SBM What’s New Boutique chief executive officer Sylvia Mwansa launched the Kenneth Kaunda’ or ‘KK’-branded safari suits over the weekend at Lusaka’s Manda Hill Shopping Mall at an occasion that also doubled as President Kenneth Kaunda’s 88th birthday party.
Mrs Sylvia Mwansa said KK’s 88th birthday celebration proved a milestone and it was the duty of Zambia’s sons and daughters to show him that he is valued and dearly loved.
“Today marks a memorable day in the history of SBM Investments,” Mrs Mwansa said. “Our 10-year plan has come to pass through the launch of the KK suits and regalia. For us, we are simply invoking the goodwill and fatherly love of the father of the nation.”
Mrs Mwansa said SBM wants to develop Zambian brands to create awareness of Zambian products and show that Zambian names can be used to bring honour and a sense of pride to the country’s citizens.
The suits were specially manufactured in Istanbul, Turkey. The name ‘Kenneth Kaunda’ is embedded in the inside left jacket pocket as well as on the lower bottom of the jacket’s left sleeve. The jacket also has an additional feature of a pen pouch above the left breast pocket.
As KK was a proponent of socialism, SBM has considered making the suits affordable by selling them at a cost ranging from K1.2 million to K1.7 million.
Mrs. Mwansa says her company will, in future launch the levy Mwanawasa suits and President Michael Sata’s campaign shirt.
The occassion was graced by both the young and the old.Notable people present political veterans like Grey Zulu, Lewis Changufu, General Kingsley Chinkuli, General Tom Fara and Peter Matoka.
Others on the guest list included United States Ambassador to Zambia Mark Storella, South African Ambassador to Zambia Moses Chikane, United Nations Development Programme country representative Viola Morgan and former first lady Maureen Mwanawasa.
The launch was graced also by Foreign Affairs and Tourism Minister Given Lubinda.
The event drew the attention of curious on-lookers.Shoppers and diners from restaurants had to abandon shopping and meals to join in wishing Zambia’s founding father a happy birthday.
Many of the young present craned and strained their necks to catch a glimpse of this adored national icon while simultaneously chancing their luck at a photograph with him.
KK proved a good sport as his mouth constantly creased into a smile in front of numerous flashing cameras and adoring invited and uninvited guests.
Love was also in the air as KK could not resist the opportunity to openly proclaim his affections and unfading love for his lifetime sweetheart, Zambia’s first ever first lady, Mama Betty Kaunda.
The first republican president, Kenneth Kaunda says he would not have been where he is now without the support of his wife, Mama Betty Kaunda.
Dr. Kaunda, who even sang a song for Mama Betty, thanked her for her support and guidance
“When I remember the first kiss,” KK crooned away in a determined raspy melody that prompted an escape of ‘oohs’ and ‘aahs’ from the ecstatic audience.
Dr Kaunda said he was grateful to be honoured in such a way while still alive and was a very happy man to witness the launch of the suits branded in his name.
“Not many people live long enough to reach this age,” he said.
Foreign Affairs and Tourism Minister Given Lubinda said the special launch of the KK safari suits has contributed to making KK the icon that he is, who should be remembered for much more than being a fashion trendsetter but also for helping liberate Zambia, unifying its 73 tribes and building patriotism among its citizens.
“He is a living legend and launching the KK suits adds to the long list of things he’ll be remembered by,” Mr Lubinda said. “For me it is much more than wearing his suit, but living his legacy of love for God and love for mankind.”
[Daily Mail]
Well done Mrs Mwansa! I promise to buy one…
How much “zambian” is a KK safari suit that is made in Turkey,imported to zambia and has the Swahili word “safari” when no one in Zambia speaks swahili ?East africans have a beef with southern africans using that word for marketing purposes.
You are right on that one Enka…Though I like the whole initiative, we should try by all means to have 75% of the product made in Zambia for it to be truly ‘Zambian’. This happens everywhere such as the developed countries e.g. Car manufacurers always get pieces and parts from different sources but 75% of the car is made in their countries
Guys, you are wrong. The world is one big village now. doesnt matter where something is made these days. Of course its nice for local jobs if you can make it at home but it may not be economical or competitve or even possible especially if you dont have support industries. E.g Apple Inc makes Iphones in China. Does anyone stop to think, these are Chinese and not American? No! Majority of products these days are not made in countries they are sold in. Smell the coffee.
Wrong! So many Zambians speak Swahili: Just come to Mufulira Chililabombwe Mbala Isoka Luapula etc. East Africans have no beef over the use of Safari. They know its a generic word now and its been adopted into the English language.
@Enka how can they have a beef? do they own the language that’s nonsense man and it’s not true for you to say that no one in Zambia speaks Swahili because I do and note – am 100% Zambian. Do some more research.
I would not touch a man dressed in that 50;s outfit Oh I almost forgot I am not so much into black men anyway
Thanks
*****
hahahaha never a dull blog moment with you sweetie!
Stanyoko
While I can’t say I share your sentiments, I enjoy your comments as usual.
Mushota, I don’t think any body sensible would like some one your type anyway
I would like to have one but cannot afford
Let’s do the Time Warp again!
“As KK was a proponent of socialism, SBM has considered making the suits affordable by selling them at a cost ranging from K1.2 million to K1.7 million.” LOL. Never mind the phrase “considered making the suites available” (how much will they actually sell for?) don’t forget KK bankrupted the nation with his socialist dreams. Still, I guess fashion and politics go in cycles so while our current government does its best to ignore economic fundamentals and reintroduce one-party rule at least we’ll have hip socialist clothing from the 1970s to go with our renewed poverty. Darling, you never looked so good standing in a mealie meal queue before!
hahahaha, and also buying 20 loaves of bread when you do get the chance to ‘stock up’ coz you know the bakery manager or guard!
That’s Mushota for you always amazing at how she views things….any happy birthday KK,please include Regina Chiluba in your parties and console her if you preach love.
While ignoring demon possessed Mushota, I think we need to realize that it is important for us to be able to see value in what others are doing or have done for this nation. There is nobody who will ever take away from KK the status he has and SBM has added more value to this, normally such branded suits would be more expensive than that (not forgetting that SBM is not an NGO its is a business that needs to make money. For once let us focus on what makes sense and this is to respect our Icon KK and forget about the mistakes he may have made. I am sure this man did more good and what we would notice as mistakes. He is a symbol of peace and freedom in our society and its up to us Zambians to uphold him and not embarrass and insult this elderly states man.
@Mushota. Which black men have you dated? Scottish black men? Honestly, I am becoming intrigued by your distaste for black men. You are stereotyping us the blackmen. Tell you what, I will endeavour to change your perception of blackmen. I will approach you quietly without you knowing and seduce you. I will remind you of this post later after all is said and done. I dare you take up this challenge by inboxing me your contact details. [email protected]
I WOULD . LIKE TO HAVE ONE MADE FOR MYSELF,WHO DO I CONTACT PLEASE?. I WILL BE COMING TO ZAMBIA THIS JULY..DETAIL NEEDEDPLZ I LOVE SAFARI SUITSPECIALLY THE TYPE THE FATHER OF THE NATION WEARS. LONG LIVE K.K.AND WISHING YOU A VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY.
I ‘ll travel to lusaka for one ,
Mushota is not a woman, bloggers realised that a long time ago. #8 Reverend, are you new here?
Another thing bloggers realised, don’t feed Mushota by responding to him.
Sorry Mushota, we are only trying to help you.
Cheers SBM for the gesture. KK deserves it. Great words by Lubinda there. Glad to see KK honoured while he’s alive.
Mushota is the most real Zambian I have ever head of. Keep up babes! You cool with white men
“Ichikomo Cha Bwananyina” Stupid *****s,,,
Who can buy a “KK suit” in this computer age?
the safari suite shit looks cool man…i would not mind buying it for my 78year old grand father.
KK safari suit, then I will make the Levy suit says ba Mwansa. Chiluba too evil to be mentioned or remembered? It’s a joke. You forget that Kaunda always said stupit *****s and now you are acting like stupid *****s. Did this woman run her boutique in Kaunda’s time?
I Turkey that suit costs less than US $20.00. So put that into pespective when she says “we’ll make them affordable at K1.2 million. Thats $220.00.
People get over it. Chiluba did his part in fight against Kaunda’s dictatorship. Why think it’s evil to remember his dictatorship. They all have done some evil but at the same time they did there good part.
KK safari suit, then I will make the Levy suit says ba Mwansa. Chiluba too evil to be mentioned or remembered? It’s a joke. You forget that Kaunda always said stupid *****s and now you are acting like stupid *****s. Did this woman run her boutique in Kaunda’s time?In Turkey that suit costs less than US $20.00. So put that into pespective when she says “we’ll make them affordable at K1.2 million. Thats $220.00.People get over it. Chiluba did his part in fight against Kaunda’s dictatorship. Why think it’s evil to remember his dictatorship. They all have done some evil but at the same time they did there good part.
The so called safari suits are Chinese. Kaunda copied from the Chinese.
Hahahahahh…kekekekekeekeke zambians
#14 kolikoli,
Safari ‘suite’ ‘shit’ really, and you call it cool?
Mrs Mwansa, make them cheap like $100 why charge K1.2 to k1.7? why should they be so expensive?
Welldone Silvia Mwansa and Happy Birthday KK.And many nore happy returns.I like such business ideas. Keep it up lady
I meant Many more happy returns
Its only in Zambia Kaunda is not shown the respect he deserves,in our neighbouring countries the name Kenneth Kaunda goes beyond ubunga bwa ma coupon,queues for the oill and shortages of apples.They remember him as a man who was a champion in fighting against the injustice of the WHITE man,he poineered against the apatheid in south africa,wherever they talk about African Freedom Day the name of our former president is never forgoten,CHEERS Sylvia for honouring him while he’s still alive,and what is K1.2 its only £120.
LONG LIVE KK ..XXX
I have a natural dislike for the safari suits because they remind me of the harsh realities of the ideology of socialism and the one party state. But i would buy the mwanawasa suit.
Marketing is a funny thing. Tourist have this thing in Europe and America that they have the neeed to buy safari gear when going on a safari. It could work and also for the older folks who love that look would buy them. There are safari suits in the green and beige colors that sell really well both in shorts and pants on a US website for women and are always sold out in the summer. So please don’t judge just because you don’t like the look or would not sport the look. I say congratulations to anyone with a vision of cashing in on an idea. At least she doing something, what are we doing. Cheers!