Kaunda, << kah OON dah, >> Kenneth David (1924-2021), served as president of Zambia from 1964 to 1991. In 1964, he led the movement that resulted in Zambia’s independence from the United Kingdom and was elected president. Kaunda was reelected in 1968. In 1972, Kaunda’s political organization, the United National Independence Party (UNIP), became Zambia’s only legal political party. Kaunda was reelected in one-party elections in 1973, 1978, 1983, and 1988. Opposition political parties were legalized in 1990. In 1991 and 1996, Kaunda and other UNIP candidates were defeated in multiparty elections.
As president, Kaunda became known for his support of Black majority rule in South Africa and in Rhodesia, now called Zimbabwe (see Zimbabwe (History)). He also supported construction of a railroad from Zambia through Tanzania to the Indian Ocean. The railroad carries Zambia’s products to the sea for export.
Zambia’s economy declined greatly during Kaunda’s administration. The economy depends heavily on mining, and Kaunda failed to promote policies to increase the importance of other economic activities.
Kaunda was born on April 28, 1924, in Lubwa, Zambia (then Northern Rhodesia). He gave up a teaching career to work for Zambian independence. He confronted white-minority and colonial rule in African countries. He was imprisoned in 1955 and 1959 for his political activities. Kaunda died on June 17, 2021.
