Passion or Profession: founder, president

Period: 1924–

Kaunda was a teacher before becoming involved in politics. He helped form the Zambian African National Congress and was at the head of his country’s negotiations for independence from European powers in the early 1960s. Upon independence, Kaunda was elected Zambia’s first president. Although he was sometimes criticized for his poor economic policies and repressive political practices, he is still revered as the country’s founder. After decades of rule, he was defeated in elections by Fredrick Chiluba.