Rupiah Banda – President of Zambia
Today’s World Leader in Underpants, Rupiah Banda, first took office as acting president of Zambia when his predecessor Levy Mwanawasa had a stroke in 2008.
Acting presidents occur when the top post is unexpectedly vacated, and should not be confused with actors who have played presidents, such as Anthony Hopkins (Nixon) and Josh Brolin (Bush II). While you’re not confusing things, it’s equally important not to mix up Nixon and Bush with fictitious presidents, such as those played by Jack Nicholson (Mars Attacks!) and Morgan Freeman (Deep Impact), or indeed, presidents who were actors.
None of which matters in Banda’s case, because later the same year he was properly elected and could stop playing. He now joins World Leaders in Their Underpants by democratic means, where he can advise acting presidents, such as Alexander Ankvab, as to how they might do a proper job.
