Kenneth Kaunda
Dear Editor,
Everyone is singing praises about how great Nelson Mandela was. And indeed this praise is well deserved, but I believe history has conveniently overlooked the LEADING role that Kenneth Kaunda played in getting Mandela out of prison after his 27 year incarceration.
KK is no angel as we know, but the international media should not be blind to the truth. Yes, Dr Kenneth David Kaunda was human as you and I are and no perfect person on this planet exists. He made some mistakes but he played a profound and lasting role in the liberation struggle against the evils of white minority rule in Southern Africa as well as the termination of imprisonment of Nelson Mandela.
KK put himself on the frontline to free Mandela, not any of the big political and Economic Powers that are singing Mandela’s praises today. Where where they? Where was the US, the UK, the USSR, China, Germany, France?
KK put his life in danger of South African Air-force Bombings and assassins as the South African Government of the day undertook terrorist attacks against Zambia such as bombing raids upon Zambia in attempt to kill ANC Leaders in exile people like Oliver Tambo, Thabo Mbeki and other leaders in exile.
By the way, do you know that Mandela’s immediate family, as in sisters, cousins and brothers was based in Lusaka’s Rhodespark area?
The ANC was headquartered in Roma while members of the military wing of ANC, MK, were based in Lilanda area.
Kaunda took a moral stance against racism and apartheid as a consequence the Zambian Economy suffered and many gateways to the ocean for the Zambian Copper was controlled by white governments. So, May ask you a good question? Did you want Kaunda to be passive like Kamuzu Banda and Jomo Kenyatta against racism and apartheid? Watch from the sidelines whilst other people were suffering?
Nelson Mandela knew this. Why do you think Nelson Mandela visited Zambia as the first country when he came out of prison? Think about it. He did not go to any of these countries singing his praises, he came to Zambia, he knew the person that got him out of jail.
Kenneth Kaunda is loved, respected and celebrated in S.A. because of the role he played in their liberation struggle.
He is not only the founding father of Zambia but the MAN THAT PLAYED A LEADING ROLE IN GETTING NELSON MANDELA RELEASED. HE IS A HERO.