QUITE POWER OF MUTINTA HICHILEMA
…rarely seen but deeply felt
By DAVID KANDUZA
WHEN the heavy doors of the National Assembly swung open for the official State opening of Parliament, on Friday, October 9, 2026, the spotlight naturally fell on President Hakainde Hichilema.
Yet, it was the woman walking gracefully by his side who stole the hearts of Zambians online and on the ground.
First Lady Mutinta Hichilema, a figure rarely seen indulging in the standard political fanfare, stepped into the public gaze as a vision of pure elegance.
Dressed in an impeccably tailored, sophisticated ensemble, she was the epitome of stately fashion—proving that style does not need to shout to be remembered.
Across social media and the streets of Lusaka, the verdict was unanimous: Mama Mutinta is not only one of the most elegantly dressed women in the land, but arguably one of the best First Ladies in the world today.
In a political landscape where First Children and presidential spouses have historically dominated headlines with extravagant lifestyles and loud public controversies, the Hichilema family offers a stark, refreshing contrast.
Zambians have widely praised the First Lady for raising their three children completely away from the public glare.
While past administrations often saw presidential offspring entangled in State affairs or flashing immense wealth, Mutinta’s children have chosen a path of quiet humility.
“She understands the difference between being a mother and being a First Lady,” noted one admiring citizen online.
“She has shown everyone that power belongs strictly to the elected President, not his family.”
The narrative surrounding the First Lady is deeply tied to her humility, a trait that President Hichilema himself frequently champions.
Just recently, the President fondly shared an anecdote about how he met “this girl” over 30 years ago, admitting that she actually turned down his very first love proposal.
“I persisted, and eventually, we got married,” a smiling President Hichilema revealed.
“I am very lucky to have her as my wife. I was the lucky guy.”
That luck was forged in fire. When the President faced 15 political arrests and brutal prison stints before his 2021 election victory,
it was Mutinta who stood resolutely at the prison gates, fighting through tears and state blockades to support him.
Away from the ceremonial robes and high-fashion moments at Parliament, Mama Mutinta’s daily life is anchored in community work, championing causes like ending child marriage and supporting special needs education.
Yet, she deliberately shuns the gallivanting and noisy helicopter tours often associated with political elites.
As the dust settles on another historic opening of the National Assembly, the First Lady returns to her quiet domain.
In a world craving political integrity, Mutinta stands out by doing something extraordinarily rare: standing back, letting her husband lead, and letting her dignified silence do all the talking.