Ronnie Shikapwasha
Minister of Information and Broadcasting Services
In office
2008 – September 2011
PresidentRupiah Banda
Preceded byVernon Mwaanga
Succeeded byGiven Lubinda
Minister of Home Affairs
In office
October 2006 – 2008
PresidentLevy Mwanawasa
Minister of Foreign Affairs
In office
January 2005 – October 2006
PresidentLevy Mwanawasa
Preceded byKalombo Mwansa
Succeeded byMundia Sikatana
Minister of Home Affairs
In office
9 February 2003 – January 2005
PresidentLevy Mwanawasa
Zambia Airforce Commander
In office
1991 – 1 December 1997
PresidentFrederick Chiluba
Preceded byHerbert Simutowe
Succeeded bySande Kayumba
Personal details
Born
Ronald Shikapwasha

(1947-12-25)25 December 1947
Northern Rhodesia (now Zambia)
Died15 January 2024(2024-01-15) (aged 76)
Lusaka, Zambia
Citizenship
  • Zambian


SpouseJane Shikapwasha
Children8
ProfessionChristian

Lieutenant General Ronald Shikapwasha (25 December 1947 – 15 January 2024) was an 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 February 9, 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 after a shooting incident at his home on 15 January 2024, at the age of 76.[4]

References

  1. "Zambia: 'Banda's record too much for Sata'". Lusaka Times. 11 November 2010. Archived from the original on 12 November 2010. Retrieved 11 November 2010.
  2. "Zambia: Chiluba Sacks Vice President In Major Cabinet Reshuffle". allafrica.com. 1997-12-02. Retrieved 2021-01-31.
  3. "Rev. Lt. Gen.Ronald Shikapwasha". parliament.gov.zm. Retrieved 2016-06-18.
  4. "Former MMD Information Minister Ronnie Shikapwasha Passes Away". Retrieved 2024-01-16.
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