Mainza Chona

Mainza Mathias Chona (21 January 1930 – 11 December 2001) was a Zambian politician and diplomat.

He served as Vice President of Zambia between 1970 and 1973 and Prime Minister on two occasions: 25 August 1973 to 27 May 1975 and 20 July 1977 to 15 June 1978. He was also the Secretary General of the ruling party, UNIP between 1978 and 1981. This position was the de facto 2nd in command in the hierarchy of Zambian politics during the period of the One Party Participatory State (1973–1991).

He also held various government positions, including Justice Minister (1964–1968), Home Affairs Minister (1968–1969) and Minister of Legal Affairs and Attorney-General (1975–1978). He was Secretary-General of the United National Independence Party (UNIP) from 1978 to 1981 and Zambia's ambassador to the People's Republic of China from 1984 to 1989. He later served as Zambian Ambassador to France up to 1992.

Early life and education background

Mainza Mathias Chona was born Sikaye Chingula Namukamba on 21 January 1930 at Nampeyo, near Monze in the Southern Province of the British colony of Northern Rhodesia (which later became Zambia). His father was Hameja Chilala (also known as Chief Chona). His mother, Nhandu (Chinyama), was one of his father's five wives.