News / Africa
Former Zambian president Kaunda in hospital
04 Feb 2015 at 18:58hrs | Views
Zambia's founding president, Kenneth Kaunda, has been hospitalised for an undisclosed ailment, his family said on Wednesday.
Mr Kaunda, 90, was admitted to Lusaka Trust Hospital on Tuesday.
His daughter Cheswa Silwizya confirmed that "the old man is in hospital" declining to reveal the nature of his hospitalisation.
"He is doing well and on the road to recovery," she said.
"I can't speak about what the problem is. That can only be said by the doctors," she said.
Zambian President Edgar Chagwa Lungu (right) prays for Kaunda when he visited him at Lusaka Trust Hospital.
Mr Kaunda was Zambia's president for 27 years, after the country gained independence from British colonial rule in 1964.
Initially a popular leader, he became increasingly autocratic and banned all opposition parties, but eventually ceded power in the first multi-party elections in 1991.
While in power he hosted many of the movements fighting for independence or black equality in other countries around the region, including SA's African National Congress.
Later in life he regained stature as one of Africa's political giants, helping mediate crises in Zimbabwe and Kenya.
Newly elected President Edgar Lungu - who took office last month after winning a vote to succeed Michael Sata who died in October - visited Mr Kaunda in hospital on Tuesday.
Known as "KK", Mr Kaunda was also hospitalised in February last year.
Mr Kaunda, 90, was admitted to Lusaka Trust Hospital on Tuesday.
His daughter Cheswa Silwizya confirmed that "the old man is in hospital" declining to reveal the nature of his hospitalisation.
"He is doing well and on the road to recovery," she said.
"I can't speak about what the problem is. That can only be said by the doctors," she said.
Zambian President Edgar Chagwa Lungu (right) prays for Kaunda when he visited him at Lusaka Trust Hospital.
Initially a popular leader, he became increasingly autocratic and banned all opposition parties, but eventually ceded power in the first multi-party elections in 1991.
While in power he hosted many of the movements fighting for independence or black equality in other countries around the region, including SA's African National Congress.
Later in life he regained stature as one of Africa's political giants, helping mediate crises in Zimbabwe and Kenya.
Newly elected President Edgar Lungu - who took office last month after winning a vote to succeed Michael Sata who died in October - visited Mr Kaunda in hospital on Tuesday.
Known as "KK", Mr Kaunda was also hospitalised in February last year.
Source - AFP
