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Spotlight - Autumn 2003
edited by Maggie Currey

AFRICA - ANOTHER SIDE OF THE COIN
Northern Rhodesia's final years, and Zambia's nationhood by Andrew Sardanis, £25

I.B.Tauris,
6, Salem Road,
London W2 4BU
sales@ibtaurus.com
tel: 0207243 1244;
fax 020 7243 1226
ISBN 1 86064 026 2

Reviewed by Richard Moberly
The title of Andrew Sardanis's book encapsulates much of what I want to say about it: his viewpoint is refreshingly 'different'. He quotes a commonly held opinion that "Africa is a lost cause", and comments: "This is the cynical view of the West and many other parts of the world. The old colonial powers lament the deplorable state of the ex-colonies, the misadministration, the corruption, the poverty, the famines, the wars and the un-stoppable spread of AIDS. Many, some Africans included, look back on the colonial period as the golden age of Africa and regret its passing. I do not subscribe to this view… But I am not about to malign it either." He lists four questions which he will attempt to answer: "How did colonialism behave in its twilight years, what was the state of Africa at independence, how has it fared so far, and is there light at the end of the tunnel?"

Born and brought up in Cyprus, he knew what it was to be on the receiving end of colonialism, and so was more disposed than many Copperbelt residents to sympathise with emergent African aspirations. After the declaration of independence, he and his wife Danae were among the first Europeans to take out Zambian citizenship.

But he also sees with the eyes of a businessman: not, initially, as an employee of one of the large multi-national corporations, but as the director of a family firm whose success, even in the early 1960s would depend on indigenisation. He became deeply involved with the politics of the emergent nation and, after independence, was Kenneth Kaunda's choice for the key post of Chief Executive of the reconstituted Industrial Development Corporation (INDECO). In this capacity he could help lay firm initial foundations for the economic development of the new nation; but his business acumen meant that he continued also to be a friendly critic.

This book is focussed on the interesting but limited period covering later colonial times, leading up to independence and the first years thereafter. It touches only lightly on the subsequent political and economic development of the nation and of Sardanis himself. Inevitably he made enemies - among some Africans and many Europeans. But there are three points to cite in his favour: his overall modesty -"Another", rather then "The other side of the coin" in the title; his gratitude, infusing the text, to Danae for her constant support; and the fact that he has retired to take care of the Chaminuka Nature and Wildlife Reserve near Lusaka, the Capital of his adopted country. You will need to read this fascinating and highly readable book to find out how far Sardanis has answered his four initial questions. I think he has; and he does see "light at the end of the tunnel."

Teacher, Politician, Lawyer
John Mwanakatwe's Autobiography

Bookworld Publishers,
PO Box 32581, Lusaka.
ISBN 9982-24-021-8.
514 pages. 28 illustrations

Reviewed by Peter Snelson
This is an important book by one of Zambia's most distinguished sons. A good secondary education and teacher training at Adams College in South Africa gave John Mwanakatwe a head start. Soon he was Northern Rhodesia's first African graduate and clearly destined for an exciting career. I first met him in 1954 when we were both teaching at Munali secondary school. Ten years later, he was Minister of Education in President Kaunda's cabinet, driving through a radical reform programme which included the creation of the University of Zambia, the desegregation of schools, and the rapid expansion of education facilities at all levels. It was exciting if exhausting, to work under the enthusiastic leadership of this self-confessed workaholic.

From Education he moved to Lands and Mines, served as Secretary-General to the Government, and was twice Minister of Finance. For 15 years, Mwanakatwe was at the top table of Zambian politics. He writes, therefore, as an insider who had a ringside view not only of the sincerity and single-mindedness with which his colleagues pursued UNIP's aims, but also of the tribal jealousies and in fighting which caused so much damage. But the reader should not expect startling revelations for he is always discreet. One would wish, though, that with the benefit of hindsight, he had been more critical of some of the decisions that were taken.

In 1978 he retired from active politics and pursued a successful legal career. Among his clients was Valentine Musakanya, the former Cabinet Secretary charged with taking part in the 1980 coup attempt. But, untainted by tribalism or corruption Mwanakatwe was asked by both KK and President Chiluba to interrupt his legal business and led the Zambia Privatisation Agency, which sought to sell the parastatal organisations set up in the 1970s; was chairman of the Constitutional Review Commission; and was Chancellor of the University of Zambia. To each task he brought a clear, analytical and innovative approach which won him admiration and respect, but important decisions often caused him sleepless nights. A committed Methodist, he prayed, and still prays, every day for God's guidance and protection. Margaret, his wife of more than 50 years, shares his religious convictions.

Mwanakatwe makes no secret of his dislike of the one-party system of government and of his support for the Movement for Multi-Party Democracy. He had great respect and affection for KK but sympathised with those who considered that he clung to power for too long. In the same vein, as elder statesman he played a leading role in ensuring that Frederick Chiluba would not be able to serve a third term as President.

Teacher, Politician, Lawyer is not just another politician's boring, self-justifying memoirs. True, most readers will probably wish to skim some passages, especially the lengthy extracts from Hansards of long ago, and the detailed courtroom exchanges. For the most part, however, this is a lively, entertaining and informative account of a full and valuable life: essential reading for an understanding of Zambia's history since Independence. The publishers have done a good job. What a pity the book had to be sent to Pietermaritzburg for printing. Peter Snelson holds a few copies which he will despatch post-free in UK in exchange for a cheque for £18.50: Ventress House, 42, Ventress Farm Court, Cherry Hinton Road, Cambridge CB1 8HD.