Born: 9 October 1938, Zambia
Died: 14 March 2009
Country most active: Zambia
Also known as: NA
Gwendoline Noreen Chomba Konie, a distinguished Zambian poet, diplomat, and politician, made significant contributions to her nation’s political and cultural landscape. Born in Lusaka in 1938, she attended Cardiff University in Wales and the American University in Washington D.C., earning a doctorate in sociology from the University of Warwick.
In 1962, Sir Evelyn Dennison Hone appointed Konie to the Legislative Council of Northern Rhodesia. Following training in the Foreign Office, she ascended to the role of Zambia’s Ambassador to Scandinavia and later served as Permanent Representative to the United Nations. Additionally, she held key positions, including Permanent Secretary of Zambia’s Tourism Ministry and Ambassador to Germany.
Konie’s political journey culminated in her presidential candidacy in the 2001 Zambian general election, representing the Social Democratic Party, a party she founded in 2000 with a focus on women and children’s issues. While she garnered over 10,000 votes, Levy Mwanawasa secured the presidency.
Beyond her political pursuits, Konie was a notable poet, with her work In the Fist of your Hatred” challenging male chauvinism, earning a place in The Penguin Book of Modern African Poetry in 2007.
Upon her passing in 2009, Gwendoline Noreen Chomba Konie was accorded a state funeral, commemorated for her pivotal role in Zambia’s diplomatic efforts and her impactful engagement in the nation’s formative years.