14th August 2024 11:41:40 AM
1 min readZambia's former First Lady Maureen Mwanawasa has passed away at the age of 61. She died late Tuesday at a Lusaka hospital after a brief illness, according to her family.
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Maureen Mwanawasa was married to Zambia's third President, Levy Mwanawasa, who served from 2002 until his death in 2008. President Hakainde Hichilema has expressed deep shock at her passing.
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A trained lawyer, Mrs. Mwanawasa was known for her advocacy in social justice, community development, and public health.
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She co-managed a law firm with her husband before he entered politics and played a significant role in his successful presidential campaign in 2001.
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Though she was considered a potential successor to her husband, she did not pursue a political career following his death.
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In 2016, she ran unsuccessfully for mayor of Lusaka.
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Mrs. Mwanawasa was a founding member and past president of the Organisation of African First Ladies Against HIV/AIDS, now known as the Organisation of African First Ladies for Development.
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Her contributions to community development earned her numerous accolades, including the International Hope Award from World Vision in 2006.
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"May her legacy of hardworking, kindness, compassion, and dedication to our nation continue to inspire us," said Nevers Sekwila Mumba, leader of Mr Mwanawasa's Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD), now in opposition.
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In his statement, President Hichilema called on the country to unite "as we join her family, and indeed the nation, in prayer".
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