( 3 minutes read)
· Zambia’s former president, Kenneth Kaunda (97) who ruled the country for 27 years died yesterday
· He was hospitalized a few days ago at Maina Soko Medical Center, a military hospital in Lusaka for treatment of pneumonia.
Zambia’s former president, Kenneth Kaunda (97) who ruled the country for 27 years died yesterday. He was hospitalized a few days ago at Maina Soko Medical Center, a military hospital in Lusaka for treatment of pneumonia.
A Facebook post by his son Kambarage Kaunda, said that the Zambian founding president was no more. A statement by his aide said that the former president was treated for pneumonia but he did not have Covid. He also said that pneumonia used to recur to the former president and every time he used to be hospitalized because of that.
Kaunda was nicknamed the “African Gandhi” for his non-violent activism. He led the former British protectorate Northern Rhodesia to bloodless independence in October 1964.
Kaunda ruled Zambia for 27 years, largely under a one-party regime. Mismanagement of the economy during his time led to a severe economic and social crisis after violent riots. During the free elections held subsequently in 1991, he was defeated. He was the moving spirit behind many movements fighting for independence or black equality in other countries in the region, including the African National Congress (ANC) party of South Africa.
