Kenneth Kaunda
Kenneth Kaunda, (1924- ). Zambian politician; president (1964-91). He began his career as a teacher and entered politics in 1950. He formed his own political party, the Zambia African National Congress, in 1958 but it was declared illegal and he was imprisoned by the British. After his release (1960) he became leader of the United National Independence Party, which he led to electoral victory in 1964. Later that year he was confirmed as the first president of the independent republic of Zambia. As president Kaunda nationalized much of the economy and attempted to deal with the problem of tribal conflict; Zambia became a one-party state in 1972. In 1991 he was defeated in free elections. He retired the following year but returned to lead Zambia’s main opposition party in 1995.
