Given Lubinda

Given Lubinda is a Zambian politician who has served in the Cabinet of Zambia as Minister of Agriculture since 2016. He is a Member of the National Assembly of Zambia for Kabwata Constituency (Lusaka) and was Minister of Foreign Affairs from 2012 to 2013. He is also the chairman for information and publicity of the ruling Patriotic Front.^[6] Lubinda is of mixed-race parentage. He is known as an outspoken politician.

Following the death of President Levy Mwanawasa, he came under criticism from both members of the ruling Movement for Multiparty Democracy and the opposition for voicing concerns on issues such as expenditure after the government planned and eventually increased salaries and allowances for both ministers and members of Parliament.^[7]

In January 2012 he bungee-jumped from the Victoria Falls bridge to restore confidence in the jump arrangements after Australian Erin Langworthy's rope broke during her jump. He has offered to jump again with Langworthy.^[8]

Removal from government

In February 2013, Lubinda was removed from his position as Minister of Foreign Affairs after being accused of leaking information to the opposition United Party for National Development, a party he previously belonged to. This was viewed as a result of pressure on the president to remove a potential successor by other ministers who were vying for the presidency.^[9]

After Sata's death in 2014, Lubinda was appointed as Minister of Agriculture and Livestock by President Edgar Lungu on 12 February 2015.

References