Zambia’s founding father, Kenneth Kaunda, has died aged 97, it was officially announced in the country’s capital, Lusaka, on Thursday.
Kaunda, also popularly known as KK, served as the first President of Zambia from 1964 to 1991.
Zambia’s main opposition, United Party for National Development (UPND) and its alliance partners have announced the suspension of all campaign activities ahead of the 12 August elections following Kaunda’s death.
Kaunda, 97, died Thursday after being admitted to the military Maina Soko Hospital in the capital, Lusaka, where he was receiving medical treatment.
“As the nation comes together in mourning, remembrance and celebration of the life of our dearly departed founding father of our nation, Dr. Kenneth David Kaunda, it is agreed and therefore directed that the UPND and all our alliance partners, suspend all active mobilization activities until further notice,” UPND president Hakainde Hichilema said in a statement.
“It is also agreed and therefore directed that all our people out on the campaign trail across the country, immediately call off all campaigns and return to their original bases as the nation comes together in unity and pay our respects to our nation’s founding father,” Hichilema added.
Dr Kenneth David Kaunda, also known as KK, was born on 28 April 1924. He served as the first President of Zambia from 1964 to 1991.
He was the youngest of eight children born to an ordained Church of Scotland missionary and teacher, an immigrant from Malawi. He was at the forefront of the struggle for independence from British rule.
Kaunda founded the Zambian African National Congress, later becoming the head of the United National Independence Party (UNIP). He was the first President of independent Zambia.
Kaunda who ruled Zambia for 27 years was ousted by late Frederick Chiluba, the leader of the Movement for Multiparty Democracy during the multiparty elections in 1991.
He was born at Lubwa Mission in Chinsali, Northern Province of then Northern Rhodesia, now Zambia.
His father, Rev. David Kaunda, an ordained Church of Scotland missionary and teacher, was born in Nyasaland (now Malawi) and had moved to northern Chinsali to work at Lubwa Mission.
While in power, KK hosted many of the movements fighting for independence or black equality in other countries around the region, including South Africa’s African National Congress (ANC).
The African Union last month honoured Kaunda with a special award. The Award recognises Kaunda for the role he played and the immense contributions he made to the liberation of Africa and its people.
This was done during a virtual event held to celebrate Africa Day and mark the official launch of the entry into force of the Charter for African Cultural Renaissance.
