The African Union (AU) has recognised posthumously Mama Betty Kaunda, wife to Zambia’s late Founding President Kenneth Kaunda, as a Freedom Activist and Founder member of Pan African Women’s Organization.
Mama Betty’s role has been recognised alongside other Women freedom fighters that have not been recognized in the past events.
During the celebrations to mark the 60th Anniversary of the OAU-AU in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Mama Betty’s photograph was displayed in the wall of fame where those who played a role in the liberation struggle were recognized.
In the main hall, pictures of the thirty-two founding members who signed the OAU Charter on 25th May, 1963, were displayed.
Charge d’ Affaires at the Zambia Embassy in Ethiopia, Trevor Sichombo expressed gratitude to the African Union for recognizing Mama Betty for her role in the liberation struggle.
Mr. Sichombo said until history was recorded correctly, names of great heroes that have made immense contributions, like Mama Betty would go into oblivion.
The Charge d’ Affaires said there was no better way to honour the great men and women than to continue the work they started to achieve the Africa we want.
And AU Chairperson, Moussa Faki Mahamat said the Africa Union recognised leaders who sacrificed their lives for Africa’s liberation.
He said it was important for Africa to maintain peace as the fallen heroes fought tirelessly to ensure that the continent had peace and prospered.
He emphasized the need for Africa to be economically independent and reduce its dependence on foreign aid.
He added that it was unfortunate that African countries were grappling with the problem of debt.
And Ethiopian Prime Minister, ABIY AHMED said Africa cannot claim to be independent when its people are grappling with poverty.
He said it was unfortunate that despite Africa having abundant natural wealth, the continent remained poor.
The Prime Minister also called on the African Union to establish a continental media house to curtail negative reporting by Western media.
This is according to a statement issued to the media by First Secretary for Press and Tourism at Zambia’s Embassy in Ethiopia Inutu Mwanza.
Now please honour KK’s wishes and bury him next to his wife in Lubwa Mission.
A little too late. They will honour westerners before they honour gallant mothers like our Betty. The same way upnd and chi hh continue harassing the mother of the nation our Esther lungu
@Kaizar Zulu,don`t you think they should also honour our first Lady Mutinta for standing besides President Hh during his difficult times,the African union should consider honouring her
Esther Lungu mother of the nation? Kuti uko? Rather mother of corruption
@Mwana Bwembya- I dont even know why they are honoring Mrs Kaunda. For being a wife to a freedom fighter? Mu Africa namo! Dont they know we never vote for first ladies? If it was Winnie Mandela I could understand cos she took over her husband’s struggle and got detained for it. Britain had a Prime minister of three terms called Margaret Thatcher whom KK shadow boxed all the time. We never heard a single word about her husband. This first lady thing shouldn’t be overplayed even if she solicits for fire engines from America.
@Kaizar Zulu
You big chi colour !
If I were Kaizar I would be very happy with your compliment. Big what?? Kikikikikikiki!
Big shaw is that what your fat wlfe told you about me?
KZ the Zambian Government should honour my late father Posthumously for saving many many lives at Kalewa Barracks in 1967 when he loaded and drove 250lbs of sweating dynamite out of the camp whilst it was stored in the Armoury along with all military armoury. It took 45 years for him to get the Meritorious Medal from the ZDF and he should have received the Eagle of Zambia from The President, the barracks is still there and still functioning. A true Hero and Soldier the award should be honoured posthumously to our family as his name is mentioned at the Military Museum in Lusaka. We westerners are not all bad and when living in Zambia we loved the country it’s people and abided by the laws of Zambia.
Yeah some of you were good but I won’t include your queen among them. Nor WMD imaginer Tony Blair but you have an interesting story here. Who is he? He certainly should be honored.
Sent a message to The President via LinkedIn but he hasn’t read it!!! Explaining everything also to PS Chipakupaku.