African nations proclaim days of mourning Kenneth Kaunda | to pay tribute to Zambia News

The country pays tribute to the last founding president of Zambia, who has been worshiped for helping many movements on the continent fight colonialism.

Leaders across Africa have paid tribute to Zambia’s founding president, Kenneth Kaunda, who died on Thursday at the age of 97, declaring days of mourning in their countries.

While in power, Kaunda took many moves in other countries on the continent that were fighting for independence or black equality, in countries like Angola, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa and Rhodesia (Zimbabwe) against the rule of white minorities.

Namibian President Hage Geingob has said that Africa has lost “a huge man”.

“Kenneth Kaunda was a generous, kind and strong leader who liberated our region from colonialism.”

Africa has lost a giant man. Kenneth Kaunda, ‘KK’, as we affectionately call him, was generous, kind, especially in his decision to liberate our region from colonialism. We lost KK. But, Africans and Namibians are forever grateful for the stars of freedom. RIP KK

– Hage G. Geingob (@hagegeingob) June 17, 2021

In gratitude for their contribution to the various struggles, some African countries announced different periods of mourning and lowered their national flags to half mast.

South Africa will mourn for 10 days, and Botswana, Namibia and Tanzania will pay tribute for seven days, their presidents reported.

Zimbabwe will mourn in three days.

‘Father of African independence’

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has said Kaunda is “a justly revered father of African independence and unity”.

“Under his leadership, Zambia provided shelter, care and support to the liberation fighters who had to flee their homeland,” Ramaphosa said.

“He was by the side of the people of South Africa in our time of greatest need and there was no interruption in our quest for freedom. We will never be able to repay the debt of gratitude, ”Ramaphosa added.

Kaunda provided logistical support to a number of African liberation movements, including the African People’s Union of Zimbabwe (ZAPU) and the Zimbabwe National Union of South Rhodesia (ZANU) and the South African National Congress (ANC).

The ANC’s Freedom Radio was allowed to broadcast from the Zambian capital Lusaka, and under the auspices of Kaunda, the ANC conducted an armed struggle, then a diplomat against apartheid.

Rwandan President Paul Kagame said Kaunda’s “commitment to the liberation of Africa will never be forgotten.”

“His leadership on the continent and the legacy of Pan-Africanism will live on for generations to come,” he said.

Heartfelt condolences to the family of President Kenneth Kaunda and the people of Zambia. His commitment to the liberation of Africa will never be forgotten. His leadership on the continent and the legacy of Pan-Africanism will live on for generations to come.

– Paul Kagame (@PaulKagame) June 18, 2021

Ugandan opposition leader Bobi Wine has said Kaunda is one of Africa’s “few surviving independence heroes”.

Kaunda ruled Zambia for 27 years, and in October 1964 the country took over after gaining independence from Britain.

“For our founding father, it was not enough to liberate his country from Zambia when the region and the African continent were linked in chains of colonialism and apartheid,” President Edgar Lungu told mourners at the Causa house in Lusaka on Friday.

“He did military service to seek the freedom of humanity,” Lungue said.

Funeral plans are yet to be announced, but 21 days of national mourning are being observed in his hometown, with all flags and entertainment in the middle of the mast being banned.

Upon his retirement, Kaunda became a respected voice in the continent’s experience, from conflict mediation to the AIDS campaign after his son died of illness.

“He was brave, compassionate and tireless in tackling the stigma and discrimination associated with HIV,” said UNAIDS Executive Director Winnie Byanyima.