Mrs Betty Kaunda joins Africa’s hall of fame, recognised as freedom activist by African Union

The African Union (AU) has recognised posthumously Mrs. Betty Kaunda, wife to Zambia’s late founding President, Dr. Kenneth Kaunda, as a Freedom Activist and Founder member of Pan African Women’s Organization.

According to a statement issued in Addis Ababa by Inutu Mwanza, the First Secretary for Press and Tourism in Ethiopia on Thursday, Mrs. Betty’s role has been recognised alongside other women freedom fighters that have not been recognized in the past events.

During the celebrations to mark the 60th Anniversary of the Organisation of African Union-African Union (OAU-AU) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Mrs. Betty’s photograph was displayed in the wall of fame where those who played a role in the liberation struggle were recognised.

In the main hall, pictures of the thirty-two founding members who signed the OAU Charter on 25th May, 1963, were displayed.

Charge d’ Affaires at the Zambia Embassy in Ethiopia, Trevor Sichombo, expressed gratitude to the African Union for recognizing Mrs. Betty for her role in the liberation struggle.

Sichombo said until history was recorded correctly, names of great heroes that have made immense contributions, like Mrs. Kaunda would go into oblivion.

“There was no better way to honor the great men and women than to continue the work they started to achieve the Africa we want,” He said.

AU Chairperson, Moussa Faki Mahamat, said the Africa Union recognized leaders who sacrificed their lives for Africa’s liberation.

Mahamat said it is important for Africa to maintain peace as the fallen heroes fought tirelessly to ensure that the continent had peace and prospered.
He emphasized the need for Africa to be economically independent and reduce its dependence on foreign aid.

“It was unfortunate that African countries were grappling with the problem of debt,” Mahamat said.

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said Africa cannot claim to be independent when its people were grappling with poverty.

He said it was unfortunate that despite Africa having abundant natural wealth, the continent remained poor.

The Prime Minister also called on the African Union to establish a continental media house to curtail negative reporting by Western media.

WARNING! All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express permission from ZAMBIA MONITOR.