Who is Hakainde Hichilema?

Hakainde Hichilema (born June 4, 1962) is a Zambian politician and the President of Zambia's largest opposition political party the United Party for National Development (UPND). He replaced Anderson Mazoka after an interparty election, organized by functioning party president Sakwiba Sikota, which followed Mazoka's death in May 2006. He was also President of the opposition alliance United Democratic Alliance (UDA) an alliance of three opposition political parties.

Personal History

Hichilema was born in Hachipona village, Monze West, in Chief Hamusonde's area. Hichilema is married to former office manager Mutinta. Together, they have three children, daughter Miyanda, and sons Habwela and Chikonka. He has a MBA Finance and Business Strategy from University of Birmingham, United Kingdom. 

Professional history 

-Equator Advisory Services, assistant consultant, 1986 

-Coopers & Lybrand, restructuring Indeco, 1986 

-Director, Corporate Advisory, 1989 CEO, 1994-1998 

-Coopers & Lybrand changed its name to Grant Thornton. 

Directorships 

Hichilema sat on several boards of directors (which he gave up when he assumed party presidency in 2006) 

*Chairman of the board 

-Sun International 

-Greenbelt Fertilisers Ltd 

-Media Trust Fund 

-Export Development Programme 

*Director 

-Zambia Investment Board 

-Seedco Zambia 

-African Life Financial Services (Z) Limited 

-Zambezi Nickel or Bermuda Limited (Bermuda) 

-West Lake Investments (Mauritius) 

*Board Member 

-Zambia Association of Chambers of Commerce and Industry 

-Zambia Business Forum 

-seven other boards 

In the 2006 election, Hakainde Hichilema was the presidential candidate of the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and ran against incumbent president Levy Mwanawasa of the Movement for Multiparty Democracy and Patriotic Front candidate Michael Sata. Hichilema received the endorsement of former President Kenneth Kaunda. The election was held on September 28, 2006, and Hichilema took third place with about 25% of the vote. 

Hichilema ran as the UPND candidate in the October 2008 presidential election, which was called following the death of President Levy Mwanawasa. He came out 3rd with 19.7% of the vote. 

Political pact 

In June 2009, Hichilema's party, the UPND, formed a pact with Michael Sata's Patriotic Front (PF) to contest the 2011 election together. However, indecision on the pact candidate, deep mistrust and accusations of tribalism from both sides resulted in the collapse of the pact in March 2011. 

2014 Candidacy 

He is contender in the 2014 presidential elections under UPND necessitated by the death of Michael Sata who served 3 of the five year term. Experts say he is likely to come out a weak second or third in the election due to the tribal tag and lack of ground structures of his party as his campaign follows where he goes and does not remain on the ground with the grassroots cadre.