Zambia's Banda dies at 85, presided over boom and graft

Zambia's former president Rupiah Banda died on Friday at the age of 85 after a long battle with colon cancer, his son Andrew said.

"He is gone", Andrew Banda told a correspondent in Lusaka.

The southern African country's fourth leader since independence from Britain served for three years from 2008 -- a term remembered for economic growth and corruption allegations. 

Banda was vice-president when his predecessor Levy Mwanawasa unexpectedly succumbed to a stroke, propelling him into the top job.

But the veteran diplomat was defeated in 2011 elections, despite overseeing major economic growth during his tenure.

Zambia's economy expanded during Banda's brief presidency, mainly on the back of rising copper prices and a surge in Chinese investment.

He pursued a construction spree started under Mwanawasa, building much-needed roads, hospitals and schools.

Zambia recorded a 7.6 percent increase in growth for 2011, up from 6.4 percent the previous year, for which Band took credit.

He had hoped the economic uptick would convince voters to keep him in power.

Most of Zambia's 17.9 million inhabitants, however, did not reap the benefits of mining and construction booms.

Wealth accumulated in the hands of a few as corruption allegations surfaced, marrying his reputation.

In September 2011, he was heavily defeated by opposition leader Michael Sata.

Banda was born on February 19, 1937 in the small town of Gwanda in neighboring Zimbabwe, then the British colony of Southern Rhodesia.

His parents had moved from neighboring Zambia, formerly Northern Rhodesia, to seek work.

Banda returned to his country of origin and later pursued his studies in Ethiopia and Sweden, earning a degree in economics.