17 June 2021

The South African Communist Party (SACP) conveys its heartfelt condolences to the family of Kenneth Kaunda (97), the founding president of independent Zambia. The SACP conveys heartfelt condolences to the people of Zambia as well as the African people at large.

Kaunda remains one of the most prominent African liberation stalwarts. The liberation of the African people from European colonialism would not have been possible without the collaborative efforts of the various African revolutionaries who sacrificed their lives.

South Africans are particularly grateful to Kaunda and the people of Zambia for the solidarity given to them during the anti-apartheid struggle. Kaunda was a staunch supporter of the anti-apartheid movement. Notwithstanding countless attacks from the apartheid regime and imperialist forces, Kaunda gave refuge to our national liberation movement to continue waging the struggle against apartheid. His government went further to make crucial material contributions to the ANC and the anti-apartheid movement, despite the difficulties that the Zambian nation faced at that time.

In memory of Kenneth Kaunda, the SACP calls for unity of the African people in the fight for the total liberation of Africa from imperialism. The political and economic sovereignty of the African continent is imperative for democratic transformation and development. The SACP also calls for unity of the working class in leading the struggle forward for complete emancipation, for socialism.