The Executive Director of Kandifo Institute, Palgrave Boakye-Danquah expresses his heartfelt condolence to the family of the late Former President Kenneth Kaunda and the good people of Zambia.
He was really saddened to learn of the death of Kenneth Kaunda and he expresses his deepest sympathies with the people and government of Zambia on the unfortunate passing of Former President Kenneth Kaunda. His passing is a huge loss not just to the people of Zambia but across Africa and the globe.
Kenneth Kaunda was a man of great personal charm. He became one of the pioneer leaders of a new Africa as countries threw off colonialism in favor of independent statehood. He was at the forefront of the struggle for independence from British rule and many describe him as a symbol of African liberation who led Zambia to freedom from British rule.
He was a revered figure for many Zambians who knew him as K.K. He was well-known as Zambia’s founding father who saw his country through triumphant and turbulent period. A passion for equality was central to Kaunda’s vision of a modern Zambia, a nation with dozens of languages and ethnicities. He will be remembered as a giant of 20th century African nationalism, a leader who at great cost gave refuge to revolutionary movements.
The demise of President Kaunda at the age of 97 years brings to an end the pioneers and forefathers who led the struggles for the decolonization of the African continent and received the instrument of independence.
As President, he led a patchwork country of more than 70 ethnic groups and 8 million people, maintaining stability even as conflict raged in neighboring countries such as Zimbabwe and Angola. He sometimes wept when delivering speeches about African comity and the challenges that faced the continent.
He enforced Zambian unity by fostering a cult of personality that created tens of thousands of civil service jobs and presided over nearly two decades of one-party rule. Globally, he has developed a reputation for shrewdness, thoughtfulness and trying to better the lives of his destitute citizens.
The Executive Director of Kandifo Institute, Mr. Boakye-Danquah met the late former President Kenneth Kaunda in 2012 when the team of African Forum on Religion and Governance paid a courtesy call on him in Lusaka, Zambia.
Indeed, a giant has passed. An African hero is gone. It is our prayer that the Good Lord will strengthen the Kaunda family, the Zambian Government and the citizens of Zambia. His legacy lives forever and he will forever be remembered!
