Matiya Ngalande

Matiya Ngalande

Born	2 June 1932 Kabemba village, North-Western Province, Northern Rhodesia (now Zambia)
Nationality	Zambian
Occupation	Politician, Diplomat, Freedom Fighter
Years active
Known for	Cabinet Minister, Diplomatic Service
Notable work
Awards
Children

Hon. Matiya Ngalande (2 June 1932 – 11 February 2026) was a Zambian politician, diplomat and freedom fighter who served in senior government positions during both the United National Independence Party (UNIP) era and the Movement for Multi-Party Democracy (MMD) period. He was the first Member of Parliament for Kasempa Constituency after Zambia’s independence in 1964.

Early life and education

Matiya Ngalande was born on 2 June 1932 in Kabemba Village in Kasempa District, North-Western Province, then part of Northern Rhodesia. He began his professional career as a teacher at Mutanda Mission School in Kasempa before joining the colonial public service as a clerk in the Provincial Administration at Ndola Municipal Council.

Matiya Ngalande (r) with Zambia's 6th President Edgar Lungu and Daniel Munkombwe at State House in 2018

Political career

Ngalande became politically active in the late 1950s during the struggle for independence. He was initially associated with the African National Congress (ANC) before joining the United National Independence Party (UNIP) in 1959. Within UNIP, he rose to become divisional president for North-Western Province.

Following Zambia’s independence in 1964, he was elected as the first Member of Parliament for Kasempa Constituency under UNIP. During his tenure in government, he held several senior positions, including:

• Minister of State for Luapula Province (appointed 1968)
• Cabinet Minister for Northern Province (appointed 1975)

After the restoration of multi-party democracy, Ngalande continued his public service under the Movement for Multi-Party Democracy government between 1991 and 1996. He served as Deputy Minister in various portfolios including the Office of the Vice President, Ministry of Community Development and Social Services, and Ministry of Communications and Transport.

Diplomatic service

In addition to domestic political leadership, Ngalande served Zambia in several diplomatic capacities. His foreign service appointments included:

• Ambassador to Egypt (1970–1974)
• High Commissioner to Ghana
• High Commissioner to Nigeria
• High Commissioner to Kenya
• Ambassador to Saudi Arabia

Through these roles, he contributed to strengthening Zambia’s bilateral relations across Africa and the Middle East during the formative decades of the country’s foreign policy.

Death and state honours

Matiya Ngalande died on 11 February 2026 in Lusaka at the age of 93 after an illness. His death was officially announced by the Secretary to the Cabinet. President Hakainde Hichilema accorded him an official funeral in recognition of his distinguished service to the nation. A national day of mourning was declared on 16 February 2026, with flags flying at half-mast.

He was laid to rest at Leopards Hill Memorial Park in Lusaka following a church service at the Anglican Cathedral of the Holy Cross.

Legacy

Matiya Ngalande’s public service spanned Zambia’s transition from colonial rule to independence and later multi-party democracy. He is remembered for his leadership in North-Western Province, his service as Cabinet Minister and his diplomatic representation of Zambia abroad.

See also

• United National Independence Party
• Kasempa Constituency