Sylvia Masebo came to public prominence in the 1990s as Deputy Mayor of Lusaka and MMD Deputy Treasurer. Even before the mass defections from the MMD in response to Chiluba’s third-term ambitions, Masebo had led a large group of dissatisfied MMD members out of the party. By the time of the 2001 elections, she had joined the newly established Zambia Republican Party (ZRP), headed by former Minister of Defence Benjamin Mwila. On the ZRP ticket, she was elected as a parliamentarian in Chongwe Constituency.
In 2003, Masebo was one of the opposition parliamentarians who were co-opted by Mwanawasa into his Cabinet, becoming Minister for Local Government and Housing. In 2005, she was transferred to Health to succeed Chituwo. Masebo was instrumental in politically defending the reversal of the health reforms in Parliament. Her tenure, however, was cut short when she decided to formally cross over to the MMD, forcing her to vacate her seat in Parliament and her ministerial position. This allowed her, however, to defend her seat on an MMD ticket in the 2006 elections. Following the elections, she returned to her old post as Minister of Local Government, which she held until Banda came to power in 2008. She failed to be appointed minister for opposing Banda’s succession of Mwanawasa. By the time of the 2011 elections, she had joined Michael Sata’s camp (the Patriotic Front) but failed to retain her parliamentary seat.[2]
However, there was a by-election in November 2011, just 3 months after the general election, necessitated by Japhen Mwakalombe's resignation from the MMD.[3] Sylvia Masebo stood again for the Patriotic Front in Chongwe Constituency, which she won.[4]
During Michael Sata's tenure, she served as the Minister of Tourism and Arts until 20 March 2014, when she was dismissed.[5]
In July 2015, the Anti-Corruption Commission arrested Ms. Masebo and charged her with two counts of abuse of authority of office when she served as minister of Tourism and Arts. It was alleged that Ms. Masebo cancelled the procurement of a tender process of the Zambia Wildlife Authority (ZAWA) hunting concession. She was acquitted of the charges.[6]
