Dear Editor,
DR Kenneth David Kaunda was the only surviving freedom fighter in Africa. His legacy will definitely outlive him because of the good works he did in a bid to liberate Africa and Zambia in particular.
However, there are some valuable lessons that can be derived from the great son of Africa whom the world is mourning.
The current crop of leaders and those aspiring for public office to emulate Dr. Kaunda’s leadership style.
These are some of the lessons that can be derived from Dr. Kaunda’s leadership style;
(a) Servanthood: Leadership is about serving others. This is what Dr Kaunda believed in. Dr Kaunda during his reign ensured that people were served in a fair and acceptable manner.
(b) Integrity: Integrity is the aspect of doing things in an honest manner. In view of this, Dr. Kaunda believed in governing the affairs of the country in a transparent manner devoid of misdeeds such as criminal activities. It has said that integrity is the hallmark of good leadership.
(c) Minister of peace: Dr.Kaunda was a firm believer of Christian values in his leadership. He preached and promoted love among the people during his reign as the first president of Zambia.
He continued preaching and promoting peace even after leaving office in 1991. This was after Dr. Kaunda lost elections to Dr. Frederick Titus Jacob Chiluba in a multiparty political dispensation. Dr. Kaunda’s message was; “love your neighbour as you love yourself and love God with all your heart.”
(d) Unity: Dr. Kaunda was a firm believer in unity. He was a unifying factor as he brought all the 73 tribes together under the One Zambia One Nation motto. He denounced tribalism, hate speech and political violence among other vices. This was a good thing.
(e) Education for all: Dr. Kaunda being a teacher himself, he believed in education for all people regardless of status, political affiliation and ethnic grouping.
A lot of people benefitted from free education during his tenure of office. To realise the dream of many people getting educated, he built many primary and secondary schools.
Better still, the two public universities – the Copperbelt University (CBU) and the University of Zambia (UNZA) were built under Dr. Kaunda’s rule as the first republican president.
(f) Liberation of Africa: Dr. Kaunda did not only fight for Zambia’s independence from the British colonial masters but also assisted to liberate some countries within the continent of Africa.
He played a very significant role towards attainment of independence by countries such as Zimbabwe, Angola, Namibia and Mozambique among others.
He also accommodated people who fled from the war-torn countries. These people had even an opportunity to pursue formal education in Zambia. The case in point is Mr. Emmerson Munangagwa, the President of Zimbabwe. He pursued all his education in Zambia and he later trained as a lawyer at the University of Zambia.
(f) Creation of local industries: Dr.Kaunda had a good policy on industrialisation as this led to setting up of various industries in all the provinces of Zambia.
Some of the notable industries set up by Dr. Kaunda are Luangwa Bicycle Plant in Eastern Province, Kawambwa Tea Factory in Luapula Province, Mansa Battery Plant in Luapula Province, Pineapple Factory in North-Western Province and the Motor Assembly Plant in Southern Province among others. Ultimately, these industries created employment opportunities for most people in the country.
It is incumbent upon each one of us to derive some valuable lessons from his leadership style. Go well Super Ken and rest in eternal peace.
ELEMIYA PHIRI,
Lusaka.
Author
