The life of Kenneth Kaunda

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Kenneth Kaunda, the first President of Zambia was a unique African leader. He led the African continent’s fight against Apartheid, gaining a peaceful transition to power in his own country. He was influenced by reading Mahatma Gandhi yet ruled with ‘an iron fist in a velvet glove’. He loved to sing and play guitar, particularly to his wife of many years Betty and in his 27 years as president. In the end he was voted out of office but left with dignity when he admitted defeat in a multi-party election. He was also instrumental in the fight for HIV/Aids on the African continent, after one of his children died from the disease. Audrey Brown charts the rise and fall of former Zambian President Kenneth Kaunda. (Photo: Zambia"s former president Kenneth Kaunda attends the 40th anniversary of independence in Lusaka October 24, 2004. Credit: Salim Henry/Reuters)