Introduction
Politics is a tricky game that requires wit, strategy, and resilience to weather the ever-changing tides. Some politicians rise to dizzying heights of power, while others plummet to the depths of obscurity. One such politician is Nevers Mumba, a prominent figure in Zambian politics. In this blog post, we will take you through the highs and lows of Nevers Mumba’s political journey, his achievements, his failures, and the lessons that can be learned from his experiences.
Early Life and Career
Nevers Mumba was born on 7th February 1961 in Zambia’s Mpongwe district. He graduated from Rhema Bible Training Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where he obtained a degree in Theology. He then went on to pursue a Master’s degree in International Relations from Norwich University in Vermont. Afterward, he became a pastor before venturing into politics, where he joined the Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) political party. In 2008, he became the party president, and four years later, he became the running mate of the MMD presidential candidate in the 2011 elections.
Rise to Power
In 2012, after the MMD lost the elections to the Patriotic Front (PF) party, Nevers Mumba took over from Rupiah Banda as the party’s president. He rebranded the party and aimed to rebuild it from the grassroots. However, his leadership at the helm of the party was marred by divisions, squabbles, and accusations of financial mismanagement. Despite the challenges, Nevers Mumba successfully led the MMD into the 2016 general elections, where he contested for the presidency.
The 2016 Elections
The 2016 general elections were a turning point in Nevers Mumba’s political career. The MMD performed dismally, and Nevers Mumba finished in fourth place in the presidential race. The party only managed to win three seats in the National Assembly and no representation in the local government. The election loss dealt a severe blow to Nevers Mumba’s political aspirations and his leadership of the MMD. He faced a leadership challenge that resulted in his expulsion from the party in 2018.
Legal Issues
Nevers Mumba’s political fortunes continued to dwindle, with legal issues adding to his woes. In 2019, he was found guilty of giving false information to a public officer and sentenced to three months of imprisonment with hard labor. The charges related to his use of a government vehicle he received during his time as Zambia’s High Commissioner to Canada. He appealed the sentence and was released on bail, but the conviction remains a black spot on his political record.
Recent Politics
Nevers Mumba’s recent politics have been characterized by attempts to revive his political career. In 2020, he announced his intention to run for the presidency in the 2021 general elections under the All People’s Congress (APC) political party. However, his candidacy faces challenges, with some questioning his eligibility to run based on his conviction and expulsion from the MMD.
FAQs
Q: What is Nevers Mumba’s political party?
A: Nevers Mumba is currently the president of the All People’s Congress (APC) political party.
Q: Was Nevers Mumba ever the president of Zambia?
A: No, Nevers Mumba has never been the president of Zambia.
Q: Was Nevers Mumba convicted of a crime?
A: Yes, in 2019, Nevers Mumba was convicted of giving false information to a public officer.
Q: Is Nevers Mumba eligible to run for the presidency in the 2021 general elections?
A: Nevers Mumba’s eligibility to run for the presidency is under question due to his conviction and expulsion from the MMD.
Q: What political party did Nevers Mumba belong to?
A: Nevers Mumba originally belonged to the Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) political party before founding the All People’s Congress (APC) political party.
Q: Did Nevers Mumba ever win an election?
A: Nevers Mumba has never won an election as a presidential candidate.
Q: What did Nevers Mumba study?
A: Nevers Mumba studied Theology at Rhema Bible Training Center and obtained a Master’s degree in International Relations from Norwich University.
Conclusion
Nevers Mumba’s political journey has been one filled with highs and lows, successes, and failures. His rise to the top of the MMD and the subsequent fall from grace serves as a lesson to aspiring politicians on the importance of leadership, management, and personal integrity. The legal troubles and the challenges he faces in his recent political ambitions emphasize the need for politicians to adhere to the laws and regulations governing their actions. As Zambians prepare for the 2021 general elections, the role that Nevers Mumba will play remains to be seen, but one thing is for sure; his contributions to the Zambian political landscape cannot be denied.