Rupiah Banda facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Rupiah Banda
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Banda in 2010
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| 4th President of Zambia | |
| In office 19 August 2008 – 23 September 2011 |
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| Vice President | George Kunda |
| Preceded by | Levy Mwanawasa |
| Succeeded by | Michael Sata |
| 10th Vice-President of Zambia | |
| In office 9 October 2006 – 2 November 2008 |
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| President | Levy Mwanawasa |
| Preceded by | Lupando Mwape |
| Succeeded by | George Kunda |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Rupiah Bwezani Banda
19 February 1937 Gwanda, Southern Rhodesia |
| Died | 11 March 2022 (aged 85) Lusaka, Zambia |
| Cause of death | Colorectal cancer |
| Political party | Movement for Multi-Party Democracy |
| Spouses |
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| Children | 7 |
| Alma mater | Addis Ababa University Lund University Wolfson College, Cambridge |
| Nickname | RB |
Rupiah Bwezani Banda (born February 19, 1937 – died March 11, 2022) was a Zambian politician. He served as the fourth president of Zambia from 2008 to 2011. He became president after Levy Mwanawasa passed away while in office.
Banda was involved in politics from the early days of Kenneth Kaunda's presidency. During that time, he held several important jobs representing Zambia in other countries. In October 2006, he was chosen as the vice-president by President Mwanawasa.
When President Mwanawasa became ill in June 2008 and later died, Rupiah Banda stepped in as acting president. He then won the 2008 Zambian presidential election by a small margin against Michael Sata. However, he lost to Sata in the 2011 Zambian general election.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Rupiah Banda was born in a town called Miko in Gwanda, which was then known as Southern Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe). His parents had moved there from Northern Rhodesia (now Zambia) to find work. A local church leader helped him continue his education. Later, a family of Indian origin also supported his schooling.
He started getting involved in politics in 1960. He joined the youth group of the UNIP. Banda also studied at Rusangu University in Zambia.
Working as a Diplomat
In the early 1960s, Rupiah Banda represented the UNIP in Northern Europe. In 1965, he became Zambia's Ambassador to Egypt. An ambassador is a country's official representative in another country. While in Egypt, he became friends with Jonas Savimbi, a leader from Angola.
On April 7, 1967, Banda became Zambia's Ambassador to the United States. He worked there for about two years. After that, he returned to Zambia and held important roles in agricultural organizations.
Later, he became Zambia's Permanent Representative to the United Nations. The UN is an international organization that works for peace and cooperation. While at the UN, he also led the UN Council for Namibia. After about a year, he was appointed as Zambia's Minister of Foreign Affairs. As Foreign Minister, he worked to help create a ceasefire in Angola.
Political Career
Banda was elected as a Member of Parliament for the Munali area in 1978. He lost this seat in 1983. He also served as a Minister of State for Mines for a period.
In 1991, he lost the Munali seat again to a candidate from the Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD). He later supported his party's decision to not take part in the 1996 election.
In October 2006, after President Mwanawasa was re-elected, he chose Banda as his vice-president. Banda then joined the MMD party. Many people saw this as a way to thank people from eastern Zambia for supporting the MMD.
In 2007, President Mwanawasa sent Banda to improve relations with neighboring Zimbabwe. This happened after Mwanawasa had criticized Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe.
Becoming President
Acting President
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On June 29, 2008, President Mwanawasa became very ill. Rupiah Banda then became the acting president. He gave updates on Mwanawasa's health, but some people doubted these reports. Banda insisted he was telling the truth.
President Mwanawasa sadly passed away on August 19, 2008. Banda announced the news to the country and declared seven days of national mourning. He urged everyone to stay calm. According to the constitution, a new presidential election had to be held within 90 days.
Banda decided to run for president for the MMD party. He was expected to win the party's nomination. He promised to bring the party and the country together. He also said he would continue President Mwanawasa's plans.
In the election, early results showed Michael Sata in the lead. But as more votes were counted from rural areas, Banda caught up and won. The final results on November 2 showed Banda with 40% of the votes and Sata with 38%. Banda was sworn in as president on the same day. He asked for unity in his speech. Sata's supporters claimed there was cheating and protested in cities like Lusaka and Kitwe.
Re-election Attempt and Defeat
As President, Rupiah Banda focused on improving Zambia's economy. He traveled to other countries to promote trade. For example, in December 2010, he visited Egypt to meet with President Hosni Mubarak.
In 2009, the MMD party announced that Banda would be their candidate for the 2011 Zambian presidential election. Some people thought the process should have been more open to other candidates.
In September 2011, Michael Sata, the opposition leader, defeated Banda in the presidential election. This ended Banda's three-year presidency.
Later Life and Passing
After leaving office, Rupiah Banda faced questions about his time as president. On March 15, 2013, his special protection from being sued as a former president was removed.
Rupiah Banda passed away at his home in Lusaka on March 11, 2022. He was 85 years old and had been battling colon cancer. After his death, the Zambian government announced seven days of national mourning. Flags were flown at half-mast. Namibia also announced three days of mourning.
Family Life
Rupiah Banda married his first wife, Hope Mwansa Makulu, in 1966. They had three sons together. Hope passed away in 2000 at the age of 59.
His second wife was Thandiwe Banda, who was a political science teacher. She was the First Lady of Zambia during his presidency from 2008 to 2011.
Images for kids
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Banda with President of Brazil Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in 2010
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Banda at the 2010 World Economic Forum
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Banda in 2021 with U.S ambassador David Young.
See also
In Spanish: Rupiah Banda para niños
