The Pan Afrikanist Watchman with additional reporting by LusakaTimes.com

President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi has declared a seven-day mourning period during which all flags shall fly at half-mast, to honour the “great son of the soil” Dr. Kenneth ‘Mzee’ Kaunda.

The death of Zambia’s first Republican President, Dr. Kenneth Kaunda was announced to the nation and world at large Thursday 17th June 2021 by his son, Kambarange Kaunda.

“…I’m sad to inform, we have lost “Mzee”. Let’s pray for him…” Kambarange was quoted by LusakaTimes.com

Dr. Kaunda was 97 years old. He was admitted to the Maina Soko Military hospital earlier this week.

Taking to Social Media to express his condolences, President Masisi said, “I have learnt of the demise of Dr. Kenneth Kaunda, the founding father of the Republic of Zambia, a great statesman, and African leader. 

Dr. Kaunda was Botswana’s best friend and together with the likes of Sir Seretse Khama, Mwalimu Julius Nyerere championed the liberation and independence of our region.

Former President Kaunda’s death is a loss to his compatriots in Zambia, their friends in Botswana, and the continent of Africa. We send our condolences to the people of Zambia during this trying time.

May his great soul rest in peace”.

The Opposition Umbrella for Democratic Change also released a statement saying it was saddened by the death of Zambia’s first President Dr Kenneth Kaunda at the age of 97.

“We send our condolences to his family, the party he led, UNIP, and the Zambian Nation. The death of KK, as Kaunda was affectionately known, the last of the founding fathers of the Frontline States and SADC, marks the end of an era.

“He fought against colonialism in his country, Northern Rhodesia (a precursor of Zambia) and also campaigned for the end of British colonial rule and white supremacy in Southern Africa.

“Under him, Zambia became a base for liberation movements in Southern Africa which fought against white minority rule in Southern African countries such as Namibia, Zimbabwe and South Africa.

“May the soul of the liberator rest in peace”, the press release distributed by UDC Communications department and signed by Moeti Mohwasa, read.

According to LusakaTimes.com Dr. Kenneth Kaunda was first the President of Zambia from 1964 to 1991. He was at the forefront of the struggle for independence from British rule and one of the pioneer leaders of a new Africa, as countries threw off colonialism in favour of independent statehood.

Dissatisfied with Harry Nkumbula’s leadership of the Northern Rhodesian African National Congress, he broke away and founded the Zambian African National Congress, later becoming the head of the United National Independence Party (UNIP) to become the first President of Independent Zambia at the age of 40.

Music had been a life-long passion for Kenneth Kaunda from the time he was a teenager in Chinsali when he discovered the guitar. On his lonely assignments to drum up support for independence, the lanky young man spotting a Zonk-hair cut would ride long distances with a guitar slung across his shoulder.

He would hold meetings and sing to his audience his own compositions. When he ascended to power, it was a common feature to see him strum his guitar singing a patriotic song or a love song dedicated to his late wife Betty. A song Zambians will fondly remember Dr. Kaunda by is “Tiyende Pamodzi nimu ntima umo” which is a song of unity.

In a statement UPND President Hakainde Hichilema said, “We have learned with deep sorrow, of the death of Zambia’s first President and our founding father, Dr Kenneth David Buchizya Kaunda.

“He passed away peacefully in Lusaka today, after a short illness. We express our deepest condolences to the Kaunda family during their bereavement and pray for strength as they come to terms with this sad loss. Bashikulu KK will be sorely missed by all Zambians and the rest of the people on the African continent.

Rest in peace gallant son of Africa”.