Nalumino Mundia

Nalumino Mundia (21 November 1927 – 7 November 1988) was a Zambian politician and freedom fighter who served as the first Minister of Commerce & Industry from 1964 and later became the 4th Prime Minister of the country from 18 February 1981 to 24 April 1985. He went on to serve as Zambia's ambassador to the United States, Brazil, Peru and Venezuela.

Early life and education

Mundia was born on 21 November 1927 in Kalabo, Western Zambia. He studied at the University of Delhi in India and later in the United States of America.

In 1967, Mundia resigned from his position and the UNIP party to form his own political party, the United Party (UP). In 1968 he held a rally in Lusaka's Matero township announcing his intention to contest in the 1968 general elections and drum up support for his party. Police raided the rally and Mundia was detained along with other party officials including Adamson Mushala (who later led his own rebellion against the Kaunda regime), Dickson Chikulo Henry Ndhlovu, and Julius Namakando. This was amidst growing tensions between his party and Kaunda's UNIP.

And when he announced the names of UNIP members who wished to join the party, the meeting came under a hail of stones leading to the arrest of Mundia himself, Henry Ndhlovu, William Chipango, Dickson Chikulo, Julius Namakando and Adamson Mushala. Mundia nicknamed then as ‘Black Yesu’ for his habits of fasting to dramatise his protest and his compatriots were later acquitted in August 1968.

Later under the one party participatory democracy Mundia, who was released from jail, was appointed as Prime Minister of the country by Kenneth Kaunda and served from February 18, 1981 to April 24, 1985 replacing Mr Daniel Lisulo, who had become another outspoken critic of UNIP (United National Independence Party) policies, the then ruling party . It was rumoured Mundia had intentions of challenging Kaunda for the Presidency in the late 80’s before his death. At the time of his demise Mundia was also envoy to Brazil, Peru and Venezuela as well as to Washington.

He had presented his credentials to President Victor Paz Estenssoro of Bolivia on a Friday and was attending a diplomatic function late Monday night when he collapsed and subsequently died of a heart attack on November 8, 1988 at age 62, and was survived by his wife and six children.

NB: He is the person behind Victoria falls power station and who brought electricity to Barotseland.

Career

Mundia was among freedom fighters who formed Zambia's first cabinet after attaining independence in 1964 under Kenneth Kaunda's United Party for National Independence (UNIP). He served as Zambia's first Minister of Commerce & Industry.

Death

On 7 November 1988 Mundia collapsed at a diplomatic function and subsequently died of a heart attack in the USA. He was survived by his wife and six children.

References

• Biographical sketch of Mundia at The Zambian

Political offices
Preceded by Daniel Lisulo	Prime Minister of Zambia 1981–1985	Succeeded by Kebby Musokotwane