Zambia’s founding leader Kenneth Kaunda was laid to rest at the country’s presidential burial site on Wednesday despite an 11th-hour bid by some of his relatives to block the interment.
Kaunda, who was also a hero of the struggle against white rule in southern Africa, died last month at the age of 97.
Some of his relatives had wanted him buried at his farm next to his late wife Betty, with whom he had 10 children.
But the burial proceeded without incident at Embassy Park, a special cemetery dedicated for the country’s leaders.
His children paid glowing tribute to Kaunda, portraying him as a fighter and teacher whose attributes should be emulated.
President Edgar Lungu declared Kaunda’s birthday, April 28, as a national holiday in honour of the first president.
Zambia had already announced three weeks of mourning after his death on June 17 at the Maina Soko military hospital in Lusaka.
Edgar Lungu also took to social media celebrate Kenneth Kaunda.
“My fellow citizens,
This afternoon we gave the founding father our great nation a final send-off befitting the hero and statesman that he was.
We shall forever celebrate Dr Kenneth Kaunda’s life. His story will be etched in our history and will be told by generations.
KK was a true champion of love and unity. He strongly believed in hard work and discipline. He was an epitome of selfless service and patriotism, and we must all emulate his character and good works. Let us all emulate him by being patriotic, putting country first.
We shall also uphold the motto of “One Zambia, one nation” in all we do and ensure that it remains his enduring legacy.
This we must all pledge in honour of Dr Kaunda.
Fare thee well, KK,” he posted.
Hundreds of mourners attended a church service before the burial, including Mozambique’s ex-president Joachim Chissano, Zambia’s former president Rupiah Banda and Hakainde Hichilema, the head of the main opposition United Party for National Development (UPND).
