ZAMBIAN UNIVERSITY HONOURS EX-PRESIDENT KAUNDA

Zambia's second biggest university on Friday honoured the country's independence president, Dr Kenneth Kaunda, with a Doctorate degree of Philosophy in peace and conflict resolution. The honorary doctorate degree was conferred on Dr Kaunda by the Copperbelt University at a special graduation ceremony in Kitwe in the Copperbelt Province, north of the capital Lusaka. The university said the gesture was in recognition of the founding president's contributions towards the attainment of regional peace and conflict resolution. "Dr Kaunda is an icon of peace in Africa who helped liberate many African countries," said Copperbelt University Chancellor Muyunda Mwanalushi. "Dr Kaunda and other freedom fighters sacrificed a lot to make Zambia and the African continent in general what it is today. He has continued to champion peace even after leaving the Office of the President in 1991, which is a greater achievement." Dr Kaunda these days spearheads the crusade against poverty and HIV/AIDS. When accepting the honour, the former President said: "Peace is an important factor in all spheres of human endeavours. And the principle of non-violence has had a lasting influence on my life." He called on politicians to embrace the principles of peace. The ceremony was attended by various local freedom fighters. Dr Kaunda led Zambia to independence from Britain in 1964, ruled it as one party state but later bowed to pressure in 1991 from the opposition to allow the country to revert to multi-partyism.