Zambia’s youngest mayor mobilizes youth vote: on route to creating model city
Growing up in Chipata, we owned a small piece of land that we survived on. My mother tirelessly sold vegetables from morning until evening to support us, saving money to ensure I could attend school.
- 4 months ago
July 21, 2024
George Mwanza, elected Mayor of Chipata, Zambia as an independent candidate in 2021, is seen in his office at Chipata Municipality. | Photo courtesy of Zambian Observer
CHIPATA, Zambia — Growing up in Chipata, we owned a small piece of land that we survived on. My mother tirelessly sold vegetables from morning until evening to support us, saving money to ensure I could attend school. She demonstrated both a big heart and a relentless work ethic. I dreamed of developing our land to give my family a better life.
However, political mobsters from the ruling party forcibly took our land, shattering our dreams. That day, seeing my mother cry broke my heart, but I felt powerless to help. I also witnessed the hardships women faced in the marketplaces. Despite paying fees to the council, there were no sanitary facilities, forcing women to find secluded areas to relieve themselves. It was embarrassing and undignified, especially for mothers.
As a result, my determination to combat injustice and advocate for the vulnerable in our community intensified. At 22 years old, I strongly wanted to fight for justice and create positive change. Determined to make a difference, I ran for mayor to construct a better community and tackle the issues confronting my mother and women like her.
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Overcoming educational hardship: from school challenges to academic triumph
During my secondary education, I actively participated in school activities, leading me to join the Junior Engineers, Technicians, and Scientists (JETS) group. I presided over the Youth Development Foundation and served as vice president of the debate club. These experiences bolstered my confidence in influencing others and driving positive change.
However, at Chizongwe Technical Boarding School, as I reached grade 10, my uncle, who sponsored my education, lost his job. It put my education at risk and burdened my mother. Despite her long hours at work, she always found time to ask about my day and check on my challenges. I experienced sleepless nights thinking about my next move. Education was my escape route and my platform for empowerment to fulfill my dream.
Now, I was about to drop out. I was not prepared to face reality. Fortunately, fate intervened. My school nominated me for a provincial competition organized by the Young Achievers Zambia Program, sponsored by Barclays Bank and the United Nations. Surprisingly, I achieved first place, which allowed me to cover my remaining school fees and exam costs.
My mother shed tears of joy, as this timely intervention greatly benefited our family. After graduating high school, I studied commerce and established a business consultancy. I am now enrolled in the Bachelor of Science program in Public Administration and Governance at Zambia Open University.
Young man wins mayoral election amid challenges, advocates for underprivileged
In 2016, Edgar Lungu, the president of Zambia at the time, signed an act into law, transforming the mayorship into an elected office. Historically, this role had been purely ceremonial and devoid of actual authority. At that moment, I decided to run for mayoral elections to build my community and address the daily challenges my people face.
In particular, I recalled the marketplaces, where women endure the most suffering. Due to the lack of sanitary facilities, I witnessed women searching for secluded areas to relieve themselves. At one point, my mother rented a space at the market, and the idea that men might bump into her or that she might struggle to find relief pained me deeply.
I initially tried to run on the ruling party’s ticket, but I was rejected because they preferred more seasoned, affluent politicians with extensive experience. This setback led me to choose an independent path. So, I quickly devised a five-year strategy spanning from 2016 to 2021, which provided my campaign with a robust foundation.
Running as an independent candidate presented unique challenges. Established political parties enjoyed greater financial resources and infrastructure. However, I relied on the passion and dedication of my younger supporters, who hungered for change and shared my vision. Despite lacking funds, I confidently walked throughout Chipata all day, mobilizing people with my resonant manifesto. Sweat covered me, and I felt tired, pondering the next move. Nevertheless, I had the energy for the next day.
In 2021, when I was 27 years old, I contested the election. My opponents criticized my age and experience, but people rallied behind me. I remember being at my base, a meeting point with some of my campaign team, when I received the news that I won. Although I anticipated winning, hearing that I won evoked a range of emotions. After counting the votes, all doubt vanished with over 27,000 votes separating me from the runner-up. My victory is a triumph for the youth, women, Zambians, and African people.
Transforming Chipata: mayor’s commitment to community engagement, financial recovery, and innovation
As the people’s mayor, I brought the mayor’s office closer to the community, achieving my finest moment. Initially, senior employees within the local government department opposed my approach. However, I persisted in upholding the people’s will and remained committed as the executive mayor.
I remember one evening when I was about to knock off work, I found a dozen people waiting for me in the corridor. Each had their issues, some just requesting money for an emergency back home. I attended to everyone before leaving. This experience made me realize that this was not a small task, and since then, my days have been characterized by such scenarios.
When I took office, I faced the challenge of paying city employees who were owed ten months’ worth of salary arrears. I prioritized paying off every debt, and building confidence and trust in my leadership. The next morning, the employee who had not formally greeted me for some time was the first to greet me after receiving their dues. Additionally, I opened Chipata’s first landfill after a fifteen-year gap, established recycling programs, and reduced waste.
I introduced innovative ideas to modernize services, leading the city toward e-government service delivery. This shift enabled us to respond more quickly to inquiries and assistance requests. Through a partnership with a German city, I secured fifty laptops, enhancing our digitalization efforts and improving transparency and income generation.
Looking ahead, I am excited about transforming Chipata into a model city. I plan to address climate change, improve road infrastructure, and achieve full digitalization. As part of my commitment to the community, I oversaw the construction of multiple boreholes in local schools, ensuring a reliable supply of clean drinking water.
