Chiluba ‘killed’ Kaunda
…”Erasing the Past: Chiluba and MMD’s Attempt to Dismantle UNIP and Shikulu Kaunda’s Legacy”
By Derrick Sinjela and Simon Banda
In 1991, the winds of change swept through Zambia as the Movement for Multi-Party Democracy (MMD) led by Frederick Chiluba took power, ending the 27-year reign of Kenneth Kaunda and the United National Independence Party (UNIP). With a new government came a new agenda – to dismantle the legacy of Kaunda and UNIP.
Chiluba and the MMD set out to erase the remnants of Kaunda’s socialist-oriented economic and political systems. State-owned enterprises like Zambia Airways, United Bus Company (UBZ), and Mwaiseni Stores were liquidated, replaced by private companies. The Zambia Consumer Buying Corporation (ZCBC) was also dismantled, a move meant to distance the country from Kaunda’s socialist policies.
But Kaunda’s legacy extended far beyond his economic policies. He was a key figure in Zambia’s independence movement and a champion of pan-Africanism. His leadership during the liberation struggles in southern Africa earned him respect across the continent.
Despite this, Chiluba and the MMD pushed forward with their reforms, aiming to transition Zambia to a market-oriented economy. But in their zeal to erase the past, they risked forgetting the sacrifices and achievements of those who came before.
Years later, as Zambia reflects on its history, it’s clear that Kaunda’s legacy deserves to be honored and celebrated. Preserving his archives, establishing a museum or library in his name, and promoting his values of unity and pan-Africanism are just a few ways to do so. Burying him next to his wife, Betty Kaunda, may be a symbolic gesture, but it’s only a starting point.
Zambia must go beyond symbolic gestures and engage in meaningful efforts to preserve and celebrate Kaunda’s legacy. By doing so, the country can promote national unity and pride, and ensure that the sacrifices of its founding fathers are never forgotten.
Tribute to Dr. Kenneth David Buchizya Kaunda:
The Cathedral of the Holy Cross in Lusaka was filled to capacity on Wednesday, July 7th, 2021, as mourners gathered to pay their respects to the late.
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