He stood up to the government and won when they wanted to expel certain students who defied President Kaunda.
The businesses nationalised under President Kaunda were turned into government parastatals.
President Kaunda has been praised abroad for his anti-apartheid efforts but has been derided at home.
President Kaunda, the press secretary said, had more important things to do.
That, of course, especially applies to President Kaunda, his often talked-about wife and sons, and prominent politicians.
Now President Kaunda would like the International Monetary Fund back.
If this had been achieved, it would have meant the curtailing of the absolute power residing in President Kaunda.
President Kaunda justified the new cars as "rationalization" of the Government fleet.
But underlying the immediate economic complaint was seething frustrations with President Kaunda and his party.
In the 1983 election, more than 60% of those registered participated and 93% gave President Kaunda a "yes" vote.