First Republican President Dr Kenneth Kaunda has called for a United African Union if the spirit of Pan-Africanism which the organisation has stood for over the years is to be kept alive. Dr Kaunda says the new generation of leaders on the continent should be united to advance the AU’s interests.
He was speaking in an interview with ZANIS on arrival on Saturday night at Bole International airport in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Dr Kaunda is in Addis Ababa at the invitation of the Forum for Former African heads of state and government, commonly known as the African forum.
Dr Kaunda says the AU needs to ensure unity and solidarity to make the organisation stronger. He was received at Bole international Airport by Foreign Affairs Minister Given Lubinda, Commerce, Trade and Industry Bob Sichinga, Zambia’s Ambassador to Ethiopia Francis Simenda and some senior government officials.
Dr Kaunda will on Sunday witness the Official opening of the 19th AU summit in Addis Ababa Ethiopia.
Meanwhile,the 19th African Union summit officially opened today in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia with AU Chairperson Boni Yayi warning of the continental body’s looming split if leaders again fail to elect the AU Commission Chairperson.
QFM’s David Bweupe that President Michael Sata is being represented at the summit by Foreign Affairs Minister Given Lubinda who will cast the Zambian vote when elections are held later this evening.
Speaking during the official opening of the 19th AU Summit of heads of State and Government, AU Chairperson and Benin President Boni Yayi reminded his fellow leaders to be weary of the challenges facing the continent especially in the area of leadership.
Mr Yayi said African leaders have no right this time around to fail to elect the AU Commission Chairperson and the eight Commissioners. He stated that the African people will put to test the ability of their leaders to elect a new commission.
President Yayi warned that another failure to elect the AU Commission Chairperson will split the continental body and tarnish its image. He urged the leaders gathered in the Ethiopian capital to put aside their individual interests as they elect the new AU commission.
ZNBC
KK insoni!!
Really, what the hell do you mean?!
Old dog. Unite in Satanism? Why unite with Mugabe and Sata? God will punish you in hell. Evil man. Please die now. Uzatsogoza angati? Chimfwiti iwe. So you even know me but I don’t care. Kill me quick. Bloody stupid *****!
GOD will punish you for insulting elders. You may not be found but GOD sees you where ever you are.
Mfwiti galu tondo wakanthu.
He is a little irrelevant in politics, why does he not stay awayÂ
I admire him so much, but he is getting on my nerves, I feel so sick now
As much as he has wisdom , he is a little over the hill to talk anything that should be taken seriously
Thanks
He was invited as a FATHER.
Don’t worry KK the whole world will unite,
Iyee ba @Mushota, it seems you are in the habit of skipping through news articles and then make a comment. If you read what KK said, there is nothing political about it!
Please note: “Dr. Kaunda is in Addis Ababa at the invitation of the Forum for Former African heads of state and government, commonly known as the African forum.”
So, KK is not forcing himself into politics or anything of the sort. He was invited to attend this forum because KK, whether you like it or not, is one of the early founders of OAU (now AU). He is actually doing a favor to the AU organization for showing up. How many such huge international bodies have the privilege to have “founding fathers” that are still alive to give such guidance?
Young lady, find something else to hate or feel sick about!
Tell them! They lack respect, they are yet to become old themselves. some people just comment for comment’s sake. Think please before you blog!
I promised myself not to answer alias Mushota, because of the said’s idiocy. Best for people to ignore this insanity.
IWE CHI MUSHOTA JUST LEAVE ALONE OUR FATHER OF THE NATION K.K, I THINK YOUR BRAIN IS FROZEN BY STAYING IN SCOTLAND FOR TOO LONG SO JUST CONTINUE LIVING IN THE FREEZER BOX FOR AS LONG AS YOU CAN.
Good evening
It is understandable that not everyone will appreciate what KK is doing but for people to come here and start insulting the man is simply unbearable for me.
The question is, what have you yourself done to contribute to African Unity? This is not about who is talking, this is about finding lasting solutions and putting our shoulders to the wheel for a common cause. Whether it’s KK, Sata or even Mugabe talking, let’s weigh their words first before dismissing them because from a historical point of view they all play a significant role in the destiny of our continent, whether you like it or not.
Here he is talking about peace and unity again, hello?
Kaunda inherited a country in 1964 with a billion pounds in reserves. A per capita income of 1400 dollars. Zambia was in fact the second richest country in Africa after South Africa. However kaunda spent the next 27 years of his reign building a one party dictatorship centred around his personality cult. He succeeded in impoverishing a potentially rich country so much so that a middle income at independence per capita income fell to 290 dollars by 1990. Kaunda’s legacy is simply a legacy of failure. He is a good case study of how not to govern a country.
Iwe ka Michael leka chongo!
@Â Makaveli
Each time kk is mentioned in the news you paste this same message, can’t you construct a new message?
Makaveli,dont be pushed by PF cadres who like kk simply because he’s in good boots with sata.we are suffering terribly today mostly because of the old man’s satanic policies.he did so little for our nation, not much as most zambians seem to think.compare zambia with other african states and you’ll be amazed.we have nothing to show for our 48 years of independence and peace.NOTHING!!!the reason is simple, the old man had overstayed in power.his policies,HUMANISM,HEAVEN ON EARTH,KAUNDA WAMUYAYAYA,THE SATANIC UNIVERSAL TEMPLE,GO BACK TO THE LAND,etc.he wasted too much time and money on useless programs, and here we are wallowing in abject poverty.
Makaveli, it is a crime lifting passages from other peoples’ work without acknowledgement. The passage you’ve been plastering on every kaunda article is not yours. And I would advise you to stop or at least have the courtesy to put it in quotes. Stop the plagiarism my dear!
KK didn’t do anything extra ordinary for AU to be indebted to him. Those who were there in the 70s and 80s know the kind of suffering us Zambians went through because of KK WAMU YAYAYA. It’s only the Chimpanzes like No. 5 Yambayamba who sing songs of praises for this evil man.
I am now convinced Makaveli you are totally insane!!!!!!!!!!! Whether you like it or not K K is a Great man. It is folly for you to think you can erase this fact from history.
Big f, who told you that kk is a Great man? Why did we vote your Great man out of power in 1991? Why did Sata and Chiluba cage your so called Great man after MMD had taken over power? I dont seem to understand you,WHAT DO YOU MEAN,GREAT MAN…LOL?
Evil KK brought the Zambian economy to its knees, all because of poor planning. He blew up all the money Welensky left in the coffers on popularity projects.When the money run out he also ran out of ideas.No one knows about Zambia outside because of KK.How do you explain the 30 year state of emergency?What is wrong with you people! I am pulling my hair, It is so upsetting. A tear dropped off my eye I just find it absolutely incredible that people can stand up and defend KK.That man is evil!
Why isnt this old dictator issuing a statement on BA 1964 to rest the whole case before some idi.ots plunge this country into blood shed. Only the truth will either silence the lozis or GRZ and there after the two will enter into serious talks.
@Makaveli:
Man, you seem to have a personal vendetta against KK. And why are all your comments these days out of context, childish and so shallow!?
Brother, stop smoking ‘dobo’ and seek God’s deliverance!!!!
@Â Yambayamba
We need to pray for such people for their deliverance.
please dont pray for Makaveli, instead pray for yourselves more so for KK who needs Christ in his life.KK is a devil worshipper.lets pray for his deliverance.
@ 10 If KK was that evil imagine ka Chiluba.
Let the dead buy the dead. Zambia does not deserve where it is today. UNIP RIP, WE SHALL NOT FORGET
Hmmmm, with loans from the bank of the dead?
Abena kk, can’t you just rest and enjoy your 27 years retirement. It is your hunger for international recognition that made you spend our national reserves on helping other countries at the expense your own country. How can you be concerned about African unity but you are queit on Zambian unity especially barotse issue of which you are the architect
Makaveli dressing down KK.Next time I give a history class to pupils at Kabulonga Boys I will remember to mention all these points!Thanks Makaveli so very much
-Kaunda spent the next 27 years of his reign building a one party dictatorship centred around his personality cult.
-He succeeded in impoverishing a potentially rich country so much so that a middle income at independence per capita income fell to 290 dollars by 1990
-Kaunda’s legacy is simply a legacy of failure. He is a good case study of how not to govern a country(Nice one!)
KK wee said, We need peace in Africa.
U Mukulu just explain to us the Barotse pact and stop lecturing about peace, when u have killed Barotseland. We need u to tell Zambians what u signed in BA64. It seems u are running away from this issue, remember Nalumino Mundia won’t rest untill Barotse is free. @ 1984 Chiluba is the worst evil he reminds me of my brother Nkumbula Baldwin and Mazoka Andy. Crying!!!!
@8 Makaveli, the old people must be venerated. If you want to have a long and successful life, you must learn to respect the elders. Who in Africa can be a better lecturer on PEACE than KK? Today, Zambia can boast of not having gone to war with its neighbors or experienced a civil war due to the peaceful foundation laid by KK – “One Zambia, One Nation.” KK might not be an economic champion, but in his humble wisdom, he gave us free education so that we can contribute to national development. Makaveli, if you did not benefit from KK`s free education then you are not a Zambian. Learn to respect elders so that you may enjoy a blessed life.
KaMushota, you need to learn zambian civic, and know who President Kaunda is and what he did, for you to enjoy were you are, he fought for our country and he was invited by forum for former leaders, i really concure number 5. you really need to read the whole article.. aka akantu kalwele mumutwe.
bob marley said over 20 years ago, africa unite
Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma the south african home affairs minister and former wife of Jacob Zuma has won the race to head the AU commission beating the incurbent to the post.
#10 Makaveli did you forget to mention that Zambia did sacrifice alot in lending a hand to our southern african countries to get independence? The refugees that flooded Zed from our neighbours were financially devastating. Sure the man was not perfect and I am sure he will be the first one to say so but his intend was to develope Zed and assist its neighbours which unfortunately are not the most grateful ones. Zambia was bombed time after time by Ian smith, bridges, airports and alot of other infrastructures. So it took money to rebuild plus dont forget that education was free, all you needed to buy was uniform. medicine was free. You can not judge a mans 27yr career based on a single issue of one party state, dont forget the man left office peacefully without a single stolen ngwe!
Under the circumstances, Kaunda worked well. This rich country of that time was surrounded by so many unstable countries and situations. Even if it were you. You probably would have driven us to war and disintegration. One party and One Zambia One Nation were so necessary at time! Remember that copper’s price went down (our export) and oil price went up (our import). We had no control over the pricing of these.
Iwe Ci Makaveli ilu chipuba saana, and stop ranting like a mad man. How do you attribute all of Zambia’s problems when the likes of Chiluba did their worst? do you have a brain? Just give credit where it is due, we koswe wee!!
mwe bantu
@ Gono, thank you for your positive contribution -as a political analyst , you have provided a more fair view. If you look at the value all the infrastructure that Kaunda bult and the challenges he and his governemnt faced to fight off -economical racism in IMF and World Bnak who always thought blacks can’t do any blood thing -sucked us and worst off all when they possessed Chiluba to liberalism the economy that was done in the haste  making Zambian poor. Please, find a better way  to Judge the Man for now he is free…than most of you here.
There have been 3 presidential opportunities since KK and the current to correct errors made or improve on his successes. The question is where they taken? Did we improve? Did we add to the positive aspects of his legacy and have we learned from his mistakes? Anyone who figures it’s okay to walk free and ignore the oppression that had our neighbours and below still chained to apartheid has either no moral compass or no sense of the history. Namibia, Zimbabwe, Angola, Mozambique, South Africa – none were free between 1964 and 1975 on to 1994. Lincoln freed slaves but their descendants were still fighting for civil rights in 1964. Not a nice world so love him or hate him he got that right.
…were they taken…
It’s sad to think that people regard this man as “great”. Lets call a spade a spade this man was greedy, that’s why he held onto power for so long. He is in the same category as Mugabe. Let’s not forget he was responsible for the torture and killing of many people. Today you call him a hero??? He’s a coward who doesn’t want to issue a statement on the Barotse Agreement despite being one of the signatories. Calling a dictator great is just plan retarded.
Let everyone’s opinion’s be heard without insulting them. Depending on which side your bed was laid during KK’s time you were either a beneficiary or a victim. Each side testifies to their worst or best of experiences. That said, we need to look forward and start taking advantage of the very large private space that makes government fill up and behave like the proverbial “big brother”. KK, Chiluba, Mwanawasa, RB, Sata and those to come have and will continue to do what they can including committing errors and apparent crimes. It is history and posterity that stands to judge.
We are already united: Language – English; currency – US$; country – internet. We might as well embrace it. The US, UK, China, EU are strong because they are united. But Africans can’t see beyond their empty plates; always looking for the next meal, and never beyond.
@2, TAMWAKATEKEPO ZAMBIA M******MWE
It’s a shame to note that some Zambians with ‘little brains’ cannot accept nor respect KK. Unless you can convince me that there are better past presidents than KK on the african continent, please start showing some respect. Before you respond to this, please think first.
What unite are you talking u KK when u killed a number in Zambia and u are failing to talk about BA 64.U just die now
@ nine chale ……..u are right my dear, bravo
Your frustrations and lack of political success can not be heaped on KK. In fact these frustrations you are projecting to the world like there is someone responsible for them are largely imaginary. You live well in Zambia and have enjoyed peace and tranquillity. you went to school and were fed well. No country on earth is ever free of challenges. Kaunda did his part and hasnded over a peaceful and still resourcefull country in terms of people and natural reources. He laid a base for you and I to build on. remember that Africa had many challenges and many of our friends ended up in severe suffering that us. Why don’t you positively and do what you can?
Here is Zambia. come and take it instead of insulting KK. Come and rule……
It is a shame that any Zambian would insult KK. Yes he made mistakes as does any human being. But I would like to believe that KK had the best interests of Zambia at heart when he was president. A good example is when we cried for democracy he listened without unleashing on the masses the police and army over which he had absolute control. He cut short his term in office and brought forward the election. In my view the 1991 election is the only free and fair election we have ever had. The MMD then was granted full access to use both the electronic and print media. People recognise Mandela as a great icon but where would Mandela be if Zambia under the leadership of KK did not provide resources and support  to the ANC
One thing I support is to honour KK as the first Zedian President.But to claim that he is a Great man and that he did great things while in office,mmmmmmmmm,I definitely dont agree. KK’s way of doing things lives much to be desired. We are in a mess today largely because of him. In 1971 he zambianized everything, and chased whites who were better educated and had proper skills. The economy has never been the same since then. 27 years of almost doing nothing. Elections were always between KK and THE FROG. And today we call him Great. CANT NEVER!That was dictatorship of the worst kind. Facts are Facts. Lets suppose KK was the Greatest President on the continent of Africa, then WHY ON EARTH DID ZAMBIANS REJECT HIM IN 1991?
@ #2 and Makaveli, you are the most foolish *****s on earth and I wonder if you were born from a Human.
Ukutumpafu #4
In 1964, KK inherited a country that was rich. 27 yrs. later, Zambia had become one of the poorest countries on the face of the earth. To this day, Zambia is ethinically divided along tribal lines. If you want to know what true greatness really is, compare KK with Julius Mwalimu Nyerere of Tanzania, who inherited one of the poorest countries in the world at independence and today Tanzania is an admirable nation with virtually no tribal rivalry among its citizens. KK and Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe have a lot in common. It’s good that God has blessed KK with long life so that he can see that he wasn’t indispensable after all.
all those who are today blaming KK for economic slow down are just out of touch with the reality,the period in which KK reigned the country was a period of liberation and u guys are enjoying the previledge of free visa movements with ur neigbouring countries becoz of his foreign policy,u are still blaming KK for zambia s current slugish economy instead of MMD s 20 years rule.blaming ur dad for not exceling in school when u are 40 years becoz he also supported his brothers is just stupid.what have u done to improve on were ur dad left.remember that ur dad did his best and as a son u ought to be gratefull and do more to ur kids and blaming ur dad for the failure to provide a better place for kids.the biggest difference btwn the west and us is we are too much of a blame game ,lets lok @ f
Some Zambian in Zambia says Ukwa is in UK. Now im in UK and I want more details what he has come to do. I want to take a present to him. any details????? pipo in Zambia was it announced that he will be leaving or he just fled???????
These countries are dreaming about an African union. I doubt it can happen! Look at what’s going on in Greece and Europe. All these countries have very different economies, cultures, demographics! Do they think a single currency will unite them? A waste of resources that must be spent on improving economiesÂ
KK is my hero, I have a lot of respect for him. He is not perfect and clearly made some mistakes during his time but to me, his goodness far outweighs his mistakes.
Abrogating the BA64 stands out as one of his finest moments of leadership in my eyes.