By CHRISTINE KUNDA
THE safari-suit, which became popularly known in neighbouring countries as the “Kaunda suit”, may no longer be a big fashion item currently, but the suit was simply a must- have for the wardrobe of every classy man in the 1980s and 90s.
The safari suit was a precious gem for the African nationalist and fashionists who appreciated African fabrics in the years and decades that followed the independence of African countries.
The suit was particularly made popular by Zambia’s late first President Kenneth Kaunda.
Dr Kaunda was overly fond of wearing the safari-suit jacket.
It is for this reason that because of regularly wearing the safari suit, it was named after him in many parts of Africa.
Till today, one of Dr Kaunda’s safari suits has been exhibited at the Lusaka National Museum for the benefit of the public.
According to one of Zambia’s top designers, Martha Chama, the “Kaunda suit” was a distinct outfit.
She said if one thought of the late Dr Kaunda, then one would also think of what he wore.
Martha says the safari suit was an amazing fashion statement for iconic African Leaders.
“The safari suit is an important outfit that till today symbolises the African struggle to attain independence and this is why up until now, fashion lovers appreciate safari suits,” she said.
To-date, people have continued to see the safari suit as one of the sources of African fashion.
It was very rare to see Dr Kaunda wear neckties.
He instead embraced a stylish African fabric.
Lusaka’s Makeni resident George Mumba said promoting the Kaunda suit style as a signature fabric for pan-Africanists will be one way to remember Dr Kaunda who fought for the independence that Zambia is enjoying today.
Mr Mumba said Dr Kaunda promoted a style that reminded people of the African goals, the richness of the continent and its independence.
He explained that in the Kaunda days, it is a magnificent honour to own or wear the safari suit at the time.
“The safari suit was short sleeved and mostly, the fabric that represented the uniqueness that we all loved. And we all wanted to look like KK because he was our great inspiration,” Mr Mumba said.
He said wearing the safari suit felt like an achievement and every man looked forward to owning his own safari suit and worked hard to buy one.
He said Dr Kaunda prominently advanced a dress code for the African elite and pan-Africanists.
Many of the African iconic leaders at the time did not like wearing neckties, which were identified with European colonial leaders and western imperialists.
The safari suit has remained an important outfit even in this new era.
It has transcended generations and has made a great comeback for men who want to opt for subtle choices and those who prefer to go for neutral earthy shades and neutral styling.
This is despite the latest fashion trends of the safari suit being worn in colourful prints and patterns.
The Safari Suit has a long history.
Originally, it was designed to be worn on African safaris, as the name safari suit suggest.
It was also worn by film makers, cameramen, writers and so on.
Journalists have adopted the casual, rugged look in pursuit of their creative, outdoor passion.
The suit has also been historically called the bush jacket, field suit or social oversight.
Not surprising, it also has a military version when worn as a lighter uniform for warmer climates.
It is mostly made from cotton-blend most comfortable in humid and hot conditions.
The safari suit had its heydays in late 70s and 80s.
It was popularly associated with the British colonial rule.
It goes without mentioning that actor Roger Moore popularized safari suits in his James Bond movies like The Man with the Golden Gun, Moonraker and Octopussy.
In the modern era, the safari suit is often combined with its versatile and unfussy nature that gives it a distinguished look.
This suit is not only economical, but works in a formal setting, as well as out of the workplace.
The larger-than-life story of Dr Kaunda takes many facets and style is one component that gave him the African identity that embraced patriotism as an African.
Dr Kaunda was one of the pioneer leaders of a new Africa, as countries threw off colonialism in favour of independent statehood.
A man of great personal charisma, Dr Kaunda was praised as a modernising force on the continent.
As a committed Pan-Africanist, Dr Kaunda began the task of building a new Zambia that was able to freely chart its own history in international affairs.
Zambia’s founding President was born on April 28 1924 at Lubwa Mission in Chinsali district in Muchinga Province.
His father was David Kaunda and was Helen Nyamunyirenda.
His father, an ordained Church of Scotland minister, died while he was still a child, leaving the family in straitened circumstances.
But the young Kaunda’s academic ability won him a place in the first secondary school to be formed in Northern Rhodesia, and he later became a teacher.
His work took him to the Copperbelt region and to Southern Rhodesia, now Zimbabwe, where for the first time, he experienced and deeply resented the full impact of white domination.
One of his first political actions was to become a vegetarian in protest at a policy that forced Africans to go to a separate window at butcheries to buy meat.
In 1953, Kaunda became the general secretary of the Northern Rhodesia African Congress.
But the organisation failed to mobilise black Africans against the white-ruled Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland.
Two years later, he was imprisoned, with hard labour, for distributing leaflets that the authorities deemed subversive.
Disillusioned with what he saw as the failure of his party to take a stronger line on the rights of indigenous Africans, Dr Kaunda set up his own party, the Zambian African National Congress (ZANC).
Within a year, the party was banned and Kaunda was back in prison.
His incarceration turned him a radical.
By 1960, he had become a leader of the new United National Independence Party (UNIP) and, fired with enthusiasm following the visit to Martin Luther King in the United States, he began his own programme of civil disobedience which involved blocking roads and burning buildings.
Kaunda stood as a UNIP candidate in the 1962 election which saw an easy coalition with the African National Congress (ANC) take power in the legislature.
The federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland was dissolved at the end of 1963 and, a month later, Kaunda was elected Prime of Northern Rhodesia (Zambia).
The country, renamed as Zambia, gained full independence in October 1964 with Kaunda as it first president.