Former Zambian President Kenneth Kaunda Dies at 97

Kenneth Kaunda,Zambia’s former president is dead

The father of the country’independence who ruled for 27 years died today at th age of 97.

His son Kambarage Kaunda, announced his demise via Facebook this afternoon

Kaunda had been admitted to the Maina Soko Medical Center, a military hospital in Lusaka, since Monday where authorities disclosed he was being treated for Pneumonia.

Popularly known as African Ghandi, he was noted for his non-violent activism, Kaunda led the former British protectorate Northern Rhodesia to bloodless independence in October 1964.

Former President of Nigeria Goodluck Jonathan while mourning the passage of the foremost Pan-Africanist said
“Not only was he of very great significance to Africa’s struggle for liberation he was also quite significant to me. I met him as a much younger politician and I am glad to have maintained a close relationship with the great sage.

“Kaunda was a specimen of the highest level of patriotism. He was also a strong promoter of Pan-Africanism, an idea that has reached maturity with the African Continental Free Trade Area, which itself was a product of the vision of men and women like Mr. Kaunda.

“His life was a pattern of good works, and his post Presidential work in providing relief for HIV/AIDS patients, as well as promoting practices and measures to curb the spread of the virus are remembered