TRIBUTE

President Yoweri Museveni has mourned the passing of Zambia's founding president Kenneth Kaunda, describing the man affectionately known as KK as one who made "big contributions".

His contributions were not only in his nation, but in other parts of Africa as well, Museveni said in his condolence message issued Friday.

Kenneth Kaunda died Thursday, June 17, 20211

Kaunda died Thursday, June 17 at the age of 97 at a military hospital in the capital Lusaka, where he had been admitted on Monday with pneumonia.

Cabinet secretary Simon Miti said in a televised public address that the nation's founding father "died peacefully" at 2:30 pm (3:30pm Ugandan time).

In his tribute to the former Zambian president, Museveni said the continent could still do with his wisdom.

"Although God has blessed him with many years of life, departing at 97 years, since his brain was still sharp, we could have had more years of his wisdom," he said.

"Nevertheless, Mzee KK, as he was fondly called, made big contributions in his life. 

"He fought for Zambia's independence and he made a big contribution to the freedom struggle of the liberation of the subcontinent of Southern Africa."

RELATED: OBITUARY | Kenneth Kaunda, Zambia's liberation leader

February 28, 1990: President Kaunda and South African African National Congress (ANC) leader Nelson Mandela attending a press conference at the Presidential House in Lusaka

 

Kaunda also opened the doors for Ugandan exiles back in the day, Museveni added.

"He also welcomed Ugandan exiles, when we were fighting the dictatorship of Idi Amin. Many Ugandans got jobs and education in Zambia when they ran out of Uganda. 

Zambian President Edgar Lungu said he learnt of Kaunda's death with "great sadness".

A period of 21 days of national mourning were declared in the landlocked southern African nation. During this period, flags are flying at half mast and all forms of entertainment have been suspended. 

Born on April 28, 1924 at Lubwa Mission in Chinsali, then part of Northern Rhodesia, now Zambia, Kaunda was the youngest of eight children.

His father, David Kaunda, was an ordained Church of Scotland missionary and teacher, while his mother was also a teacher and was the first African woman to teach in colonial Zambia.

March 28, 1983: French President Francois Mitterrand shaking hands with Zambian President Kenneth Kaunda as he welcomes him at the Elysee presidential palace in Paris

In 1964, Britain granted Zambia independence and the United National Independence Party (UNIP) won elections. Kaunda, being the UNIP leader, became the country's first president.

As president, he installed a state-dominated economy and single-party rule.

Twenty-seven (27) years later, 1991, Kaunda called for Zambia's first multi-party elections, losing to Frederick Chiluba from the Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD).

He handed over the UNIP leadership in 2000 at the age of 75.

Kaunda suit

March 29, 1983: Zambian President Kenneth Kaunda giving a press conference in Paris, France

Kaunda was known to wear a safari suit (safari jacket paired with trousers) constantly. 

In fact, the safari suit is still commonly referred to as a 'Kaunda suit' throughout sub-Saharan Africa.

Possibly a few people know that Kaunda also wrote music about the independence he hoped to achieve, although only one song has been known to many Zambians. The song is Tiyende pamodzi ndi mtima umo, which literally means 'Let's walk together with one heart'.

Kaunda is documented to have ridden his bicycle for hundreds of miles singing his songs but in the day.

Then....remember that handkerchief that he had in his hand everywhere? It was another one of his trademark articles.

Meanwhile, below is President Museveni's condolence message in full:

President Yoweri Museveni

____________________________

I have learnt with shock of the death of our elder, Mzee Kenneth Kaunda. 

Although God has blessed him with many years of life, departing at 97 years, since his brain was still sharp, we could have had more years of his wisdom. 

Nevertheless, Mzee KK, as he was fondly called, made big contributions in his life. 

He fought for Zambia's independence and he made a big contribution to the freedom struggle of the liberation of the subcontinent of Southern Africa. 

Here, I am referring to the liberation of: Mozambique, Angola, Zimbabwe, South Africa and Namibia. 

In the late 60s, for instance, I remember he enabled FRELIMO to open the third front in Tete Province of Mozambique.  

This was in addition to the active Fronts of Cabo Delgado and Niassa which took the fight to the rear of the Portuguese colonialists and had a decisive impact in the defeat of the Portuguese in 1974. 

Lusaka had representation from most of the Liberation movements in Southern Africa. 

He also welcomed Ugandan exiles, when we were fighting the dictatorship of Idi Amin. Many Ugandans got jobs and education in Zambia when they ran out of Uganda. 

Therefore, in his long life, Mzee Kaunda made his contribution to the freedom of Africa. 

I salute his contribution and I salute his memory. 

May His soul rest in eternal peace.