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Mnangagwa's nephew enters Zambia's political arena
2 hrs ago |
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Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa's nephew, Bernard Munangagwa, has been formally introduced to voters in the Mwembeshi West constituency in Zambia, where he is seeking election as a Member of Parliament in the country's upcoming August general elections.
Bernard is the son of the late Judah Munangagwa, a brother to President Mnangagwa. In many African cultures, particularly within closely knit extended family structures, nephews and cousins are often regarded and treated as sons and daughters, reflecting broader family bonds that extend beyond the nuclear family model common in Western societies.
His candidacy has renewed interest in the deep historical and family ties between the Mnangagwa family and Zambia.
President Mnangagwa has on several occasions spoken publicly about his roots following confusion over his background. Although born in Zimbabwe, his family relocated to Zambia in 1955 during the colonial era in Southern Rhodesia.
He spent much of his formative years in Zambia, where he completed his primary and secondary education before obtaining a law degree from the University of Zambia.
The Mnangagwa family has long-standing roots in the Mumbwa area, located about 150 kilometres west of Lusaka, where the Zimbabwean leader grew up. President Mnangagwa only returned to Zimbabwe on a full-time basis after the country's independence in 1980.
Like many members of the wider Munangagwa family, Bernard was born and raised in Zambia. According to a journalist from Mumbwa familiar with the family's history, the Munangagwa clan is significantly larger in Zambia than in Zimbabwe.
As political parties and independent candidates finalize their nominations ahead of the August polls, attention has increasingly turned to the contest in Mwembeshi West, a constituency known for competitive elections between the ruling United Party for National Development (UPND) and the opposition Patriotic Front.
A journalist from Mumbwa who spoke to The NewsHawks said Bernard Munangagwa's family name and heritage could help him attract support, particularly among voters with Zimbabwean ancestry.
"I don't think Munangagwa will win Mwembeshi, but he will get a good and sizeable return of votes in the constituency as it has a significant Shona-speaking population and other people of Zimbabwean descent," the journalist said.
He noted that previous winners in the broader Mwembeshi area had links to Zimbabwe or Zimbabwean ancestry before constituency boundaries were redrawn, suggesting that cultural and historical connections remain a factor in local politics.
However, the journalist believes the incumbent legislator, Machila Jamba, remains the favourite to retain the seat.
"In this case, the ruling party current MP and candidate Machila Jamba, who is my legislator, is likely to win," he said.
The election is expected to test the influence of family legacy, ethnic and cultural ties, and local political dynamics in one of Zambia's closely watched parliamentary contests.
Bernard is the son of the late Judah Munangagwa, a brother to President Mnangagwa. In many African cultures, particularly within closely knit extended family structures, nephews and cousins are often regarded and treated as sons and daughters, reflecting broader family bonds that extend beyond the nuclear family model common in Western societies.
His candidacy has renewed interest in the deep historical and family ties between the Mnangagwa family and Zambia.
President Mnangagwa has on several occasions spoken publicly about his roots following confusion over his background. Although born in Zimbabwe, his family relocated to Zambia in 1955 during the colonial era in Southern Rhodesia.
He spent much of his formative years in Zambia, where he completed his primary and secondary education before obtaining a law degree from the University of Zambia.
The Mnangagwa family has long-standing roots in the Mumbwa area, located about 150 kilometres west of Lusaka, where the Zimbabwean leader grew up. President Mnangagwa only returned to Zimbabwe on a full-time basis after the country's independence in 1980.
Like many members of the wider Munangagwa family, Bernard was born and raised in Zambia. According to a journalist from Mumbwa familiar with the family's history, the Munangagwa clan is significantly larger in Zambia than in Zimbabwe.
As political parties and independent candidates finalize their nominations ahead of the August polls, attention has increasingly turned to the contest in Mwembeshi West, a constituency known for competitive elections between the ruling United Party for National Development (UPND) and the opposition Patriotic Front.
A journalist from Mumbwa who spoke to The NewsHawks said Bernard Munangagwa's family name and heritage could help him attract support, particularly among voters with Zimbabwean ancestry.
"I don't think Munangagwa will win Mwembeshi, but he will get a good and sizeable return of votes in the constituency as it has a significant Shona-speaking population and other people of Zimbabwean descent," the journalist said.
He noted that previous winners in the broader Mwembeshi area had links to Zimbabwe or Zimbabwean ancestry before constituency boundaries were redrawn, suggesting that cultural and historical connections remain a factor in local politics.
However, the journalist believes the incumbent legislator, Machila Jamba, remains the favourite to retain the seat.
"In this case, the ruling party current MP and candidate Machila Jamba, who is my legislator, is likely to win," he said.
The election is expected to test the influence of family legacy, ethnic and cultural ties, and local political dynamics in one of Zambia's closely watched parliamentary contests.
Source - online
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