VOCAL lawyer John Sangwa has announced his resignation from Simeza, Sangwa and Associates to focus on his political career in readiness to contest the presidency in 2026.
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Sangwa, who has since formed a civic movement called Movement for National Renewal (MNR) said his aim was to gain at least one million supporters by the end of this year.
“After much reflection and prayer, I have decided to step away from active legal practice at Simeza, Sangwa & Associates, the firm I co-founded and have served faithfully for more than three decades. This decision takes effect immediately,” he said.
In a statement, the lawyer stated that his decision was guided by the conviction that the country’s rebirth required a moral, civic and institutional awakening, which he believes he would bring to the table once elected.
“Like I have said before, we cannot rebuild Zambia without sacrifice and my decision to step away from the firm I founded is one such sacrifice: an offering of personal comfort for the greater purpose of national renewal,” he explained.
“As part of this National Renewal, I will dedicate my time to mobilising citizens across the country under the banner of the Movement for National Renewal (MNR), a civic movement devoted to rebuilding our nation on the foundations of integrity, truth and constitutional discipline and laying the groundwork for citizens to participate meaningfully and responsibly in the democratic processes leading to the 2026 general election and beyond.”
Sangwa explained that for legal and constitutional reasons, the MNR is at this stage, a civic platform and not a political party.
“Our first national goal is to build a movement of at least one million citizens committed to renewal, people ready to live and lead by the Constitution. We aim to reach this milestone by 31 December 2025, marking a new chapter of civic readiness and shared responsibility,” shared the lawyer.
He is of the firm view that once he gains over one million supporters, citizens around the country will decide, through broad consultation, whether to transform his civic movement into a political organisation to give their ideals political expression.
“This is not a journey about power; it is a journey about purpose. I am stepping away from legal practice so that I may serve my country in a new way, by helping Zambians rediscover the link between citizenship and leadership, duty, and destiny,” he said.
“I now invite every Zambian of goodwill to stand up and be counted.”
He urged Zambians who may believe in him to organise themselves in a democratic and responsible manner.
Sangwa thanked his partner and co-founder, Robert Simeza, whom he has known for 39 years and run the firm side by side for 31 years.
By Catherine Pule
Kalemba, October 13, 2025
