We decided to marry the same day we met – Dr. Kaunda

KK with his Wife Betty

Zambia’s First President Dr. Kenneth Kaunda has disclosed that he never courted with his wife of over 45 years, the late Mama Betty Kaunda.

Dr. Kaunda narrated to Owen Miyanza, the host of Zambia Young At Fifty Television program how his Mother who was staying with him at Lubwa Mission in Chansali one day informed him to go visit Betty in Mpika.

The First President said this when he featured on the first Segment of the five which was broadcast on ZNBC Television on Thursday evening sponsored by Apple Max.
He said the Mother who used to go to the Copperbelt for ministering the gospel would stopover in Mpika to see Betty. He narrated that when Betty was born while the parents were living in Chinsali, she was received by Dr. Kaunda’s mother the information he (KK) came to know after the two married.

Dr. Kaunda who was a Teacher disclosed that the decision to marry Betty was made the first day he went to visit her in Mpika adding that a marriage was then organised.

He said he was very happy with Betty and that the two grow up well together and with their 10 children plus one they adopted.
He also recalled on how he lost two of his sons – Major Wezi Kaunda whom he said was doing so well in politics and was allegedly assassinated by State Agents in 1999. Masuzyo who died of HIV /AIDS in 1986.

Asked why he had to announce to the nation that his son had died of AIDS when there was so much stigama at that time, Dr. Kaunda said he did so to show the nation the seriousness of disease.

Dr. Kaunda said he felt as a first family then they needed to lead by example.
Dr. Kaunda spoke high of his late wife Betty saying she was a great, humble and God fearing women who played a big role in helping him to raise the children and save the country.

“I did not realise that she would leave me, but I have no doubt that she is up there (heaven) because she lead an exemplary life,” said Dr. Kaunda.

Zambia Young At Fifty program which broadcasts every Thursdays on ZNBC at 20:30 will show four more programs on Dr. Kaunda.