Kenneth Kaunda Day in Zambia in 2024

Kenneth Kaunda Day in Zambia in 2024
President Kenneth Kaunda. Portrait from Zambia 2 Kwacha 1980-88 Banknotes. Image via Deposit Photos
  How long until Kenneth Kaunda Day?
Kenneth Kaunda Day
  Dates of Kenneth Kaunda Day in Zambia
2025 Zambia Mon, Apr 28 National Holiday
2024 Apr 28, Apr 29
ZambiaMon, Apr 29National Holiday (in lieu)
ZambiaSun, Apr 28National Holiday
2023 Zambia Fri, Apr 28 National Holiday
2022 Zambia Thu, Apr 28 National Holiday
  Summary

A public holiday to honour Kenneth Kaunda, the first president of Zambia.

  Which regions observe Kenneth Kaunda Day in 2024?
National Holiday Regional Holiday Not a public holiday Govt Holiday
  ZambiaApr 28
  ZambiaApr 29 (in lieu)

When is Kenneth Kaunda Day?

Zambia’s President Edgar Lungu has declared April 28th a national holiday in honour of founding president Kenneth Kaunda.

President Lungu made the declaration during the memorial service for Kaunda held at the Cathedral of Holy Cross in the upmarket area for the late statesman.

About Kenneth Kaunda Day

Dr Kaunda died on June 17th 2021, aged 97. He had been admitted to Maina Soko Military Hospital in Lusaka and was being treated for pneumonia. He is scheduled to be buried Thursday.

Dr Kaunda was born on April 28th 1924 at Lubwa Mission, Chinsali District in the then Northern Rhodesia (current Zambia) to a reverend father and teacher mother who had migrated from neighbouring Nyasaland (current day Malawi).

He ruled from 1964 - after the nation gained independence from British rule - until he lost an election in 1991.

Kaunda was famous for always having a white handkerchief with him.

When asked about the meaning of that white handkerchief, he said it symbolizes love and peace. "I started carrying the white handkerchief whilst in prison during the struggle for independence when I and my freedom fighters were arrested by the British colonial authorities," he said.

Another sartorial habit of Kaunda was always to wear a safari suit. The safari suit is still commonly referred to as a "Kaunda suit" throughout sub-Saharan Africa.


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