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Hakainde Hichilema finally won the presidential election after five failed campaigns. There was dancing in Zambia’s capital, Lusaka, when it emerged that Hichilema had beaten President Edgar Lungu by over a million votes. While there are some foul play cries from the losers, it’s pretty clear that Hichilema won by a landslide.
Source: Twitter
Hakainde has been a politician for decades now. However, before entering politics he was a well established businessman. His journey from cattle boy to President-elect of Zambia is an interesting one. Zambia is one of the most peaceful countries in Africa.
Profile summary
- Last name and first name: Hakainde Hichilema
- Nickname: HH
- Date of Birth: June 4, 1962
- Age: 59
- Place of birth: Monze district
- Nationality: Zambian
- Job: Politician, Businessman
- Sexuality: Heterosexual
- Current residence: Lusaka, Zambia
- Ethnicity: African
- Bodybuilding: Adjust
- Hair color: Black
- Eye colour: Black
- Marital status: Married
- Joint: Mutinta hichilema
- Children: Miyanda, Chikonka, Habwela Hichilema
- Education: University of Zambia, University of Birmingham
- Famous for: Win the presidential elections
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Early life
How old is Hakainde? Hichilema was born on June 4, 1962, which makes him 59 years old (in 2021). He was born in Monze district, Zambia.
After graduating from high school, he was awarded a scholarship to study at the University of Zambia, where he obtained a bachelor’s degree in economics and business administration. He then pursued an MBA in Finance and Business Strategy at the University of Birmingham in the UK.
After obtaining his accreditations he was CEO of Coopers and Lybrand Zambia from 1994 to 1998. He then became CEO of Grant Thornton Zambia between 1998 and 2006. Since then he has grown his business and added titles such as property management, financial advice and tourism to its portfolio.
Political career
Hichilema has been active in all political campaigns since 2006. He first tried to be president in 2006 as leader of the liberal party, the United Party for National Development (UPND). That year he opposed President Levy Mwanawasa, the outgoing President, and Michael SATA. Hakainde took third place with around 25% of the vote.
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In 2008, President Mwanawasa passed away, which sparked another presidential election. Hichilema took third place again. In the next presidential election, Hakainde was one of the two main candidates. He lost again; however, this time the margin was smaller. He denounced the elections as a sham.
In August 2016, he faced Edgar Lungu again and was narrowly beaten. After his defeat in 2016, Hakainde started to prepare for the next presidential election. Again, he faced Edgar Lungu, winner of the 2016 presidential election.
Hichilema’s time in prison
Source: Twitter
Why was Hakainde Hichilema arrested? On April 11, 2017, Hichilema was arrested at his home by order of President Lungu’s government. He was charged with treason after charges of endangering the president’s life. Hakainde’s procession would have refused to give way to the procession carrying the president.
Some even went to defecate on Hichilema’s bed. In addition, the police used tear gas canisters to enter Hichilema’s house, causing those in the residence to collapse due to inhalation.
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Hakainde vehemently denied the charges, which included a minimum charge of at least 15 years and a maximum death sentence. The opposition leader’s arrest has been widely condemned around the world, with most people viewing it as a minor traffic violation.
The United States, the European Union, the European Parliament and other political leaders in Africa have all denounced the arrest.
In an interview with HARDtalk, he recounted his experience in prison. He was held in solitary confinement for eight days without food, water and light and was not allowed any visitation. In addition, he stated that he was tortured by spraying his private parts with pepper.
While in prison, Hakainde received various high level visitors due to his predicament. Kenneth Kaunda, Zambia’s first president, visited him but was turned away by prison authorities. Mmusi Maimane, a leader of the Democratic Alliance in South Africa, also tried to visit him but was not allowed to disembark his plane.
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He also received the visit of Olusegun Obasanjo, the former president of Nigeria. In addition, Commonwealth Secretary General Baroness Patricia Scotland visited him twice.
Protests erupted in Zambia (a visa-free country), South Africa and the UK demanding the release of Hichilema and condemning Edgar’s authoritarian regime. This led President Lungu to declare a state of emergency.
On August 16, 2017, he was released from prison, which was a great cause for celebration. After his release, Hichilema’s fame skyrocketed and he received the Africa Freedom Award in Johannesburg.
Later that year, a book about his experience in prison titled Hakainde Hichilema Prison Journal was published by journalist Fredrick Misebezi.
What is Hichilema’s net worth?
Source: Twitter
Do you want to know what is the net worth of Hakainde Hichilema? It is worth $ 389 million. He amassed this wealth through his various efforts and was even named the richest politician in Zambia.
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Like Ken Ofori Atta, he is both a businessman and a politician. In addition to his multiple business activities and political ambitions, he also owns one of the largest cattle ranches in the country.
Does Hakainde Hichilema own shares in Zambeef? In his efforts as a businessman, Hakainde acquired shares in several private companies. One of them is Zambeef Limited. Others include Zambezi Sun, Pick N Pay, Game Stores, Mukuba Mall, Manda Hill Center, and many others.
Other assets the millionaire owns include several homes and office buildings. Hakainde Hichilema’s new homes include mansions in South Africa, England, Lusaka and an office building in Choma.
Private life
Hakainde Hichilema’s wife is Mutinta Hichilema. The couple are lucky enough to have three children, Miyanda, Habwela and Chikonka Hichilema.
What is the religion of Hakainde Hichilema? Due to his financial prowess, Hichilema has been accused of being a Freemason. He denied these claims and called his accusers malicious. He is a loyal member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.
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Hakainde Hichilema is the newly elected President of the Republic of Zambia. His journey from rags to riches has been tumultuous and an inspiration to many.
Do you want to learn more about Kennedy Agyapong? Yen.com.gh has all the information you need on the famous politician. Before becoming a politician, Agyapong was already an established businessman.
Kennedy is a member of the Ghanaian Parliament who has been in the political arena for about two decades. He is one of the richest politicians in the country.
Source: Yen.com.gh
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