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Death and state funeral of Kenneth Kaunda

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Kenneth Kaunda, the first President of Zambia, died on 17 June 2021 at Mina Soko Medical Centre in Lusaka. The government announced a 21-day mourning period. During the mourning period Kaunda's body was taken around all 10 provincial towns and in each provincial capital, and a short church ceremony was conducted by the Military and the United Church of Zambia which Kaunda belonged.[1] The state funeral took place on 2 July. Due to the COVID-19 restrictions attendance was strictly by invitation.[2][3] The funeral service was broadcast on national TV networks in Zambia, South Africa and around the region.[4] Several African countries had declared an official period of national mourning. Zimbabwe declared fourteen days of mourning;[5] South Africa declared ten days of mourning;[6] Botswana,[7] Malawi,[8] Namibia[9] and Tanzania[9] all declared seven days of mourning; Mozambique[10] declared six days of mourning; South Sudan[11] declared three days of mourning; Cuba[12] declared one day of mourning.

State funeral of Kenneth Kaunda
Date2 July 2021
LocationLusaka Show Grounds, Lusaka

Background

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On 14 June 2021, Kaunda was admitted to Maina Soko Military Hospital in Lusaka to be treated for an undisclosed medical condition. The Zambian government said medics were doing everything they could to help him recover, though it was not clear what his health condition was.[13] On 15 June 2021, it was revealed that he was being treated for pneumonia, which, according to his doctor, had been a recurring problem in his health.[14] On 17 June 2021, it was confirmed that he died at the age of 97 after that short illness at Maina Soko Military Hospital.[15][16][17]

Funeral and burial service

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Kaunda's funeral took place at Lusaka Show Grounds on 2 July 2021, after his body had its last provincial visit.[1] Ordinary Zambian citizens came out to show their last respects as they waved their white handkerchiefs in mourning,[2] an item Kaunda carried with him when he was incarcerated during the struggle for liberation.[18] During the state funeral, a 21-gun salute was given to the former president.[19]

Reactions

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The Kaunda family

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The letter, dated June 23, 2021:

“We, the undersigned, representing the collective view of the family, have taken into consideration the proposal to exhume Dr Kaunda’s remains from Embassy Park after the burial to be relocated at his residence as a compromise to the family’s request.

“However, we find this proposal unnecessary as our gallant first president needs to rest in peace at his final resting place.

“We therefore humbly request the government reconsiders its decision to bury him at Embassy Park and honour what was his only final wish, to be buried next to his dear wife at his residence.”[20]

On 1 July Kaunda’s grandchildren wrote a letter on behalf of the family to President Edgar Lungu to reconsider the decision to bury Kaunda at Embassy Park. On 6 July 2021, news came out about the uncertainty whether the national memorial site reserved for former presidents will be his final resting place as Kunda's son, Kaweche, asked the court to direct the State to allow the family to bury him at his farm residence, next to his wife Betty, as per his wishes.[21][22][20] The Zambian government said that he could be exhumed later to be reburied there.[23] But the country’s Solicitor-General Abraham Mwansa responded by saying "We are yet to be served any papers regarding the court process."[24]

The United Kingdom

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The Queen, in her message of condolence to President Edgar Lungu, wrote "“I was greatly saddened to receive news of the death of Kenneth Kaunda. During and after his presidency, he worked tirelessly for the good of the Zambian people. His regional leadership in maintaining Zambia as a bastion against Apartheid has earnt him a place in history. I will always remember our meetings, and the warmth that Dr Kaunda felt for the Commonwealth. I send you and the Zambian people my condolences in this great loss.”[25]

Her Majesty The Queen and Her Government and the United Kingdom was represented by the Minister for Africa James Duddridge.[25]

South Africa

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President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa hailed the late Zambian former President Kenneth Kaunda as the last of a generation who lit the path to Africa's freedom an act of courage and selflessness and the support he showed to South Africa during one of the country's darkest and most volatile periods in its history. In his speech he stated "Africa joins the people of Zambia and all the peoples on our continent in mourning the passing of our great leader and father. The father of liberation in our regions, SADC Dr Kenneth Kaunda was a loyal friend of the people of South Africa."[26][27] President of South Africa declares 10 days of mourning to honour Kaunda.[6]

Attendee

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Dignitaries
Country Title Dignitary ref
  Malawi President Lazarus Chakwera [28][29]
  Mozambique President Filipe Nyusi
  Namibia President Hage Geingob
  South Africa President Cyril Ramaphosa
  Zimbabwe President Emmerson Mnangagwa
  Botswana President Mokgweetsi Masisi
  Kenya President Uhuru Kenyatta
  Ghana President Nana Akufo-Addo
  Lesotho Prime Minister Moeketsi Majoro
  Eswatini Prime Minister Cleopas Dlamini
  Angola Vice-President Bornito de Sousa
Government representatives
Country Title Dignitary ref
  United Kingdom Minister for Africa James Duddridge [29]
Former leaders
Country Title Dignitary ref
  Tanzania 4th President Jakaya Kikwete [28]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b KABWELA, CHANSA (21 June 2021). "Dr. Kaunda to be Interred on July 7". Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Retrieved 9 July 2021.
  2. ^ a b "African leaders gather to pay respects to Kenneth Kaunda". ABC News. Retrieved 9 July 2021.
  3. ^ "Kaunda's funeral under way". SABC News – Breaking news, special reports, world, business, sport coverage of all South African current events. Africa's news leader. 2 July 2021. Retrieved 9 July 2021.
  4. ^ "UK minister confuses Zambia with Zimbabwe at Kenneth Kaunda funeral". the Guardian. 4 July 2021. Retrieved 9 July 2021.
  5. ^ "Zimbabwe Extends Period of Mourning Kaunda to 14 Days – Pindula News".
  6. ^ a b "President Ramaphosa declares 10 days of mourning to honour Kaunda". 18 June 2021.[permanent dead link]
  7. ^ "Botswana declares seven day mourning period in honour of Kaunda". 17 June 2021. Archived from the original on 18 June 2021. Retrieved 7 May 2022.
  8. ^ "Malawi Declares 7 Days of Mourning Kaunda – Pindula News".
  9. ^ a b "Roundup: African countries mourn passing of Zambia's founding president Kaunda - Xinhua | English.news.cn".
  10. ^ "National mourning decreed in Mozambique to honor late Kenneth Kaunda - Xinhua | English.news.cn".
  11. ^ @SouthSudanGov (22 June 2021). "In honour of the late former Zambian president Kenneth Kaunda, President Kiir has declared 3 days of mourning acros…" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  12. ^ "Cuba observes official mourning for the death of the founding father of the Republic of Zambia".
  13. ^ "Former Zambian president Kenneth Kaunda, 97, taken to hospital". Reuters. 14 June 2021. Archived from the original on 14 June 2021. Retrieved 14 June 2021.
  14. ^ "Zambia's founding president Kaunda, 97, treated for pneumonia". Reuters. 15 June 2021. Archived from the original on 15 June 2021. Retrieved 15 June 2021.
  15. ^ Ch, Bwalya; a (17 June 2021). "BREAKING: Zambian 1st President Dr. Kenneth Kaunda has died aged 97". ZambiaNews365.com. Archived from the original on 24 June 2021. Retrieved 17 June 2021.
  16. ^ "Zambian 1st President Dr. Kenneth Kaunda has died aged 97". News365.co.za. 17 June 2021. Retrieved 17 June 2021.
  17. ^ "Former Zambian president Kenneth Kaunda dies | eNCA". www.enca.com. Archived from the original on 18 June 2021. Retrieved 17 June 2021.
  18. ^ "Kenneth Kaunda: Memorial held for Zambia's first president". BBC News. 2 July 2021. Retrieved 9 July 2021.
  19. ^ "The last of Africa's founding fathers: Kenneth Kaunda's life and legacy". www.msn.com. Retrieved 9 July 2021.
  20. ^ a b "Kaunda's grandkids call for Zambian government to honour statesman's wish to be buried next to his wife". TimesLIVE. Retrieved 9 July 2021.
  21. ^ "Kenneth Kaunda's children sue to stop burial by State". Nation. 7 July 2021. Retrieved 9 July 2021.
  22. ^ "Kenneth Kaunda's Funeral In Limbo As Family Contests Burial Site – Exposed Uganda". Retrieved 9 July 2021.
  23. ^ "Govt plans to bury, exhume and rebury Kenneth Kaunda at a different location". 2 July 2021. Retrieved 9 July 2021.
  24. ^ "Kenneth Kaunda's children sue to stop burial by State". The East African. 7 July 2021. Retrieved 9 July 2021.
  25. ^ a b "UK's Minister of State for Africa arrives for KK State Funeral". July 2021. Retrieved 9 July 2021.
  26. ^ "Kenneth Kaunda Funeral: Cyril Ramaphosa Hails Late Zambian President". Yen.com.gh – Ghana news. 8 July 2021. Retrieved 9 July 2021.
  27. ^ "President Cyril Ramaphosa: Funeral of Dr Kenneth Kaunda | South African Government". www.gov.za. Retrieved 9 July 2021.
  28. ^ a b "FOREIGN DIGNITARIES IN FOR KK STATE FUNERAL ~". 2 July 2021. Retrieved 9 July 2021.
  29. ^ a b "Zambians give handkerchief salute to Kenneth Kaunda". Retrieved 9 July 2021.
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