Robert Makasa

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Robert Kapasa Makasa (born 1922) was a Zambian freedom fighter, diplomat, Cabinet minister, member of Parliament, political activist and church leader[1] from Chinsali. He was among the 75 members of the National Assembly of Zambia elected in January 1964 until 1968, during which he was member of parliament for Chinsali constituency.

Career

Robert Makasa was the first to serve as Northern Province Minister in 1964 and later served in Foreign Service in Kenya, Ethiopia and Tanzania. He also served as Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and North-Western Minister and as a UNIP Member of the Central Committee.

Makasa was also the authoritative, hilarious and creative author of the books Match to Political Freedom, Bwana District Commissioner and Umusungu Wamusonko (white tax collector). The books had their fair share in the country`s education curriculum in Bemba literature in previous years. The resourceful pieces of literature depicted the loathed colonial days when whites were at the helm of administration in districts where villagers were not expected to miss tax obligations among other compulsions considered oppressive by Africans.[2]

Books

Personal life

Makasa had five children.

Death

Makasa died as a result of a stroke in February 2007 at the age of 85 in Lusaka, where he was evacuated by President Michael Sata from Chinsali District Hospital.[2]

Honours

Robert Makasa University in Chinsali.
  • Robert Makasa University in Chinsali, Muchinga Province was named in honor of Makasa and in recognition of his contribution to the country's liberation struggle from colonial rule. The construction commenced in 2011 and was commissioned by President Edgar Lungu on 28 July 2016[3]. The university included 15 housing units, students hostels, lecture rooms, lecture theatres, and a library, among others.[4]

See also

References

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  1. Zambia: Kapasa Makasa's Moments, Memories, Times of Zambia, 6 February 2007
  2. 2.0 2.1 Reminiscing Robert Makasa’s journey and patriotism Zambia Daily Mail, 20 October 2014
  3. Robert Makasa commissioned, ZNBC, 28 July 2016
  4. Robert Makasa University completed, ZNBC, 11 August 2015