Zambia's first Vice-President, and from 1973 to 1975 the first person to hold the office of Prime Minister after independence.
He voluntarily gave up the presidency of the party to Kenneth Kaunda and became vice-president instead. He was Zambia's first Vice-President, and from 1973 to 1975 the first person to hold the office of Prime Minister after independence.
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