African Leader visits Hawick
I was honoured this week to be one of three local Councillors to welcome the former president of Zambia, Dr Kenneth Kaunda, to Hawick for a brief visit. Arranged by local resident Norman Chipakupaku, the visit was part of a tour being undertaken by Dr Kaunda to publicise the AIDS problem in Africa and to seek financial and other support. Dr Kaunda visited Hawick Town Hall and met with Honorary Provost, Councillor Zandra Elliott, and with Councillor George Turnbull and myself. After he had been told a little of the history of Hawick and of the Common Riding celebrations of the previous week, Dr Kaunda spoke of his beliefs and of the path which had taken him to leadership of his country.
I was very much impressed by him. As he related his meetings with the leaders of South Africa during the time of apartheid, it was very easy to feel that we were meeting with a person who had had influence on history, e.g. on the release of Nelson Mandela.
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