PROF. ALFRED CHANDA: “POLITICIANS WANT TO MANIPULATE THE CONSTITUTION BECAUSE OF THEIR OBSCENE LOVE FOR POWER”
“Democracy cannot survive if we do not have an alert people… Politicians will not grant democracy. They need to be constantly under surveillance.”
“Usually, politicians want to cling to power and manipulate the Constitution or even create a defective self-styled Constitution that lacks legitimacy from citizens.”
These prophetic words were spoken in 2004 by the late, eminent constitutional lawyer and Dean of Law at the University of Zambia (UNZA), Professor Alfred Chanda.
In this captivating excerpt from the newly released book, “Conversations with Memorable Personalities, Part 2 (2026)” by Amos Malupenga, Prof. Chanda exposes the greed behind Zambia’s constitutional failures and shares his extraordinary journey to the top of his field.
📖 EXCERPT (Pages 94 – 95):
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In October 2004 when he was conferred with the lofty title of Professor, I visited him to trace his academic journey and also to seize the opportunity to tap into his vast knowledge and wisdom as a respected constitutional lawyer as well as human rights advocate, through his commentary on the topical issues.
At the time of his tragic demise in a road traffic accident on Sunday, March 7, 2007, Professor Chanda was succeeded as Dean in the law school by the now Constitutional Court President, Justice Professor Margaret Munalula.
Amos Malupenga: To start with, I would like to congratulate you on your promotion as Professor. When was this promotion?
Prof. Alfred Chanda: On the 1st of October 2004 although it has been backdated to January 1, this year [2004]. The Promotions Committee meets once a year. So, this year they met on the 28th of September to consider applications for promotions.
Malupenga: Give me your full name and a brief background.
Prof. Chanda: My full names are Alfred Winstone Chanda. I was born on the 5th of June 1958 at Mpiri village in Chief Liteta’s area. I am an only child of my mother. My father was John Chanda.
He passed away many years ago.
Mum and dad divorced in the 1970s, so I grew up with grand mum.
In terms of education, I started my primary school in 1966 at Mikomfwa in Luanshya
where I did grades one to three.
I did my Grade 4 at Mpiri Primary School, Grade 5 at Mushikili, Grade 6 and seven at Moomba which is about 12 miles from Lusaka.
Then I did my secondary school at St Pauls in Kabwe. I was the best student and was
lucky to be accepted to the University of Zambia in 1978 in the School of Humanities and Social Sciences.
I emerged top of the class at the end of the first year and I was admitted into
law school in 1979. In fact, all my years at school, I was top of the class.
I studied law from 1979 to 1982. I was top of the class from the second, third and fourth
years. I graduated with merit. I was the only one with merit that year. I beat the closest to me by 10 points.
Malupenga: Who was the closest?
Prof. Chanda: Patrick Matibini [the former Speaker of the National Assembly]. Chaloka Beyani who is teaching in London, came third.
As a result of my good performance, the university offered me a staff development fellowship. I went to the Law Practising Institute [LPI] where I spent one month, for the bar exams, but I withdrew when the university offered me that
scholarship. That’s how I came to UNZA. …”
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Picture caption: Professor Alfred Chanda, as Assistant Dean
in the School of Law at the University of Zambia, during the conversation October 2004.
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