Zambia’s Ambassador to China, Ivan Zyuulu has hailed first Republican President, Dr Kenneth Kaunda as a true statesman and giant of African Politics.
Dr Zyuulu said this during the centenary commemoration of the life and legacy of Kenneth David Kaunda at the Embassy of the Republic of Zambia in Beijing.
“As we celebrate his centenary birthday, we are reminded of the sacrifices he made and the vision he stood for. Dr Kaunda, and Chairman Mao Zedong, of the People’s Republic of China as founding fathers were both visionary leaders who dedicated their lives to the service of their people. They led their respective countries through times of great change and transformation, shaping the course of history in profound ways,” he stated.
He commended the excellent long-lasting relationship between Zambia and China which continue to be symbolised by the magnificent Tanzania Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA) railway line which was completed in 1975 and remains an important infrastructure asset for Zambia and Tanzania.
“Mao’s emphasis on self-reliance and socialist development influenced Zambia’s economic policies and development strategies leading to Zambia’s First President, Kenneth Kaunda, to adopt a socialist economic model known as “Zambian humanism” and the One Zambia One Nation Moto, which focused on nationalization of key industries, social welfare programs, and economic planning,” Dr Zyuulu said.
The Ambassador further noted that Dr Kaunda played a significant role in the Organization of African Unity (OAU) which later became the African Union (AU) as a prominent African statesman and leader.
Dr Zyuulu indicated that the first Zambian President’s contributions to Pan-African organizations were marked by his commitment to promoting unity, peace, and development across the continent.
Speaking at the same event, the Chinese Government hailed its long-standing diplomatic relations with Zambia.
Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs Counsellor of the Department of African Affairs, Wang Ju said under the joint guidance of President Xi Jinping and President Hichilema, China and Zambia have continued to consolidate political mutual trust and promote closer friendly exchanges leading to developing pragmatic cooperation between the two countries.
Ms Ju said Dr Kaunda was a good friend of the Chinese people and that Zambia was the first country in Southern Africa to establish diplomatic ties with China.
She noted that it was at the request of President Kaunda and President of Tanzania, that China decided to help build the Tanzania-Zambia Railway (TAZARA), despite the country going through a difficult economic situation.
Ms Ju highlighted that the TAZARA railway strongly supported the independence and liberation movements of Southern African countries and became a historical monument of China-Africa friendship.
Dr Kaunda died on June 17, 2021 at the age of 97 years, three years before clocking a centenary.
This is contained in a statement issued to ZANIS by Nephas Ndhlovu, Counselor Political and Administration at the Zambian Embassy in Beijing China.
