Zambia: Levy Mwanawasa

Updated October 2001

Levy Mwanawasa was born in 1948 in Mufulira. He attended Zambia University where he obtained a law degree in 1973. He practised as a lawyer in local Zambian law firms from 1974 to 1991.

His law career was a successful one. He was a respected member of the Lawyers Association and was the first Zambian lawyer to be appointed advocate and solicitor of the Supreme Court of England and Wales.

In 1991, after the MMD came to power, he was made vice president of Zambia despite having very little political experience. His link with the party was established when he defended Christon Tembo and colleagues in a treason trial where they were accused of plotting to overthrow Kaunda and his regime.

In 1994 however Mwanawasa resigned from the MMD and his vice presidency citing rampant official corruption. His actions earned him the label "Mr Integrity". It is probably precisely this image that the MMD wants to capitalise on by nominating him as a presidential candidate for the upcoming elections.

Mwanawasa is married to a fellow lawyer Maureen Mwanawasa and they have five children.