IT was the English playwright William Shakespeare who once wrote that some are born great, while some achieve greatness, and others have greatness thrust upon them.
All the three attributes apply to the first republican president Dr Kenneth Kaunda who received the first ever noble peace award from pillars of peace Zambia chapel for being a champion and an ambassador of peace throughout his life.
We are happy that Dr Kaunda is being recognised not only for negotiating and acting as a mediator for peace locally but regionally and globally in his life time.
We also agree with President Lungu who has observed that the award was a significance contribution to peace and stability in the country.
Recently, Dr Kenneth Kaunda was honoured with yet another doctoral degree in political science from South Korea’s Incheon National University for his noble commitment and outstanding leadership during the independence struggle.
Dr Kaunda, who has also been recognised as a key force behind Zambia’s prosperity seen over the years, was at the same time conferred with a certificate of honorary Incheon citizenship.
The South Korean city, which was represented by Africa Korea Development Agency chairman Dr Cho Kap-jin, said the first president laid a foundation for Zambia’s national prosperity during his reign.
Love him or hate him, Kaunda is the most famous and important public figure Zambia has presented to the world.
Credit should go to the fifth and sixth presidents the late Michael Chilufya Sata and Edgar Lungu respectively for honouring this son of the soil for his contribution to this country.
His nemesis the late Frederick Chiluba tried in vain to erase the man from the history of Zambia falling short of killing the old man.
However, he failed and could not live up to the legacy Kaunda has had on this country. Chiluba lamentably failed to fit in Kaunda’s boots which were too big for the trade unionist turned politician.
Unlike many of his contemporaries, Kaunda was at the forefront of the struggle for independence from British rule not just of his natal country Zambia but that of the region.
After leaving office, Kaunda clashed frequently with Chiluba’s government with attempts to deport him on the grounds that he was a Malawian.
In 1999 Kaunda was declared stateless by the Ndola High Court in a judgment delivered by Justice Chalendo Sakala.
He braved all these snares laid down by his enemies who were out to embarrass him.
After retiring, he has been involved in various charitable organization  most notable his contribution to the fight against the spread of HIV/AIDS.
On  October 19,2007 Kaunda was the recipient of the 2007 prestigious Ubuntu Award.
He was awarded “Lifetime Achievement on Freedom, Justice and Peace” at the We Care for Humanity’s 3rd Global Officials of Dignity Awards which was held at UN Millennium Hotel in August, 2015.
Once more we say it is heartening that the man from Lubwa hills is receiving all these accolades in his lifetime. Comment