NIMD is deeply saddened by the death of Mr. Horrance Chilando, Executive Director of our partner, the Zambia Centre for Interparty Dialogue (ZCID), who passed away on 27 February 2017 at the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) in Lusaka, Zambia.

Below, we share with you some words from Augustine Magolowondo, NIMD Africa Regional Representative, who worked closely with Horrance, and who describes his determination and dedication to his work:

“Horrance was a founding Programme Officer of ZCID, having joined at the very inception phase of this NIMD initiative in Zambia. Following the discontinuation of the NIMD Zambia programme in 2010-11, Horrance was the only officer who decided to remain and try to keep ZCID alive. He subsequently assumed the role of Executive Director.

Between that time and 2015, Horrance went through the most painful experience of keeping the brand and the name of ZCID alive. He literally volunteered.

I remember meeting Horrance in the offices of some organisations as he did not have an office of his own. Still, he was proud of championing the cause for which ZCID and, for that matter, NIMD, stood for.

Through his perseverance and personal sacrifice, the spirit of ZCID lived on in the shadows of NIMD in the remote background.  It was only recently that organisations like, NDI and later ourselves, NIMD, started re-engaging with ZCID.

Horrance was instrumental in bringing ZCID back to its feet. The organization had just started taking off. While to organizational development experts it may sound like an antithesis, it is not an exaggeration to say that in Zambia, Horrance was ZCID and ZCID was Horrance.

By losing Horrance, ZCID has lost a foundation and a pillar. To us at NIMD, we have lost a champion of the very principles and values that we strive to advance.”

NIMD wishes to pass on our deepest condolences to Horrance’s family and loved ones at this sad time. For many at NIMD, we have lost a dear colleague and friend.