Dr Kenneth Kaunda
Kenneth David Kaunda – Zambian elder statesman
1924 - 2021
by Keith Waddell (Methodist Church in Britain and Church of Scotland Mission Partner)
Kenneth David Kaunda, known affectionately as KK. A son of the manse, he was born on 28 April 1924, to Rev David Kaunda and his wife, Helen Nyirenda. Both were teachers from Livingstonia, who founded the Mission station at Lubwa. His mother was the first black woman teacher in colonial Northern Rhodesia.
He was educated at Lubwa and followed his parents footsteps into the teaching profession, training at Munali and teaching at Lubwa, then in Tanzania and Southern Rhodesia before settling on the Copperbelt, where he married in 1946, Beatrice Kaweche. Betty, as she was known, had been educated at Mabel Shaw Girls, and was teaching in Mufulira, when they met. She became the supporting and stable rock domestically, behind his success. They had eight children and were married for 66 years, before she predeceased him in 2012.
It was on the Copperbelt where KK cut his political teeth, as well as offering his services to the UCZ's predecessor as a Choirmaster and Scout Leader. He resigned from teaching to become Organising Secretary for the ANC during which he was imprisoned twice.
On his release he was elected President of UNIP, visited Martin Luther King in Atlanta, and on his return began his own campaign of civil disobedience (Chachacha) in the North. During this time he was supported much to the chagrin of the Colonial establishment by many of the Church of Scotland and Methodist missionaries, including Wyn Cornish, the Headteacher at Njase Girls, who helped purchase his Landrover and Reverends Bill Mackenzie and Fergus Macpherson at Lubwa and on the Copperbelt.
Independence achieved, he became Zambia's First President and set about to address the appalling colonial legacy in education. The new nation had only 109 graduates and less than half a percent of the population had completed primary school.
He instituted a policy of providing free teaching and learning materials for all children; parents being responsible for the uniform and token fees. This meant that able children from whatever background could progress all the way from Primary School to University.
This was also the time of the founding of the parastatals in an attempt to indigenise the economy. The Zambian form of African socialism, Zambian-Humanism was the state ideology and the one-party state was introduced. The hike in oil prices and the slump in copper brought about an long-lasting economic crisis. By the late 80s increasing prices, shortages and other economic woes led to his fall from power.
However, his successes in foreign affairs were many: from the leadership of the front-line states to the non-aligned movement which helped with the liberation of Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Angola and Namibia; culminating eventually in the dismantling of Apartheid and a democratic South Africa. The TAZARA railway and the Ndeni oil-pipeline are other legacies from this time.
In 1991 multi-party elections were held which KK lost and he gained worldwide respect with his peaceful and dignified relinquishment and hand-over of power to the victorious opposition, living up to the motto he did so much to make a reality-One Zambia One Nation.
The United Church of Zambia founded in 1965 as a union of Church of Scotland, Copperbelt, Methodist, Congregational and French Protestant Missions is a further embodiment of this and it is with great pride and affection that our First President was welcomed as a regular congregant and member at UCZ St Paul's congregation in Kabwata. He is remembered too for introducing the Boys’ Brigade to Zambia
After demitting office he became a much loved figure. He fearlessly fought against HIV/AIDS and stigmatisation, represented Zambia as roving ambassador and accepted willingly the role of elder statesman here in Zambia, in Africa and the wider world.
KK will also be remembered as an accomplished musician. He wrote a number of songs during the independence struggle. His theme song: Tiyende pamodzi ndi mtima umo and the waving white handkerchief are an enduring image of his time amongst us.
Kenneth Kaunda's life and work are testimony to his strong Christian faith. As a good and faithful servant of his beloved Lord he had left his indelible mark on Zambia, Africa and the world for the good. We grieve his passing, but remembering the memories, the good he did and the dreams he kept alive and realised. He passed away at Maina Soko Hospital, Lusaka on 17 June 2021 at 14.30 hours.
May God bless Kenneth David Kaunda, and those he leaves behind, and may his soul rest in peace.