08/08/2025
As we celebrate Ukusefya Pa Ng'wena Ceremony from 7th - 9th August, we would like to take time to honour the late second V.P of the Republic of Zambia, Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe, a descendant of the Bemba Clan. From freedom fighter to VP, Simon Kapwepwe shaped Zambia’s Freedom movement and political landscape. As UNIP’s fiery strategist, he helped secure independence (1964) and later served as Kaunda’s VP (1967–70), pushing economic, social reforms & cultural pride—like teaching indigenous languages in schools. But political clashes turned allies into rivals: Kapwepwe broke away and declared himself the founder of the first opposition party United Progressive Party (UPP), due to the fact that his views were sidelined by the late former President Kenneth Kaunda. Despite being childhood friends, he was detained with other party members in 1971. Though briefly imprisoned, his legacy endured—a patriot who dared challenge the yet-to-be-one-party state Republic of Zambia in 1972, yet never abandoned Zambia’s progress until he retired from politics and returned to Chinsali. He died on 26 January 1980, after suffering from a stroke two days earlier.. 🇿🇲
