When Zambia’s youngest woman mayor joined ICLD’s Women’s Political Leadership Programme, she expected to learn. What she didn’t expect was how deeply the programme – and her Swedish mentor – would transform her outlook, her leadership, and her community.
A young mayor with big ambitions
Kanungwe Chota Kanyanyamina was elected mayor of Kanchibiya at the age of 27, becoming the youngest woman mayor in Zambia. Her journey began in the classroom as a teacher and continued through advocacy work for gender equality at the national level.
“Leadership can be overwhelming, especially as a young woman in a man-dominated space,” she says. “I joined ICLD to grow, to gain exposure, and to learn from others.”
Her decision paid off. The programme didn’t just meet expectations – it exceeded them!
Local change, national impact
While participating in the programme, Kanungwe ran for Vice President of the Local Government Association of Zambia – and won. She is now the only woman among twelve national leaders in the association.
She credits ICLD with helping her gain the confidence and strategic tools to succeed. Through the programme, she learned how to communicate effectively, build alliances, and bring stakeholders together. But perhaps most importantly, she adopted a leadership style rooted in inclusivity and service over politics.
Back home in Kanchibiya, this translated into real change. With her team, she formalised town hall meetings, and passed a bylaw mandating equal representation in public discussions – ensuring voices from women and youth are always heard.
“What I saw in Sweden – the collaboration across political lines – inspired me. I’ve tried to bring that spirit of cooperation and inclusivity into everything I do”, says Kanungwe
A Mentor’s perspective
On the other side of the world, Kanungwe’s mentor, Matilda Wärenfalk, a Swedish politician and former language teacher, found the experience just as enriching. She has previously mentored participants from Rwanda, South Africa and Zambia within the programme.
“To follow the participants’ journeys closely has been like a dream come true,” says Matilda. “Despite our different contexts, we face many of the same challenges as women in politics. Being a mentor has given me perspective on my own life as a politician, a woman, and a mother in Sweden.”
Her upbringing, shaped by African heritage and global solidarity movements, laid the foundation for her passion for international democracy work.
Although she is stepping back from active politics, she hopes to stay involved in development projects in Africa and continue building on the valuable network she’s gained through ICLD.
A new political horizon
For Kanungwe, the next step is clear: national parliament. In Zambia, mayors lack executive powers and depend heavily on members of parliament for local funding. To drive real change, she wants – and now feels ready – to be at the national decision-making table.
“Thanks to ICLD, I’ve grown as a leader, an advocate, and a strategist. I’m not done yet – the work continues.”
The programme also strengthened her commitment to gender equality and inclusion, including for persons with disabilities. Inspired by study visits in Sweden and Albania, she’s exploring innovative tax models that fund better social services for vulnerable groups.
“The programme has been life-changing. I now see leadership not just as a position, but as a platform to empower others”, says Kanungwe Chota Kanyanyamina.
About the programme
ICLD’s Women’s Political Leadership Programme brings together elected women leaders from countries all over the world with Swedish mentors, aiming to strengthen inclusive and democratic local governance. The programme is implemented by ICLD in conjunction with the Swedish Association of Local Authorities and Regions, SALAR.