Alex Musiwa: The Beijing-Trained Protector at the Heart of Zambia’s Presidency

For over two decades, Alex Musiwa has been a constant, quiet presence on the periphery of Zambia’s political landscape. Seen but rarely heard, his figure has become a familiar sight in presidential convoys and at high-security state functions, cultivating an aura of mystery that commands deep respect within informed political circles.

From Opposition Roots to State Protection

Musiwa’s journey into the inner sanctum of power began in the trenches of opposition politics. He first served in the security detail of Anderson Mazoka, the founding leader of the United Party for National Development (UPND), during an era when opposing the establishment carried genuine physical risk.

Those who remember that period describe a professional who never sought the spotlight, a man content to operate in the background with unwavering vigilance. His assignment demanded patience and the ability to navigate volatile political spaces with minimal disruption—skills that would define his entire career.

The Beijing Discipline

A crucial chapter in Musiwa’s development came with his specialized training in China’s renowned security schools. These institutions are known for their concentrated discipline and advanced protective drills grounded in rigid routines.

He didn’t just complete the program; he absorbed its principles, bringing enhanced judgement and technical competence back to the UPND during its most challenging years. This Beijing training provided the foundation for the composed professionalism evident in his conduct around President Hakainde Hichilema today.

Steadfast Through Political Storms

The long years in opposition tested the UPND’s structures and personnel. Musiwa endured repeated election losses, public skepticism, and internal party fatigue without wavering. He remained steady as the political terrain constantly shifted beneath the party’s feet, maintaining his discipline even when many had written off the UPND as unelectable.

The 127 days of Hichilema’s detention marked a particularly defining period for the party’s security apparatus. With tension running high and uncertainty constant, Musiwa stayed close to the core team, helping to maintain a culture of calm when the leadership faced its most severe test. His composure under extreme pressure solidified the trust that would later form the bedrock of the presidential security structure.

From the Shadows to Center Stage

The 2021 political transition thrust Musiwa onto a stage he had never actively sought. There he stood beside Hichilema as the instruments of power were formally handed over—a moment that captured the journey of a man who had persevered through years of defeat and exhaustion without losing his professional discipline.

That transition also highlighted the continuity from opposition struggle to state authority, a continuity few individuals embody as completely as Musiwa does.

Beyond the Caricatures

Despite occasional online mockery attempting to recast him as a comic figure, these narratives collapse under the weight of his substantial record. Musiwa operates with technical seriousness, formal training, and an instinct for silence that perfectly suits the demands of presidential protection.

He is not a creation of internet memes but a professional forged through years of hardship rather than publicity. His story reminds us that political revolutions always depend on undercover men and women who rarely receive public credit.

Loyalty carried him through difficult years, discipline sustained him when victory felt distant, and patience kept him committed to a cause many had abandoned. Today, he serves at the center of state power with the same quiet manner that defined his time in the shadows—a testament to the enduring value of steadfast professionalism in the turbulent world of politics.

Source: The People’s Brief | Ollus R. Ndomu