Zambia's Kingmakers?

A friend tells me that these are the men and women whose choice of the next MMD presidential candidate, may significantly constrain your choice for the next President of the Republic of Zambia.

1. Mr Micheal Mabenga - National Chairman
2. Mr Kabinga Pande - Vice National Chairman
3. Mr. Mike Mulongoti - Chairperson Elections
4. Dr. Katele Kalumba - National Secretary
5. Mr. Richard Kachingwe - Deputy National Secretary
6. Mr. Ben Tatemashimba - Chairperson Information
7. Ms. Vera Tembo Chiluba - National Women Chairperson
8. Ms. Rose Zimba - Provincial Women Chairperson-Lusaka
9. Mr. Geofrey Chumbwe - Provincial Chairperson-Lusaka
10. Mr. Sureh Desail - National Treasurer
11. Mr. Jazzman Chikwakwa - Vice National Treasurer
12. Mr.Bwalya S.K Chiti - Chairperson-Legal Affairs
13. Mr. Lt.Gen Shikapwasha - Chairperson for National Security
14. Mr. Dr. Kalombo Mwansa - Chairperson for International Relations
15. Mr.Peter Ng'andu Magande - Chairperson for Finance and Economic Affairs
16. Mr: Maybin Mubanga - Chairperson for Agriculture and cooperative
17. Mrs. Gladys Zaloumis Kristafor - Chairperson for Commerce,Trade and Industry
18. Mr. Andrew Mulenga - Chairperson for Education Research,Secience and Technology
19. Mr. Bates Namuyanba - Chairperson for Local Govt,Housing and Enviroment Protection
20. Mr. Dr Brig.Gen Brian Chituwo - Chairperson for Health
21. Mrs. Witner Mutale Nalumango - Chairperson for Labour and Social
22. Mr. Kaunda Lembalemba - Chairperson for mining and mineral Development
23. Mr. Judith K.Kapijimpanga - Chairperson for Lands and Natural Resources
24. Mr. Patrick Kalifungwa - Chairperson for Tourism
25. Mr. Stephen Manjata - Chairperson for Art,Culture and Sport
26. Mr. George Mpombo - Chairperson for Energy
27. Mr. Patrick Musonda - Chairperson for Youth and Child Development
28. Mr. Terence Irwin Findley - Chairperson for Copperbelt Province
29. Ms. Hellen Tembo -Chairperson for Eastern Province
30. Mr. Griver C.Sikasote - Chairperson for Northern Province
31. Mr. Bert Mushala - Chairperson for North Western Province
32. Mr. Daniel Munkombwe - Chairperson for Southern Province
33. Hon. Rupiah Banda - Trustee
34. Ms. Grace Njapau - Trustee
35. Mr. Alex Luhila - Trustee
36. Ms. Veronica Mtonga - Chairlady for Copperbelt Province
37. Ms. Caroline Mwanza - Chairlady for Eatern Province
38. Ms. Mwitwa S. Nkatya - Chairlady for Luapula

But there's another reason why you should know them - these may well be your future cabinet, atleast in an early post electoral phase. As the MMD NEC searches for a candidate to stand against the opposition, prospective candidates will woo MMD NEC members with many promises. Not all of those promises will be about good governance. Many of them will be about personal rewards e.g. cabinet posts, money and other things. Its therefore possible that many from this group of 38 could emerge quite influential post the elections, should the MMD win the Presidential by-elections. You might want to keep that in mind, as you watch the drama unfold.