Zambian general and politician (1947–2024)
Lieutenant General Ronald Shikapwasha (25 December 1947 – 15 January 2024) was a military officer and cabinet official from Zambia.
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.
Personal life.
Ronnie Shikapwasha was born on 25 December 1947. 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.
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