31/01/2026
๐ฟ๐ฒ BANGWEULU CONSTITUENCY, ZAMBIAโS HIDDEN POLITICAL HISTORY ๐ฟ๐ฒ
Hey Ba Samfya! ๐๐พ
Bangweulu has seen major boundary changes:
- Split in 1968 into Bangweulu North, Samfya, and Samfya East.
- Re-established in 1983 by merging Samfya Central and Samfya South.
This explains why some names appear under slightly different constituency labels in the 1970s.
Quick Facts
- Located south of Lake Bangweulu, Samfya District, Luapula Province
- Economy: Fishing, cassava/maize/rice farming, small-scale trade
- Key challenges: Seasonal flooding, poor roads, limited electricity, high malaria/poverty rates
- Registered voters (2021): 57,856
- Historical leanings: UNIP stronghold (pre-1991), then MMD, now PF-dominant
๐๏ธ MPs TIMELINE (1964โPresent)
โข 1964โ1968: Hankey B. Kalanga (UNIP) โ First post-independence MP; served as Parliamentary Secretary in several ministries (Natural Resources, Health, Transport).
โข 1968โ1973: Scott Matafwali (UNIP) โ Bangweulu North (post-split).
โข 1973โ1978: Scott Matafwali (UNIP) โ Samfya Central (renamed). Father of the late Chifita Matafwali; focused on rural development during the one-party state.
โข 1978โ1983: Joseph Kasongo (UNIP) โ Samfya (pre-merger).
โข 1983โ1988: Joseph Kasongo (UNIP) โ Bangweulu (re-established constituency). Education advocate, pushed fishing co-operatives and infrastructure.
โข 1988โ1991: Joseph Kasongo (UNIP) โ Re-elected.
โข 1991โ1996: Daniel P**e (MMD) โ Defeated Joseph Kasongo in the 1991 multiparty elections; later served as Deputy Minister of Finance under President Chiluba.
โข 1996โ2001: Daniel P**e (MMD) โ Re-elected; later founded the Christian Democratic Party (CDP).
โข 2001โ2006: Joseph Kasongo (Independent) โ Dramatic comeback, won with strong local support (30,000 votes reported in some records).
โข 2006โ2011: Joseph Kasongo (PF) โ Joined Michael Sataโs Patriotic Front.
โข 2011โ2015: Chifita Matafwali (PF) โ Landslide victory (76.42%) son of Scott Matafwali, died in office May 2015.
โข 2015 (by-election) Anthony Kasandwe (PF) โ Won with 81.10%.
โข 2016โ2021: Anthony Kasandwe (PF) โ Re-elected.
โข 2021โPresent: Anthony Kasandwe (PF) โ Retained seat with 16,450 votes; current MP.
๐ฎ LOOKING TO 2026
General Election: 13 August 2026
Questions for the constituency:
- Will Hon. Anthony Kasandwe defend the seat?
- Potential challengers already being mentioned: Muchindu Mwape, Reuben K. Chama, Happy D. Mampa, and possibly others from UPND or independent tickets.
๐ฌ What do you think, Ba Samfya?
- Who do you consider the best MP Bangweulu has ever had?
- What should the next MP prioritise (roads, electricity, fishing cooperatives, youth jobs, flood control)?
- Your 2026 prediction?
Knowledge is power ahead of 2026. Letโs keep the discussion factual and respectful. Drop your thoughts below ๐๐พ