Transparency International Zambia (TI-Z) joins the rest of the country and indeed the African continent in mourning the passing on of Zambia’s first President, Dr. Kenneth Kaunda this afternoon, following a short illness.
Dr. Kaunda, together with other liberation heroes, led the struggle for Zambia’s political emancipation, culminating in the unprecedented raising of the flag of the new Republic of Zambia on 24th October 1964. Beyond that, Dr. Kaunda was also a pivotal figure in the liberation movements of many African countries, and one of the pioneers of the Organization of African Unity (OAU), now called the African Union (AU).
Beyond the unprecedented infrastructural, economic and social development that characterized the early parts of Dr. Kaunda’s reign, this true son of the soil will also be remembered for his willingness to hand over power in a peaceful transition, having lost the general elections of 1991, a move that had been unheard of in African politics at the time.
As the nation and continent mourns Dr. Kaunda, TI-Z would like to call on today’s politicians to draw lessons from the life of Dr. Kaunda and engage in politics of unity rather than division along any lines.
Our prayers and love go to the family of Dr. Kaunda, and we pray that they will be comforted in the knowledge that the gigantic role that Dr. Kaunda played in Zambia’s and Africa’s political liberation will remain etched in the annuls of history.
May his soul rest in eternal peace.
Maurice K. Nyambe
TI-Z Executive Director
