Ronnie Shikapwasha Explained

Honorific Prefix:Reverend Lieutenant General
Office:Minister of Information and Broadcasting Services
Term:2008 – September 2011
President:Rupiah Banda
Predecessor:Vernon Mwaanga
Successor:Given Lubinda
Office1:Minister of Home Affairs
Term1:October 2006 – 2008
President1:Levy Mwanawasa
Office2:Minister of Foreign Affairs
Term2:January 2005 – October 2006
President2:Levy Mwanawasa
Predecessor2:Kalombo Mwansa
Successor2:Mundia Sikatana
Office3:Minister of Home Affairs
Term3:9 February 2003 – January 2005
President3:Levy Mwanawasa
Office4:Zambia Airforce Commander
Term4:1991 – 1 December 1997
President4:Frederick Chiluba
Predecessor4:Herbert Simutowe
Successor4:Sande Kayumba
Birth Name:Ronald Shikapwasha
Birth Date:25 December 1947
Birth Place:Northern Rhodesia (now Zambia)
Death Place:Lusaka, Zambia
Citizenship:
  • Zambian
Spouse:Jane Shikapwasha
Children:8
Profession:Christian

Lieutenant General Ronald Shikapwasha (25 December 1947 – 15 January 2024) was a military officer and cabinet official from Zambia.[1]

Political career

Shikapwasha held that post from 2008 until his party, the Movement for Multi-Party Democracy (MMD,) lost the elections to the Patriotic Front in September 2011. A retired Lt General of the Zambia Air Force, he was previously the home affairs minister of Zambia, from 9 February 2003, until January 2005, when he switched positions with Kalombo Mwansa in a cabinet reshuffle and became foreign minister. He served as foreign minister for nearly two years, until another cabinet reshuffle in October 2006 which occurred after Levy Mwanawasa’s election to a second term as president. Shikapwasha returned to the position of home affairs minister and was replaced as foreign minister by agriculture minister Mundia Sikatana. Shikapwasha hailed from Zambia's Central Province and is believed to be a relative to the former First Lady of Zambia, Maureen Kakubo Mwanawasa.

Military career

Before becoming Air Force Commander in 1991, Shikapwasha served as a diplomat and defence attache to Tanzania but fell out of favour with former president Kenneth Kaunda. During his tenure, former president Kaunda had the General investigated and found no wrongdoing. It is believed that he was sent back to Zambia where he was supposed to face charges but there was nothing to charge him on.

Shikapwasha served as the Zambia Air Force Commander under former president Frederick Chiluba. He was subsequently relieved from his duties while lying in a hospital in South Africa on the verge of death a month after the 1997 Zambian coup attempt.[2]

Personal life

Ronnie Shikapwasha was born on 25 December 1947.[3] His education was of a military background, having attended training in England, Russia, China, former Yugoslavia, and India. Shikapwasha was world-travelled and once served as the first republican president's (KK) personal pilot. He had 8 children with his wife Jane. Shikapwasha was a staunch Christian.

Ronnie Shikapwasha died on 15 January 2024, a day after being shot by his wife at his home on 14 January 2024, at the age of 76.[4]

Notes and References

  1. News: Zambia: 'Banda's record too much for Sata'. 11 November 2010. Lusaka Times. 11 November 2010. 12 November 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20101112173954/http://www.lusakatimes.com/2010/11/11/bandas-record-sata/#comments. live.
  2. Web site: 2 December 1997. Zambia: Chiluba Sacks Vice President In Major Cabinet Reshuffle. 31 January 2021. allafrica.com.
  3. Web site: Rev. Lt. Gen.Ronald Shikapwasha. parliament.gov.zm. 18 June 2016.
  4. Web site: Former MMD Information Minister Ronnie Shikapwasha Passes Away. 16 January 2024.