Kenneth Kaunda Biography

Kenneth David Kaunda was born on April 28, 1924, at Lubwa Mission in Chinsali, Northern Rhodesia (now Zambia). He was the youngest of eight children. His father was a teacher and a minister, while his mother was the first African woman to teach in colonial Zambia.

After completion of his studies at the Training Centre, he taught at the Upper Primary School in Lubwa in 1943. He was also the headmaster at the school from 1944 to 1947.

He couldn’t stay away from teaching and from 1948-1949, he served as the headmaster at Mufulira Upper School.

Kaunda helped establish the African National Congress (ANC), the first key anti-colonial establishment organization in Northern Rhodesia. He served under ANC president Harry Nkumbula, from 1953-1958 as the group’s secretary general.

In 1958, he became disenchanted with Nkumbula's policies and left the African National Congress to establish the Zambia African National Union. His party was banned in 1959, after upsurge in civil disobedience. This resulted in Kaunda spending nine months in jail.

In 1960, he visited Martin Luther King Jr. in Atlanta, Georgia. Inspired by Martin Luther King, Jr., he went on to establish a civil disobedience campaign, known as the Cha-cha-cha campaign. The participants in this campaign engaged in arson and blocking major roadways.

In 1991, under pressure to create multiparty politics, he stepped down from the presidency. Movement for Multiparty Democracy won the election with Frederick Chiluba as the president.

To improve the education levels in his country, Kaunda implemented a policy that provided children with free school supplies, such as pens, pencils, and exercise books. Children were given these supplies regardless of their parents’ financial condition.

In 1966, the University of Zambia was set up and Kaunda was appointed its Chancellor. He also officiated the first graduation ceremony in 1969.

In 1968, he introduced the Mulungushi Reforms, in which he planned to acquire a majority share in foreign-owned firms in order to boost the economy. He managed to acquire shares in the Anglo American Corporation and the Rhodesia Selection Trust, consolidated the two companies, and called the new company Nchanga Consolidated Copper Mines (NCCM).

In 1983, NCCM and Roan Consolidated Mines merged and became the Zambia Consolidated Copper Mines Ltd (ZCCM).

In 1964, during the Lumpa Crisis, Kaunda banned the Lumpa Church, creating animosity among the church and the UNIP. Kaunda was never able to fully mitigate the animosity.

After his retirement from politics, Kaunda worked towards fighting HIV/AIDS.

Kenneth Kaunda was an ‘African President-in-Residence’ at the African Presidential Archives and Research Center, Boston University, from 2002 to 2004.

In 1946, Kenneth Kaunda married Beatrice Kaweche Banda. They had eight children. They remained married until her death in 2012.

An avid ballroom Dancer, he was spotted in the audience of Dancing with the Stars.

Kenneth Kaunda used to wear a safari suit which is still referred to as a "Kaunda suit" in sub-Saharan Africa.
 

Kenneth Kaunda died on June 17, 2021, after a short illness. He was 97. 

Kenneth Kaunda was known for his distinctive sense of style, often seen wearing colorful, traditional African attire.

He was a talented musician and enjoyed playing the guitar, often incorporating music into his political speeches and events.

Kaunda was a passionate advocate for education, establishing numerous schools and educational initiatives during his time as president of Zambia.

Kaunda was a dedicated conservationist and worked to protect Zambia's natural resources, particularly its wildlife and national parks.