Thandiwe Banda facts for kids
Thandiwe Banda (born in 1971 or 1972) is a Zambian political science teacher. She served as the First Lady of Zambia from June 2008 to September 2011. When she became First Lady in 2008, she was in her 30s. This made her the youngest First Lady in Zambia's history. She was the second wife of former President Rupiah Banda until he passed away in March 2022.
Quick facts for kids
Thandiwe Banda
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|---|---|
| 4th First Lady of Zambia | |
| In role June 29, 2008 – September 23, 2011 |
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| President | Rupiah Banda |
| Preceded by | Maureen Mwanawasa |
| Succeeded by | Christine Kaseba |
| Personal details | |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 2 |
Her Life and Role
Rupiah Banda's first wife, Hope Mwansa Makulu, passed away in 2000. He later married Thandiwe Banda in the 2000s. She was in her 30s at the time of their wedding. Thandiwe and Rupiah Banda have twin children named Temwani and Duniya.
Becoming First Lady
When Rupiah Banda was elected President in 2008, Thandiwe Banda became the First Lady. She was the youngest person to hold this important role in Zambia. During her time as First Lady, she worked to create an official office for the First Lady. This office would have a budget to help with public duties and charity work.
Helping Others
Thandiwe Banda focused on important issues for women. These included better healthcare and support for childcare. She also supported the work of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in Zambia. These organizations often help people in need.
Facing False Claims
In December 2011, a newspaper called Times of Zambia published a story. It claimed that the government had taken some of Thandiwe Banda's properties. These included a hotel in Malawi. Thandiwe Banda said these claims were not true. She asked the newspaper to apologize and take back the story.
When the newspaper refused, she started a court case in January 2012. She sued the Times of Zambia and its editor-in-chief for printing false information. In October 2012, the newspaper did apologize and said the article was wrong. Thandiwe Banda won her court case against the Times of Zambia in May 2014. The court ordered the newspaper to pay her money for the harm caused by the untrue stories.
Health Journey
In 2014, Thandiwe Banda was diagnosed with breast cancer. She traveled to South Africa to receive medical treatment. After several months of care, she returned to Zambia on January 10, 2015.
