Margret Mangani
14 September 2007
IF all the values that stood for good, justice, fair-play and valour had to be rolled into one, then Dr. Inonge Mbikusita Lewanika is one African woman that fits the description.
Her long and illustrious career as a teacher, lecturer, women's rights activist, politician and career diplomat is one that has also buoyed her onto international centre -stage as a respected leader who is recognised by a cross section of world leaders holds her own as a states person of the highest calibre.
It is also for the same reason that the old adage that a leader is least respected in their own land has failed to hold for her because the Zambian Government has publicly declared that she is just about the best candidate it has for the position of chairperson for the African Union (AU).
This came to the fore when during the week, Republican Vice-President, Rupiah Banda, formally introduced Dr Lewanika as Zambia's candidate for the top job at the AU.
The African Union (AU) is a supranational union consisting of 53 African states Zambia included.
The AU was established in the year 2001,it was formed as a successor to the amalgamated African Economic Community (AEC) and the decision making body in the AU is the administrative centre based in Addis Ababa the Ethiopian capital city.
Ghanian leader John Kufuor is current chairman of the AU having succeeded Sassou-Nguesso of the Republic of the Congo.
The AU commission is chaired by former Malian president, Alpha Konare, who ruled between 1992 and 2002 and is now effectively playing a leading role on the continent through the AU.
Konare is highly regarded, having previously led the West African regional grouping Economic Commission of West African States.
He earned praise for restoring peace in Mali after years of Tuareg rebellion and managed to bring Africa's premier sporting event, the Cup of Nations to his country in 2002.
Konare's term of office will be coming to an end next January as the member states gather again in Ethiopia for the forth-coming summit they will be electing a new chairperson, a new deputy chairperson and members of the specialised technical committee.
Based on the history of the AU an observation worth making is that the Southern African region has never produced a candidate for the position of secretary general both for the Organisation of African Unity as it was formerly called or indeed a chairperson of the African Union commission.
It is with this background that Zambia has seized the opportunity this time around to vie for the position of chairperson of the AU commission by fielding Dr Lewanika who is Zambia's ambassador to the United States.
Dr Lewanika was formerly introduced as Zambia's candidate for the AU top job at a cocktail party held at Lusaka's Pamodzi Hotel on Tuesday evening.
Zambia as a nation and member of the AU has decided to present Dr Lewanika's candidature for the top position of the AU commission in order to influence the future of the continental organisation.
Vice-President, Banda, who was the guest of honour and leader of the campaign team had the sole honour of launching the campaign for Dr Lewanika's candidature as he introduced her to the gathering consisting of important dignitaries.
Notable among them, were deputy speaker of the National Assembly, Mutale Nalumango, clerk of the National Assembly, Doris Mwiinga and senior lecturer at the University of Zambia Dr Peter Matoka.
In addition, Zambia's ascension to the chairperson of Southern African Development Community (SADC) places the country at an advantage to float a candidate for the top AU position.
In this vein Mr Banda has earnestly appealed for support from Sadc member states in the region.
"Zambia strongly feels that together we can shape the future of our continental organisation so that it may better protect African interests and facilitate economic growth and overall development for the benefit of all and the African peoples," he said.
In accepting the nomination, Dr Mbikusita Lewanika was grateful to President Mwanawasa for finding her a worthy candidate to contest the AU commission chairmanship representing Zambia.
" I pledge not to let you down. I am eager and ready to accept the nomination," She assured everyone.
The Zambia's envoy to the US has been associated with the predecessor of the AU, that is the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) particularly in the preparations of the Charter of the African Child
She also chaired several workshops on Gender mainstreaming and served as a member of the African Women Committee on peace and Development.
She has, therefore, been a staunch and long-standing advocate of rights of the child and women within and outside regional and international organisations as well as within and outside Zambia.
Before her appointment, Dr Lewanika was ambassador and special envoy for President Mwanawasa during his term as chairman of the Organisation of African Unity.
Dr Lewanika was a member of the Zambian Parliament having been MP for Mongu central from 1991 to 2001 and she also served on the Foreign Affairs parliamentary committee.
Born on July 10th, 1943, Dr Lewanika who is able to speak French and Kiswahili besides other languages boasts of a rich Curriculum Vitae:
She has a PHD in early child hood and education -Teacher Educator 1979 New York University, New York USA.
Obtained a masters degree in education and psychology in 1965 at California State University San Luis Obispo , California USA .
BSch (Home economics and education) 1964 California state University. San Luis Obispo USA.
AA (Associated Arts) 1962, Orange College , Costa Mesa California USA,
Diploma (peace ad Conflict Resolution) 1997 Uppsala University Sweden, certificate French 1988 institute de Francais, Ville Franche, France.
Certificate (Advanced leadership training) 1986, Haggai institute of Advanced leadership Training Singapore.
Dr Lewaika has addressed members of the UN Security Council in preparation for the UN resolution 1325, women, peace and security in 2000, served in UNICEF in 42 countries with various government departments and communities from 1980 and 1990.
She has worked with various United Nations agencies such as UNESCO, UNDP, WHO, UNFPA and UNIFEM for the past 35 years.
It is no doubt that the AU today is faced with numerous challenges which call for the re-invigoration of the continental organisation in order for it to rise to the occasion and the competent hands of Dr Lewanika are doubtlessly fit for the job.
The organisation needs to take up a new direction in the manner it conducts business considering the many political, social and economic challenges that beset it. Dr Lewanika has had an opportunity to visit at least 40 states throughout the continent during the course of her duties in the hope of serving children and women. She is therefore familiar with a cross section of Africans in both urban and rural areas, traditional leaders and, government officials, men, women, children, the youth, the aged and Africans in the Diaspora.
The appointment of a woman chair would further underscore the continent's commitment to enhanced women representation in key decision making positions and gender equity.
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