Kenneth Kaunda, who died recently at the age of 97, was the former president of
- (a)Brazil
- (b)Mexico
- (c)Zambia
- (d)South Sudan
Answer
Why
Correct — C, Zambia. Kenneth Kaunda was the first President of Zambia, leading the country from its independence in 1964 until 1991. Widely known as 'KK', he was a leading anti-colonial and anti-apartheid figure in southern Africa, and he died in June 2021 at the age of 97. He was the former president of Zambia, so option (c) is correct.
Why the others are wrong
- (a)Brazil — Kaunda had no connection with Brazil; he was an African, not a Latin American, leader.
- (b)Mexico — He was not a Mexican leader — he led an African country.
- (d)South Sudan — South Sudan became independent only in 2011; Kaunda led Zambia from 1964, not South Sudan.
Concept
Kenneth Kaunda (1924–2021) led Zambia to independence in 1964 and served as its first President until 1991. He was a prominent voice of African decolonisation and against apartheid in southern Africa.
The distractors are unrelated nations; the recall anchor is 'first President of Zambia' together with his June-2021 death at 97.
Key facts
- Kenneth Kaunda was the first President of Zambia (1964–1991).
- He was affectionately known as 'KK'.
- He was a prominent voice against colonialism and apartheid in southern Africa.
- He died in June 2021 at the age of 97.

Study next
Common traps
- Guessing an unrelated country for an unfamiliar leader.
- Confusing Zambia with Zimbabwe or another southern African state.
Leader-to-country obituary recall — match Kenneth Kaunda to Zambia.
Related PYQs
In the recently concluded elections in December 2020, Faustin-Archange Touadéra has won a second term in office as President of one of the following countries. Identify the country.
- (a) Central African Republic
- (b) Republic of South Africa
- (c) Republic of Ghana
- (d) Republic of Mozambique
Answer(a) Central African Republic
Same family — identifying an African head of state in current affairs. That NDA item pins Touadéra to the Central African Republic; this one pins Kenneth Kaunda to Zambia.
Practice
- practice — not a real PYQ
Kenneth Kaunda served as the first President of which African country?
- (a)Zimbabwe
- (b)Zambia
- (c)Tanzania
- (d)Malawi
Answer(b) Zambia — he led it from independence in 1964. - practice — not a real PYQ
In which year did Zambia gain independence, with Kenneth Kaunda as its first President?
- (a)1960
- (b)1964
- (c)1957
- (d)1971
Answer(b) 1964 — Zambia became independent that year.