Leading Ladies Zambia: Recent Episodes
Museum of Women's History of Zambia
Meet Juliana Nsofwa Chileshe, this week's leading lady as we tell her story of rising to the occasion in environmental conservation and management education in the latest episode of #LeadingLadiesZM
In this episode we learn about the story of Chilufya Chileshe Kapwepwe and her work in environmental conservation.
What an incredible story! This week's #LeadingLadiesZM focused on Nangoma, a rainmaker that understood that an environment with healthy regenertaing plants, water and animal life was necessary for a community to have stable families, peaceful lives, prosperity, adequate food and security.
On the second episode of #LeadingLadiesZM Season 4, we dive into the story of Musonda Kapena. Against all odds, she got into a career not to follow trends but to impact nature and delve into environmental conservation and indigenous knowledge systems. Learn about the inspiring story that proves just how much women have contributed to the narrative of forestry conservation.
Here is a lady that was unphased by how she how was treated in relation to her male counterparts but went to excel in the field of ecology and environmental sustainability Meet Dr. Musonda Mumba in our first episode of Leading Ladies Season 4!
Meet Rose Chibambo who proved how women have contributed to the establishment of Malawi as an independent state in today's episode of #LeadingLadiesZM
Meet our Mulena Mukwae Nakatindi Yeta Nganga in our intriguing story of risk taking and ambition in the latest episode of #LeadingLadiesZM
Meet our Fearless Activist, Vera Mlangazua Chirwa. Today we tell her extraordinary story of resilience and resolve in the latest episode of #LeadingLadiesZM
Meet our Women's Rights Activist, Betty Chilombo Chilunga. Today we tell her extraordinary story of resilience and rebellion in the latest episode of #LeadingLadiesZM
Queen Lozikeyi Dlodlo of the Ndebele joins our ensemble of #LeadingLadiesZM in the sixth episode of season three! What lessons can you draw from this fierce revolutionist? In proud partnership with Wona Collective, Enthuse Afrika and Afrotopia.
Join us as we learn from the story of Namlangeni, the mother of the Maseko or Gomani Ngoni on episode 5 of Leading Ladies Season 3!
Today's the day! Join us as we unravel a tale of uprising and lobbying for women's worker rights that we know today. On this episode of #LeadingLadiesZM, we meet Christina Musenge Malila Mulundika, the Trade Unionist. #WomanCrushWednesday #WonderfulWednesday #HumpDay
Rebellion, mysticism and sacrifice aren't enough to describe the fabled story of Charwe Nehanda Nyakasikana, the spirit medium of Mashonaland who fought for the liberation of her land from the British South Africa Company. Learn more about her in episode 3 of the third season of #LeadingLadiesZM! #WomanCrushWednesday #WonderfulWednesday #HumpDay
Meet Salome Chauwa Banda, the prophetess, rainmaker and village headwoman who played an important part in fight against colonial administrative political systems. #LeadingLadiesZM #WomanCrushWednesday #WonderfulWednesday #HumpDay
Defying the powers that be to maintain journalistic integrity?! What a story worthy of the history books. Discover what a surreal life Dinah Ceciwa Bwanuse Khonje has lived, from being a maternity ward activitist, hitlist journalist, international broadcasting pathfinder and pursuing her passion in the arts and crafts. Watch now and share your thoughts in the comment section. #LeadingLadiesZM #WomanCrushWednesday #WonderfulWednesday #HumpDay
The final episode of Season Two of Leading Ladies is one we share with immense gratitude and pride. We’ve shared our community 10 Episodes highlighting 10 historical women leaders who changed the course of our country’s future in one way or other. Meet our final leading lady of this season, Julia Mary Nsofwa Lombe “Chikamoneka” Mulenga, A true mother of the Zambian independence movement thus dubbed and widely known as Mama UNIP. Julia Mary Nsofwa Chikamoneka Mulenga was responsible for being one of they key political mobilisers at grassroots level. She started her journey as a catalyst for actionable change when she joined the Federation of Welfare Associations which thereafter became the Northern Rhodesian African Congress. From her market stall in Kabwata she began mobilising fellow marketeers into organised protest groups for the NRAC which even further along the line metamorphosed into the Zambia’s Independence Party UNIP. Women have always played a role in politics, at the many levels and intersections it exists.
Know her by her name - Helen Jengwera Nyirenda Kaunda one of the first female African boarding mistresses in Northern Rhodesia who started a movement which is today known as Women's Christian Fellowship (WCF) under the United Church of Zambia thereby pioneering missionary work in Zambia's history
Among the first women to sit in the first session of the National Assembly of Zambia at age 24, Malina Kajila Chilila, a female career politician par excellence with professional accolades from Cambridge and UNZA coupled with a track record of working for international organizations such as the UN. She served in the highest of ranks in government and other organizations. #LeadingLadiesZM
Today we uncover the fearless Namwezi Mwamba who passionately fought for the Independence of Zambia and was a key player in the Cha Cha Cha revolts. Unfortunately, Namwezi was betrayed before she could see an Independent Zambia. Women have been leaders in the liberation struggle in Zambia. #LeadingLadiesZM
Kapelwa Mwanangumbi Sikota was the first state registered nurse for any gender who escalated her fight for the rights of African health workers to the House of Commons in England.
Women have been prominent leaders of state for centuries. Meet Be Dyango, Southern Province 18th Century the Head of State. Be Dyango brockered a peace treaty with Chief Mukuni and convinced him that they should be co-rulers. Learn more by watching the video.
In a land where people heavily depended on hunting and gathering, Kabunda introduced agriculture. Thanks to her genious, her brother Chipimpi became the first chief of the Lamba in modern day Copperbelt.
Talk about a long lasting legacy!! Watch this now. "All her life, Chikuku ensured that Soli political power remained vested in female hands."
Meet Ntemba from 19th Century Eastern Province #ThePowerBroker Ntemba held the Bisa-Chewa coalition together for a long time. On her death-bed, she requested that her daughter Chidote succeed her. Chidote settled on the banks of the Lukusizi River. Overtime this group eventually dispersed and disappeared. Women have been formidable political opponents.
The reality is that women have been quite influential on the geo-political landscape of Zambia like Lueji Wa Nkonde. She ruled the Luunda federation of Tubungo in the 1650’s, from her capital at Kasala Katoki.
"Na Chituti was given a praise name and thereafter called Na Chituti, uwa abwishe u Luunda, meaning, Na Chituti, the one who made it possible for the Luunda to settle peacefully in Shila country." Till today Na Chituti’s treaty is enacted at the Mutumboko ceremony by the current Mwata Kazembe and Na Chituti.
To protect her land, Loongo organised an all women army and fought the Makololo. The women left a mark on the Makololo ranks through their sheer courage and determination.
During the Scramble for Africa, The Great Mukwae Matauka wrote a letter to the government of Italy demanding that they clearly delineate her land from that of the Portuguese and stop them from infringing on her people’s rights. The demarcated boundary of her province along the 38th parallel of Longitude still stands today.