Kenneth Kaunda, Father of Modern Zambia, Dies at 97
Voice of America
JOHANNESBURG - The man known as Zambia's founding father has died at the age of 97. Kenneth Kaunda was one of the last of a dying generation of liberation leaders who saw their countries through a triumphant and turbulent period in African history.
Kaunda rose to power during Africa's heady post-independence period, when dozens of former European colonies gained their freedom. He served as the first president of the southern African nation of Zambia, after it gained independence from Britain in 1964. He held the post until 1991. Zambia's government said Kaunda died Thursday afternoon in a hospital in the capital, Lusaka. His staff said he had been admitted days earlier with pneumonia. In a statement, Zambian President Edgar Lungu declared 21 days of national mourning in honor of the man he described as the "beloved founding father."FILE - Afghanistan's Karim Sadiq dives to catch the ball while fielding during the Asia Cup one-day international cricket tournament against Pakistan in Fatullah, near Dhaka, Bangladesh, Feb. 27, 2014. FILE - Afghan national cricket team coach, Taj Maluk, speaks to his team in Kabul, May 27, 2006. FILE - Gujarat Titans' Rashid Khan plays a shot during the Indian Premier League cricket match between Delhi Capitals and Gujarat Titans in New Delhi, India, April 24, 2024. FILE - A sign advertises the Cricket World Cup matches in East Meadow, New York, May 8, 2024.
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