Zambia’s former President, Dr Kenneth Kaunda has passed away. He died at the age of 97.
This is after he was admitted to the Maina Soko Military Hospital in Lusaka earlier this week.
Kaunda became president of Zambia in 1964 when the southern African nation won its independence from Britain.
He continued in power until 1991 and was among the continent’s few surviving liberation heroes.
Earlier this week, President Edgar Lungu urged the nation to pray for the former president so that “God may touch him with his healing hand”.
Kaunda, popularly known as ‘KK,’ was born in the Lubwa Mission in Chinsali, Northern Province of Northern Rhodesia, now Zambia.
Through his Zambian African National Congress (ZANC) and United National Independence Party, he played a pivotal role in Zambia’s freedom struggle (UNIP).
Kaunda also played a key role in assisting the African National Congress (ANC) in South Africa’s freedom struggle, giving the party and its leaders refuge in Lusaka.
He was married to Betty Kaunda, who passed away in 2012 and had eight children.
President Kenneth Kaunda and Miriam Makeba making music 🖤 #RIPKK pic.twitter.com/b2tKqF81lD
— Mmabatho Montsho (@MmabathoMontsho) June 17, 2021
THE GIANT TREE HAS FALLEN: The founding president of Zambia, Kenneth “KK” Kaunda has passed away at the aged 97 #KennethKaunda ✊🏿 pic.twitter.com/m0UacSyN9X
— Mzilikazi wa Afrika (@IamMzilikazi) June 17, 2021



