The Order of the Companions of O.R. Tambo in Gold

Kenneth David Kaunda (1924 - ) Awarded for:

Exceptional contribution to the struggle against apartheid and for justice in the Southern African region.

Profile of Kenneth David Kaunda

Born in April 1924 at Lubwa Mission in the northern province of the Republic of Zambia, Kenneth Kaunda became President of the Republic of Zambia in October 1964.

Kaunda started playing a continental role in 1963 when he became President of the Pan-African Freedom movement for East, Central and Southern Africa. He extended his influence to the global level after Zambia’s independence, serving as chairperson of the Organisation of African Unity from 1970 to 1971 and from 1987 to 1988.

A great friend of the South African liberation struggle, he was close to veterans of the liberation movement such as Oliver Tambo, Walter Sisulu, Chris Hani and others. He maintained his support for the liberation movements despite Pretoria’s policy aimed at destabilisation of governments in the region.

In 1991, he founded the Kenneth Kaunda Peace Foundation dedicated to the establishment of peace and conflict resolution on the continent. KK, as he is fondly known, now devotes his life in fighting HIV/AIDS in Africa.