Maureen Mwanawasa

Maureen with Husband Levy Mwanawasa and American First Lady Laura Bush in June 2007

Maureen Mwanawasa is the widow of former Zambian president Levy Mwanawasa and former First Lady of Zambia.

Biography

As early as 2006, Mwanawasa was seen as a potential candidate for president of the country,[1] but following her husband's death, did not file as a potential candidate to represent her husband's party in the election. She, however, did suddenly clash against Michael Sata of the Patriotic Front when he came to pay respects to her at her husband's funeral, resulting in Sata being forced off the premises.[2][3]

She is the immediate past president of the Organisation of African First Ladies Against HIV/AIDS, and founded the Maureen Mwanawasa Community Initiative (MMCI) in 2002. She was also the joint owner of Mwanawasa & Company, her husband's law firm, until he entered into politics and left his private practice.

Mwanawasa was a Jehovah's Witness, but in 2001 she was excommunicated for being actively involved in politics.[4]

References

  1. ↑ Mumba, Brainwave R. (November 26, 2007). "How The G Factor May Help The MMD Should Maureen Mwanawasa Run". The Zambian Chronicle. Retrieved 4 November 2010.
  2. ↑ Shacinda, Shapi (August 26, 2008). "First lady chases Sata from funeral …". The Zambian Chronicle (source: Reuters). Retrieved 4 November 2010.
  3. ↑ "Zambia's mourning turns political". BBC Online. BBC News. 26 August 2008. Retrieved 4 November 2010.
  4. ↑ "Zambia: Jehovah's Witnesses Excommunicate Maureen Mwanawasa", allafrica.com, 2001-12-18.