Rupiah Banda was the former President of the Republic of Zambia, a country he ruled for 3 years from 2008 to 2011. He took over from the late Levy Mwanawasa who he served under as Vice President and won an election that was held following Mwanawasa's passing before being defeated in the 2011 general elections to opposition leader Michael Sata. Banda had a reputation for being a leader that exemplified humility and was easy to approach and this description was clearly stated by former Botswana President Ian Khama at his funeral where Khama described him a 'nice politician'. His political career was a long one but what is fascinating about Banda was the immense responsibilities that were given to him at an early age which this think piece wants to explore further. Given that today in Africa positions such as President, Minister, Ambassador and various roles in government are held by people who can be considered old, this think piece wants to argue in favour of the younger generation taking up these positions. Many of Africa's founding fathers were actually quite young when comparing them to todays leaders and so was their cabinets. Although Banda attained the presidency at the age of 71 which can be considered old what this think piece wants to explore is how he was allowed to handle positions of authority early in his career which today are occupied by the older generation or the 'old guard' as they are often termed in Africa without giving the younger generation the same opportunities they were given early in their political and diplomatic careers.
'Ambassador before aged 30'
Banda's interests in politics came at an early age, particularly through his association with the Naik family who were political activists and it was likely here where his interest in politics began. He was also previously a member of the Zambian African National Congress (ZANC) under Harry Nkumbula before attending university in Ethiopia and Sweden. While in Sweden he changed his political allegiance to the United National Independence Party (UNIP) under Kenneth Kaunda in the early 1960's and served as UNIP's representative to Northern Europe where he was responsible for raising awareness for the party and its intentions in his early 20's. The first highlight for him came when he was named as the country's first ambassador to Egypt at just 27 years of age, almost unimaginable in Africa today, probably due to his experience he garnered in Sweden where he previously served as UNIP's representative for Northern Europe. Thus his diplomatic career began. In 1967 he became Zambia's ambassador to the United States at the age of 30 and served as ambassador for two years. This entails that Banda served as ambassador for two countries at a crucial and critical moment in his country's early post-independent history by just 30 years of age.
In 1974 he became the country's permanent representative to the United Nations (UN) aged 37 and headed an important position as President of the UN Council on Namibia which was seen as the government of Namibia at the time. In 1975, aged 38 he became Zambia's Minister of Foreign Affairs during the height of the Southern African regions independence struggles which Zambia played a key role in as it hosted many liberation movements from the region such as South Africa's African National Congress (ANC) and Zimbabwe African People's Union (ZAPU) and as a result of his tenure as Foreign Minister 'Banda is known by, and has interacted extensively with many of the leaders of the region today'. This vividly shows how the Kaunda administration, at least in its early years allowed young people to take on such important portfolio's be it in diplomacy or politically and Banda as a young person proved himself in these important positions he held and it is not a surprise that he eventually became President following an illustrious diplomatic and political career in 2008.
Presidency
He briefly retired from politics briefly before bouncing back in 2002 when he joined the Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) and became Vice President in 2006. He took over the presidency in 2008 following the death of President Mwanawasa and won an election that was held not long after. His presidency was largely a success, albeit for corruption allegations and nepotism, and was accused of disbanding his predecessors anti-corruption task force. The successes of his presidency stem from the country experiencing major economic growth which led to the Zambian economy expanding during his brief tenure as president thanks to rising copper prices and an increase in Chinese investment with the country experiencing a 7.6% growth in 2011 which Banda had hoped would help him win the 2011 elections which unfortunately did not occur as he lost the election to Michael Sata of the Patriotic Front (PF).
Post-presidency
Since the end of his presidency he has settled in his role as an African statesman and frequently headed election observer missions on the continent. In 2013 he had his Presidential immunity removed, the second time this has happened in Zambia, but was never convicted. In 2021 following the country's presidential election Banda hosted President-elect Hakainde Hichilema and Edgar Lungu who had lost the presidential elections to Hichilema, at his residence, to ensure a smooth transfer of power. Banda acted as a mediator of sort between the two and took the role of 'father of the nation' previously held by the country's founding father, Kenneth Kaunda, who had passed on a few months earlier, and used his position to bring stability during that critical period which was welcomed. He died on 11 March, 2022 following a two year battle with colon cancer.
