1. Beatrice "Betty" Kaunda was a Zambian educator and inaugural first lady of Zambia from 1964 to 1991 as the wife of the country's first president, Kenneth Kaunda.
25 Facts About Betty Kaunda
1. 2.
Betty Kaunda was known as Mama Betty Kaunda and the mother of Zambia by Zambians.
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Betty Kaunda authored her autobiography along with Stephen A Mpashi in 1969.
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Betty Kaunda was involved in many charitable initiatives and she received the Indira Gandhi Non-violence award from UNIP for her efforts.
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Betty Kaunda was born on 17 November 1926 to Kaweche Banda and Milika Sakala Banda at Mpika.
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Betty Kaunda had her education at Mbereshi Girls and later underwent training at Mindolo Ecumenical Foundation's Women's programme.
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Betty Kaunda married Kenneth Kaunda in 1946, who was involved in the independence movement and later went on to become the first president of independent Zambia.
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Betty Kaunda is believed to have received multiple threats and coercions during those days, but she never gave up to the threats.
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Betty Kaunda mentioned that the letters she received from her husband during those days were source of strength to her and motivation too.
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Betty Kaunda instructed her not to move from their house in Chilenje.
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Betty Kaunda was the first lady of Zambia from October 1964 to November 1991.
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Betty Kaunda authored her autobiography along with Stephen A Mpashi and the book was brought out during 1969.
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Betty Kaunda wore traditional chitenge outfits advising her fellow women to wear decent dress and to avoid mimicking outfits from foreign countries.
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Betty Kaunda advised young ladies who were ready for marriage to conserve the African tradition.
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Kenneth Kaunda and Betty were considered frontrunners in AIDS eradication in the country.
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Betty Kaunda maintained a calm stature during later struggles when her husband was imprisoned during the 1990s.
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Betty Kaunda had been active in opposing the encouragement of political parties to offer beer to youths, reflecting thoughts of her husband who threatened to quit presidency on account of excessive drinking prevalent in the society.
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Betty Kaunda was involved in collecting donations during a copper mine accident, which left several killed.
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Betty Kaunda received the Indira Gandhi Non-violence award from UNIP for her efforts on non-violence and peace missions.
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Betty Kaunda died in the early hours of 19 September 2013, aged 86 in Harare, Zimbabwe, while visiting her daughter, Kaunda Banda.
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Betty Kaunda was survived by her husband, eight children, 30 grandchildren and eleven great grandchildren.
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Betty Kaunda was given state funeral as the former first lady of Zambia.
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Betty Kaunda followed Christianity and her final rites were performed based on Christian practices.
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Betty Kaunda's funeral, held at the Cathedral of Holy Cross in Lusaka on 27 September 2013, was attended by diplomats from other countries, state officials and thousands of Zambians.
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Betty Kaunda's burial was planned initially for Lubwa Mission, but was moved to the capital Lusaka on account of waning health of Kaunda.