Zambian Gets First Woman VP

New Zambia VP: Former Minister of Gender and Child Development Inonge Wina is known as a bold and confident woman, but few could predict just how far it would take her. (Image source: Zambiareports.com)

Zambia’s newly-elected President Edgar Lungu on Monday in Lusaka, appointed Inonge Wina as the country’s first female Vice President.

GRAPHITTI NEWS learned based on Zambiareports.com reports that President Lungu said the new Zambian vice-president was a unifying person in the governing party who stood with Lungu when the party was divided into factions following the death of President Michael Sata last October.

“She stood up for the party and a unifying factor; she is a mother and she will bring a breath of life to the government,” he said.

Lungu, who has appointed only eight ministers of his 22-member cabinet, has retained ministers from the previous administration led by Sata.

Alexander Chikwanda retained his position as finance minister while Harry Kalaba stayed as foreign minister.

Others who have retained their positions are Health Minister Joseph Kasonde, Tourism and Arts Minister Jean Kapata while Ngosa Simbyakula has moved from Home Affairs to the Ministry of Justice and has been replaced by Davies Mwila, the new Home Affairs Minister.

The Zambian leader has since called on his colleagues to get to work.

President Lungu also cautioned appointees to State House saying they must ensure the president’s wish to be available to the people is fulfilled.

“Your job is not to isolate or insulate the President. My stay at State House is short and I won’t hesitate to fire you,” he warned.

President Lungu said the rest of the Cabinet will be announced when he returns from an African Union engagement.

Partial Cabinet announced on Monday, January 26:

1. President – Edgar Lungu
2. Vice President – Inonge Wina, MP
3. Minister of Justice – Ngosa Simbiakula MP
4. Minister of Finance – Alexander Chikwanda MP
5. Minister of Home Affairs – Davies Mwila, MP
6. Minister of Health – Joseph Kasonde, MP
7. Minister of Foreign Affairs – Harry Kalaba, MP
8. Minister of Tourism and Arts – Jean Kapata, MP
Provincial Ministers
1. Dawson Kafwaya – North Western Province Minister
2. Nathaniel Mubukwanu – Southern Province Minister

State House Appointments
1. Permanent Secretary – Emmanuel Chilubanama
2. Amos Chanda – Press and Public Relations
3. Kaizer Zulu – Political Affairs