Louis Jezilé
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Louis Malusi Jezilé | |
|---|---|
 Official portrait of Jezilé, taken shortly after his re-election in 2004. | |
| 4th President of Garambura | |
| In office June 1, 1999 – June 1, 2009 | |
| Premier | Aymeric Lavasseur |
| Preceded by | Jongwe Mujuru |
| Succeeded by | Chisi Ndlovu |
| Minister of the Economy | |
| In office June 1, 1994 – June 1, 1999 | |
| President | Jongwe Mujuru |
| Preceded by | Kariba Chinamano |
| Succeeded by | Chamunorwa Guwede |
| Member of the National Assembly for MB-Place de la Sougoulie | |
| In office September 8, 1986 – June 1, 1999 | |
| President | Tapfuma Mkondo Jongwe Mujuru |
| Preceded by | Munaki Dulini |
| Succeeded by | Amadou Jezilé |
| Personal details | |
| Born | February 18, 1941 Kalugali, St. Romauld and Culloland, Mandate of East Riziland |
| Died | June 18, 2010 (aged 69) Kalugali, Culloland, Garambura |
| Cause of death | Homicide by gunshot |
| Resting place | Kilongozi Hills, Kalugali (ashes scattered) |
| Political party | Garamburan National Party (1980–2010) |
| Spouse | Danai Htendi |
| Children | 4, including Amadou |
| Education | Queen Evelin College, Mambiza |
Louis Malusi Jezilé M.S.R., FHon. (February 18, 1941 – June 18, 2010; aged 69), often referred to by the abbreviated form Lou Jezilé or his initials LMJ was the fourth President of Garambura from 1999 to 2009. He also served tenures as the National Assembly member for Place de la Sougoulie in Mambiza from 1986 to 1999 and as Minister of the Economy between 1994 and 1999. To date, he is the only politician of Sisulu ancestry to have served as president.
Born in Kalugali, a small city in the north of Garambura, during Estmere's intermediary ownership of the colony, Jezilé had an urban upbringing. He attended school in Kalugali funded by his father, a banker in the city, until the age of 16, where he moved to Mambiza to attend Queen Evelin's College, Garambura's most prestigious higher educational institute. He graduated with a degree in revolutionary history in 1962. With Garambura under domestic political strife as the United Bahian Republic struggled to keep itself together, Jezilé became one of many students to support Takakunda Kuda Kani and his liberationn movement in Garambura. He lived in Mambiza during the Garamburan War of Independence, working as a historian and author in the city. Jezilé entered politics in 1980, joining the Garamburan National Party, and was elected to the National Assembly in the Place de la Sougoulie by-election in 1986.
Whilst a member of the National Assembly, Jezilé became a vocal leader of the Third Way faction of the National Party, garnering support for his proposed economic reforms that would expand welfare within the country. He was supported for the 1999 presidential nomination after the end of Jongwe Mujuru's second term. He was elected with 55.6% of the vote and assumed office on June 1, 1999. In 2001, he introduced the major Welfare Provisions Bill, which introduced sweeping changes to the Garamburan welfare system, including the prioritisation of non-governmental organisations' and religious charities' roles in providing welfare. He also supported and enacted major legislation that increased Garambura's military presence in the north against the Kulo State insurgency, with some speculating an anti-amaKulo ethnic bias due to his upbringing, although he denied this fervently. Jezilé was re-elected in 2004 with an increased 59% of the vote, including an all-time high vote amongst 18-25 year olds. Jezilé's second term involved increased bilateral ties between Garambura and the Congress of Bahian States, a landmark state visit to Gaullica under Alexandre Lévesque in 2008 and the maintenance of the new welfare system. In 2009, he stepped down from the presidency, and a year later, he was shot dead in his home town of Kalugali by a Kulo State-associated terrorist.
As a president, Jezilé ranks highly, usually second behind Takakunda Kuda Kani, among popularity polls of Garamburan citizens. He is lauded as the architect of the modern Garamburan welfare system and is credited with Garambura's accelerated economic growth and standard of living in the 2000s. His murder came as a shock to domestic politics in Garambura, and rapidly increased public opinion of military intervention in Kulo State. Jezilé's death prompted a large state funeral that was attended by representatives of over 25 countries. His ashes were scatted in the Kilongozi Hills in Kalugali.