Friday, September 2012
Zambia is mourning the death of Betty Kaunda, wife of the country's founding president, Kenneth Kaunda, who died early Wednesday in Zimbabwe while visiting her daughter.
The former First Lady is viewed as the mother of the nation and the strength of her husband, who played a leading role during Africa's liberation struggle. Kaunda was 84.
Zambia's Minister for Foreign Affairs and Tourism, Given Lubinda, President Michael Sata and several Zambians were shocked and saddened by the death of the woman known by most Zambians as "Mama Kaunda."
"The Zambian people and the government received the information about Mama Kaunda's passing, with a great sense of shock because the last time she appeared in public in the company of her husband, she looked well and happy.
The former First Lady was considered by all Zambians as a mother of the nation, and the country at the moment is engulfed in a sense of grief," he said.
Lubinda said Kaunda's popularity even in death, and nearly 21 years since her husband left power, is symptomatic of the kind of humble life she led.
"People in Zambia remember very well the painful experience that Ms Kaunda underwent in 1990 after Frederick Chiluba became the second Republican president. President Kaunda was humiliated, together with his family, and yet Madam Betty Kaunda handled everything with such a sense of responsibility and so much grace," he said.
He said the late former first lady is also mourned by many Zambians because in life they consider her as a fountain of hope and inspiration
Her husband contributed greatly towards the liberation of Zambia and the southern African region.
Lubinda, who said Mama Kaunda was the strength of her husband during the liberation struggle, said the Zambian government will give the passed lady a befitting funeral.
According to The Zambia Post newspaper, Mama Kaunda is survived by her 88-year-husband, eight children, 30 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren.
Source: Zambia mourns former First Lady Betty Kaunda*- World*|monitor.co.ug
Zambia is mourning the death of Betty Kaunda, wife of the country's founding president, Kenneth Kaunda, who died early Wednesday in Zimbabwe while visiting her daughter.
The former First Lady is viewed as the mother of the nation and the strength of her husband, who played a leading role during Africa's liberation struggle. Kaunda was 84.
Zambia's Minister for Foreign Affairs and Tourism, Given Lubinda, President Michael Sata and several Zambians were shocked and saddened by the death of the woman known by most Zambians as "Mama Kaunda."
"The Zambian people and the government received the information about Mama Kaunda's passing, with a great sense of shock because the last time she appeared in public in the company of her husband, she looked well and happy.
The former First Lady was considered by all Zambians as a mother of the nation, and the country at the moment is engulfed in a sense of grief," he said.
Lubinda said Kaunda's popularity even in death, and nearly 21 years since her husband left power, is symptomatic of the kind of humble life she led.
"People in Zambia remember very well the painful experience that Ms Kaunda underwent in 1990 after Frederick Chiluba became the second Republican president. President Kaunda was humiliated, together with his family, and yet Madam Betty Kaunda handled everything with such a sense of responsibility and so much grace," he said.
He said the late former first lady is also mourned by many Zambians because in life they consider her as a fountain of hope and inspiration
Her husband contributed greatly towards the liberation of Zambia and the southern African region.
Lubinda, who said Mama Kaunda was the strength of her husband during the liberation struggle, said the Zambian government will give the passed lady a befitting funeral.
According to The Zambia Post newspaper, Mama Kaunda is survived by her 88-year-husband, eight children, 30 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren.
Source: Zambia mourns former First Lady Betty Kaunda*- World*|monitor.co.ug
