MONROVIA – Zambia’s approaching presidential election has drawn an unusual connection to Liberia’s democratic history. Rev. Dr. Given Katuta Mwelma, the only woman seeking Zambia’s highest office, traveled to Monrovia for counsel. There she met former Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Africa’s first democratically elected female president. According to pundits, the visit blended politics, symbolism, faith, and strategy. It also highlighted continuing barriers facing women pursuing executive leadership across Africa. As Zambia prepares for a pivotal electoral contest, the encounter underscores enduring questions about representation, political inclusion, and gender equality. For Mwelma, the meeting offered inspiration and guidance. For observers, it reflected a wider continental conversation about leadership, mentorship, democratic progress, and women’s aspirations across generations. THE ANALYST reports.
The only female contender in Zambia’s forthcoming presidential election, Rev. Dr. Given Katuta Mwelma, has undertaken what she described as a deeply personal and symbolic journey to Liberia to seek the counsel, wisdom, and blessing of former Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, the first democratically elected female president in Africa.
For Mwelma, the visit represented the fulfillment of a dream she had carried for more than 26 years. As she prepares to challenge Zambia’s male-dominated political establishment, she said she considered it important to learn from a woman whose political achievements transformed perceptions of female leadership across the African continent. In an exclusive interview with The Analyst in Monrovia, Mwelma disclosed that Sirleaf had served as her role model and source of inspiration for more than two decades.
“I have always wanted to meet Madam Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. She has been my role model and my inspiration for about 26 years,” Mwelma stated. “Before I go further in my political journey, after my pastors prayed for me, I decided I needed to come and pay homage to those who have gone before us — those who have done it, those who have led with dignity. I wanted to sit with her, learn from her, and receive wisdom from a woman who has impacted my life, my family, and many women in Zambia.”
Meeting Africa’s Political Trailblazer
Mwelma described Liberia as a nation of profound historical significance and said her visit carried both political and spiritual importance. According to her, the trip represented an opportunity to connect with a leader whose accomplishments helped redefine political possibilities for women throughout Africa. The meeting, she explained, exceeded her expectations.
“I expected to see a person who would be difficult to approach because of her status. This is not just a former President of Liberia; she is an icon for Africa and the world. But to my surprise, she welcomed me like a mother. We talked, laughed, walked together and even shared a meal,” she said.
The encounter brought together two women at different stages of political leadership: one who broke a historic barrier by becoming Africa’s first democratically elected female president, and another seeking to become Zambia’s first female head of state.
A Campaign Beyond Personal Ambition
Mwelma’s presidential bid is historic in Zambia because she is contesting as an independent candidate and remains the only woman among the contenders. Having previously won election to Parliament as an independent candidate and later defended her seat against candidates backed by major political parties, she has built a reputation as an unconventional political figure willing to challenge established political structures.
She argues that public officials should remain accountable to citizens rather than become beholden to party interests.
Out of more than 30 aspirants who sought to contest the presidency, she emerged among the final candidates and remains the sole female contender in the race.
According to Mwelma, her campaign is not solely about winning political office. She believes it represents a broader struggle for greater political inclusion and women’s representation in national leadership.
“She opened the door. Because she became President, many women across Africa began to believe that they too could aspire to the highest office of their countries,” Mwelma said of Sirleaf.
Symbolism Beyond National Borders
Mwelma noted that Sirleaf’s election in 2005 changed political conversations across Africa by demonstrating that women could govern nations and lead societies through periods of significant challenge.
She believes that a successful presidential bid in Zambia would similarly encourage a new generation of women to pursue leadership positions.
“After more than six decades of independence, Zambia has never had a female President. If a woman becomes President, it will open another door for women to push harder for national leadership,” she declared.
As Zambia moves closer to its presidential election, Mwelma said she returns home carrying not only memories of meeting a long-admired leader, but also renewed inspiration and encouragement for the political journey ahead.
For many observers, the meeting between Sirleaf and Mwelma symbolized the continuing evolution of women’s leadership in Africa and the enduring influence of pioneers whose achievements continue to inspire future generations.