A young leader -- profile of Zambian presidential candidate 22:05, October 29, 2008

In , the four candidates are to conclude their final campaign for Thursday's presidential by-election.

The ruling Movement for Multiparty Democracy is fielding acting president while the opposition (PF) is fielding its leader .

The United Party for National Development (UPND) is fielding Hakainde Hichilema while the (HP) is fielding .

At only 46, Hichilema is the youngest of all the presidential candidates.

Top presidential contenders Banda and Sata are both 71 years old.

Here is a profile of Hakainde Hichilema:

Born in southern part of Zambia on June 4, 1962, Hichilema is nobody but a successful business mogul.

He obtained a degree in economics and business administration from the and started his career in the business world.

Apart from sitting as a director on boards of 25 private companies, he was a chief executive officer of Coopers & Lybrand Zambia which was later changed to Grant Thornton Zambia for 12 years, one of the leading international professional consultant firms.

He has also been one of the leading lights in business with wide experience in Zambia, Southern Africa, Britain and other countries at operational and executive management levels.

Hichilema only emerged in the political arena in 2005 following the death of Anderson Mazoka who was the leader of the UPND.

During the 2006 elections, Hichilema came third and most of the votes came from Southern Province where he comes from.

His party is thus regarded by many as tribalist but Hichilema has insisted on many occasions that his party has a national following and agenda.

Hichilema is married and has three children.

"Source:Xinhua"