Paulo Zucula
Encyclopedia
Paulo Zucula is a Mozambican
politician and Mozambique's Minister of Transportation and Communication since March 2008.
at the Eduardo Mondlane University in Maputo
, where he completed a B.Sc. degree. He pursued graduate studies at the University of Minnesota
, receiving a M.Sc. degree.
.
Thereafter, from 1993 to 1995, he was a National Programme Manager for the Food and Agriculture Organization
of the United Nations
. In 2001, he became coordinator of the Regional Spatial Development Initiative of the Development Bank of Southern Africa
. From 2004 to 2005, he held the post of Chief Executive Officer
of the Foundation for Community Development .
Zucula re-entered public service in December 2006, becoming director of the National Disasters Management Institute
, Mozambique's disaster management agency. He was "widely praised" for his handling of the 2007 Mozambican flood
and for his leadership of the INGC,
with one "senior [United Nations] official" describing him as "the most effective director in this position that I have come across in 25 years of disaster management anywhere in the world".
He was appointed Minister of Transport and Communication by Armando Guebuza
on March 11, 2008,
succeeding Antonio Munguambe
. Zucula's appointment came as part of a cabinet
reshuffle
that also involved the replacement of foreign minister Alcinda Abreu
and justice minister Esperança Machavela
.
Mozambique
Mozambique, officially the Republic of Mozambique , is a country in southeastern Africa bordered by the Indian Ocean to the east, Tanzania to the north, Malawi and Zambia to the northwest, Zimbabwe to the west and Swaziland and South Africa to the southwest...
politician and Mozambique's Minister of Transportation and Communication since March 2008.
Early life
Born in 1955, Zucula studied agronomyAgronomy
Agronomy is the science and technology of producing and using plants for food, fuel, feed, fiber, and reclamation. Agronomy encompasses work in the areas of plant genetics, plant physiology, meteorology, and soil science. Agronomy is the application of a combination of sciences like biology,...
at the Eduardo Mondlane University in Maputo
Maputo
Maputo, also known as Lourenço Marques, is the capital and largest city of Mozambique. It is known as the City of Acacias in reference to acacia trees commonly found along its avenues and the Pearl of the Indian Ocean. It was famous for the inscription "This is Portugal" on the walkway of its...
, where he completed a B.Sc. degree. He pursued graduate studies at the University of Minnesota
University of Minnesota
The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities is a public research university located in Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota, United States. It is the oldest and largest part of the University of Minnesota system and has the fourth-largest main campus student body in the United States, with 52,557...
, receiving a M.Sc. degree.
Career
From 1990 to 1992, Zucula served as Deputy Minister of Agriculture for President Joaquim ChissanoJoaquim Chissano
Joaquim Alberto Chissano served as the second President of Mozambique for nineteen years from 6 November 1986 until 2 February 2005. Since stepping down as president, Chissano has become an elder statesman and is called upon by international bodies, such as the United Nations, to be an envoy or...
.
Thereafter, from 1993 to 1995, he was a National Programme Manager for the Food and Agriculture Organization
Food and Agriculture Organization
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations is a specialised agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. Serving both developed and developing countries, FAO acts as a neutral forum where all nations meet as equals to negotiate agreements and...
of the United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
. In 2001, he became coordinator of the Regional Spatial Development Initiative of the Development Bank of Southern Africa
Development Bank of Southern Africa
The Development Bank of Southern Africa is a Development Finance Institution wholly owned by the government of South Africa and focuses on large infrastructure projects within the public and private sector. It is one of several development finance institutions in Southern Africa...
. From 2004 to 2005, he held the post of Chief Executive Officer
Chief executive officer
A chief executive officer , managing director , Executive Director for non-profit organizations, or chief executive is the highest-ranking corporate officer or administrator in charge of total management of an organization...
of the Foundation for Community Development .
Zucula re-entered public service in December 2006, becoming director of the National Disasters Management Institute
National Disasters Management Institute
The National Disasters Management Institute is the disaster relief agency of Mozambique.-History:The INGC was formed in 1999by Government decree no...
, Mozambique's disaster management agency. He was "widely praised" for his handling of the 2007 Mozambican flood
2007 Mozambican flood
The 2007 Mozambican flood began in late December 2006 when the Cahora Bassa Dam overflowed from heavy rains on Southern Africa. It worsened in February 2007 when the Zambezi River broke its banks, flooding the surrounding areas in Mozambique...
and for his leadership of the INGC,
with one "senior [United Nations] official" describing him as "the most effective director in this position that I have come across in 25 years of disaster management anywhere in the world".
He was appointed Minister of Transport and Communication by Armando Guebuza
Armando Guebuza
Armando Emílio Guebuza is a Mozambican politician and the President of Mozambique since 2005.- Career :Armando Emílio Guebuza was born in 20 January 1943 in Portuguese East Africa...
on March 11, 2008,
succeeding Antonio Munguambe
Antonio Munguambe
Antonio Francisco Munguambe is a Mozambican politician.Munguambe served as Deputy Minister of Trade in the early 1990s,and was appointed as Minister of Transport and Communication by President Armando Guebuza on February 3, 2005, when Guebuza named his new government shortly after taking office.He...
. Zucula's appointment came as part of a cabinet
Cabinet (government)
A Cabinet is a body of high ranking government officials, typically representing the executive branch. It can also sometimes be referred to as the Council of Ministers, an Executive Council, or an Executive Committee.- Overview :...
reshuffle
Cabinet shuffle
In the parliamentary system a cabinet shuffle or reshuffle is an informal term for an event that occurs when a head of government rotates or changes the composition of ministers in their cabinet....
that also involved the replacement of foreign minister Alcinda Abreu
Alcinda Abreu
Alcinda António de Abreu is a political figure in Mozambique. She was Minister of Foreign Affairs from 2005 to 2008 and is currently Minister of the Environment....
and justice minister Esperança Machavela
Esperança Machavela
Esperança Machavela is a Mozambican jurist and politician.Machavela was appointed as Minister of Justice by President Armando Guebuza on February 11, 2005, when Guebuza named his new government shortly after taking office....
.