"The giant tree has fallen,” Solomon Mukama, a Rwandan pan-Africanist and a teacher of history, said in reference to the death of the former Zambian President Kenneth Kaunda.
Kaunda, 97, passed way Thursday at a military hospital in Lusaka, where he was being treated for pneumonia.
He ruled Zambia from 1964, when the Southern African nation won its independence from Britain, until 1991, and later went on to become one of the most dedicated activists against HIV/AIDS in Africa.
"Kenneth Kaunda and the late Mwalimu Julius Nyerere (former Tanzania president) initiated a number of self-reliance policies that were to elevate their people from poverty at the same time progressively dismantling neo-colonialism,” Mukama, a history teacher at Kigali Christian School in Kibagabaga, said.
‘Kaunda Suits’
Mukama said the "great Kenneth Kaunda was the first African president to hand over power peacefully after defeat,” adding that the former Zambian president also introduced the famous ‘Kaunda Suits’.
Kaunda has widely been regarded as the last of the giants of 20th century African nationalism. Many pan-Africanists of the present day have expressed sadness at his passing but also celebrated his legacy to Africa.
The chair of Pan-African movement (PAM) Rwanda chapter, Protais Musoni, told The New Times that the youth need to build on the foundations laid by the likes of Kenneth Kaunda, for the struggle of liberation from neo-colonial mindsets remains alive.
"He was a great pan-African. He courageously fought for independence for his country, and contributed immensely to the liberation of his southern Africa neighbourhood as a leader of one of the frontline states,” said Musoni.
He added, "Today, his philosophy of humanism expounds great ideas of Ubuntu which is the basis of most African cultures and, therefore, should for now direct the behaviour and governance philosophy for us. It would reduce strife seen in wanting to live ideas alien to us”.
‘Huge blow to pan-African community’
Julie Kandema, commissioner for women and gender in PAM Rwanda, described Kaunda’s death as a huge blow to the pan-African community.
But she also said that this is a moment to celebrate his contribution toward the independence and liberation of Africa.
"As women we learn a lot from KK,” she said.
"The first thing the new generation should learn from him is team work and selflessness, he became the leader of his people in an era when gender balance was almost a taboo but now women are involved in almost everything, we should think of doing even much more in the journey of building a united Africa,” Kandema said.
Michael Shyaka Nyarwaya, commissioner for youth in PAM Rwanda chapter, said the late Kaunda was "a very honest, agile and experienced statesman” who was loved by his people and all over Africa.
"What we, as youth, can learn from him is honesty, hardworking, love for the African continent and its people, and to strive for the wellbeing of all Africans, starting with immediate neighbours, just like he did.
"When he was ruling Zambia, he was not selfish but he thought of Zimbabwe, South Africa, Malawi, and the whole continent.”
"He leaves a legacy of selflessness,” he said. "African youth need to build on what President Kaunda and his generation of African statesmen and women started.”
He said that Kaunda and his counterparts around the continent were technically the brains behind the idea of African Union’s Agenda 2063.
"They are the ones that set the vision to ensure that in their absence the future generations would continue to strive for the development of Africa, security of Africa, and unity of Africans.”
Earlier Friday, President Paul Kagame eulogized Kaunda, saying that "his commitment to Africa’s liberation will never be forgotten.”
"His leadership on the continent and legacy of Pan-Africanism will live on for generations to come,” Kagame added.