George Kunda

George Kunda (26 February 1956 – 16 April 2012) was a Zambian lawyer and politician who was Vice-President of Zambia from 2008 to 2011. He served under President Rupiah Banda until their party's loss to Michael Sata's party.

George Kunda
Vice President of Zambia
In office 2 November 2008 – 23 September 2011
President	Rupiah Banda
Preceded by	Rupiah Banda
Succeeded by	Guy Scott
Personal details
Born	February 26, 1956 Luanshya, Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland
Died	April 16, 2012 (aged 56) Lusaka, Zambia
Political party	Movement for Multi-Party Democracy
Spouse(s)	Irene Kunda
Children	Howard, Georgina, Marion, George, Godfrey, Chiluba
Alma mater	University of Zambia
Profession	Attorney

Early life and career

The son of a miner, Kunda obtained a law degree from the University of Zambia and began practicing on April 28, 1982. He started his career at the Luanshya Municipal Council as a solicitor before creating his own law firm in 1990.[1]

Politics

While Kunda did not compete in the 2001 parliamentary election, he gained one of the eight appointed seats in Parliament. President Levy Mwanawasa appointed him the positions of Minister of Justice and Attorney General in 2002.[2] However, Mwanawasa removed Kunda from the position of Attorney General and appointed Mumba Malila in 2006 while leaving Kunda with his position of Justice Minister.[3]

Vice President

From 2008 to September 2011, Kunda served as Vice President during Rupiah Banda's presidency.[4] At a mining conference in June 2011, Kunda stated that Zambia was interested in expanding their mining resources, such as iron ore and uranium.[5]

Homosexuality

In May 2010, Kunda claimed that homosexuality could lead to "sadism and Satanism".[6] Kunda brought up the topic of homosexuality in the months leading to the 2011 elections as a "wedge issue"[7] by addressing the Parliament of Zambia on 18 March 2011 and highlighted that homosexuality in Zambia is illegal and punishable in the Zambian law.[8]

Death

On 16 April 2012, Kunda died of a kidney failure. He was buried at Leopards Hill Memorial Park in Lusaka on 20 April 2012.[4]

References

1. "Meet George Kunda: The new Vice President of Zambia – who is Mr Integrity". ukzambians.co.uk. Retrieved 17 November 2016.
2. Simon, David J.; Pletcher, James R.; Siegel, Brian V., eds. (2008). "Kunda, George". Historical Dictionary of Zambia. African Historical Dictionaries. 106 (3rd ed.). Metuchen, New Jersey: Scarecrow Press. p. 198. ISBN 978-0-8108-5305-8.
3. Mangani, Margaret. "Zambia: George Kunda's March to Government House". allafrica.com. Retrieved 17 November 2016.
4. Chawe, Michael. "Former Zambia Vice President George Kunda buried". africareview.com. Retrieved 17 November 2016.
5. Faurie, Jonathan. "Zambia seeks more iron-ore, manganese, uranium investment". miningweekly.com. Retrieved 17 November 2016.
6. "A well-locked closet". The Economist. 29 May 2010. Retrieved 17 November 2016.
7. "Zambia's Vice-President Using Homosexuality as Wedge Issue in 2011 Elections". msmgf.org. Retrieved 17 November 2016.
8. "Gay and lesbianism is criminal under the laws of Zambia – Vice President". ukzambians.co.uk. Retrieved 17 November 2016.