Timeline
A Walk Through KK's Life
1924
The Birth
On 28th April, 1924, Kenneth David Buchizya Kaunda is born to David and Helen Kaunda in Lubwa Mission, Chinsali district. He was the eighth and last born child of the couple.
1943
Start of Teaching Career
Kenneth Kaunda returns to Lubwa Mission as head teacher, soon after leaving Munali Secondary School.
1951
Start of Political Career
Kenneth Kaunda leaves teaching job to join Northern Rhodesian African National Congress (NRANC) in Chinsali.
1953
Early Recognition in Politics
Kenneth Kaunda is elected the NRANC secretary general and launches non-violent campaigns for black majority rule. He gets jailed for two months for his activism in 1955.
1958
Birth of ZANC and UNIP
Kenneth Kaunda founds the breakaway Zambian African National Congress (ZANC) which is banned, and Kaunda is imprisoned again. ZANC becomes the United National Independence Party (UNIP).
1960
Head of UNIP
Kenneth Kaunda is released from jail and takes over at the helm of UNIP.
1964
Zambia's Independence
Zambia gains political independence from British colonial rule, with Kenneth Kaunda as its president.
1975
Call for African Development
KK visits the United States President Gerald Ford, calling for the United States to be more active in Southern Africa's development. He also mediates discussions for possibilities of an internal settlement in Southern Rhodesia with Ian Smith and the black nationalists.
1989
Birth of KKCAF
KK founds the Kenneth Kaunda Children of Africa (KKCAF) to fight against HIV and AIDS.
1991
Change of Government
Zambian Government changes hands as the Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) defeats UNIP in the general elections and Frederick Chiluba becomes president. KK facilitates a smooth transition.
2012
Death of Betty Kaunda
KK's wife Betty Kaunda dies at the age of 83 years, on 19th September 2012 in Harare, Zimbabwe, after suffering from diabetes for many years.
2021
Death of KK
KK dies at the age of 97 years, on 17th June 2021 in Lusaka's Maina Soko Military Hospital, where he was being treated for pneumonia.