Betty Kaunda
| Betty Kaunda | |
|---|---|
| First Lady of Zambia | |
|
In role 24 October 1964 – 2 November 1991 |
|
| President | Kenneth Kaunda |
| Preceded by | Position created |
| Succeeded by | Vera Tembo |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
November 17, 1928 Chinsali, Northern Rhodesia |
| Died | September 18, 2012 (aged 83) Harare, Zimbabwe |
| Spouse(s) | Kenneth Kaunda (1946-2012; her death) |
Betty Kaunda, born Beatrice Kaweche Banda (17 November 1928 – 18 September 2012), was the wife of Zambia's first president Kenneth Kaunda, and the First Lady of Zambia from 1964 to 1991. She was locally called Mother of Zambia. Betty was born on 17 November 1928 to Kaweche Banda and Milika Sakala Banda at Mpika. She had her early education at Mbereshi Girls, underwent training at Mindolo Ecumenical Foundation’s Women’s programme and worked as a teacher in Mufulira. Betty was married to Dr. Kenneth Kaunda in 1946, who was involved in freedom struggle at the time and later went on to become the first President of independent Zambia. Betty was the strength behind Dr. Kuanda all through their 66 years of relationship.
As the First Lady, she was part of many diplomatic visits and matron of many organizations. As per political observers, she led a very simple life as the First Lady. She authored her auto biography along with Stephen A. Mpashi during 1969. She was involved in many charitable initiatives and she received Indira Gandhi Non-violence award from UNIP for her efforts.
Betty was suffering from diabetes for many years and she died in the early hours on 18 September 2012 in Harare while visiting her daughter. She was 83 when she died and survived by her husband, eight children, 30 grandchildren and eleven great grandchildren. The whole nation mourned her death and she was given state respect being the First Lady of Zambia.
Betty was born on 17 November 1928 to Kaweche Banda and Milika Sakala Banda at Mpika. She had her education at Mbereshi Girls and later underwent training at Mindolo Ecumenical Foundation’s Women’s programme. She worked as a teacher in Mufulira. She was married to Dr. Kenneth Kaunda in 1946, who was involved in freedom struggle and later went on to become the first President of independent Zambia. In his own words in his book Letter to My Children, Betty was the strength behind him all through their 66 years of relationship as she took care of the children in his absence. The colonial administration sent Dr. Kaunda to jail and she took to charcoal burning to feed the family. She is believed received multiple threats and coercions during those days, but she never gave up to the threats. In her own words, "The colonial administrators threatened to send us back to the villages after our husbands were arrested, but we refused". She mentioned that the letters she received from her husband during those days were source of strength to her. He instructed her not to move from their house in Chilenje.
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