Africa-Press – Zambia. WORLD leaders have today paid their growing tribute to Zambia’s first President Kenneth Kaunda, with President Edgar Lungu emphasising that Africa will miss him for his true patriotism.
In his tribute during Dr Kaunda’s official funeral, President Lungu said Dr Kaunda was a freedom fighter who, through long held perseverance, tenacity and personal sacrifice, helped liberate Zambia from colonial rule.
“At the age of 97, many people would say we are celebrating the life of Kenneth David Kaunda rather than mourning him. But when i received the message of the demise of our first president, i shed tears and i was heart broken,” he said.
He said Dr Kaunda and his many colleagues, now gone, believed that Africans deserved to decide their own destiny as a people, and that they could not be discriminated against and have their natural resources plundered by settlers while they wallowed in abject poverty and degradation.
“KK knew, that as long as southern Africa remained unstable, Zambia’s development would remain a pipedream. To this effect, i am not surprised to see heads of state and government present at his funeral. i see other foreign dignitaries present despite the dangerous world we are living in with the covid-19 pandemic,” he said
He said the story of Dr Kaunda is embodied in the lives of all Zambians who lived under his leadership. “i am a product of KK’s free education up to university. President Mnangagwa would tell a similar story about KK’s belief in the education of African children having been educated here in Zambia.It was because of that vision that some of us here are privileged to be presidents,” he said
President Lungu said Dr Kaunda was a disciplinarian, but true to his christian belief, he never held grudges as he would rather have people reform and be useful in society again.
He said he learnt the importance of patriotism and national unity from Dr Kaunda. ” I have learnt a lot of things from the presidents that served before me.Nut from Dr Kaunda, i learnt the importance of patriotism and national unity,” he said
“KK’s contributions to humanity neither ended with his presidency in 1991 nor his retirement from active politics in 1999. he became a committed activist against HIV and aids in Africa. he was bold and compassionate about the fight against HIV and AIDS and banished stigma and discrimination from the early days of the pandemic,” President Lungu said.
Among the Heads of State who attended the official funeral include President of Kenya, Uhuru Kenyatta, Namibian President Dr. Hage Geingob, President Mozambique and Chairperson Of SADC Filipe Jacinto Nyusi and President of Ghana Dr Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-addo.
Others are Zimbabwean President Dr Emmerson Mnanagwa, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, Botswanan President Dr Eric Mokgweetsi Masisi and Malawian President Dr Lazarous Chakwera.
