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Kenneth Kaunda’s Forgotten Key Role In Mandelas Release
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.
Posted by Kunda
on December 7, 2013. Filed under LATEST NEWS.
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Batu Pili
December 7, 2013 at 2:42 am
Am sure the writer is a bit ignorant of some facts here. The USSR played a much bigger role in the fight against apartheid. The MK were trained by USSR and had the biggest camp in Mozambique, the reason why boers took Samora’s life. Nigeria, Ethiopia and Botswana played a bigger role in hosting exiles and fugitives. Yes Kaunda played a role, but it wasn’t a key role. Many African leaders took the same efforts that Kaunda did.
COLDplay
December 7, 2013 at 9:19 pm
Equally you are ignorant about some facts like the Chikumbi bombings and the likes.
You are the type that believes foreign is always better.
Wanu Ngwee
December 8, 2013 at 10:36 am
Of course KK’s decision to have Zambia assist other Southern African states to attain independence from white colonial rule went a long way in publicizing the injustices of apartheid in South Africa. It also led to the death of many Zambians as the white SA govt mistakenly bombed some homes and villages of innocent Zambians believing that these were either the camps or houses of ANC exiles that were based in Zambia. But given that apartheid was a very strong institutionalised system of political, social and economic oppression and dehumanisation of black people and it secretly enjoyed the support of several friends (govts) of the apartheid government, it equally needed the consolidated efforts of many sympathisers of South Africans of colour to dismantle, and Zambia was just one of these. We may have contributed more to this cause than others, but more out of our conviction of the evils of apartheid than for praise, really. The eventual reward we got as a landlocked country was a free and peaceful neighbourhood to a large extent, an end to the spill-over of other liberation wars into our land, and of course peaceful passage of our merchandise to ports of shipment. And more than anything, a place in a family of neighbouring countries!
DEMON!
December 7, 2013 at 5:10 am
Yes they did but he came to zambia first and means a lot and KK really played big role and correct if am wrong,wasnt our nation anthem orignate from south africa?
kayula
December 7, 2013 at 5:40 am
we can still make KK big its not too late. The only problem is we give somuch respect to foreign ideas leaving ours. Imagine if fired nurses had used pipo like KK, Zulu, wina,mama kankasa and other elders to apologz this time they would be in employment. just because someone has stollen money,acquired a degree then he can insult anyone. who does not make mistakes lets appreciate each other. our elders should feel it was not a mistake to bring us on this earth.Fired nurses go to KK and apologz he will speak for you. yes KK IS MORE THAN A HERO
bufufwa
December 7, 2013 at 7:41 am
for sure big K.K is a hero. go to South Africa, Zimbabwe, Namimbia and ask.thats why they say imfumu taicindikwa ukoikala.
J muti
December 7, 2013 at 8:03 am
The writer of this article is simply jealous of Madiba’s legacy. its an undisputable fact that KK contributed somehow to Madiba’s freedom. But it took the international community to put pressure on a racist regime. Zambians must understand this fact. As a matter of fact countries like Mozambique, Tanzania, USSR contributed even more than Zambia. Ultimately, it was the resistence of South Africans themselves. Next time u write do your research correctly.
nkamu
December 7, 2013 at 4:43 pm
You seem to have a big problem
yongwe
December 7, 2013 at 8:12 am
Honestly how do you factor in KK here…Mandela has passed on and his legacy must be talked about…KK’s legacy will be talked about when he too passes on.!!!! why get concerned…his time for praise will come!!
DJ..CN
December 7, 2013 at 8:17 am
Both KK & MANDELA are heroes of Africa.
The conqueror
December 7, 2013 at 9:00 am
KK was going to die a hero, but his heroism is vanishing because of chi SATA.He is now a political cadre, with no direction.
Matemadombo
December 7, 2013 at 9:38 am
Ur lost.we are honouring the life of mandela,period.those other countries ur talking about they ar singing praise for madiba not themselves.kk only provided housing for struggle icons.but the real push against apatheid was the economic sabotage frm west and the violence within sa wich ws initiated by the tambos on themselves.saying looking after mbekis and tambos made mandela out of prison is misguided in its strongest terms
pintu
December 7, 2013 at 9:49 am
I AM SO DISGUSTED BY THIS CHEAP TALK. PLEASE NO ONE HAS FORGRTTEN WHAT KK AND MANY OTHER LEADERS AND ORDINARY PEOPLE DID TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE LIBERATION STRUGLE AND FINAL TRIUMPH OF THE BLACK MAN IN RSA. THIS IS THE TIME TO REFECT ON THE LIFE OF A MAN WITH BIG A HEART- LOOK, HE FORGAVE EVIL MEN LIKE P.W BOTHA WHO WANTED HIM DEAD AND WHO WANTED THE BLACK MAN TO REMAIN A SLAVE, INFACT ACCORDING TO THIS WICKED MAN(BOTHA) BLACKS SHOULD NOT BE TREATED AS “COMPLETE HUMAN BEINGS”. LET US CELEBRATE THE LIFE OF MADIBA. WE ALL KNOW HOW MUCH THIS COUNTRY SACRIFICED FOR RSA AS WELL AS OUR NEIGHBOURS SO THEY COULD GET EMANCIPATION. TAKE IT EASE. THIS NONSESE OF UNDERPLAYING WHAT ZAMBIA DID FOR RSA SHOULD BE STOPPED. LET US DRAW LESSONS FROM THE LIFE OF DADIBA- FORGIVENSS, HUMILITY, DEMOCRACY, REPSECT FOR HUMAN LIFE, INCLUSIVENESS,SACRIFICE, RESILIENCE, PATIENCE,LOVE, TOLERANCE,HARDWORK,HOPE,SIMPLICITY, COURAGE,SELF-ESTEEM,
moojo
December 7, 2013 at 10:00 am
I agree with the article in totality,actually mandela’s sacrifice was for his country RSA while KK’s was for the entire southern africa region.But KK’s mistakes of prolonging his hold on power to the extent of declaring himself wamuyaya (eternal one)and his claims that GOD was only incharge of heavens and him on earth (ukumulu lesa panshi kaunda),the hardship he subjected us in the 80s which was followed by countryward protests and the now divisive stance in our polical arena(singing praises towards PF and rebuking other opposition leaders) has costed his integrity.IF only he can chill and act as a statesman as opposed to being a PF cadre.
linyunga ndambo
December 7, 2013 at 11:08 am
Yes KK played his part in ending apartheid but you cannot force everyone to sing praises for him,but what i know is that he is held in high esteem in southern africa.Its just unfortunately that he does not realise that dinning with the party in power is making him become unpopular.
real yellow jenalist
December 7, 2013 at 2:59 pm
Again ba 2mfweko who is the author of this letter?
real yellow jenalist
December 7, 2013 at 3:03 pm
Batu Pili do you know your history? Stop talking crap
Independent
December 7, 2013 at 3:03 pm
Just because KK has showed support for Sata does not make him imperfect.No matter how much people try to malign KK,he is still regarded as a great African leader.You can’t rewrite the past but you can learn from it.
Attempts by FTJ and Richard Sakala to rewrite history failed(They tried to erase history by changing the Civic’s curriculum and information in the Zambia schools resource atlas)How cheap can one be?…KK is revered internationally and by many in Zambia.So all you KK haters,just get on with your lives.
chiza
December 7, 2013 at 3:05 pm
There is a time for everything under the sun; a time to be born, a time to die, a time to laugh, a time to hate and so on. KK did what was right at the time and did what was wrong in other areas of life as any human being does every day. Thank’s to KK’s stand over Apartheid, Zambia and Zambian’s are held in high regard by alot of Nations in Southern Africa;unless we mess it up ourselves but alot of people in Bots or sa expect alot of us due to where we come from(Zambia!!!) Right now its time to honor the memory of Mandela. Tabasoka pachililo.
Ubungwa
December 7, 2013 at 3:25 pm
Pilipili you know nothing so keep quite. The writer is right. ANC headquarters were exiled in Zambia and KK played a major role in Nelson Mandela’s release. That is why the first country he visited after his release was Zambia.
Steve
December 7, 2013 at 4:39 pm
Can’t see my pst?
Makuli
December 7, 2013 at 5:25 pm
It seems those arguing against the writer are kids born in the 90s and have gathered their facts from books. Unfortunately nothing much has been written to highlight the key role KK played in the release of Mandela and indeed in the liberation of the whole of Southern Africa.
real yellow jenalist
December 7, 2013 at 6:14 pm
KK did not liberate one country. All southern africas freedom fighters operated from Zambia.
real yellow jenalist
December 7, 2013 at 6:16 pm
And then some nitwit wants to say its the USSR. How annoying! Read your history properly
real yellow jenalist
December 7, 2013 at 6:18 pm
And then some nitwit wants to say its the USSR. How annoying! Read your history properly. Zimbabwe South Africa Mozambique Angola And Namibia all operated liberation movements from Zambia you diaper wearing critics
sunkutu sylvester
December 7, 2013 at 6:19 pm
Its true KK is a hero.Mandela was like a candle flame whose flicker withstood the hurricanes and tornedos of aparthaid for 27 gruesome and excruciating years. We love you madiba.
Glyn Peter
December 7, 2013 at 6:21 pm
He’s also an Icon who helped free Southern African Leaders.
DIP STICK
December 7, 2013 at 9:26 pm
MANDELA FOR SOUTH AFRICA AND KK FOR SOUTHERN AND NEIGHBOURING AFRICA.
icinhikululwa
December 7, 2013 at 10:14 pm
The life we are cerabreting here is not KK’s but Madiba’s; not even those who helpt the Mandela to come from prizon; there time also shall come, but for now; let’s cerebrate Mandez life.
mwana rb
December 8, 2013 at 2:20 am
no world leader wil leave legacy lyk #mandela,u ar only jlous of hm,he’s bng mourned worldwide,he faught 4 apathied n after prison ruled only 1 tem n resigned.ur kk wnted 2 rule all hs lyf noku2mpa ati kumulu lesa panshi kaunda atase,kk is only 4 zambia n patly southen africa bt madiba is worldwide,alther 2gether with ur useles supoters wooo ifimajlous,tata madiba is a tru icon,cakunyonga bcoz dey ar singng praises of hm wembwa iwe.chi kk nichimuselela kwakaba,where is kapwepwe,nkumbula n julious nyelele,who knws hw diz tru icons died.u’l knw dat mandela ni hero wn chi kk dies,de mourning wont b worldwide bt patly southen africa.let tata madiba rest in piece
Bosco Malunda
December 8, 2013 at 3:17 am
Is it about Nelson Mandela’s death or about Kenneth Kaunda’s jiving?
lames nyire
December 8, 2013 at 9:50 am
If you miss this all your arguments will be misplaced.Mandela has received honour not because he was a prisoner for 27 years or because he was released.It is the heart of the Man who embrest oppressors who molested him.And his forgiveness was not a prentence,but genuine.Secondly he promised to rule only one term and he did just that.Today we are not looking at who helped him out of jail but rather what he himself did to this world and what he represent.
Chimbifya
December 8, 2013 at 10:21 am
It all depends on what you think is right.
Monk
December 8, 2013 at 12:59 pm
Its mind boggling to see bloggers argue on who should be given credit. Madiba was a hero and a legend and so is our own KK. Zambia played a major role not only to liberalize South Africa but the entire southern african region. On an equal note, a lot of other leaders in Southern Africa played a part. However, the contentious issue here is the “WEST” taking the credit. Claims that economic sanctions were put on the colonial regime!But where did the pressure come from? Our own leaders in southern africa, with KK as the major role player. Now the question is “are we indeed liberalized”? My answer to that is “NO”.. We are still under modern day slavery from the “WEST” who most of you worship! They have created a lovely fantasy world for you with all the toys to play with hence blind folding you. They are taken control of your tiny minds with their western propaganda, hollywood style! Now that the west has competition from China, India, Brazil and others, they have no choice but to use a military approach. Please do some research on AFRICOM!! They have already infiltrated Africa with the aim to recolonise it, obviously in a very different and smarter way. How many countries in Africa have already been messed up by Western military in the last five years? All in the name of fighting terrorism!! I rest my case with saying that we shall always remain sleepy..
macbride sekeleti
December 8, 2013 at 5:07 pm
We need to understand that there is time to plant and harvest ,the time MMD came into power it wanted sort out KK they forgot the importance of KK is roll as the all wanted him dead ,they had taken away that statemanship from him it is our zambian men and women who robbed this hero ‘s status we went out and tell the world that KK was a wrong man,we saw this when late TANZANIAN J Nyerere came to visit him in jail..come on it hates it us we showed the world that KK was not a good man.so it we need to be blamed over this,we need to put KK in front he was forgotten, i qm happy that President Sata is trying to build the statemanship of Dr K.Kaunda.
victoria
December 8, 2013 at 9:22 pm
ba kk is a good man he played his role and played it good his our icon but now is no time to raise such issues when he dies remember to make mention of his good deeds.but now is Madiba’s time.
eyes
December 8, 2013 at 9:46 pm
Well spoken brother this what I have been also saying why are they leaving out our big mans efforts?
zuluman
December 9, 2013 at 3:57 am
Unless KK himself comes out signing praises of what he contributed to end the evil that was aparthied,the writer has no right to put his excellency on the spot light, especially when each and every person on earth is honoring the great son of Africa, a legend, a pillar of the very essence of what humanity should be about.
We are not overlooking the fact that Zambia sacrificed, but this is not the time.
Trixy
December 9, 2013 at 9:22 am
KK’s time will come!! For crying out loud, this is time to honour one of the greatest sons of Africa by the name of NELSON “MADIBA” MANDELA…A man who after serving 27 years in prison came out to forgive his oppressors and decided to lead his country as president for only one term and stepped down. Thereafter he decided to lead a low profile life…Let us be honest, how many African leaders can behave like this? Even KK’s heroism is slowing diminishing because of the things he is doing…aligning himself to one political party. Initially he made a mistake by prolonging his stay in power. He stepped down peacefully and regained respect. Now he is behaving like a PF Cadre and if he is not careful he will be the most hated man in Zambia….mark my words!!
EUNICE
December 9, 2013 at 2:00 pm
Indeed K.K is Hero for what he did not only for Zambians but for S/Africa as well. Lets not forget the role played by His Excellence D.K.K and Lets not crown somebody Heroship when he is NO MORE.i Totally agree with u.
Lamba Lyenu
December 9, 2013 at 2:24 pm
KK has not been forgotten by ANC or even South Africa. In fact KK has gotten personal benefit out of the struggle.
The credit should go to the many Zambians that sacrificed as well not only one person but ba KK has received all the benefits to himself just recently he was given a house by SWAPO of Namibia for the role he played in their independence we did not hear anything about the Zambians who lost their lives or sacrificed as well. The big man has instead gladly as accepted the gift as personal. I n my view it is wrong he should share with those that participated in the struggle.
There is need for integrity all Zambia’s played a role in the liberation struggle and should be acknowledged. That is why people like Tata Mandela are an exceptional leader he always put others above self and for me that is more rewarding that being praised!