Inonge Mbikusita-Lewanika

“My father was the first president of the African National Congress of Zambia. And my grandfather, you may be interested to know, was the patron of actually the South African African National Congress in 1912. So I come from a political family. And my father was a member of Parliament. Our parents brought us up to listen to news, so we did have an idea when we were growing up of what was happening out in the world, which I found interesting. But at an early age--I was 13, 14--after watching my father being in politics, I decided that I didn't want to be a politician.”

“We need the government to empower women by developing their capacity and providing them with opportunities to acquire leadership skills.”

“How can we balance the country's leadership when there aren't enough women reaching Grade 12?”

“Begin with education and ensure that entrepreneurship is encouraged, as God created each of us uniquely.”

“The first administration made great strides in educating more women. However, now many women are staying home to focus on their families, which often prevents them from completing Grade 12.”

“Yes, malaria claims more lives than HIV/AIDS, with too many people affected. However, the good news in Zambia is that malaria deaths have been reduced by nearly 50% through the use of mosquito nets.”

“Yes, tourism is one of the quickest ways to create jobs. Zambia has 19 game parks, and we even sell lions! Tourism also builds connections and fosters friendships, with some tourists eventually becoming investors.”

“A portion of the economic growth resulted from improved management of financial resources. This enabled Zambia to reach the completion point for the HIPC (Heavily Indebted Poor Countries) Initiative for debt relief, thanks to greater transparency within the Ministry of Finance and more effective management of budget allocation and spending.”

“For the past six years, the economy has grown by 5%, and I expect it to reach 6% this year. Previously, only one province produced copper, but now a second province is producing both copper and gold. We also have reserves of cobalt, uranium, and precious stones. Zambia is therefore rich in minerals, and we are actively inviting investors. Many have already come, driving economic growth and creating jobs. The economic outlook is very positive, and both the World Bank and IMF are pleased with our progress.”