Many guests at the state funeral of former president Nelson Mandela enjoyed the animated vote of thanks given by former Zambian president Kenneth Kaunda in Qunu, in the Eastern Cape, on Sunday.
Loud laughter was heard when Kaunda referred to the apartheid-era National Party, led by FW De Klerk, as the “Boer” party.
As his address ran over time, African National Congress deputy president Cyril Ramaphosa walked up to the podium to signal to him to wrap up.
Kaunda got the audience giggling when he protested, saying people were “trying to control an old man who fought the Boers”. Ramaphosa shrugged and smiled.
Kaunda took the opportunity to remind the apartheid government of its shameful treatment of Mandela and his fellow men.
“I had a chance to meet a number of friends of the Boer company. I spent three nights with [former prime minister John] Vorster on a train [stationed on the railway bridge over Victoria Falls, which separates Zambia and Zimbabwe],” Kaunda said.
“I asked the prime minister to please release Nelson Mandela and his colleagues and come together in discussions. It came to nothing.
“Then came another boer leader — I think he was called [PW] Botha — to discuss the future of South Africa together. I didn’t succeed and it also came to nothing.
“Then came my meeting with FW de Klerk… and, after a few hours, I called a press conference where I said: ‘I think I can do business with this man’. Thank goodness he released this great man.”
Kaunda also referred to some quotes from the Bible and ended his speech by saying “Amen”.
`´In a brief speech at Chutika Basic School before leaving for Kamoto Hospital, President Sata expressed concern that even after 49 years of independence, some children had no shoes or underwear and were not going to school and women were still carrying water on their heads.
President Sata said this year, perhaps “God wanted to punish us because there is no rain.”
He said it was time for Malambo residents to vote for the PF.
President Sata also teased people of Eastern Province saying previously wise people came from the east but now they were no longer there.
And addressing a meeting at Vubwi Primary School yesterday, President Sata said he needs representatives who would be informing him about problems the people in Eastern Province were facing“.
qoute from the front page of…
So Ndobo, you are confirming that Sata didn’t even have change of watching KK on TV, doing drama at Mandela funeral?
yes!!! just like what he did during cardial mazombwe,,, this time he did double if not three times, from his now month he declares 7days of national mourning for Mandela,, then he goes for erection campaigns,, but no one should be campaigning because the issue is before the court… just imagine!!!
Heeee you people, KK’s speech was great though, I just watched videos. Ho can Sata miss that?
KK kept praising Kikwete for bringing Maria Nyerere, and hope someone would have mentioned Sata for bringing KK to funeral.
You Zambians do you really have brains. Most of you such as this blogger dont. Your commentis out of topic man. You are so brainless.
Messages of thank you for the great speech by Kaunda are still pouring in on my face book page from South Africans who still remember that I am Zambians. Yes through out the funeral of Mandela messages have been about moving forward BUT some body had to remind the people of what it was like in the past. To KK, I say thank you, I have lived in the new SA for the past 14 years, but in some parts of SA traces of the past are still there. Thank KK once again.
Aside with President Sata’s lack of leadership judgement, lets celebrate the life of Madiba. Though South Africa is a combustible nation too sensitive to racial sound bites, the speech by our former President KK was upto the point. evoke the word Boer would be inciting the blacks but a reminder that what apartheid perpetuated was inhumane and should never ever again happen. Going forward, SA and all humanity earth must co-exist, be tolerant of each other, forgiving and united beyond color, race, gender, age, education, material value or origin. Make SA a melting pot of all and share its natural heritage.
Nostradamas, Sata has no interest in Mandela and South African. He and Fredrick ‘Kafupi’ Chiluba were at the end of Mandela’s telling off many times over their treatment of Kaunda as well as over the way they plundered the mines and the rest of the economy. I think, in turn, both Sata and Chiluba had no kind words for Mandela. Most Zambians will agree that KK was the most appropriate representative at this funeral. Sata would have just been a big embarrassment.
KK the dictator of 27 years.
KK is a hypocrite because he oppressed people of Barotseland. He abrogated the BA 64 with impunity this Malawian man mascarading as Zambian.
The whole world has seen the dictator of 27 years trotting, when the ICC call him to answer questions of Barotseland, KK should be also trotting.
This dictator of 27 years is a hypocritical, he is the one who tortured others and stood against a frog at one party elections.
Dictator KK.
KK should not point at the speck in the eyes of the former Boer regime when he presided over the most oppressive regime in modern Zambia.
Many of his fellow freedom fighters in Zambia have died mysteriously.
Shame on you Nyasaland man.
What do you mean by “KK should not point at the “speck” in the eyes of the former Boer regime…”? You mean to tell me Kaunda’s Govt was a “log” compared to the apartheid system? Really, @Donqueen…?!
My goodness, what in h.el.l are you smoking!!!!!!!!
Awe Mukwai iyi yena teyo. His principal then was, ‘if I allow many parties after the struggle, the europeans will have a chance to destroy what we fought for using the same parties. So it shall wait till we build our country’
So he ruled for a long period but as time went by power as u know became sweet and he still didnt allow other parties. Ni muntu naeve in the end sweet talker FTJ came through. Super Ken is a good thing that happened to Zambia back then, otherwise nganiwebo kaboi nanomba.
@ Donqueen: Appreciate the Old man, he told the truth and not a written speech. He was the only one who went on the podium and spoke from his heart. He further encouraged all to love one another quoting “Love your neighbor as you love yourself” ZAMBIA TRULY HELPED SOUTH AFRICA and it’s a legacy they appreciate. Well done KK and Guy Scout for representing Zambia.
@Donqueen get your facts right and differentiate between historical truths and rumours. Truths: Kaunda forgave all past coupe plotters from the Shamwana, Christon Tembo group to the Mwamba Luchembe crew, both groups were guilty of high treason a crime punishable by death yet Kaunda the man you call such names pardoned them unconditionally, further to that Shamwana went on to defend Kaunda in court and the two actually became close friends. As for the rumours you have said what you believe, your mindset is fixed on that and only God knows why you think Kaunda was such as bad person but take time to reflect on this, if someone like Shamwana could put all that behind who are you to criticise and hate Kaunda? As for as Iam concerned God has blessed Zambia because of Kaunda.
We may not know everything Kaunda did, bad or good, but insinuating that his political opponents died in mysterious circumstance is mischievous and uncalled for. I for one will be the first to agree that he was a dictator. But many Zambians will tell you that they had their dignity then. I don’t think many black South Africans could say the same thing under the ‘Boer’ regime. Most countries in Africa then were dictatorships. For instance Malawi, which was heavily supported by Apartheid South African, was a brutal dictatorship whose people sought refuge in Zambia. Think on that!
Ba Donqueen, ala muli ba Fontini, take some time and do your research. Busy blogging ku UK, without KK you wouldnt even be there. You need to understand why KK had to be stern with his leadership. Don’t even think for oneday that the UK was happy that Zambia became independent, there was still money to be made out of Zambia. KK had to protect his country, if he just let any Jack or Jim takeover at that time the White’s would’ve taken back the country. Use your pea size brain for once and think Mssstch
I admire the old man..He talked about things others were scared of..imagine how many people heard the commandments of God today…People would lather choose to praise themselves on such events..I salute you old man..
@the russian mafia you must have been born in the late 90s for you don’t know how evil, brutal and shameless dictator kaunda was. He ruled zambia with an iron hand. Zambia was under state of emergency for 27 solid year under kk dictatorship. He used to arrest his political opponent at will and many disappeared.
Kk used to insult people in public
@Yondo Sister:
If you have such hatred for the old man (KK), you will have a chance to dance on his grave when he dies. For now, this is about Mandela, South Africa, and the roll KK played in the freedom struggle of that country. NOT how Kaunda ruled Zambia!
By the way, we hear about all these disappearances of people during Kaunda’s govt, yet very few, if any, have come forward with concrete evidence to support these “conspiracy theories.” And haven’t any of the relatives of those who were disappeared by Kaunda sued him? The old man has been out of offices for decades and this would have been the ideal time to nail him for all these crimes you keep accusing him of having committed during his presidency. Chiluba brought in Scotland Yard to try and nail KK but found nothing!
I thought KK was out of context! When everyone is talking about togetherness, KK was usin the word BOER and their company. Mudala had a point but wrong place.
Yondo Sister
I agree with you, most people on these blogs were either young or they ‘ate’ with kaunda at the time he was head honcho of our republic. They don’t know that the man was a ruthless dictator, who instilled paralyzing fear in the citizens. But amazingly he has dozens of apologists who try to paint him a hero he isn’t and will never be in our eyes.
KK lacks diplomatic skills. The man belongs to the stone age of Mugabe. Mandela stood for forgiveness, love, unity, tolerance and political maturity and yet that KK chap can go on a podium and preach vengeance, revenge and hatred.
And Mandela would not have sanctioned a hate speech.
You Kaunda haters want to recreate Mandela. The two were devils under the definition of Europeans. Mandela was redefined by the same Europeans and all you do is cheat yourselves thay the saint wouldn’t have allowed hate speech! Puppets!
@Kay, where is “hate” in what KK said? Weren’t the minority White South Africans who brutally ruled that country Boers?
KK reminds you how racist and backward thinking “Ma Buunu” were and you want to paint what he said as a “hate speech.” It is people like John Vorster, who, due to his racist view of Africa, couldn’t bring himself to even step his foot in a country ruled by a black African President. This is the reason why he chose to meet KK at the Victoria falls bridge (3 nights in the middle of the Zambezi) so his “white racist a.s.s” can stay in his equally racist “cousin”, Ian Smith’s Rhodesia. These are the evils KK stood and fought against!
And now you want to call him a “hater” for stating plain facts and “evil doers” by their rightful names? Give me a…
he was just rumbling. nothing sensible came out of that speech.
a Bwalya panyo panu mwanvwa???
@ Bwalya Chiselema, TRUE…No wonder he was the only one reminded of time during the presentations… Ramapasa was just deplomatically saying, mudala out of context!
John 3:16
Kaunda chipuba.And only those who are retarded or did not grow during his reign appreciate the old fool.Those of you who are challenging what “leadership” he provided please read Muna Ndulo and John Hatchard’s Civil liberties book.As the whites say “if you want to hide something from a black man put it in a book”.You are arguing about things that happened less than 50 years ago when the whites trace their history to Before Christ years.Typical of an African.
South Africans I talked to today loved what KK said. They are happy and here you are as Zambians busy insulting the old man. There is nothing worn in what KK said. I watched the speech.
And now I believe what our Veep said about South Africans and Jacob Zuma. So true. Jacob Zuma, Thabo Mbeki, and many South Aficans made Zambia as there home and they do not appreciate that. Especially their president Msholozi!
Its true, that was not a speech, just the ramblings of a senile old dictator saying love your neighbor, but he locked up and killed his political opponents.
In the spirit of Mandela I forgive him, but the facts are the facts. Forgive, but do not forget.
Old man, learn when to keep your mouth shut!
Ba Maestro, you are one of those people who worship white people and keep repeating the deeply offensive “if you want to hide something from a black man put it in a book”! Please speak for yourself. Most Africans I know are very well informed and refuse to conform to what your white friends want them to be and think. If you seriously believe this cliche then you should not be blogging here because you are one sad individual.
@Ben which other head of state in Africa ever pardoned coupe plotters, please give me answer on this, in Zimbabwe Mugabe executed a group of young captains I recall some 5 or 7 years ago, in Congo even discussing such activities in the military has landed officers in the gallows, in Ghana, Ivory Coast, Nigeria, Chad and Togo coupe plotters have been executed, Uganda the same as well as Ethiopia under Meles Zenawe and before him Mengestu. Also “dictators” don’t hand over power. Two things here, either the ones that come out to criticise Kaunda on mere speculation are either grade 7 drop outs that never went on to get the full benefit of the free education under Kaunda or they are racist white Zambians who are pretending to be black Zambians and have a searing hatred of us. Well go to…
KK’s speech should have been prepared govt officials than let him speak from his wisdom.
Its was good though more personal than zambian.
@mansabyerection
KK was unscheduled.. he was put on the list last minite … the was not speech sadily prepared speech,, you are right he should have had a prepared speech… but those cadre staff at zambian high commision in pretoria, dont know there job!! they dont KNOW why they are in RSA
Kaunda was not scheduled to speak and it was after complaints from key delegates that the ANC put him last minute and that’s why there were two votes of thanks instead of one. The ANC have something against ZAMBIA for some reason. He was introduced as a former president but they did not mention Zambia. I cant blame the embassy officials here.
If KK could have read a prepared speech he could have missed the truth he told. Blogger 2020 Vision I agree with you. Children, if you were not there, and if you do not comprehend intricacies of politics do not insult born-gifted politicians like Supper Ken. Thanks to SA Govt to realise that the Mandela Funeral could not just suitably and fittingly conclude without Supper Ken/Zambia saying something because their struggle was borne by KK/Zambians. Mandela smiled from heaven as KK spoke, while my eyes shed tears of happiness and joy as I reminisced how much KK/Zambia contributed to win freedom for Mandela and South Africa. KK was never a compelled dictator, rather it was the demands of governance of that time which he had to abide with.
KK is a great man, just like any of us he was not pure he had his wrongs, so we shud respect him for the sacrifice for our freedom few of us can do what these old men did for our countries.
mmk
please spare us your dullness.What sacrifice are you talking about?Have you not noticed that just about all the countries under British rule got independence about the same time?Kenya was celebrating 50 years of independence on Friday,we shall be 50 years old next year,Ghana is 53 years old.Do you know why?In late 50’s to early 60’s your colonial masters adopted a policy to free all colonies.What you call a struggle was kindergarten affair and cant even compare to a Unza riot.Please read dont just sabaila.
I forgot to add that the term “winds of change” were coined about the same time
I need to read about Zambian history, because as far as I’m concerned the British were done with Zambia hence giving independence to Zambia. Kaunda did not fight anyone for freedom.
@ Maestro , the british empire did not come to and end passively, if they gave up their colonies it was because they could not hold onto them anymore, too much upheavals and fighting. The sacrifice was real , people were killed and imprisoned, tortured and sent into exile. You must be some S t u p i d teenager or something, piece of advise: Get your basics right, some things just happened and are historical facts regardless of weather you are ashamed of zambia or not. Someone like you wouldnt know that thousands of zambians were conscripted and fought in the british army in WW2 and died, many more were left maimed physically and psychologically. No one talks about it now because media is controlled by western world and they are ashamed of that and dont want to compensate these people
Monko teach these foools some history. Also ask them to read res ponses below by Getalife and know your history
Let the old man Reminesce.
He was called at a short notice and had no prepared speak. at least he represented our country. he can not be perfect, please lets cherish our own. SA’s seem to have respect for him, lets do the same.
What respect do they have for him?
THEY WERE LAUGHING AT THE OLD FOOL MUMBLING ON!
Another clown like UKWA!
People please give the old man some slack! He deserves respect because as an elderly man, he has a right to speak his mind without fear, straight from the heart. Today was not about how he ruled this country, but his and Zambia’s contribution to South Africa’s freedom. He deserves respect for that.
@mmk. I dont understand why you guys hero worship this fellow. This so called KK murdered a lot of people and oppressed many. You can only understand this if you were born in the 70s or earlier. And that sacrifice you are talking about, it was the Zambian public who lost their lives not Kaunda or his children in trying to house the ANC.
Uli chi gumu gume zoona. Someone has advised that if you have evidence that kk slaughtered your neighbours, sue him. Instead, you come here and talk rubbbish.
@Gumu Gumu- You have the audacity to say it was not only KK who fought the Boers but all the Zambians. See how you expose yourself; what difference does it make whether it was KK or all the Zambians? “Ukaleko gumula sugona pano”.
The use of the term Boer was banned , Under the peace and reconciliation commission.
The reason the people are celebrating Mandela is because he forgave the so called Boers ,so Mr kk don’t spoil the spirit of reconciliation.
For as long as he was there that time he indeed spoke from his heart, u were not there aand given to read a speech with false quotes and you look a fool in front of those who were there, for sure those boers mistreated Mandela and others KK was not scared and ashemed to remind them, you can call KK a dictator but he built zambia for you and the role he played will live on
Built Zambia ?????????????????
He destroyed it!!
You are too young to remember empty shelves at ZCBC. No mealie meal, no cooking oil….
Mandela was president of SA. If he wanted to revenge for what the Boers did to him and his comrades he would have done so with much easy but the man chose to forgive and forget.
What a joke,that old dictator should shut up for ever!!!!!!!
KK helped south africa for his personal gain and he has been paid back in full by the south africans by given him mines and other big business.
The same way Mugabe helped kabila by sending Zimbabwean soldiers to the DRC. Now mugabe has copper and cobalt mines in the DRC.
I must admit I was worried when they mentioned KK was giving a speach and to no surprise he let out too much. Admittedly he is an elderly man and they say we should endulge the elderly but this was not the platform for the boer part of the speach. SA is a country with sensitive racial divides and we don’t need to be seen to add fuel to the fire. Mandela himself drew a line for the sake of peace and national prosperity. Given the event, I don’t think anyone had the right to bring up issues that divide a nation.
The deeper issue here is that all politicians are the same – they all blame predecessors and past events. When will the next generation break through. The generation that looks to shape the future rather than all the things that went wrong in the past that stop us from being…
Kwena mwe Bantu sometimes we just talk too much. I personally see no wrong with what Shikulu said today , our tongues slip everyday . long live KK , viva Africa !!
Glad old man KK said what he had to say. That was the moment for him to let it out. His involvement in the war against the “boers” deserved some hearing, much more so that it was coming from the horse’s mouth. I don’t care the flavor of his speech. The boers were nasty and ugly.
I was at church so I missed. Did guy Scot speak as well?
Are you kidding?? What or who is Scott, he can’t even speak at KK’s funeral, but at Sata’s & his PFs.
The boers were an ugly lot all right. They deserved such a scolding from such a one as KK, particularly at an event that marked the departing shadow of Nelson Mandela. Job well done KK.
KK must be given his international Freedom fighters Prive for all his positive contribution he offered!
@cindy
hey cindy long time.. have you just come from mandela`s funeral?? ..
international freedom fighters, who are they??
@ Ndobo,
Indeed long time, bet I missed on so much interesting stuff, the sooner this year evaporates the better! Otherwise, KK is a freedom fighter who deserves international recognition. Just check how all the countries he sacrificed his life for, havetheir former leaders been appreciated. In Zambia one gets bombarded with the best thing known most….. “Prison and Insults”!
KK will go down in Zambian history as the man who address the whole world and they all listened today.
Like to many Zambians, the invitation of Dr. Kaunda to give a speech at the burial of a great son of Africa—Madiba, came as a welcome shock.
He spoke impromptu. For an audience like that, and especially that the ceremony was live on international channels, it is a rear feat: things can go wrong—I was literally on the edge of my seat.
But after KK’s speech, people became more light-faced, they appreciated his presence: Zambia was well represented.
It remains upon us now to carry the candle forward: let it not be snuffed by the storms of our day (or night).
It remains upon us now to carry that mantle and do wonders for humanity.
The ideal for which he stood, and:
“…if needs be, it is an ideal for which I’m prepared to die.”
Go well Madiba.
Go well son of Africa.
God bless…
Good evening
Just been watching the video clip. A great speech of brotherly & sisterly love by KK and everyone who does not appreciate it should just send himself right off to read up on the history of South Africa and the Boer Wars.
“Boer party” just made me laugh and i dont know how will call UNIP? MMD=”movement for madrs dealer” said KK while PF has numerous names
Usage of the word boer constitutes hate speech in SA. However, KK didnt know that.
Although unprepared, his summary was great. I sense that the SA govt have been avoiding him to make a speech. I suspect they think he is too old and now mumbles like a small child who does not conclude but enjoys talking on and on. A demetia call taoldphobia- common in old people.
Boer isn’t hate speech. The word just means farmer. Recently the ANC vice president Ramaphosa used it to warn blacks who would come back to rule if they turned their back on ANC
It is true, boer means “farmer”, but in SA it has derogatory connotations.
Ramaphosa used it as a subtle reminder to the people at the service, but the senile old man is beyond understanding the implications.
Many thanks old man, KK. You represented Zambia very well. Once again, many thanks!
Ba k k poor finishing. You came as a hero. You as a zero especially that sata is your friend. Anyone associated with sata iz a lepa.
useless article
i personnally enjoyed the speech.. All i can say is thank you KK for representing Zambia. ONE ZAMBIA ONE NATION..
For a second I thought K K could take on Usain Bolt.
Yeah the way he ran up those stairs! KK for Zambia’s 2016 Olympic team!!
JJ u have no brains
Once again, old KK has here demonstrated courage and bravery. What better send-off would there be for Nelson Mandela, than to demonstrate those qualities that defined, exemplified and personified him in his long walk to freedom? Much as one may appreciate the camouflage that was a brain child of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, it should be appreciated when we are treated to the natural flavours by calling a spade a spade and a Boer a Boer. Truth be told, it behooves us to dress history in its true colours. We must not bury it alive to hide it from view nor deny its existence. KK, courageously as was Mandela, has here called a spade a spade, and a Boer a Boer! Long live KK. For once I am proud of you.
You are just an i.d.i.o.t. What did KK achieve by calling White South Africans as Boers. It just shows that the man is bitter. No wonder he failed to make up with Chiluba. KK doesn’t forgive. Mandela was different. He reconciled with his former oppressors because he realized that it was not only good for his peace but for also for the good of the whole country. KK is just a f.o.o.l like you!
@ J J: No I am neither an i.d.i.o.t. nor a f.o.o.l and KK is not a f.o.o.l either. You are condemning KK for referring to Boers as Boers. Check your history books, they are referred to as such. You are castigating KK for using inappropriate language. Don’t you see that you are using inappropriate language yourself when you say that I am a f.o.o.l and an i.d.i.o.t and to KK as a f.o.o.l too? Are you not using double standards here? Why don’t you apply to yourself the same standard that you are applying to KK? What if I called you a f.o.o.l an i.d.i.o.t and a schizophrenic? How would you feel?
@ J J : Purely on the basis of his age alone, KK does deserve your respect. I wonder why you have decided to insult him?
A fool is a fool no matter the age. KKs after independence failed to honor his own words. He grabbed and nationalized farms and business owned by whites. A lot of whites who were prepared to remain in Zambia after independence lost their property and left Zambia empty handed. Was that not racism? Even that love and equality of human beings he preaches doesn’t come from his heart. Its mare leap service. KK needs to rest and learn lessons from true great men like Mandela.
JJ you have no brains. Completely no brains at all
if KK was in good boots with under5 the way he was with mazoka whom he campaigned for heavly in those elections, most of the lumpen immigrants from ZWD wouldn’t blog all the dung they are bloging about him just coz he doesnt seem to be with that scumbag HH.
Am glad no one invited little HH to mandela’s funeral later on ask him to make a speech the world would ve watched real bitterness laced with envy and aromatic alderhyde.
KK’s speech was about the best of all the speeches made so far. The english was top class and not written. KK you did zambia proud.
Maestro dont belittle the struggle just because you weren’t there and have been since taught half baked History . There was no such a policy. Britain wanted to hang on to the colonies. In the UN China and THE USSR opposed colonisation as Africans upped their fight after the end of World War 2.Africans now started to physically fight for their freedom and the Europeans inevitably tired. read UN resolutions especially 1514. you will perhaps see how far back the struggle goes The UN legitimised african liberation but after plenty of black oppressed people’s pressure
have been since taught half baked History . There was no such a
policy. Britain wanted to hang on to the colonies. In the UN China and
THE USSR opposed colonisation as Africans upped their fight after the
end of World War 2.Africans now started to physically fight for their
freedom and the Europeans inevitably tired. read UN resolutions
especially 1514. you will perhaps see how far back the struggle goes
The UN legitimised african liberation but after plenty of black oppressed
people’s pressure
I dont think Maestro has been to a respectable school. Britain hung on to colonies like Hong Kong until 1997. What policy did it have over the independence of colonies? We fought for our indipanda
There are very few people if any that had more right to speak there than Kaunda. Zambia sacrificed terribly for decades to free SA, period. Anyone who disputes that is simply ignorant. The “mainstream ” media focused on people like obama, while what obama said might have been true lets not forget that America as a country did not exactly help to end apartheid, rather they supported that evil regime. Same for britain, israel and many western powers. Now they all come and want to be painted as angels.
Zambia was one of the first (if not the first) countries to be visited by mandela after his release and their is very good reason for that. That people should try and distort the truth is a shame. And Mandela was classified as a terrorist by the US govt for years after his…
History determines how you behave in the present and in the future so learn it properly. This means learn proper history not the one that says David Livingstone discovered the Victoria Falls.
How humans so easily forget. The personal engagement against the Boers and apartheid by KK was a crucial factor in the process that led to the break-up of that evil system. Why must KK be discredited for using the term “Boer” today? Was it guarded and well-rounded speech that defeated apartheid? Was it not rather persistently scathing attacks and unrelenting militancy against it that was the demise of that scourge? It must be a privilege for us to hear from KK describe in his own words, his experience in the fight against apartheid and the crucial role he played. Are we so naïve that we are taking offence at him for using the now infamous word “Boer”? Must we not rather celebrate the fact that both Kaunda and Mandela were gallant warriors??
His would have been a wonderful speech had he not referred to the white South Africans as boers. Context matters ba KK. It was so wrong, so politically incorrect and non re-conciliatory.
Weldone comrade KK. You spoke well, you repsented Zambia well after Sata embarrased Zambia by not going to the pay his last respect. KK is a hero and it is good he told the Boers the message of love
That old man is sick in his head. I think old age is having a toll on his sanity. Next time let the man steak to a written speech. It was so embarrasing to hear him refer to the former ruling party of South Africab (National Party) as the Boer party. He should also stop running when called to give a speech at a funeral. Its unafrican. One day the man will fall and break his back.
Koma baba mulibe vokamba. What is African?
The old man should withdraw himself from public life “with immediate effect” if he still wishes to be remembered in a decent light.
Yesterday’s speech was nothing but the rambling of a close to senile old man.
Learn from the Mandela you went to mourn by withdrawing from public life.
KK has made many a great speech but this one? Was well out of context….it appears to me to have been more an attempt at outdoing what Kikwete said Tanzania contributed to Mandela…This was a requilem service one meant to honour a great son of the soil it was not time to open the gaping wound…the desire to heal is taking long and no need to open it….its wasnt a time for political speeches but a time to embrace each other to celebrate a mans life….Indeed KK is an excellent orator but he came out a poor second which is unlike the man we know..lastly am not sure I follow this sudden obession for the man to be recognised when we helped destroy his image abroad…old munshumfwa some hero wanna be once called our first head of state.
The former SA speaker Frene Ginwala pointed out that she was happy KK was given the platform to speak and educate the uninformed South Africans and international community on Zambia’s contribution to SA’s struggle. Unfortunately that opportunity was not fully utilised. KK had a point but he is old now and couldnt express our country’s sentiments fully. Kikwete doesnt have first hand information of what was going on with freedom fighters, but he went there and marketed his country as if it was the only frontline state. If we had a groomed speaker to sell Zambia’s role to that crowd, Kikwete’s story could have sounded like a nursery rhyme. Nobody is going to tell our story for us. Most of the South Africans didnt know what was happening outside Soweto. I salute KK for raising his hand
Great one by Kaunda!
Its true the Late President Levy Mwanawasa was right when He warned our current president that “He will sought him out because Zambians easily forget” Truly we have forgotten the true sacrificial commitment that Dr. Kaunda rendered to the liberation of southern africa but here are the few links I do believe will open your eyes about the legacy that shall live when this true african servant is no more;
http://www.sahistory.org.za/dated-event/kaunda-calls-thatcher%C3%A3%C2%A2%C3%A2%C2%82%C2%AC%C3%A2%C2%84%C2%A2s-exclusion-talks-south-african-sanctions
http://articles.latimes.com/1986-07-25/news/mn-291_1_progressive-federal-party
http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/1989-08-29/news/8908293206_1_south-africa-klerk-kaunda
Three years ago, Zambians went to the polls and elected Michael Chilufya Sata, a man who had no international stature and who can afford to choose to miss a Nelson Mandela funeral, to be their president. In two years time they will be heading to the polls again and they will still elect him to be their president. The Nelson Mandela funeral is one of a kind. America sent four presidents, three former and Barak Obama and their wives to Mandela’s memorial service. Mr. Michael Chilufya Sata decided to abscond. What Dr. Kenneth Kaunda did with his impromptu speech was to fill the void. Can’t we appreciate just that considering Zambia’s great role in dismantling apartheid and in securing the release of Nelson Mandela from prison? Why must KK be insulted for the speech he delivered?
Hey Amu, i dont understand AMERICANS sending some of the same PRESIDENTS that had called Madiba A TERRORIST and they came ????? Damn it. miley Cirus was a better choice !
Innocent Chimfutumba, i like your comment; you are so level headed. Zambians talk about speculations like they are facts; if KK did all those things, Chiluba would have neiled him on atleast one think because thats what he wanted. If KK was such a bad person, he would not cut shot his term, he would not released the Shamwana and the like, he would have not sacrificed so much during indepency strangles. The KK and group governance style was copied from the eastern countries because they dispised the western countries because they were the colonisers. lastly, i liked KKs speech because he was frank and there was no racism and hate there; telling someone to love your neighblour as you love yourself is not racism and not hate.
Thank God it was not Michael Chilufya Sata who spoke for Zambia. It would have been a disastrous catastrophe.
We must never forget the past oppression the black people in South Africa had to endure, this I agree with. However Mr Kaunda message was good without the mention of the word “boer” were he cross the line. Not all people in the apartheid government was boers, and not all boers supported apartheid. By associate apartheid with Boers only, (including all piece living Boers today) would be like saying if one Xhosa person kills someone that all Xhosa people are murderers, which is simply not true. This association is also a form of racism against the boer culture therefore.
This man who is trying to preach against generalisation “discrimination”, of race, colour, gender and culture yet condemns “all Boers” under the same banner. This goes against everything Mandela stands for.