Zambian President, Edgar Lungu, has declared 21 days of national mourning for his country following the death of former President, Kenneth Kaunda. The elderly statesman succumbed to pneumonia while in a hospital in Lusaka.
Dear KK, I learnt of your passing with great sadness. You have gone at a time we least expected but we are comforted that you are now with Our Father, God Almighty in heaven.
I pray that the Kaunda family is comforted as we mourn a true African icon. #RIPKennethKaunda #RIPKK pic.twitter.com/djMixqEoYo
— Edgar Chagwa Lungu (@EdgarCLungu) June 17, 2021
Meanwhile, Botswana President Mokgweetsi Masisi declared a seven-day mourning period following
Kaunda led Zambia into independence from Britain – ruling the country from 1964 until 1991. He was also instrumental in assisting other Southern African countries gain independence from minority rule.
I received the news of the passing on of former President Kenneth Kaunda (KK) with shock and a deep sense of sadness and sorrow. I convey my heartfelt condolence and sympathies to Your Excellency President @EdgarCLungu, KK's family and the friendly people of Zambia. pic.twitter.com/k4UjvgwJSf
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— Jakaya Kikwete (@jmkikwete) June 17, 2021
Secretary of Cabinet, Simon Miti, says all funeral and memorial events will be communicated at a later stage.
First Deputy Secretary of the SACP, Solly Mapaila, has described the late Kaunda as exemplary to leaders as well as ordinary people. Mapaila says Kaunda was a fount of wisdom for many leaders on the continent.
It is with an indescribable sense of loss that I learnt of the passing of H.E. Kenneth Kaunda, first president of the Republic of Zambia and one of the Founding Fathers of the Organisation of African Unity. My deepest condolences to his family, the people & Govt of #Zambia. pic.twitter.com/8y9UDZz0ue
— Moussa Faki Mahamat (@AUC_MoussaFaki) June 17, 2021
“He played an extremely critical role and remained a counsellor to many leaders on the continent. He remained a pillar of an example about how he left office, such a hero of our movement. When he was removed through democratic elections in Zambia, he acceded to the demands of the people and continued to provide counsel and the people continued to see him as a father figure of Zambian liberation and a symbol of Zambian liberation. He represented a special generation of our liberation leaders on the African continent,” adds Mapaila.
ANC Veteran, Mavuso Msimang, has described the late former Zambian President as a man of principle. He was also instrumental in assisting other Southern African countries gain independence from minority rule including the ANC, which had its headquarters in Lusaka.
I join all freedom-loving people in mourning Dr. Kenneth Kaunda, Zambia's founding President. He's been one of the continent's few surviving independence heroes.I send sympathies to the people of Zambia and the family of the deceased statesman. May his soul rest in perfect peace pic.twitter.com/BFnFOLBvJk
— BOBI WINE (@HEBobiwine) June 17, 2021
“He was principled in the sense that sometimes he took decisions that were unpopular to others such as talking to John Foster who was Prime Minister of this place. Talking to Ian Smith, hated leader of Rhodesia, he even invited him to Zambia. Kaunda would do that but he would only do that on the basis of principle. You knew that at the end of the day any agreement would be based on all parties agreeing that it would be on the basis of majority rule,” explains Msimang. – @SABCNews
EFF Statement On The Passing Of Dr. Kenneth Kaunda, Former President Of Zambia pic.twitter.com/0dNhyYTjmq
— Economic Freedom Fighters (@EFFSouthAfrica) June 17, 2021
I wish to convey our deepest condolences to the Kaunda family on the passing of HE Dr. Kenneth David Kaunda, a liberator and leader, and the first president of an independent Zambia. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family & the people of Zambia at this time
— President of Zimbabwe (@edmnangagwa) June 17, 2021
I have learnt with shock of the death of our elder, Mzee Kenneth Kaunda. Although God has blessed him with many years of life, departing at 97 years, since his brain was still sharp, we could have had more years of his wisdom.
— Yoweri K Museveni (@KagutaMuseveni) June 17, 2021
Saddened to hear of the demise of Dr. Kenneth David Kaunda, a respected world leader and statesman. My deepest condolences to his family and the people of Zambia.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 17, 2021
