Kenneth Kaunda.

The youngest of eight children, Kenneth Kaunda was born at Lubwa Mission in 1924 to Helen Nyirenda Kaunda and David Julizya Kaunda, a teacher and missionary. He attended Munali Secondary School and later Rusangu University, where he developed his political consciousness. His father’s work exposed him to the realities of colonial rule, fueling his drive for independence.

Kaunda became the first president of independent Zambia in 1964, a position he held until 1991. He was a key figure in the Organisation of African Unity and hosted liberation movements from across southern Africa. His tenure saw the nationalization of key industries and the adoption of a one-party state in 1972. He also appeared in the documentary Dispatches 1987, which covered his political life.

Kaunda married Betty Kaunda in 1946; they had eight children, including Tilyenji Kaunda. Betty died in 2012 after 66 years of marriage. He stood 5 feet 10 inches tall and was known for his distinctive white handkerchief and suit, symbols of his nonviolent leadership.

Zambia’s founding father, Kaunda championed African independence. He received the Jawaharlal Nehru Award for International Understanding and the Order of the Companions of O. R. Tambo, among other honors. His death in 2021 brought mourning across Africa. Best remembered for leading Zambia to independence and serving as its first president for 27 years.