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Malawi correspondence, 1951-1986

 File — Box: CLX-A-18
Identifier: Coll-490/10/2

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

Sixteen "sections", roughly chronological.

Section 1: J. B. Dunbar, Elgin

  1. Newspaper cutting - letter.
  2. Letter dated 7 March 1951 to The Scotsman from J. B. Dunbar, Esq., Elgin. It interested George Shepperson because its author had served in Central Africa with the King's African Rifles about 1900. George Shepperson writes to Mr Dunbar explaining his interest, and asking if he has any material on the territories in which he served. 10 March 1951.
  3. In his reply, Mr Dunbar explains that not only did he spend some years in residence, but he also married Kasewi, a daughter of Kangweri (they parted later), and from her 'I got many yarns of Angoniland and life'. He has diaries 'without end' left to Malcolm MacDonald 'who is going to sift the wheat from the tares when I finally cross the Izambaze'. Circumstances make it difficult for Mr Dunbar to send the diaries or invite a stranger to stay, but anyone is welcome 'for a meal and a dram'. 14 March 1951.
  4. The letter to The Scotsman has not brought further information. Mr Dunbar expresses his longing to see Kasewi just once more. George Shepperson's suggestion that she should be interviewed by the District Commissioner would probably have a doubtful result. 31 March 1951.
  5. J. G. Dunbar explains the situation that existed between the Kota-Kota Arab settlement and the Angoni-Zulu. He looks forward to meeting George Shepperson in the summer. 8 April 1951.
  6. Covering letter accompanying a newspaper cutting (6a). Article by Alex Johnston on the manners and customs of the tribes of the Uganda Protectorate. 14 April 1951.
  7. Mr Dunbar now believes that if George Shepperson's nominee tackles Kasewi in the proper native manner - a big jar of "pombe" loosens the tongue - he will 'get information for ever'. 14 May 1951

Section 2: Rev Andrew Ross

  1. Andrew Ross enquires about the procedure for a suspension of studies. He has taped an interview with James Poyah Nthimba, their evangelist at the time of the rising and will send the recipient anything of interest. Kanyama has been 'making hay while the sun shone' during Kamuzu's absence. He uses the methods of mass communication to boost his image. As Andrew Ross writes, lorries full of people are passing down the main road, for tomorrow sees the return of Dr Banda with the final date for Independence. 19 October 1963.
  2. There has been a ministerial crisis during Dr Banda's absence. Chiume had exploited his position to build up his image but, as a punishment, the Ngwazi stripped him of two of his ministries and warned him that he would be kept under surveillance. Difficulties have arisen over the new constitution. The writer refuses to register on a racialist roll. The death of J. F. Kennedy has had a profound effect on Nyasaland. He was seen as a hero to the world and the younger generation. 10 December 1963.
  3. Since Colin Cameron's resignation, there has been a political crisis. The Prime Minister brought in an amendment to the constitution to allow a Detention Bill and came into conflict with his Ministers. The PM has become very right wing, taking too many ministries to himself and interfering in others. He threatened to resign but was persuaded to stay under various conditions. 3 September 1964.
  4. Reconciliation and agreement have not lasted long. Conflict was fermented between Kamuzu and the Ministers. Kamuzu called a Parliament, raged against the Ministers and made an unsuccessful attempt to split Chipembere from the others. Although Ministers tried to be conciliatory, back-benchers were savage and joined with the crowd outside, who supported Chip and Chiseza. All terms rejected by Kamuzu except absolute surrender. On Friday, Kamuzu went off on a tour of the Central Region while lorry loads of thugs arrived to break up a meeting by pitched battle. The country is now divided, families leave for safety at Blantyre Mission, Chip lives under restrictions, and three Americans have been deported. 1 October 1964.
  5. Andrew Ross praises broadcasts from Lusaka, by which the truth is told, and condemns Radio Malawi for its refusal to report events. He believes the PM is under the evil influence of Aleke Banda. 20 October 1964.
  6. Colin Cameron has left Malawi for safety. He has been acting as Chipembere's legal advisor and will continue to be so. Andrew Ross is pleased to hear that the book to which he contributed is at last in the hands of the printer. Thin's Bookshop list it as Studies in African History. 5 November 1964.
  7. Andrew Ross has decided to remain - at least until he is deported. If he left, many of the village folk would feel hurt. 18 and 21 January 1965.
  8. Andrew Ross has decided to remain - at least until he is deported. If he left, many of the village folk would feel hurt. 18 and 21 January 1965.
  9. The writer has been unwell. Expects to return to Scotland November 1966. 18 February 1965.

Section 3: Rev Andrew Ross

  1. He has promised to send Professor Shepperson the dissertation in June: in the meantime he sends the recipent an article to read and pass on to the Professor. The Prime Minister is crushing opposition by using bully boys, mail is interfered with and Cameron and McAdam kicked out. Chip is living in the hills not far from here. He sits and waits. Andrew Ross has resigned his government appointments and also from the University Council. 27 November 1964.
  2. A hundred people are under restriction - mostly senior African Civil Servants. HK.B's support comes from the European business community, white civil servants, thugs, crooks and the semi-educated. In opposition are the educated Africans of all regions, the Chews and the Sena. HKB keeps yelling that Chipembere is a coward who has run to Zambia. He sends weekly sweeps of rifles to look for him. The writer cannot leave until 1966. After that date, he would be interested in a job. [Incomplete date].

Section 4: H. B. M. Chipembere

  1. Letter from H. B. M. Chipembere, California - addressed 'Dear Friend' - sent to Andrew Ross in Edinburgh. The writer intends to leave America and begin his return journey to Africa. He understands that anywhere near Malawi would put others in danger. Exiles have kept him informed and he is most grateful for the support he has received from fellow Malawi in Zambia. The cause is not lost but his arrival would be insufficient to confront a military government. Future address - London. 30 May 1966.

Section 5: Colin Cameron

  1. Letters and enclosures from Colin Cameron, Cumbernauld, to Professor Shepperson, Edinburgh. Colin Cameron believes it would be best to bring his papers to Professor Shepperson. The Minutes of his Cabinet papers were handed back but he could probably give quite a lot of information verbally. Feels he is becoming a little lost in keeping tabs on the intrigue that continues in ,the Banda-Chipembere duel and believes it is 'becoming more and more like a James Bond in reality'. 22 September 1967.
  2. The Writer encloses copies of a letter that he has received from Amnesty International (re political prisoners and treatment of detainees), and from a university lecturer in Malawi describing Chiriza's death, the capture and killing of rebels, and the detention of hundreds. 1 December 1967.
  3. Newspaper cutting. Gives an account of Colin Cameron's reasons for leaving Dr Banda's Cabinet after 3 years and for returning to Scotland from Malawi. 7 November 1964.

Section 6: John McCracken

  1. Letter and enclosure from John McCracken, University of Stirling, to Professor George Shepperson, Edinburgh. John McCracken encloses a copy of the brief biography of Frederick Njilima. He considers it 'a rather thin and confused piece of work' but hopes Professor Shepperson will find it interesting. Its author [A. S. Mbegu] was one of the 'less bright students at Dar es Salaam'. 12 August 1970.
  2. Typescript: 'The Life of Frederick Njilima' by A. S. Mbegu. July-September 1969.

Section 7: Anthony Mwenifumbo

  1. Letter and enclosure from Anthony Mwenifumbo, Blantyre, to Professor George Shepperson, Edinburgh. Anthony Mwenifumbo has found Professor Shepperson's writings inspiring and, as he is now visiting Professor of History at Chancellor College, believes he would be the right person to give serious consideration to the following problem. A Professor Pachai broadcasts a programme entitled 'History of Africa'. Anthony Mwenifumbo is critical of the Professor and critical of the programme and has commented upon it in the Malawi News (photocopy enclosed). Professor Pachai is offended and the writer is asked to apologise. 'Professor Pachai has a lot of influence among our country's political bosses and that ifhe wanted to initiate retaliatory measures, I could be in hot soup'. At some length, he gives his reasons for refusing to apologise and so maintain his integrity. 10 April 1972.

Section 8: David Gomilie

  1. Correspondence: Professor George Shepperson, Edinburgh, David Gomilie, Blantyre. 29 August 1970- 19 January 1977. 25 letters.

Section 9: "Vero" (Dr Vero Bosazza)

  1. Letter from Vero (Dr Vero Bosazza), Johannesburg, to Professor George Shepperson, Edinburgh. The name of the geologist who has the glass negatives of Nyasaland is Dr Robert H. S. Robertson, Pitlochry. His uncle, Dr Stannus, had been in Nyasaland from 1905 to 1921. Most of his papers and specimens had already been deposited but Dr Robertson still has 2 boxes of glass negatives (in 1973). Vero suggests that Professor Shepperson should visit Dr Robertson. 26 May 1977
  2. Letter from Professor Shepperson, Edinburgh, to Dr Robertson, Pitlochry. He asks if Dr Robertson still has the glass negatives and, if he has, might he see them? 6 July 1977

Section 10: Lady Buchanan

  1. Letter from Professor George Shepperson, Edinburgh, to Lady Buchanan, Sevenoaks, Kent. He offers Lady Buchanan his deepest sympathy following the death of Sir John. Anxious to know if she has in her possession: John Buchanan's journals of his British Central Africa days; Joumal of the Proceedings of the Church of Scotland Mission, Blantyre, 1879; East African letters. Professor Shepperson asks if Lady Buchanan would consider presenting these, in the name of Sir James Buchanan, to either the University Library or to the National Library of Scotland. 6 July 1977.
  2. Reply from Lady Buchanan to Professor Shepperson. She would like to be able to agree to his request but she has been ill in hospital and a friend organised her house removal. If the items for which he asked tum up, she will be delighted to send them to him. 18 August 1977.
  3. Reply from Professor Shepperson to Lady Buchanan. He is sorry that she has been ill and wishes her a speedy recovery. Delighted to hear that if she discovers the documents, she will let him see them. 23 August 1977.

Section 11: Dr Petrie

  1. Letter from Dr W. Petrie, Edinburgh, to Professor George Shepperson, Edinburgh. Congratulates Professor Shepperson on his lecture. He has sent him: a photograph of Dr Malakebu at Chiradzulu in 1950; copy of Malawi: the Waiting Game Colin Baker's Administrative History of the Medical Service David Johnston's An African Journey. 31 July 1983.
  2. Acknowledgement by Professor Shepperson of Dr Petrie's letter, and of the enclosures for which he is 'deeply grateful'. 9 August 1983. Note: Both writers comment upon the situation in Malawi and consider its future 'disturbing'.

Section 12: Hew S. Stevenson

  1. Three letters: Professor George Shepperson, Edinburgh, and Mr Hew S. Stevenson, Halifax. Location of the private papers of James Stevenson of Bailie, Largs [ 1822-1903]. Glasgow merchant and chemical manufacturer and a benefactor of Glasgow University and the Free Church. A founder and the chairman of the African Lakes Company. 26 September 1983 - 11 October 1983.

Section 13: Peter G. Forster

  1. Correspondence: Professor Shepperson, Edinburgh, and Peter G. Forster, Hull. Dr Forster has been undertaking research into the life and work of the Rev T. Cullen Young. He hopes to visit Edinburgh and arrange a meeting with Professor Shepperson. Difficulty of making arrangements.
  2. Professor Shepperson has found an item of correspondence with Cullen Young. 'This was when he checked my translation of two documents concerning the Jumbe ofKota-Kota'. Enclosure: Transcript of two letters in ci Nyanja from the Jumbe of Kota-Kota to Dr Robert Laws of Livingstonia. c. 1885 and 1889. 29 March 1984 - 11 July 1985.

Section 14: Tone Mwenifumbo

  1. Correspondence: Professor George Shepperson, Edinburgh, and Tone Mwenifumbo, Sweden. Tone Mwenifumbo is a Malawian refugee living in Stockholm. He is familiar with Professor Shepperson's writings and has been much influenced by them, and consequently feels it would be wise to seek the Professor's assistance in finding a publisher for his own writings. He has submitted a novel to Neczam of Zambia. They accepted it, but so far, he has not been assured of its publication. Meantime, he has written a collection of essays entitled 'PanAfrican Essays' but has not found a publisher. Admits the essays are rather eccentric and will offend a number of people. Professor Shepperson sympathises with him, recommends a couple of publishers, sends an article (with bibliography), and a copy of a paper he gave in 1974, also with bibliography. The Professor finds Mr Mwenifumbo's work interesting, particularly on certain topics. He advises him to approach Dr Harry W. Langworthy, Cleveland State University, to learn of the latest research findings of Charles Domingo. Enclosures: Essay Dunduzu Chisiza as an Intellectual Contents of Essay Collection 15 June 1983 - 28 January 1986.

Section 15: David Killingray

  1. Correspondence: David Killingray, Goldsmiths' College, New Cross, and Professor George Shepperson, Edinburgh David Killingray is gathering information about the role of blacks in the British Army in Europe during World War I. At present, he is trying to track down Fred Njilima, who served in the Machine Gun Corps, 1915-1919. If Professor Shepperson has a copy of A. S. Mbegu's Life of Federick Njilima, might he borrow it? He would be glad to hear of any other leads on the topic and mentions Ibn Lobagola's 'Certificate of Discharge', which proved he had served in the Royal Fusiliers. 5 June 1985.
  2. Professor Shepperson promises to send the paper on Fred Njilima when he finds it. He recommends some articles. 21 June 1985.
  3. Professor Shepperson sends part of A. S. Mbegu's paper. As 'a recompense', he sends a digest from the Zomba Archives*. [*enclosed] 24 September 1985.

Section 16

  1. Transcript of two letters in ciNyanja from the Jumbe of Kota-Kota to Dr Robert Laws of Livingstonia. Date between 1880 and 1890, probably 1885. [Translated line by line. One copy incomplete]. Cross reference letter from Professor Shepperson to Dr Peter G. Forster at section 13, No 8. Photocopy of letter.

Dates

  • Creation: 1951-1986

Creator

Language of Materials

English

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