Background
Alexander Chikwanda was born on December 1938 at Kasama in Northern Province.
Alexander Chikwanda was born on December 1938 at Kasama in Northern Province.
Educated at Malole Secondary School and subsequently studied at Lund University, Sweden.
Straight from school he got a job as a clerk at Mufulira mines. At 20 he was active in politics in the Copperbelt. From 1959 to 1962 he was constituency secretary for the United National Independence Party. Next he became youth regional secretary for Kitwe-Kalulushi-Mufulira. At the general elec¬tions in 1964 he became MP for Kitwe.
In 1969 he was appointed to run the North-Western Province and then was brought back to Lusaka in 1970 into the President’s office. In 1971 he was appointed Minister of National Guidance and was switched to Health in 1972.
Former coppermine clerk who entered politics at Kitwe and has steadily acquired increasing authority in party and government. A politician who sets himself high standards, he has taken a firm line against intimidation and violence in seeking support for the party in the districts. An enthusiast for party organisation, he is a regular campaigner for funds and new members by persuasion.