Death and state funeral of Kenneth Kaunda

Kenneth Kaunda, the first President of Zambia, died on 17 June 2021 at Mina Soko Medical Centre in Lusaka. The government announced a 21-day mourning period. During the mourning period Kaunda's body was taken around all 10 provincial towns and in each provincial capital, and a short church ceremony was conducted by the Military and the United Church of Zambia which Kaunda belonged. The state funeral took place on 2 July. Due to the COVID-19 restrictions attendance was strictly by invitation. The funeral service was broadcast on national TV networks in Zambia, South Africa and around the region. Several African countries had declared an official period of national mourning. Zimbabwe declared fourteen days of mourning; South Africa declared ten days of mourning; Botswana, Malawi, Namibia and Tanzania all declared seven days of mourning; Mozambique declared six days of mourning; South Sudan declared three days of mourning; Cuba declared one day of mourning.