Justice Minister and Keembe Member of Parliament Princess Kasune recently celebrated her 50th birthday by reflecting on a life defined by resilience and transformation. She described herself as a “living miracle,” highlighting a journey that overcame extraordinary personal and social challenges.
Kasune revealed that by age 17, she was a double orphan, had dropped out of Grade 11, and had become a teenage mother. By 21, she was HIV positive. Despite these setbacks, she chose not to break down but to break through. She returned to education and earned two Master’s degrees, one in Nonprofit Administration and another in Divinity, both with honors or distinctions.
In 2010, Kasune published her autobiography, Warrior Princess: Fighting for Life with Courage and Hope, documenting her journey of survival and service. Her return to Zambia in 2016 marked the beginning of her political career. Encouraged to enter politics, she voted for the first time and successfully ran for MP of Keembe Constituency, becoming the first female representative of the area.
Her political trajectory accelerated quickly. She became the first female Deputy Government Chief Whip and later, on 23 September 2023, the first female Provincial Minister of Central Province. Within nine months, she was appointed Zambia’s first female Minister of Justice.
Kasune’s work extends beyond politics. In 2003, she was the only African in a delegation to meet former U.S. President George W. Bush, contributing to the $15 billion President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), which expanded access to HIV treatment in Zambia. She later testified before the U.S. Congress, helping secure $50 billion under the Global Fund for malaria, HIV, and TB programs across Africa.
Her advocacy for women, girls, orphans, and vulnerable children took her to international platforms, including meetings with UK Prime Minister Tony Blair, Canadian Prime Ministers, and global leaders through UNAIDS initiatives. Kasune has received multiple recognitions, including a Reebok Human Rights Award nomination, the Best Broadcasting Award 2021 for HIV/AIDS awareness, and the naming of 24 April 2024 as Princess Kasune Zulu Day in Chicago.
Through her organization, Fountain of Life (FOLA), Kasune has led major development projects in her constituency, including a $1 million Level One hospital in Chiyuni, over a dozen schools, clinics, water projects, and sponsorships for students who are now teachers, nurses, and doctors.
Princess Kasune attributes her achievements to courage, boldness, determination, tenacity, and faith. She continues to inspire Zambians and the global community with her story of survival, leadership, and service. Her message is clear: for those seeking a miracle, she is living proof that resilience and faith can overcome any challenge.