Zed Blog

Kenneth David Kaunda

Kenneth Kaunda was born on 28th April 1924 at Lubwa Mission in Chinsali in Northern Zambia, then called Northern Rhodesia. He assumed his father’s ‘Christian’ name ‘David’ as was the practice then. He was also named ‘Buchizya’, which was a title, in a sense, meaning ‘the unexpected one’ as he was just that, unexcepted, having been born 20 years after his parents’ marriage. Hence, his rarely used ‘full name’ Kenneth David Buchizya Kaunda.

Kenneth Kaunda was born of Reverand David Julizya Kaunda and Helen Nyamu Nyirenda. The couple came from Nyasaland (now Malawi) in 1904 as missionaries for the Church of Scotland. They established the Church’s first mission at Lubwa. Both KK’s parents were teachers. His mother, Helen, was the first black female teacher in Northern Rhodesia. In addition to church activities, the Kaundas also used the Mission as a school. David Kaunda established other schools in the greater Nkula Chiefdom.

Book extract
KK @ 100

A Nation is Born

The new purpose-built Independence Stadium was filled to capacity. It was 23rd October 1964. The stadium could only take in invited guests as it only had one stand, on the northern side. On the other side was a hill, later called Humanism Hill, where hundreds of people perched to catch a glimpse of the proceedings. The people inside the stadium and those on Humanism Hill patiently waited for the clock to strike midnight.

But first, they had to ‘put up with’ some military drills, cultural dances, and other performances. The people cheered occasionally, but it seemed they were reserving their biggest cheers and celebrations for what was to follow.

Suddenly, there was silence. Everyone was quiet as all activity stopped as if by choreography. The time was exactly 00.00hrs.

The British flag, the Union Jack, started its slow descent as Mary, the Princess Royal, and Governor Sir Evelyn Hone looked on pensively. Once the Union Jack was completely lowered, the Zambian flag started its ascent to the rhythm of the Zambian nation anthem. The in-coming President Kenneth David Kaunda looked on with anticipation.

When the Zambian flag finally waved softly at the top of the pole, the people broke into jubilation as fireworks went off, illuminating the clear October skies. Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe cast aside all protocol and decorum, rushed onto the stage, embraced his friend KK, shouting with joy, ‘we have done it, we have done it!’

KK @ 100
Book extract

The celebrity and the crocodiles.
Business lessons from a failed reptile encounter.

The celebrity and his family arrived at the zoo 20 minutes before the establishment's official closing time.
The zoo refused to allow them in, saying there would not be enough time for the tour.
Disappointed and indignant, the celebrity took to his social media to register his displeasure.
The reaction from his followers was mixed. But most condemned him. "He should have factored in time," they told him off.

Emboldened by the social media reaction, the zoo issued a statement. They dug in. Stuck to their decision to send the celebrity away. They openly sided with their employees against the customer who never was. The zoo used the social media statement to invite the celebrity and his family to go back the following day.

Admittedly, there is no negative publicity. Now, more people know that Kalimba is not the only crocodile farm in the country.

But the zoo missed an opportunity to make a friend of the celebrity and possibly make him a lifelong customer.

Imagine if the manager or some other senior person had called the celebrity. Tactfully apologised and owned the mix-up. "It's us, not you. The tours take about 45 minutes. We may need to amend the notice to 16.15hrs because we definitely have to completely shut down at 17 hours exactly."

Probably, it's even a legal requirement for businesses of that nature to completely close by 17 hours. But how was the celebrity to know?

Then the manager or other senior person would have gone on;

"Hey, listen. Why don't you bring your family tomorrow. I will personally attend to you guys. What time works for you? Please don't say 16.30 hours." Laughs.

If possible, the zoo could go on to offer a complimentary tour. Or possibly a nice discount.

Then, the following day, the celeb posts pictures of him and his family having a jolly good time at the zoo. Selfies galore with staff and other customers. And the crocodiles!!
From then on, the celebrity would not resist going to that zoo whenever in Stone. He wouldn't stop telling his family, friends, fans, etc. about the zoo. Imagine the lasting impression on the kids.
Simply wow!!

The celebrity is happy. His family is happy. The zoo is happy.
Everyone is happy!

Imagine the amount of business the zoo could have generated just from that one moment of misunderstanding. If it was handled well.

Lesson
Every customer complaint/grievance is an opportunity to create a lifelong customer.

©️ Zed Entrepreneur
7th April 2026

https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbBzHQ6Lo4heXjqhql2P/105

Zed Entrepreneur - WhatsApp channel Follow Zed Entrepreneur's WhatsApp Channel. Sharing business ideals, tips, and opportunities.. Join 71 followers for the latest updates.

Shamba lakale

The house was always fully furnished and well maintained even after Kaunda left office. Over the years, KK would retreat to Shamba lakale, “to reconnect with his personal and political roots.” It was the ideal environment for him to reflect and strategize especially in the face of economic, political and social challenges. President Kaunda also endeavored to take his family to Shamba lakale for Christmas every year. They would attend Christmas service at the old Lubwa Mission.

With his government placing emphasis on agriculture and rural development, Shamba lakale accorded President Kaunda both a practical and moral basis on which to encourage the people to “go back to the land.”

Book extract
KK @ 100

Bakamba late

It's ironical to hear some opposition leaders warn voters against considering PF candidates in the August 2026 elections.

A couple of weeks ago, SP president Fred M'membe asked the people of Zambia to ask the PF what they (PF) did with power when they had it. He also reminded Zambians that PF got huge contracts from govt and ate alone (not withstanding that he himself benefited from contracts under the PF). A few days ago PEP president Sean Tembo charged that the PF was a bad governant and warned Zambians against voting them back. Then there was KBF denouncing his former PF colleagues. And so on and so far.

What has changed?

These are the same people who, not so long ago, were elbowing each other just to get close to the PF. When former president Edgar Lungu called on the opposition to rally behind him, they were falling over each other to get to him. In fact, Tembo came to a near punch with his CFP counterpart Harry Kalaba over access to and control of ECL.

They spent the last 4 years, going into 5, gaslighting the voters (as Americans would say) that they (voters) made a mistake to remove the PF. They repeatedly claimed that the voters were misled by Hakainde Hichilema's lies into removing the PF. Basically, implying that there was nothing wrong with the PF. In fact, one of them, John Sangwa, claimed that the people missed the PF govt.

They were doing all this to endear themselves to the PF base. They were hoping that ECL would anoint them for the 2006 elections. But was ECL that naive to facilitate some of them to become president considering some things that happened in the past?

Now that it appears that PF aligned aspirants have more traction than they do, they are reminding the people how bad these PF leaders were in govt.

But if the PF was to choose one of them to lead it into the August elections, they would again turn around and start praising the PF. Clearly, these are just insincere individuals who can do or say anything as long as it furthers and feathers their political aspirations. Integrity is key to leadership.

But this has been a lost opportunity for these non PF opposition. They lost an opportunity to present themselves to the Zambian people as credible alternatives with a clear cut from the PF while offering effective checks and balances to the UPND. To build an effective political movement takes time, handwork and patience. Politics, like anything else, is not a sprint but a marathon. But these ones do not have such time and patience. They want to see themselves in Statehouse yesterday. Hence the constant changing of positions we see in them.

Sadly for them, in as far as the 2026 elections are concerned, they are late. From the appearance of things, the most probable out come of these elections is President Hichilema winning comfortably. A PF aligned candidate is likely to be a distant second, followed by another PF aligned candidate.

In short, the same PF they have been propping up for 4 years, and now hastily trying to pull down, will perform better than them. Ichikupempula echikulya. Bakamba late!

Music writer and producer Chali “Bravo” Mulalami has died.
Zambia Association of Musicians (ZAM) stated that Mulalami passed away after a short illness.

Mulalani is accredited for writing and producing songs for artists like Kmillion, Hamoba, and Mampi, among others.

OPPOSITION ZAMBIA MUST PROSPER DOUBTS PROSPECTS OF A UNITED OPPOSITION

Opposition Zambia Must Prosper President, Kelvin Fube Bwalya, has expressed doubt over calls from various stakeholders for a united opposition front.

Mr. Bwalya said he is sceptical that such calls can be realized, describing the current opposition as fragmented and driven by differing values that, in his view, do not prioritize the interests of ordinary Zambians.

Speaking in an interview with RCV News in Lusaka, Mr. Bwalya claimed that some alliances are formed to advance personal interests rather than serve the public.

“As long as opposition political parties do not change their language and align their vision with the aspirations of the people, a united force may not be possible,” said Mr. Bwalya.

He stressed the need for opposition parties to ensure they put the interests of Zambians first.

However, Mr. Bwalya did not rule out the possibility of a united opposition, stating that party leaders would need to set aside their egos for the benefit of the nation.

By Angel Kasabo

RVC News

Irian media has confirmed that Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has been killed in the US Israeli attacks on that country.
The Ayatollah's daughter, son-in-law, and grandson have also been killed.

Prices of petroleum products slashed..

A Chingola businessman and son of former energy minister Mathew Nkhuwa, Maposa NKhuwa, has reportedly shot himself today in the early hours.

Mundubile supporters livid with Mwamba as their man struggles in EMV polls.

Supporters of Tonse presidential candidate Brian Mundule are angry with PF faction member and podcaster Emmanuel Mwamba, accusing him of cheating in his EMV Podcast 3 series opinion polls.

Mundubile has struggled in Mwamba's EMV polls. The recently elected Tonse president was a distant third in Mwamba's first poll after Makebi Zulu and Harry Kalaba. In the second poll, Mundubile could only garner a miserly 2 percent to rank near the bottom of the mini opposition league.

But Mundubile's supporters have insisted that their man is the most popular opposition leader in the country. The angry Tonse members have questioned the accuracy of Mwamba's opinion polls, wondering how possible it was for the fugutive former ambassador to process almost 10, 000 votes, cast by phone and online comments, just in 3 hours and in real time. The displeased Mundubile supporters have called Mwamba bitter and accused him of trying to prop up either Zulu or Kalaba. Hardline Mundubile sympathisers have called Emmanuel Mwamba a propagandist, a term that has dogged the former ambassador for many years arising from his eyebrow raising media activities.

Mwamba and Mundubile fell out after the latter broke rank with the Given Lubinda PF faction to take up the Tonse presidency.