FILE PHOTO: Former President of Zambia Kenneth Kaunda speaks during the funeral ceremony for former South African President Nelson Mandela in Qunu December 15, 2013. REUTERS/Odd Andersen/Pool/File Photo
President Muhammadu Buhari has extolled the virtues of Kenneth Kaunda, the late founding father of Zambia who died on Thursday at the age of 97.
Kaunda died just days after he was admitted to Maina Soko military hospital in Lusaka, Zambia’s capital, where he was treated for pneumonia.
Reacting to his passing, Buhari described Kaunda as “one of the greatest African and world leaders of all time who loved his country and people profoundly”.
He said Kaunda was one of the prominent figures who fought to liberate Africa from colonial rule.
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Buhari praised the deceased Zambian leader for his role during the fight against apartheid rule in South Africa.
“I have received his passing with great shock because I knew his contributions to the development of not only Zambia but also Africa at large,” Buhari said in a statement signed by Garba Shehu, his senior special assistant on media and publicity.
“We can’t forget in a hurry how Kaunda gave shelter to anti-apartheid freedom fighters from South Africa and from former Rhodesia.”
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“The late Kaunda was one of the loudest voices for the liberation of Africa from colonialism and imperialism and he did so with passion and sincerity.
“It is impossible to reflect on Kaunda’s legacy without acknowledging his selflessness and passion for service.”
After Zambia gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1964, Kaunda ruled Zambia for the next 27 years.
He lost the 1991 multi-party elections to Frederick Chiluba, leader of the Movement for Multiparty Democracy.
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In 2000, he resigned as leader of his United National Independence Party (UNIP).
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