Kenneth Kaunda

**Kenneth Kaunda** (28 April 1924 – 17 June 2021), wey people dey call **KK**, be Zambian politician wey serve as de first president of Zambia from 1964 go reach 1991. He dey front for de fight make Zambia comot from British control. As he no dey pleased plus de way Harry Nkumbula dey lead de Northern Rhodesian African National Congress, he com break away go form de Zambian African National Congress. Later, he become de leader for de socialist United National Independence Party (UNIP).

Kaunda be de first president for independent Zambia. Insyd 1973, after tribal den inter-party violence, dem ban all political parties apart from UNIP through one constitutional amendment wey dem make after dem sign de Choma Declaration. Around dat same time, Kaunda take over majority control for important foreign-owned companies. But de 1973 oil crisis plus low money wey Zambia dey get from exports push de country go economic wahala. Pressure from de West force Kaunda make he change de rules wey keep am for power. So insyd 1991, dem hold multi-party elections wey make Frederick Chiluba, wey be leader for de Movement for Multi-Party Democracy, remove Kaunda from power.

Insyd 1998, dem commot ein Zambian citizenship small time, but insyd 2000, court overturn de decision.

## Early life
Dem born Kenneth Kaunda on 28 April 1924 insyd Lubwa Mission wey dey Chinsali, dat time e be part of Northern Rhodesia, now e be Zambia. He be de last born out of eight kiddies. Ein poppie, Reverend David Kaunda, be missionary plus teacher for de Church of Scotland, wey dem born am for Nyasaland (now Malawi) before he move go Chinsali go work for Lubwa Mission. Ein mommie, Helen Nyirenda Kaunda, be teacher too, den she be de first African woman wey teach for colonial Northern Rhodesia. Dem both be teachers for de Bemba ethnic group insyd northern Zambia. Ein poppie die when Kaunda still be small pikin. Na insyd Lubwa Mission wey Kaunda take ein early education until early 1940s. Later, he follow ein poppie den mommie ein path wey make he become teacher too; first insyd Northern Rhodesia, den middle 1940s he move go Tanganyika Territory (now inside Tanzania). He work small insyd Southern Rhodesia too. Between 1941 to 1943, he attend Munali Training Centre for Lusaka. Early inside ein career, he read Mahatma Gandhi ein writings wey he talk say: "e touch my heart straight."

Kaunda be teacher insyd de Upper Primary School plus Boarding Master for Lubwa, den later he be Headmaster for Lubwa from 1943 go 1945. For one period, he work for Salisbury plus Bindura Mine. Early 1948, he turn teacher for Mufulira under de United Missions to de Copperbelt (UMCB). After dat, he be assistant for African Welfare Centre plus Boarding Master for one Mine School for Mufulira. Inside dis same period, he lead Pathfinder Scout Group, den he be Choirmaster for one Church of Central Africa congregation. He be Vice-Secretary too for de Nchanga Branch of Congress.

## Independence struggle den presidency
Insyd 1949, Kaunda enter politics plus he be one of de people wey start de Northern Rhodesian African National Congress. On 11 November 1953, he move go Lusaka to take Secretary General position for de Africa National Congress (ANC) under de leadership of Harry Nkumbula. But as he plus Nkumbula try join force make dem mobilise de native African people against de European-controlled Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland, dem no succeed. Insyd 1955, dem arrest Kaunda plus Nkumbula, sentence dem to two months hard labour because dem share subversive paper. Later on, dem two no dey close again as Nkumbula start dey follow white liberals plus no dey defend de rights of indigenous Africans. So Kaunda carry some people break away from Nkumbula ein side, and for October 1958, he start ein own party, wey dem call de Zambian African National Congress (ZANC). But insyd March 1959, dem ban ZANC, den dem arrest Kaunda again, give am nine months imprisonment, wey he serve first insyd Lusaka, then for Salisbury.

Wey Kaunda dey prison, Mainza Chona plus some other nationalists comot from ANC, den insyd October 1959, Chona become de first president insyd United National Independence Party (UNIP), wey replace ZANC. But Chona no see ein self as de main founder of de party. So when Kaunda comot from prison for January 1960, dem elect am president of UNIP. For dat same year, he go visit Martin Luther King Jr. for Atlanta. Then for July 1961, Kaunda lead civil disobedience action for Northern Province, wey dem call Cha-cha-cha campaign, wey mostly involve burning things plus blocking major roads. After dat, Kaunda contest election as UNIP candidate insyd 1962, wey result insyd coalition government between UNIP den ANC. Inside dis new government, Kaunda take de role of Minister of Local Government plus Social Welfare. Then insyd January 1964, UNIP win de next big election, beat dem ANC opponents, wey make Kaunda become prime minister. On 24 October 1964, he become de first president of independent Zambia, den he appoint Reuben Kamanga as ein vice-president.

### Educational policies
Wen Zambia get ein independence, de country's modernisation never complete. De education system na one of de worst wey British former colonies get, as dem get only around hundred people wey finish university plus no reach 6,000 native people wey go school for at least two years for secondary level. Because of dis, Zambia invest heavy for education at all levels. Kaunda bring one policy wey talk say all pikin go get free exercise books, pens, plus pencils, no matter whether dem parents fit pay or not. De main responsibility wey dem give parents be say make dem buy school uniform, pay small "school fee" den make sure say de pikin dey go school. Dis kind policy help make de best students push go higher level, from primary school reach university. No be all pikin fit go secondary school, but de ones wey go, dem get solid education.

De University of Zambia open insyd Lusaka insyd 1966, afta dem encourage Zambians from all corners of de country make dem contribute anything wey dem fit afford to help build am. Dem make Kaunda de Chancellor, den he perform de first graduation ceremony insyd 1969. De main campus dey Great East Road, while de medical campus dey Ridgeway close to University Teaching Hospital. Insyd 1979, dem open anoda campus insyd Zambia Institute of Technology insyd Kitwe. By 1988, dem upgrade de Kitwe campus come name am Copperbelt University, wey start dey offer courses for business, industrial, den environmental studies. Other tertiary institutions wey dem build during Kaunda ein time focus on vocational training under de Department of Technical Education and Vocational Training. Dem include Evelyn Hone College and Natural Resources Development College (both for Lusaka), Northern Technical College for Ndola, Livingstone Trades Training Institute insyd Livingstone, plus different teacher-training colleges.

### Economic policies
Kaunda ein new government wey take over right after independence inherit one country wey get one of de most vibrant economies insyd sub-Saharan Africa, mostly because of de rich mineral deposits. But almost all de economic power still dey de hands of foreign and multinational companies.  For example, de British South Africa Company (BSAC) wey Cecil Rhodes start still hold plenty commercial assets plus mineral rights wey dem get from one agreement dem sign with de Litunga of Bulozi back for 1890. E be like say na when Kaunda threaten say he go seize dem property just before independence, na then dem give in to give favorable concessions.

But de way Kaunda manage de economy no help de country ein progress after independence. Even though Zambia get some of de best farming land for Africa, Kaunda carry socialist agricultural policies like how Tanzania do am, wey later spoil plenty things.

As Kaunda choose planned economy path, Zambia put national development programme insyd action, wey de National Commission for Development Planning take lead. Dem start two key strategies: “Transitional Development Plan” plus de “First National Development Plan.” Dis two plans bring heavy investment insyd infrastructure plus manufacturing sector. Insyd April 1968, Kaunda launch de Mulungushi Reforms, wey aim to bring foreign-owned companies under Zambia control through de Industrial Development Corporation. After dat, dem nationalise plenty mining companies, even though big banks like Barclays plus Standard Chartered still remain under foreign control. From 1973, Zambia economy begin suffer setback as oil price rise den copper price fall, wey reduce de government ein income from de nationalised mines. De country start owe IMF, den dem no fit continue de Third National Development Plan again because crisis management take over from long-term planning. De weak economic reforms wey Kaunda try do for de 1980s only make de country decline faster. Plenty negotiations follow with de IMF, den by 1990 Kaunda no get choice than to start partial privatisation of de state-owned companies. All dis economic troubles finally lead to why he lose power.

### One-party state den "African socialism"
Insyd 1964, just before Zambia get independence, violence burst out between people wey support de Lumpa Church wey Alice Lenshina lead. Because of dis, Kaunda ban de church for some time plus order make dem arrest Lenshina.

From 1964 go, Kaunda ein government start show authoritarian character. As he no dey like opposition again, he ban all political parties except UNIP after violence wey happen during de 1968 elections. But insyd early 1972, new challenge come as Simon Kapwepwe comot from UNIP go form ein own party, United Progressive Party. Kaunda quick take steps to suppress am. After dat, he appoint Chona Commission, under de chairmanship of Mainza Chona for February 1972. De job of dis commission be to give recommendations for new Zambian constitution wey go make de country one-party state. Dem no allow de commission talk about whether Kaunda ein decision get problem, but rather make dem focus on how dem go implement de one-party system. Finally, Kaunda manage neutralise Nkumbula by making am join UNIP plus accept de Choma Declaration on 27 June 1973. De new constitution come into force formally on 25 August dat same year. For de first election under de new constitution wey dem hold for December, Kaunda be de only candidate.

As all opposition dem clear finish, Kaunda allow make dem create personality cult. He bring come one left nationalist-socialist ideology wey dem call Zambian Humanism. Dis one base on how central planning plus state control be for mid-20th century, plus wetin he consider as African values: mutual aid, trust, den loyalty to de community. People criticize de ideology, say e be like fascism. Similar forms of African socialism come inside Ghana under Kwame Nkrumah wey call ein own “Consciencism” den Tanzania under Julius Nyerere wey call am “Ujamaa”. To explain ein ideology well, Kaunda publish some books: Humanism in Zambia and a Guide to its Implementation, Parts 1, 2 and 3. Other books on Zambian Humanism be: Fundamentals of Zambian Humanism, by Timothy Kandeke; Zambian Humanism, religion and social morality, by Rev. Fr. Cleve Dillion-Malone, S.J., den Zambian Humanism: some major spiritual and economic challenges, by Justin B. Zulu. Kaunda on Violence (US title, The Riddle of Violence) come out insyd 1980.

As president of UNIP, under de one-party system, Kaunda be de only candidate for president of de republic inside de general elections of 1978, 1983, den 1988, each time de official results show say over 80 percent of voters approve ein candidacy. De parliamentary elections too dey under Kaunda ein control. Insyd de 1978 UNIP elections, Kaunda change de party ein constitution to bring new rules wey cancel de challengers demma nominations: Kapwepwe no fit stand because dem talk say only person wey be member for five years fit contest for presidency (but he just rejoin UNIP three years before); Nkumbula den de third contender, businessman Robert Chiluwe, dem sideline by new rule wey talk say each candidate need 200 delegate signatures from each province to support demma candidacy.

### Foreign policy
Insyd de early part of ein presidency, Kaunda talk plain say he support de anti-apartheid movement den he no dey support de white minority rule for Southern Rhodesia. Kaunda support Biafra ein secession when he recognize am as independent nation on 20 May 1968. Even though ein nationalisation of de copper mining industry for late 1960s plus how international copper prices dey rise and fall add to de economic problems, de matter come worse as he give logistical support to de black nationalist movements wey dey fight Ian Smith ein government for Rhodesia, plus South West Africa, Angola, den Mozambique. Later, Kaunda ein government try play mediator role between de white minority den colonial governments wey no wan give up power, plus de guerrilla movements wey dey try overthrow dem. From de early 1970s, he start to allow de main guerrilla groups like Rhodesian ZANU den African National Congress make dem use Zambia as base for demma operations. Former ANC president Oliver Tambo even spend big part of ein 30-year exile for Zambia where he live den work. Joshua Nkomo, leader of ZAPU, too build military camps for there, same way SWAPO plus demma military wing, People's Liberation Army of Namibia, do.

Insyd de first twenty years of Kaunda ein presidency, he plus ein advisors try plenty times to get modern weapons from de United States. For one letter wey he write give US president Lyndon B. Johnson insyd 1967, Kaunda ask whether de United States fit give am long-range missile systems. Dis request for modern weapons even include missiles wey get nuclear warheads. All de requests wey he make for modern weapons, de United States reject all. Insyd 1980, Kaunda buy sixteen MiG-21 jets from de Soviet Union, wey cause reaction from de United States. Kaunda reply de United States say after all de failed attempts to buy weapons, say to buy from de Soviets be correct since he get responsibility to protect ein citizens plus Zambia ein national security. E possible say ein attempt to buy modern American weapons be political strategy wey he wan use fear take establish ein one-party rule for Zambia.

From April 1975, when he visit US president Gerald Ford for de White House insyd Washington, D.C., he deliver strong speech wey call make de United States play more active plus constructive role for southern Africa. Till around 1984, people fit talk say Kaunda be de main African leader wey dey involved for international diplomacy wey concern de conflicts for Angola, Rhodesia (Zimbabwe), plus Namibia. He host Henry Kissinger ein 1976 visit to Zambia, he relate well plus Jimmy Carter, den he work closely plus President Ronald Reagan ein assistant secretary of state for African affairs, Chester Crocker. Even though some disagreements happen between Kaunda plus US leaders (like when Zambia buy Soviet MiG fighters or when he accuse two American diplomats say dem be spies), generally Kaunda ein relationship plus de United States during dis period be positive.

Insyd 26 August 1975, Kaunda act as mediator together plus de Prime Minister of South Africa, B. J. Vorster, for de Victoria Falls Conference wey dem hold to discuss possible internal settlement insyd Southern Rhodesia between Ian Smith den de black nationalists. After de Lancaster House Agreement, Kaunda try push for similar majority rule for South West Africa. He meet P. W. Botha for Botswana for 1982 to debate dis proposal, but e no really make serious impact.

As de anti-white minority insurgency conflicts for southern Africa continue, dem bring heavy economic pressure insyd Zambia, sake of say de white minority governments be de main trading partners of de country. As response, Kaunda negotiate de TAZARA Railway (Tanzam) wey link Kapiri Mposhi insyd Zambian Copperbelt go Tanzania ein port of Dar es Salaam for de Indian Ocean side. Dem complete am for 1975, den e become de only bulk trade route wey no pass through white-dominated territories. Dis fragile situation last for over 20 years, till dem abolish apartheid for South Africa.

Throughout plenty of de Cold War period, Kaunda be strong supporter of de Non-Aligned Movement. He host one NAM summit for Lusaka insyd 1970 den he serve as de movement ein chairman from 1970 to 1973. He hold strong friendship plus Yugoslavia ein long-time leader Josip Broz Tito; plenty Yugoslav officials remember how Kaunda cry openly by Tito ein casket insyd 1980. He sana visit Romania ein president, Nicolae Ceaușescu, insyd de 1970s. Insyd 1986, de University of Belgrade, Yugoslavia, give am honorary doctorate.

Kaunda get frequent but respectful disagreements plus US president Ronald Reagan wey he meet for 1983 den British prime minister Margaret Thatcher, mostly over how he see say dem dey turn blind eye to South African apartheid. He always keep warm relations plus de People’s Republic of China wey support plenty projects for Zambia, including de Tazara Railway.

Before de first Gulf War, Kaunda build friendship plus Iraqi president Saddam Hussein, wey he talk say he try advise against invading Kuwait. One street insyd Lusaka get Saddam ein name, but dem later change am after both leaders no dey power again.

Insyd August 1989, dem detain Farzad Bazoft for Iraq over spying accusations. One British nurse, Daphne Parish, follow am go den dem arrest her too. Even though Bazoft later go court, dem convict am den execute am, Kaunda manage negotiate make dem release de woman wey be ein companion.

Kaunda serve as chairman of de Organisation of African Unity (OAU) from 1970 to 1971 den again from 1987 to 1988.

## Fall from power
Matters fast reach ein peak insyd 1990. Insyd July insyd, as dem dey riot for three days for de capital, Kaunda talk say dem go do referendum for October to decide whether make dem allow other parties. But he still defend say make UNIP keep ein monopoly, wey he claim say if dem start multiparty system e go bring confusion. Dis announcement nearly late, as just few hours later, one vexed officer go radio go talk say dem overthrow Kaunda. Dem break de coup trial after three to four hours, but e clear say Kaunda plus UNIP dey shaken. Kaunda try calm down de opposition by moving de referendum go August 1991, as opposition talk say de original date no give enough time for register voters.

Even though he show say he dey ready make de Zambian people vote on multiparty system, Kaunda still talk say only one-party state fit stop tribalism plus violence wey fit scatter de country. But by September inside, opposition pressure make Kaunda change ein mind. He cancel de referendum, then suggest say make dem amend de constitution wey go end UNIP ein power monopoly. He plus announce say dem go do snap general election de following year, two years before e time reach. He sign de needed amendments into law for December.

Insyd dis election, de Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD), wey trade union leader Frederick Chiluba dey lead, take over power from UNIP with big victory. Insyd de presidential election top, Kaunda lose badly, as he get only 24 percent of de votes, while Chiluba get 75 percent. UNIP only fit get 25 seats for de National Assembly. One of de issues wey come up for de campaign be say Kaunda get plan to give one-quarter of de country ein land to Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, one Indian guru wey promise say he go use de land build network of utopian agricultural communities wey supporters talk say go create “Heaven on Earth.” Kaunda come dey forced for one television interview to deny say he dey practice Transcendental Meditation. As Kaunda hand over power give Chiluba on 2 November 1991, he become de second mainland African head of state wey allow free multiparty elections plus give up power peacefully after he lose. De first person wey do am be Mathieu Kérékou of Benin, wey do am for March dat same year.

## Post-presidency
After Kaunda comot for office, he get plenty clash plus Chiluba ein government den de MMD. Later on, Chiluba try make dem deport Kaunda say he be Malawian. De MMD-led government wey Chiluba dey lead come change de constitution, make e block anybody wey get foreign parentage from fit contest for de presidency, so dat Kaunda no go fit take part for de 1996 election wey he bin plan to contest. After de 1997 coup attempt, paramilitary police arrest am on Boxing Day dat year. But plenty officials from de region beg make dem no treat am harsh, so on New Year’s Eve of dat same year, dem put am under house arrest till ein court date. Then for 1999, Ndola High Court declare Kaunda stateless, as Justice Chalendo Sakala deliver dat judgment. But Kaunda take de matter go Supreme Court of Zambia, and for de case Lewanika and Others vs. Chiluba, de court rule say Kaunda be Zambian citizen.

Insyd 4 June 1998, Kaunda talk say he dey resign as leader of United National Independence Party den retire from politics. After he retire for 2000, he start dey involved inside different charitable organisations. De one wey people know pass be how he take put ein strength for fight against how HIV/AIDS dey spread. One of Kaunda ein pikin die from de sickness insyd de 1980s. From 2002 go 2004, he serve as African President-in-Residence for de African Presidential Archives and Research Center wey dey Boston University.

Insyd September 2019, Kaunda talk say e dey sad how some parts of de world dey attack and speak bad against de late president Robert Mugabe, even though Mugabe ein fight be to bring social justice plus equity come Zimbabwe.

## Personal life den death
Kaunda marry Betty Banda for 1946, den dem get eight kiddies together. She die on 19 September 2013 wey she be 84 years, as she dey visit one of demma daughter for Harare, Zimbabwe.

He too write music about de independence wey he hope say go happen, but na only one song wey plenty Zambians know — “Tiyende pamodzi ndi mtima umo,” wey mean “Make we waka together plus one heart.”

On 14 June 2021, dem carry Kaunda go Maina Soko Military Hospital for Lusaka make dem treat am for one sickness wey dem no talk publicly. De Zambian government talk say de doctors dey do everything dem fit make he recover, but dem no talk clearly wetin be de health problem. On 15 June 2021, dem reveal say dem dey treat am for pneumonia, wey ein doctor talk say e be sickness wey dey disturb ein health from time to time. On 17 June 2021, dem confirm say he die for age 97 after small sickness for Maina Soko Military Hospital. He lef behind 30 grandkiddies plus eleven great-grandkiddies.

Kaunda talk say de reason why he live long be say he dey follow one strict lacto-vegetarian diet. He talk say, “I no dey chop meat, no eggs, no chicken, I dey chop only vegetables like elephant.” He too no dey take alcohol den he stop to dey drink tea for 1953.

President Edgar Lungu announce for ein Facebook page say Zambia go observe 21 days of national mourning. On 21 June, Vice-President Inonge Wina announce say dem go carry Kaunda ein body go round de country ein provinces, do church service for every provincial capital, before de state funeral wey go happen for National Heroes Stadium for Lusaka on 2 July, den burial go happen for de Presidential Burial Site on 7 July.

Plenty other countries too declare period of mourning. Zimbabwe declare fourteen days; South Africa declare ten days; Botswana, Malawi, Namibia den Tanzania all declare seven days; Mozambique declare six days; South Sudan declare three days; Cuba declare one day. President of Singapore Halimah Yacob send ein condolence give de politicians den people of Zambia for Kaunda ein death.

## Awards den honours
**National honours**

* Zambia:
**  Grand Commander of de Order of the Eagle of Zambia (2003)

Na dem declare Kenneth Kaunda ein birthday, 28 April, a public holiday insyd 2021 by then President Edgar Lungu to honour Kaunda ein work den legacy.

On 27 September 2011, President Michael Sata decide say make dem renale Lusaka International Airport after Kenneth Kaunda.

**Foreign honours**

* Angola:
**  Recipient of de Order of Agostinho Neto (1992)
* Cuba:
**  Order of José Martí (1975)
* Jamaica:
**  Honorary Member of de Order of Jamaica
* Lesotho:
**  Commander of de Most Courteous Order of Lesotho — 4 October 2007
* Mozambique:
**  Order of Eduardo Mondlane, 1st class (1983)
* Portugal:
**  Grand Cross of de Order of Prince Henry — 28 May 1975
* South Africa:
**  Supreme Companion of O. R. Tambo — 10 December 2002
* Yugoslavia:
**  Order of de Yugoslav Great Star

**Awards**

* On 21 May 1963, na he receive an honorary degree of Doctor of Laws from Fordham University.
* On 19 October 2007 na Kaunda be de recipient of de 2007 Ubuntu Award.

## Publications

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## References


## Bibliography
* DeRoche, Andy. *Kenneth Kaunda, the United States and Southern Africa* (London: Bloomsbury, 2016)
* "Kaunda, Kenneth". *[[Encyclopædia Britannica]]*. Retrieved 19 May 2006.
* Hall, Richard. *The High Price of Principles: Kaunda and the White South* (1969)
* Ipenburg, At. *All Good Men: The Development of Lubwa Mission, Chinsali, Zambia, 1905–1967* (1992)
* Macpherson, Fergus. *Kenneth Kaunda: The Times and the Man* (1974)
* Mulford, David C. *Zambia: The Politics of Independence, 1957–1964* (1967)
## External links

*1964: President Kaunda takes power in Zambia 
* Kaunda on the non-aligned movement 
*Kaunda on Mugabe 
*Kenneth Kaunda, the United States and Southern Africa by Andy deRoche 
*Faces of Africa 
*Interview with Kenneth Kaunda by Tor Sellström within the project Nordic Documentation on the Liberation Struggle in Southern Africa