Wesley Nyirenda

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Wesley Pillsbury Nyirenda
Wesley Nyirenda, 1966. D656-093 (cropped).jpg
Nyirenda after arrival a Lod airport for inauguration of the new Knesset Building in 1966.
1st Speaker of the National Assembly
In office
1964 – 1968
Preceded byThomas Williams
Succeeded byRobinson Nabulyato
Personal details
Born(1924-01-23)23 January 1924
Died2009 (aged 84–85)

Pillsbury Wesley Nyirenda was a Zambian politician and the first elected Speaker of the National Assembly of Zambia after the it was remaned from Legislative Council of Northern Rhodesia. He also sevred as memeber of parliament for Fort Jameson from 1964 to 1973 before the Seat abolished and split into Chipata East, Chipata North and Chipata West. He was also National Olympic Committee of Zambia President from 1968 to 1975.

Career & Education

Educated at Lubwa Mission School, then went to South Africa to the Pholela Institution, Natal, where he was awarded a scholarship in 1948 for medicine at Witwatersrand University. He had to refuse it in order to earn money as a teacher to pay for the schooling of his brothers. But he continued his studies in his spare time, gaining his BA and a post-graduate diploma of education from London University.

After five years of teaching he became headmaster at Kitwe Main School in 1953, then principal of Ndola Secondary School from 1957 to 1961, when he was appointed principal of Monze Secondary School. He was an education officer in 1961 and then entered Parliament. Early in 1964 he was appointed Deputy Speaker and promoted Speaker in the independence Parliament. Four years later he was brought into the cabinet as Education Minister. While promoting a big expansion of the education programme in his first four years at the Ministry he maintained the high standards for which he was noted as a headmaster.

NOCZ President (1968-1975)

Wesley was the first indigenous Zambian to head the National Olympic Committee of Zambia after George Crane in 1968. During his time as President, Zambia participated in the 1972 Olympic Games in Munich, Germany (West Germany by then). Team Zambia consisted of 11 Athletes from two sports disciplines (Athletics and Boxing). The Country participated for the first time as Zambia in the 1970 Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh, Scotland. Zambia sent a team of 32 from four Sports disciplines, namely Athletics (16), Boxing (9), Lawn bowls (4), Weightlifting (3), the team won four medals (two silver and two bronze). Zambia also made an appearance at the 1974 Commonwealth Games in Christchurch, New Zealand with a team of 16 Athletes from five sports disciplines (Athletics, Boxing, Cycling Road, Lawn Bowls and Weightlifting).

References