Zambia’s Youngest Army Commander
By Dickson Jere
(Book Review)
Title: Reigning In Chaos
The new President of independent Zambia Kenneth Kaunda was looking for an indigenous Army Commander after he took over the country in 1964. A year later, he settled on a 23 year old young boy who had just joined Zambia Army few months earlier and was ranked Captain. He called for the young officer for a secret meeting at State House which was attended by his political aide Mainza Chona.
“Well, young man, I called you here because I want to throw you to the deep end of the pool. And you will either sink or swim,” President Kaunda told the young Captain as revealed in this fast paced and fairly well written book.
But the boy needed to go through the military mill before he could eventually be elevated and confirmed as Zambia Army Commander. He was sent back to Northwestern Province where he was incharge of Zambia’s First Battalion aka 1 ZR.
But who was this luck boy?
“Reigning In Chaos” is the recently released biography of Gen Kingsley Chinkuli who is Zambia’s first indigenous Army Commander. He was quietly informed of his appointment in 1965 by the President but had to kept it as a secret as per agreement of the two.
“Over the following five years, he diligently carried out his responsibilities with the same dedication as any other junior officer,” the book disclosed.
“As he progressed in his career, Gen Chinkuli became renowned for his exemplary standards of discipline, meticulous attention to duty and commitment to the welfare of men,” the book revealed.
At 27 years, the now Lieutenant Colonel Chinkuli was formally appointed Zambia Army Commander on December 28th, 1970 taking over from Major General Tony Noel Reid who had just retired.
The book Chronicles the journey of General Chinkuli from the village boy in Liteta- son of a chief- of Central Province to the highest military rank and office until he was unceremoniously dropped by the same President.
The military journey of Chinkuli started while he was a student at Munali Boys Secondary School. He, out of curiosity, applied to join the officer cadet program while at school. He was among the three who were picked to travel to UK and enrol at the prestigious British Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst. The two others were Benjamin Mibenge (later served as Army Commander) and Dustan Kasote. They were commissioned as officers – after training- by the Queen of England.
Chinkuli – who later served as Commander of the Combined Defence Forces – until 1977 when he was unceremoniously fired by KK.
The twelve Chapters book aptly describes the atmosphere at State House when he was summoned by the President and Commander In-Chief who walked in the room and never responded to the greeting of his Army Commander.
“I just greeted my President, and he didn’t not answer me. Is there anything wrong, Sir?” Chinkuli asked the President who looked visibly disturbed and handed him an envelope without saying a word.
That was it. Fired!
He was told to handover his office to his friend General Mibenge who was to warm the seat for General Peter Zuze who was out of the country at the time of reshuffle.
As a consolation, he was given the position of Minister of Mines and later served in different positions including Ambassador to Germany.
A very interesting book. But the 188 thriller is too small for a book that should have covered volumes of this great man’s life and career. But again, he revealed at the book launch, that he did not want to disclose a lot of state secrets.
Kudos to the author Victor Simukonda who is a Major in the Zambia Army. A well written piece even though too short for a book covering such a figure.
Picture: General Chinkuli presenting the book to Lawyer Dickson Jere at the launch at Arakan Barracks.
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