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Asidi James Click to filter

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Gilidala Galatiya Kathyole Click to filter

Ibrahim Click to filter

Jameson Click to filter

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Moses Kamsali Banda Click to filter

Elias Kandowe Click to filter

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Square "Danger" Kazembe Click to filter

Pearson Kumbemba, First Interview Click to filter

Pearson Kumbemba, Follow-Up Interview Click to filter

Stephen Lungu Click to filter

Mack Banda Click to filter

Matumula Mamu Click to filter

Ex-Miners Group Interview Click to filter

Mmadi Kalonga Masudi Click to filter

Alabi Mitawa, First Interview Click to filter

Alabi Mitawa, Follow-Up Interview Click to filter

Beton Chemu Mncube Click to filter

Nkhunda Mtegha Click to filter

Daih Mtegha Click to filter

Melrin Mtegha Click to filter

Soloman Mwale Click to filter

Harry Ngumbalo Click to filter

Simon Nyumbane Click to filter

Signal Phiri Click to filter

Samuel Phiri Click to filter

Amos Phiri Click to filter

Yusuf Saidi Click to filter

Sam Banda Click to filter

Nelson Kalami Sanga Click to filter

Wives of WLNA Workers Click to filter

Mrs. Samiyatu Zulu & Mrs. Margret Alabi Mitawa Click to filter



Contents

Saidi_001

saidi_001-1
Yusuf Saidi grew up in Salafi, Mangochi District, where his father was both a local chief and imam with three wives. Born in 1928, the youngest of his mother's six children, his daughter Sakina recalled that he was “he was extremely spoiled.” Though he was the first son of his mother, Sakina, his father already had another son, Ahmed, through his first wife. As Sakina was descended from royalty, and did not think it was her job to raise children “the third wife actually raised my father, and his siblings”.

saidi_001-2
Yusuf's family was relatively well-to-do with numerous cows, chickens and goats. Yusuf “was educated islamically, because his father was a sheikh, a mawlānā. Because he was the only son, he was then educated. My aunts were not educated, but my aunts married well - one was married to a doctor, another to a farmer, the other three were married to mawlānās, and they all had lots of children.” After being educated at the local madrassa, Yusuf left to be schooled in Zanzibar. Though he didn't elaborate much about this period, he spoke Swahili fluently, and read Arabic very well. His daughter Sakina, though aware that Yusuf’s father was descended from a Swahili mother and Arab-Swahili father, but could not elaborate any more on his childhood.

saidi_001-3
In the mid-1950s when Yusuf was 25, he was sent by his father to retrieve his brother Ahmed from South Africa. Not much is known about how Yusuf travelled south, but he certainly didn’t walk. Travelling either by bus or truck through Blantyre and then on through Zimbabwe he passed relatives of his mother living in Messina, and then probably hitch-hiked from the north of South Africa south to Johannesburg.

saidi_001-4
Ahmed had been working in a mosque in Germiston for a number of years, and persuaded Yusuf to stay instead of returning to Malawi. Initially, he arranged a job for Yusuf at the Avalon Bioscope - a cinema in Fordsburg, Johannesburg run by Indian Muslims who Ahmed knew. With a number of relatives already there, South Africa was a more attractive place to live – “it was a better life, there were more opportunities...”

saidi_001-5
From the 1940 through to the 1970, “Fordsburg was at the cutting edge of black urban culture. It was defined amongst much else by its anti-apartheid protest rallies at Red Square; its fish and chips and toasted steaks; its gangsters and romantic liaisons; its music, clubs and street fashions; and most prominently by its four bioscopes, off the street and within just a few blocks of one another.”

saidi_001-6
Yusuf spent a year working at the cinema, and it was during this time that he met Hawa, his future wife. Hawa was 15 at the time, a Ndebele and a Presbyterian. Hawa converted to Islam and the couple married in early 1956, the same year that Sakina was born. Yusuf did not insist that she converted to Islam, Hawa “became Muslim because she wanted to. My dad gave her the opportunity to opt out if she didn't want to be Muslim, but he would not have stayed with her if she was not Muslim because it was important for him.” Sakina recalled Hawa's “family had disowned her because she had married my dad.” As noted by their granddaughter Rabia, “to marry out of your own racial caste is something that is really frowned upon, so my grandpa and my granny had a shared experience like that. They were kind of disconnected from the normal family set up and all they had was each other. They were a very loving couple. you would expect because he was a mawlānā and had a religious position within society he would be dominant but that wouldn't be the case....when you look at the rights of a woman, a Muslim wife is not expected to cook or clean, your role as a husband is to aid with domestic chores, to split those chores and to honour your wife and to treat her with the utmost respect...what's there in the text is what I experienced with him, how he treated his wife and how he raised his daughters.”

saidi_001-7
Hawa was a strong woman, and though Yusuf was a patriarch, he referred “to my mum on everything, and he was asking her what do you think on this and that, and my mother was giving him advice. I was like wow, so it's my mum who runs the show in all these areas.”

saidi_001-8
After a year working at the cinema, Yusuf became a muezzin at the Kerk Street mosque in Johannesburg, taking the call to prayer and leading prayers. Within the Muslim community, Yusuf was known as Ismail Mohamed. In 1961 Yusuf worked at the Queen's Street Mosque, and the family relocated to Pretoria. A number of years later, it was here that Yusuf met Signal Phiri, who remembered him as “a nice man”.

saidi_001-9
Most of his time in South Africa however was spent in Marabastad - for Sakina, “that's where we grew up.” Yusuf's family lived within the precincts of the Marabastad mosque, which at the time was located in a coloured district alongside two other families.

saidi_001-10
Ismail A Kalla who knew Yusuf during his time in Marabastad recalled he recited the call to prayer and led prayers five times a day. “He had a very good voice, he was very articulate in his Arabic prayers...He was a very well-rounded gentleman and he had a very pleasant personality...He was one of the leaders in the mosque, a leading personality.” Very well read in the Quran and the Prophets, “his Arabic pronunciations were very powerful...Everybody loved him.” Other Malawians attended the Marabastad mosque “coming to prayer there were many who were working somewhere else. Within the mosque there one or two others, but he was a man of stature...leading personalities like him, they were few and far between, he was one of the outstanding personalities.”

saidi_001-11
Though working within a predominantly Indian mosque, there was “no problem among Muslims whether he is Black or White or Indian, there is no problem, there is no racialism. Many mosques you'll see many leading personalities are black and not Indian, and the Indians are in their hundreds - in one of the mosques near us we are the same.”

saidi_001-12
As well as teaching at Marabastad, Yusuf taught in Eastrus, a coloured community in the 1970s and 1980s. This “was the first Islamic School my father got the congregation to build. They built the mosque and then he said you need to build an Islamic school.” Numerous people remembered Yusuf when Rabia went to pray there in 2014, “he taught at Earstrus for a long period of time - he left a legacy there.”

saidi_001-13
As well as working for the Pretoria Muslim Trust, Yusuf was also a spiritual healer. Rabia recalled, “he had a spiritual connection to another realm - people came from all different walks of life; Indian, Afrikaans who would come to him for healing.” Sakina remembered “there was this one time there was this child who was having a seizure and his parents brought him. I was totally scared of him, and I saw my dad and this boy was fitting, there was foam coming out of his mouth, and my dad prayed and gave him a drink. I was thinking is it the water that calmed him down, or is it my dad? What is my dad? I was extremely scared of him after that. I thought I don't want to say anything to this man, if he said anything to me I would just do it, if my mum said something I'd be like I'm not doing that. I was never obnoxious with my dad, after that incident - it really set fear in me.”

saidi_001-14
Family life was very important to Yusuf and Hawa, Sakina recollecting “our father loved us so all, so much!” After Sakina's birth in 1956, Fatima was born in 1960, followed by Rookaya in 1963. Two more sisters Khatija and Zaytoon were born later in the 1960s. “When it came to his children - he protected us with everything he had.” He also supported their inquisitiveness. “If you asked him for anything he would never say I don't know. He would say let's find out about it, and he would have a discussion with you. Whereas my mum was an authoritarian...when you have five children, you don't have the time to be sitting down and talking to each one of them, and you have a busy life...For my dad it was easy, he was a priest and he had all this time.”

saidi_001-15
Sakina attended the local Indian school in Marabastad, exploiting the fact that the family lived within a coloured area. Rabia reflected that “they were hard on her - they told me, they pushed her academically”, but they also allowed their children to go to the cinema and drove Sakina to the local library.

saidi_001-16
As well as look after her children, Hawa was an entrepreneur and traded in second hand clothes in return for crockery. Yusuf's “job paid him less than when I started working. It was God and my mum and him being a healer that allowed us to go to an Indian school. My mum was vociferous that we get educated - she would say 'I work hard so that you get educated. I don't want you coming back here with your ten children and eating my pension money. She was so clear about that.”

saidi_001-17
Attachment to his family meant that though a humanitarian and a human rights activist, Yusuf did not get involved in politics - due to the risk of deportation and the fact that this would break his young family apart. Nevertheless Rabia remembered “he told me stories of how he burned his pass book.”

saidi_001-18
Living a successful life in South Africa, Yusuf did not return to Malawi until 1987. He did retain links with Malawi though. Yusuf was proud of his heritage – “there was no kind of hidden story about it - we knew our dad was Malawian and we were Malawians.” “That gave us a sense of who we are - you are Africans, you have your roots in Africa, and that's who you are...He was an Africanist - in terms of helping Africans”.

saidi_001-19
“All men who came from Malawi, because they were in South Africa they saw themselves as brothers. It didn't matter where in Malawi they were from as long as they were from Malawi. So they would have a kind of united process - banking among each other, they would assist each other”.

saidi_001-20
“So when we were growing up my dad would say this is my brother, so we didn't understand the concept of brother - gee he's got a lot of brothers. When we became aware of the concept of blood brother we sat our Dad down and said, 'so which one is your blood brother and which one is your brother because he came from the same village or the same country?” It was only at this point that Sakina learnt Ahmed was her blood uncle.

saidi_001-21
Throughout the year there would be numerous Malawian gatherings – “at different points people would have a fatija, or a just a gathering for prayer or zika, and people would come. And also there was a kind of solidarity for people coming from Malawi, because even if you didn't have a direct relation, there was a brotherhood. Very interesting because when you look at Johannesburg, the Basotho and among the Zulu people you had different cliques. And some would call it gangs, but what the tsotsis emerged out of was these different brotherhoods. When you came here it was like having a network that would help you set up, whether it's finding a job or having a place to stay for a couple of days, or if you were just passing through.”

saidi_001-22
Yusuf himself was a central figure in the local network supporting Malawians. “He would help people - their home it was a space where visitors were always welcome, and people would come and stay there.”

saidi_001-23
“On Sunday he would go to Mapobane, where there were a lot more Malawians there and they would sit and they would do all of the administrative stuff that they needed to do, or alternatively they would come to our house...because everyone congregated at our house, my dad dealt with a lot of things.” Those staying at their home included “people from Mangochi, or even from other places like Dedza.” To support this community Yusuf at the end of the 1960s “put together a structure and it was called the Malawian Association.”

saidi_001-24
“The whole thing started because when someone died they would have to go to the Indian people and ask them to assist, and this was not right - because we all worked and we all could contribute.” “They had to contribute every week, so if anything happened to anybody they would take money from there, and then they would assist. If there was a death, they would assist out of that money, if someone was sick and needed to go back to Malawi, that money would come from there. So there was a pool of money and if anyone was not in a job, or something like that they would then use money from there.”

saidi_001-25
As a result of both Yusuf and Hawa's jobs “we were OK, and so my father had a lot of cars - my father liked cars - so I think that the people thought he was buying cars with that money.” In 1980, “there was a fall out - and he said take your money, take your things, I don't have to do this, I really am not doing this for me, I'm doing this for us.” Sakina at the time “really don't understand it because they had a secretary, Uncle Yassim, they had a treasurer - and my father was the chairperson. So I don't understand how they thought my father was underhand , because there wasn't much money, my dad would say to me I need to count it because they wrote it in a book, and then he would give the money to Uncle Mmerjie, who kept the money - so if anything happened to them they knew they could go to Uncle Mmerjie. The money was not kept in our house. When my dad stopped doing it the whole thing disintegrated”.

saidi_001-26
Yusuf also kept in touch with his five sisters back in Malawi – “he maintained links because there were letters that were passed through.” Yusuf would often send money back to Mangochi and his children “had to send all our clothes to Malawi...a whole lot of people would come from time to time and they would take stuff.” In the 1980s, Yusuf also sent his daughters Sakina and Hatija to Malawi for a year so they could learn about their heritage and how to keep a home.

saidi_001-27
Yusuf himself only went back to Malawi once, in 1987. “Because he had us - and there was no way he was going to leave us. And we had our children, who were obviously his grandchildren. This was home for him and he was not going to go away and leave my mum.”

saidi_001-28
“Malawi is not an easy place to visit, because the expectation when you go is that you are money to solve all of their problems, and I said that to my Dad and he said these are poor people, and that's how poor people are.”

saidi_001-29
“He wasn't dismissive, [of his sisters back in Malawi] but he felt sorry for them that they'd not moved. But obviously these were women, and they had lots of children etc, etc. Some of them their husbands died, and two of his sisters were not married to Muslim men they were married to Christian men.”

saidi_001-30
Though within Muslim circles, Yusuf's racial background was not a problem, it did cause some friction with his relationship to Hawa's brothers. “When we went to my mum's family they would say mablantyre [from Blantyre], and we were like what's that? And then one day, my mum's brother, instead of just calling my sister Fatima (who looked darker, more like a Malawian) he would say ‘mablantyre lahow likha nire’, and my father would be so annoyed. One day he said to my mother ‘I actually don't like your brothers - they're dividing my children. I don't appreciate it, can you please have a discussion with them.’”

saidi_001-31
This prejudice has only increased over the last two decades. “He came at a time when being black was something that resented and hated, if you grew up in an Apartheid context it didn't matter what shade of black you were or where you were from, you experienced that kind of oppression and injustice on a daily basis. Just being able to walk on a particular side of the road, sit on a bus, or even go into a library...When I stayed with him he would take me to the library, but he would make me aware that this was something that people didn't always have access to and what a privilege it was.”

saidi_001-32
“Post-1994 there was discomfort with foreigners. A lot of the time the police would go and see if people had work permits and would lock them up. You'd always hear at the markets, oh so and so's not here because they've been locked up...It became more intense over the years. Now you're a foreigner, a Somalian, a Malawian. The early parts of the 90s you'd say my lineage, I’m from Malawi and I also have ties here and it was something that was accepted...” For Rabia the meaning of being a Malawians has changed – “now it's like all these people have come and taken our jobs.”

saidi_001-33
Yusuf lived a very successful life, going for Haj in the late 1980s and continuing to work at the Marabastad mosque until his retirement in 2000. He gave an excellent foundation for his family in South Africa – “position and status are tied to your parents, not so much in terms of wealth, but morality...Moral beliefs play a big role.” Sakina nevertheless reflected that, “I don't think it was easy...I think my father held his own because he was very eloquent and read very well, and because he understood human nature he was able to have a good standing within the Indian community but also within any community... a lot of the people in my generation were taught by him.” After Yusuf retired in 2000, he lived in the mosque precinct until 2004, when he relocated across the road when the mosque was rebuilt in 2004. Yusuf Saidi passed away in 2005.

Edward_001

edward_001-1
I Tom Edward pp 430161 OE Johannesburg of Chief Mnyanda of Tonga, Lake Nyasa, B.N.P. do hereby make statement and declare:-

edward_001-2
That I came to the Goldfields in 1909 with a gang of boys from Portuguese East Africa, and was allotted to the E.R.P.M. (Angels Section) and registered as a Portuguese subject for underground work. I worked for that mine for 5 years, and I left the mine in 1913.

edward_001-3
That in 1914, I was employed by the City Deep Mine (on a Travelling Pass I got from Pretoria) as an underground machine boy, and was subsequently employed on the surface. I worked for that mine till 1918, when I returned to Angels Section of the E.R.P.M. where I was employed for two years as a pumpman’s boy underground. I left the mine in 1923 and returned home to Nyasaland.

edward_001-4
In 1926, I returned to the Union and was employed Pretoria. I left Pretoria at the end of May 1927 and came to the Rand. My fingerprints were taken [note in margin: classification 15 31/28 IM/II 16T, no record], and I was allowed to be registered to Dr Dodds of City & Suburban G.M. Married Quarters. I pray for re-employment on the mines for Hospital work.

edward_001-5
Tom Edwards, his X mark.

edward_001-6
Old classification 31/28 10/MI 15

edward_001-7
pp.643053 M/J 23 9/lit

edward_001-8
cancelled by pp 235471 M/Boks 27/3/20

edward_001-9
Employment on mine for Hospital work only is hereby authorised. Director’s authority no: 67/1927, to be quoted on every subsequent passport issued to this native.

edward_001-10
HG Falwasser

edward_001-11
Director of Native Labour [stamped 16 November 1927]

Mncube_001

mncube_001-1
Beton Chemu Mncube S.C. 401659 M/J previous file 314548 P/J of Chief Johan, of Mzimba, B.N.P. do hereby make statement and declare:

mncube_001-2
That about the end of 1920 I arrived in the Transvaal, and worked at the Silver Mine in Pretoria, and at the end of 1922, after the Rand Revolution, I went to Witwatersrand Deep where I was employed on timber work underground for 1 ½ years and thereafter I came to Johannesburg and entered the employ of Exchange Yard Limited.

mncube_001-3
That I have now been offered work by the Mine Police on Witwatersrand Deep Mine property. I pray for permission of the Director of Native Labour.

mncube_001-4
That I am a married man and live with my wife and two children at Prospect Township. My wife is a Msutu woman, I paid 3 head of cattle for this woman. I am paying tax in the Union and made my first payment in 1926. I have paid for 1927, 1928 & 1929 (t.k. 9214 V/OD for 1927/8 & 243174/1929)

mncube_001-5
I have no relatives in Nyasaland Protectorate, all my people are dead, and that I am now permanently resident in the Transvaal Province though I have no property. I was not a taxpayer in Nyasaland when I left as I was not a married man and had no hut.

mncube_001-6
Beton Chemu Mncube

mncube_001-7
Witness: Wm Bell.

mncube_001-8
[stamped 24 July 1929; not clear if rejected or approved]

Mangochi_001

mangochi_001-1
Transcription/Translation from Chichewa

mangochi_001-2
A formal introduction was done. Interviewees were welcomed, settled, and told what the interview was all about by both Julie and Elias.

mangochi_001-3
JW: I conducted similar interviews in Mexico about people working in the mines like you. I began to wonder about the history of the people from whom I have contacts in many different parts of the world including Malawi. So, with the help of Mr. Elias Mandala, I am here about asking you about your experiences if you are willing to share with me. And I will be publishing a book about this. I also ask if I may have permission to include your stories. And you can let me know if I can use your names or not. If you would like I want to put these interviews online, so that your children and grandchildren can find them, but only with your permission.

mangochi_001-4
EM: [translated the question]

mangochi_001-5
JW: With your permission, would I use your names?

mangochi_001-6
Group: No, problem, you may go ahead with publishing in a book, on website, and use our names as they are presented

mangochi_001-7
JW: Thank you. So, we may be start with the new men, to introduce themselves, when they went to South Africa, and where they are from? You want to do that?

mangochi_001-8
EM: Yes, sure let us do that. So, may get the new members that I never had an interview with last time I visited here? Please mention your names clearly, where you come from, years you travelled to South Africa, how many times.

mangochi_001-9
Kaliza Bazilio: Kaliza Bazilio, born 1948, Went to South Africa in 1972 (22 August started work in the mine) and came back in 1974, worked in the mine called Doornfontein.

Doornfontein
mangochi_001-10
EM: So when you came back you never went back?

mangochi_001-11
Kaliza Bazilio: No, I only went once. Though, I wanted to go again, unfortunately due to the plane crash meant I could not go again.

1974 plane crash
mangochi_001-12
EM: Next

mangochi_001-13
Beston Makhuva Fred: Beston Makhuva Fred, born 1950, went to South Africa in 1971 and came back in 1974. I travelled three (3) times. WNLA went once, and when they were closing, I was still there. The second and third journeys were under TEBA. And they closed TEBA when I was also there. I went last in 1986 and in 1989.

Teba
mangochi_001-14
EM: Were you married when you first left for WNLA in 1971?

mangochi_001-15
Beston Makhuva Fred: I left for WNLA when I was married with two children.

marriage
children
mangochi_001-16
JW: Do you remember which mine did you work in 1971?

mangochi_001-17
Beston Makhuva Fred: Yes, Vaalais (sp)

Vaal Reefs
mangochi_001-18
Kaliza Bazilio: I went to Impala Platinum

Impala Platinum
mangochi_001-19
EM: Kaliza Bazilio, you did not tell me if you were married the time, you made your journey to South Africa?

mangochi_001-20
Kaliza Bazilio: I was then married and with two children

marriage
children
mangochi_001-21
EM: Next please

mangochi_001-22
Edward Lokote: I am Edward Lokote, born in 1949. I went once to WNLA, in 1972 to 1974.

mangochi_001-23
EM: Did you manage to go again?

mangochi_001-24
Edward Lokote: Nope, I only went once.

mangochi_001-25
EM: Were you married then?

mangochi_001-26
Edward Lokote: No, I was not married then.

marriage
mangochi_001-27
EM: Oh, you went as there as saint? Laughs

mangochi_001-28
Edward Lokote: Actually, I was married but the time I left I was divorced.

marriage
divorce
mangochi_001-29
EM: Sorry to ask, why it ended?

divorce
mangochi_001-30
Edward Lokote: Because I had nothing. She ran away from my poverty. Women are of different categories. Other love for money. Seeing my poverty, she left me for another man.

marriage
divorce
mangochi_001-31
EM: That’s painful, sorry. So, you too had only one journey?

mangochi_001-32
Edward Lokote: Yes.

mangochi_001-33
EM: Next Please

mangochi_001-34
Chitani Sane Amidu: My name is Chitani Sane Amidu, born in 1950.

mangochi_001-35
EM: When did you travel first to South Africa?

mangochi_001-36
Chitani Sane Amidu: I travelled first in 1969 back in 1971, back in 1972 and back in 1974, and back in 1974. I was there when the plane crashed.

1974 plane crash
mangochi_001-37
EM: So, you finished in 1975?

mangochi_001-38
Chitani Sane Amidu: Yes, I finished in 1975 when WNLA closed. Thereafter, I went three times under TEBA. [Between 1980 and 1989 when Teba also closed]

Teba
mangochi_001-39
EM: Were you married then?

mangochi_001-40
Chitani Sane Amidu: The first journey (WNLA 1969) I was not married then. I married when I came back home

marriage
mangochi_001-41
EM: That’s when you came back in 1972?

mangochi_001-42
Chitani Sane Amidu: Yes. Now I have children

marriage
children
mangochi_001-43
EM: Where did you marry? Here in Malawi?

mangochi_001-44
Chitani Sane Amidu: Yes, I married here in Malawi.

marriage
mangochi_001-45
EM: Who is next? (Welcomed the newcomer, Mr. Hussein Afiki, who was still on the way when we started the interviews.) Sorry, we had already started. But we can continue with knowing, what is your name?

mangochi_001-46
Useni Afiki: My name is Useni Afiki.

mangochi_001-47
EM: You are Hussein Afiki right. When were you born, Sir?

mangochi_001-48
Useni Afiki: Ohm I would not remember but am old enough. [Sign that he doesn’t know he was born, which is the case with most of the old fellows who never went to school in the colonial period)

mangochi_001-49
EM: So, do you remember when you first to South Africa to work in the WNLA mine?

mangochi_001-50
Useni Afiki: I think I do remember. It was in 1974 because before I came back home that’s when we heard about the plane crash. And that marked the end of WNLA.

1974 plane crash
mangochi_001-51
EM: So, you came back in 1975 that was it?

mangochi_001-52
Useni Afiki: Yes, that was it. I never went back till Teba years

Teba
mangochi_001-53
EM: Were you married when you first left for South Africa?

mangochi_001-54
Useni Afiki: Yes, I was married but with no child. I was in my youth.

marriage
children
mangochi_001-55
JW: What mine did he work on when he first went to South Africa?

mangochi_001-56
Useni Afiki: I worked at Impula Mine.

Impala Platinum
mangochi_001-57
EM: How about you, Mr. Amidu?

mangochi_001-58
Chitani Sane Amidu: I went to RPM Mine, the second journey was shifted to Vendeorsport, then, the third trip was sent to Impala Mine.

RPM Mine
Vendeorsport
Impala Platinum
mangochi_001-59
EM: Oh, I see

mangochi_001-60
Chitani Sane Amidu: Teba, I went three times and placed on the same mine

Teba
mangochi_001-61
EM: Wow, to the point of knowing you, and becoming a landlord.

mangochi_001-62
Group: [laughs]

mangochi_001-63
EM: I think we have established a good introduction, and now we can continue.

mangochi_001-64
JW: Oh ok, great. You can go on asking them why they really left their homes, their comfort zones to work in the mines in South Africa.

mangochi_001-65
EM: Oh, okay let me do that. I already heard from my friends, those we met previously on what motivated you to leave home for south Africa to work in the mines? Most of you cited poverty to be the main reason for your flight to South Africa. How about the new members? Can you also tell me your reasons?

mangochi_001-66
Chitani Sane Amidu: Like me, I was driven by poverty at my parents’ home. So, seeing friends going and coming from working in the mines in South Africa, I felt like doing the same. They changed the face of their families. I wanted to do the same. Although, the money was not that good, but still changed our families in different ways.

poverty
family
mangochi_001-67
EM: Apart from the poverty itself, there should be something unique that motivated you to go to South Africa?

mangochi_001-68
Chitani Sane Amidu: In my case, apart from the poverty, I wanted to come back to start a business. Something that would give me a living from. Especially coming from a business background.

poverty
entrepreneurship
mangochi_001-69
EM: Then you were not married yet?

mangochi_001-70
Chitani Sane Amidu: Actually, first trip, I wasn’t married but the second one. And I had left a child the second one. Now oh they are all big men.

marriage
children
mangochi_001-71
EM: Oh, I see, and probably looking after you?

mangochi_001-72
Chitani Sane Amidu: Yes, they are looking after me, buying jackets here and there (laughs). The kids are old too now

children
mangochi_001-73
EM: Any other wants to add as to what really motivated you to leave Malawi to go work in the mines in South Africa.

mangochi_001-74
Kaliza Bazilio: Let me add my voice to this, Sir.

mangochi_001-75
EM: Go ahead.

mangochi_001-76
Kaliza Bazilio: In my case, I was first lured by my friends who came back with loads of stuffs. They managed to build houses for themselves etc. I was indeed motivated by that. I thought I was going to do the same.

friends
mangochi_001-77
EM: How did it turn out to be if you don’t mind?

mangochi_001-78
Kaliza Bazilio: Actually, when I came back, I did manage to bring clothes and blankets for my family. Their faces were lit by what I brought them. They felt it that our son was really coming from abroad. Unfortunately, WNLA stopped before I built a house for myself or for my family. Apart from this, I still managed to give my family a new lease of life. If only I managed to go twice or thrice to South Africa, I could really have changed the face of my family and village. With that spirit of working hard, I then went to Blantyre and found work at Kamuzu’s house (Sanjika State House). I worked for two years there.

family
purchases
Sanjika State House
mangochi_001-79
EM: Oooh really? And you worked as what?

mangochi_001-80
Kaliza Bazilio: I worked as garden boy

Sanjika State House
mangochi_001-81
EM: Wow! That was something else.

mangochi_001-82
Kaliza Bazilio: Yes, in 1976 to 1977. We were hundreds of people lined up at Sanjika State Residence for interviews. Only ten of us were picked.

Sanjika State House
mangochi_001-83
EM: So, what made you stand out?

mangochi_001-84
Kaliza Bazilio: Oh well, we were asked questions of where we come from, what work we did before, our criminal records, if we paid our taxes, and political party cards (MCP).

Sanjika State House
mangochi_001-85
EM: Did you not tell them about your mine (WNLA) experience?

mangochi_001-86
Kaliza Bazilio: Yes, I did and that made them believe the hard worker in me. Probably that’s why they hired me. I was employed on 26thMarch 1976 and left in 1977, the time of the uprising on Muwalo. [One of the political figures, a former faithful who later challenged Dr, Kamuzu Banda. He was hanged to death]

Sanjika State House
Albert Muwalo
mangochi_001-87
EM: Oh okay, good to know. So basically, you were attracted by what your peers brought back home.

mangochi_001-88
Kaliza Bazilio: Exactly, they brought with them Wilson hats, bicycles, blankets, beautiful clothes, attires, radios (Gumba gumba). So, I felt compelled to go to. And went there, worked for two years, without any accident, though worked deep down the mine.

purchases
bicycles
radio
clothing
mangochi_001-89
EM: Thanks for sharing. How about you Mr. Edward Lokote?

mangochi_001-90
Edward Lokote: Similar story. When you see those who came back from working in the mines, I felt called to also go and do the same. I was attracted by the big luggage they brought, bicycles, blankets, strange clothes, radios, and some built good houses. I felt I am not a man enough if I didn’t go and do like what others did. So, I admired the others.

purchases
bicycles
radios
clothing
mangochi_001-91
EM: So, you mean to say bicycle was a prestigious item around here, in your villages in those days?

bicycles
mangochi_001-92
Edward Lokote: Oh yes! Oh yes bicycle was something else. Especially those sporty with gears. We would line up to see those cycling them with great admiration. That alone could drive you to aspire to go to South Africa to work in the mines even when we used to hear of terrifying stories.

bicycles
mangochi_001-93
EM: So that bicycle aspect drove you mad besides poverty?

bicycles
mangochi_001-94
Edward Lokote: Exactly, Sir.

bicycles
mangochi_001-95
EM: Tell me, were you bringing these six geared sporty bicycles from South Africa?

bicycles
mangochi_001-96
Edward Lokote: No, we were buying them here, in Blantyre. (Group answered the same). When we arrived in Blantyre from South Africa, the Asian traders knew of our coming and we would need to buy the bicycles. So, they were there ready for purchase. They were selling at K28 (28 Kwacha). That’s hummer type of bicycles and others were K14 (14 Kwacha). Also, those bicycles we would sell them back home at K14 during famine.

bicycles
famine
mangochi_001-97
EM: Oh! You could sell them during famine time that you buy food?

bicycles
famine
mangochi_001-98
Edward Lokote: Yes.

bicycles
famine
mangochi_001-99
EM: So, what exact thing that motivated you to leave your parents to go to work in the mines?

mangochi_001-100
Edward Lokote: When I dropped out of school due to our poverty of my family, I decided that I work so hard to let my brothers manage to go to school. So, the only option to get the fees was for me to go to work in the mines in South Africa.

education
poverty
family
mangochi_001-101
EM: So, did you manage to achieve this goal?

mangochi_001-102
Edward Lokote: Yes. I did manage to get my brother attend schools which I did not manage to finish. I knew when they finish school, they will be able to take care of themselves and others in the family. So, I feel I achieved my goal of going to work in the mines.

education
family
mangochi_001-103
EM: Anyone who wants to share?

mangochi_001-104
Useni Afiki: Can also share?

mangochi_001-105
EM: Go ahead please.

mangochi_001-106
Useni Afiki: In my case, it was the poverty at home. Hence, I decided to migrate that I manage to get some money that can assist my family come out of poverty. I knew I needed to get good money that when I come home, I could also buy cows, land to build houses for rentals.

poverty
entrepreneurship
mangochi_001-107
EM: So, you were not lured by radios (gumba gumba), flashy bicycles, blankets (Tchale), etc.?

purchases
bicycles
radios
mangochi_001-108
Useni Afiki: Not really, though they did motivate, but on a lesser level as compared to the issues I mentioned above. So, I thank God that I did manage to go to WNLA and brought the things I wanted. To me that was very successful. But that money that I brought was slowly finishing as many relatives looked up to me, as the only well to do person.

purchases
family
mangochi_001-109
EM: Is that so?

mangochi_001-110
Useni Afiki: Yes, and I had to look for a cooking job from a well to do person, Mr. Lalabi, who had a farm within Mangochi.

Mangochi
mangochi_001-111
EM: Was Mr. Lalabi a white man or local?

Mangochi
mangochi_001-112
Useni Afiki: Yes, he was Greek. I worked there for several years, till had my wife, children while there. When I decided to leave, I went back home and opened a garden, where I am till today. that’s my story.

Mangochi
marriage
children
mangochi_001-113
EM: Thank you so much, Sir. Is there anyone who wants to add to the reasons for your going to South Africa? My old team can chip if you feel so.

mangochi_001-114
Pearson Kumbemba: Yes, let add my voice. The first thing that led most of us to go to South Africa is none other than extreme poverty. The government had no other incentives or alternatives. This was the main reason.

poverty
mangochi_001-115
EM: Oh ok, go on secondly?

mangochi_001-116
Pearson Kumbemba: The second reason is that we were lured by those returnees. What they were bringing home is what attracted us.

purchases
mangochi_001-117
EM: Alright, like what?

mangochi_001-118
Pearson Kumbemba: Like what my friends previously mentioned. Like bicycles, blankets (Tchale- very thick and heavy blankets, very fashionable in the 70s), radios (chigumbagumba-big radios that play using records, very popular amongst the returnees in 80s). Having said that, personally, I was driven by the desire to get money so that when I come back home, I can marry. Remember, I went to South Africa while I was very young, fresh from school, and had nothing to show off to my wife to be. So, I left for South Africa, worked, kept my money, and when I came back, I married my wife. After marriage, first year I was blessed with a child. I used the same money from WNLA to send him to school. So, most of my children went to school using the same money.

purchases
bicycles
radios
marriage
children
education
mangochi_001-119
EM: Going back to the property especially bicycle, what meaning did it have amongst the young and old men in the 70s?

bicycles
mangochi_001-120
Pearson Kumbemba: Bicycle had special duty at home. It brought development, transporting stuffs plus when the children are ill, we could use it to take them to the hospital. So, bicycle was just for fashion, or show off, but it was the main household transport. Very reliable too.

bicycles
children
mangochi_001-121
EM: Oh! Thanks for sharing. Anyone willing to say something?

mangochi_001-122
Ngumbalo Harry: Yes, I want to add to what others have already said. So basically, poverty was the main issue, and the attractiveness of the men who returned from South Africa. However, what really drove me was this, that when I come back, I get to marry my sweetheart. I wanted to have a beautiful wedding because I would have enough money to achieve this goal. Secondly, when I come back, I will have enough money to build my own beautiful house to live with my new family. A beautiful home for all the equipment that others have already mention above. I didn’t want that such expensive equipment to be kept outside or kept at someone’s home, no, but well kept within my own house. About the bicycle…

poverty
marriage
children
purchases
mangochi_001-123
EM: So, you too bought a bicycle?

bicycles
mangochi_001-124
Ngumbalo Harry: Yes, and a portable radio, good shoes, jean trousers. I did not buy Gumbagumba (big radio). So, I managed to build a house, and married with seven (7) children. Three (3) died and I remained with four (4) children. These four, I sent them all to school. And now I sit down and thank WNLA to have profited me.

bicycles
radio
purchases
children
education
mangochi_001-125
EM: I think I have exhausted this question. We can move to the next question.

mangochi_001-126
JW: Ask about their clothing before and after they came back. Were they able to buy hats, boots…?

clothing
mangochi_001-127
EM: Good one. We understand that before you left for South Africa you were in absolute poverty, and now that you went and came back home what was your clothing fashion or attire? What kind of clothing did you bring with you back home? This question is open to everyone. Any takers?

clothing
mangochi_001-128
Group: We came back very changed as we brought new clothes, trending clothes like shoes called JT (pronounced as Jon Tee-very sharp pointed shoes), more like cowboy boots.

clothing
mangochi_001-129
JW: Why Jon Tee (cowboy shoes?)

clothing
mangochi_001-130
Unclear Respondent: This was the trending shoes. Most young men used to wear that as fashion. So, when we arrived back home, girls knew that we truly came back from abroad, WNLA boys.

clothing
mangochi_001-131
Unclear Respondent: We also used to wear flair pair of trousers, combined with Wilson hat.

clothing
mangochi_001-132
EM: What kind of hat?

clothing
mangochi_001-133
Unclear Respondent: Wilson hat. With ties

clothing
mangochi_001-134
EM: What kind of ties? Short or long and big?

clothing
mangochi_001-135
Unclear Respondent: Short ones. We looked like a gentleman from South Africa

clothing
mangochi_001-136
Group: [laughs]

mangochi_001-137
Unclear Respondent: So, we bought suits.

clothing
mangochi_001-138
JW: Why you bought suits?

clothing
mangochi_001-139
Unclear Respondent: Ambition. This indicated that this is the retired man from South Africa

clothing
mangochi_001-140
EM: Anyone who wants to add on this attire question? You have told us about JT boots, ties, suits.

clothing
mangochi_001-141
Unclear Respondent: We brought many different clothes. Some brought suits, terevira trousers and shirts.

clothing
mangochi_001-142
EM: What are terevira?

clothing
mangochi_001-143
Unclear Respondent: This could be shirt or trousers, that you could iron today and after a week would never lose its shape. Some called crown fashion

clothing
mangochi_001-144
EM: So, was this in fashion in those days? And in black colour?

clothing
mangochi_001-145
Unclear Respondent: Yes, that was a mark of fashionable men from South Africa. Oh, it had to be in black colours

clothing
mangochi_001-146
EM: So, both shirt and trousers had to be black? And of terevira fashion?

clothing
mangochi_001-147
Unclear Respondent, different: Yes. Shirt could be of any colours, but perfect man had to be both black. It was nice, and people admired us unlike these days.

clothing
mangochi_001-148
Unclear Respondent, different: Belly bottom were also in fashion.

clothing
mangochi_001-149
EM: Oh, belly bottom? What was that?

clothing
mangochi_001-150
Unclear Respondent: These are trousers with flair touch down there. Simply called flair trousers. Were very popular among us, returnees.

clothing
mangochi_001-151
JW: Oh, those with open bottoms. Oh yes, my dad had those too, bell bottoms.

clothing
mangochi_001-152
EM: Anyone else? If not, let’s talk about the hats. Were you imitating South Africans or what you watched in the movies?

clothing
mangochi_001-153
Unclear Respondent: No, we saw the local South Africans wearing. So were enticed to buy and showbiz in the streets back home.

clothing
mangochi_001-154
Unclear Respondent: Actually, we would buy them in South Africa, but bring them home. We would dress up only when we arrived in Malawi at Ngumbe before we left for our respective homes. This was to differentiate with the local men who never went to WNLA. The clothing alone would identify us as true men who just arrived from South Africa.

clothing
Ngumbe
mangochi_001-155
JW: So how was the Wilson hat look like?

clothing
mangochi_001-156
EM: Wilson hat looked very close to cowboy’s hat. Round top with a beautiful feather on the ring.

clothing
mangochi_001-157
Unclear Respondent: We also had safari suit. Which also made us look very special, and unique.

clothing
mangochi_001-158
EM: How does it look like? Describe please

clothing
mangochi_001-159
Unclear Respondent: It is a short-sleeved shirt, with buttons from top down. It has four pockets two on each side of the shirt, one up and one down, with cuts on both sides. Both, trousers, and shirt must be of the same colour. And you do not tuck in the shirt.

clothing
mangochi_001-160
JW: So, you would bring with you the safari suit?

clothing
mangochi_001-161
Unclear Respondent: Yes

clothing
mangochi_001-162
EM: So, it was in fashion in South Africa as well?

clothing
mangochi_001-163
Unclear Respondent: Yes.

clothing
mangochi_001-164
JW: So, how did you feel when you came back home and dressing in those attires?

clothing
mangochi_001-165
Group: Oh! We did feel great, something like showbiz, and to some extent we were creating envy in those who were watching us. Some started hating us while others were lured by this and aspired to also go to South Africa.

clothing
purchases
mangochi_001-166
Unclear Respondent: Like me, when I woke up in the morning people knew that this guy is from South Africa due to the clothes I was wearing, plus the skin changed, was soft and good looking unlike my friends who are at home. You did not have to tell them that I am from South Africa. Even without a bicycle, just mere clothes would tell that this person is from South Africa.

clothing
bicycles
mangochi_001-167
EM: So, the showbiz really attracted many young men to start the process of going to work for WNLA as well. Now, for some of you who went to WNLA while married and with kids, and those who went for the second time after getting married with children. What I want to know is the kind of relationship you had with your wife and children while away.

marriage
children
mangochi_001-168
Chitani Sane Amidu: When we arrived at our workplace, we always tried to keep in touch with our families and kids back home. And the little that we get, we tried to send back home to make sure they lack anything. When, a child gets sick, we could send something that will take the child to the hospital. That way, we created good relationship with our family back home. They were not feeling neglected at all.

children
family
mangochi_001-169
EM: How did they feel seeing you back home in that showbiz kind of arrival?

mangochi_001-170
Chitani Sane Amidu: Actually, they felt great. They had great expectations from their dad. Hence, in my case, I used to bring clothes for my wife, my children that they too dressed like their friends in South Africa. When they walk outside the house, people should really feel that their father or husband has arrived from South Africa

family
clothing
marriage
children
mangochi_001-171
EM: Oh, this is great story. Anyone else?

mangochi_001-172
Kaliza Bazilio: Like I used to send money every two months to my wife that she should not lack anything. However, I was disappointed to note that she was also dating another man. She was not satisfied with my support. So, when I came back, I told her that I wouldn’t want to compete for one woman. I had to leave her. If I had stayed with her, I would have died as she attempted to poison me once, thank God I vomited and survived. That I had to let her go. The good news is that I managed to take care of my children.

marriage
poverty
children
divorce
mangochi_001-173
EM: So, this separation didn’t affect your kids?

children
marriage
divorce
mangochi_001-174
Kaliza Bazilio: No, this separation did not affect them at all. Now they are grown up and with their own families too.

children
marriage
family
divorce
mangochi_001-175
EM: So, did you marry again?

marriage
mangochi_001-176
Kaliza Bazilio: Yes, I did marry again and was blessed with 7 children, 4 alive and 3 passed on. All of them have their own families and children. So, I have a full village here.

marriage
children
mangochi_001-177
EM: Anyone else who wants to contribute?

mangochi_001-178
Pearson Kumbemba: In my case, I lost my wife and remained with my kids. So, remarried another woman. I told her to take care of my 2 kids. As I speak, I now have 28 grandchildren. When I get home, am surrounded by my grandchildren and even forgetting their names. So, my wife really took a really good care of my children. Now, I am a happy man, having been in marriage for 48 years.

marriage
children
family
mangochi_001-179
EM: So, this means you were a supporting husband even while away?

marriage
mangochi_001-180
Pearson Kumbemba: Definitely, I was so supportive. Every two months I used to send money to her that she takes care of our children, that way my wife was not worried at all. She could count on me. She knew that all the help is coming because of the kids she is minding.

marriage
children
mangochi_001-181
EM: Very interesting. Now, I see someone else trying to give us his account. Your name again, Sir.

mangochi_001-182
Matumula Mamu: Matumula Mamu. Firstly, when I came first from South Africa, I bought cows, I built a house. My children went to school but only one finished school, up to form 4. The second child didn’t finish school as when I was robbed of the cows, I was left with nothing to assist them with fees. So, the second one left while in form 3. When my wife died, I decided not to marry so that I could take care of the kids. So, I am really in deep poverty. Some came back from their marriages; others lost their husbands.

purchases
education
marriage
children
poverty
family
mangochi_001-183
EM: So, you mean one of your children stole your herd of cows?

mangochi_001-184
Matumula Mamu: No, not my children but robbers. They paralyzed my family development.

children
poverty
mangochi_001-185
Useni Afiki: In my case, I was married but without a child when I left first for South Africa. But when I came back were blessed with four children. And after that, my wife became so abused to me. [You may wish to note that this is the case in the matrimonial marriages/tribes. Women have so many powers over their husbands since men are housed within their wives’ households.] So, I was forced to leave her and marry another woman. But I was very happy to take care of my children. They are now grown-ups. Big boys now. But their mother is still alive and with another man.

marriage
children
divorce
mangochi_001-186
EM: So, can we conclude that these children love you because you did take a good care of them while in South Africa and back home?

children
mangochi_001-187
Useni Afiki: Definitely. I really made feel proud of me knowing that their mom and I are separated and that I was there for them.

marriage
children
divorce
mangochi_001-188
EM: Are you married again?

marriage
mangochi_001-189
Useni Afiki: Oh, sure am married again. So, children from the first and second marriage are happy that am taking a good care of them. They are all happy and am proud of them.

marriage
children
mangochi_001-190
Ngumbalo Harry: The reason for me to go to South Africa was that later I can take care of my children. I achieved that most of them have gone to school. They are happy that I was able to send them to school. They know that their dad is loving, he went abroad for their sake.

children
education
mangochi_001-191
EM: This means that the WNLA trip made progress in your life?

mangochi_001-192
Ngumbalo Harry: Very much so. Imagine all my children have gone to school. Now one is a nurse, teacher, driver, and a manager. They all studied through the WNLA money. All the money I used to keep paid off.

children
education
mangochi_001-193
EM: Oh, good to hear that. So, next, you are the son of the examiner. Talk to us about your experience, as a recipient.

mangochi_001-194
Mmadi Masudi: Mmadi Masudi. Thanks. I am indeed a son of an examiner. I am the deputy secretary of MAM (Miners Association of Malawi).

Miners Association of Malawi
mangochi_001-195
EM: Good one. Now tell us about your experience that you were home while your dad was in South Africa. What was your experience?

mangochi_001-196
Mmadi Masudi: Am going to talk as a child just as I experienced it. We had a very good relationship with our dad. He was very supportive to the family especially us children, sending us money regularly to pay school fees, food and upkeep. When he was coming back home, we were very excited as he brought us toys, chocolate, bicycles, groceries etc. we had high expectations.

family
children
education
purchases
bicycles
mangochi_001-197
EM: How was the communication like with your dad while he was away?

communication
mangochi_001-198
Mmadi Masudi: We used to communicate through his friends especially those who were coming back home. They used to tell us how dad was doing and when we would expect his return. Also, sometimes over the weekends, he would call us or his relatives also in South Africa would call us through the phones.

communication
family
mangochi_001-199
EM: Oh, so you had ground phone?

communication
mangochi_001-200
Mmadi Masudi: Yes, we had ground phone in the house. We used to hear and sometimes he would call to tell us how he was. So, communication was very easy.

communication
mangochi_001-201
EM: Thank you for your experience. Now that you are back home, showbizzing with the stuff that you brought back from WNLA, how did you feel about those boys, girls, your peers who admired the way you looked? Secondly, those peers who never travelled to South Africa, how were they perceived by the people in the villages?

purchases
returning home
mangochi_001-202
Useni Afiki: Say if their kids came to our homes, we were treating them just like our kids. If ours were drinking tea, we could also give them, no segregation.

returning home
mangochi_001-203
EM: Oh ok, but I mean your peers?

returning home
mangochi_001-204
Useni Afiki: They obvious feeling bad, they were admiring us. But we would also assist them with blankets if they didn’t have. If they were at our home with our kids, we would help them same way we did with our kids.

children
returning home
mangochi_001-205
EM: Oh, okay. How about others?

returning home
mangochi_001-206
Tambuli Samson: The story of WNLA was a proud story so to speak especially when you have come back healthier, fit. When we came back and with that pomp, we definitely used to look down upon our peers who never travelled to South Africa. We forgot all the hardships in the mines. That was also a mark of new life. We could start businesses to feed our families. That way most of our peers felt we were much better than them.

returning home
entrepreneurship
family
mangochi_001-207
EM: How about the people in the village, how did they perceive about those peers who did not travel to WNLA?

returning home
mangochi_001-208
Tambuli Samson: Those whom we found back home were viewed as failures and not real men. They could not go abroad as well. Weak men. They were also undermined and not regarded as strong men.

returning home
mangochi_001-209
EM: Any other to contribute?

returning home
mangochi_001-210
Unclear Respondent: Honestly those who did not travel were taken as cowards. They were afraid of the mines, thinking they would die in the mines. But some of us were strong willed and took the risk and had this belief that if we die, the money will benefit our families and parents.

returning home
family
mangochi_001-211
EM: Now that you are back healthier, good looking, fitter etc., how did your parents feel?

returning home
family
mangochi_001-212
Matumula Mamu: They felt very good. They looked at us with great happiness as they thought we would die while in the mines. This was according to the romours that people get accidents, lose body parts etc. while in the mines.

returning home
mangochi_001-213
Ngumbalo Harry: I want to answer your earlier question where you wanted to know how people felt about our coming from WNLA.

returning home
mangochi_001-214
EM: Yes, go ahead.

returning home
mangochi_001-215
Ngumbalo Harry: We saw those of our peers who never went to WNLA as cowards, we looked down upon them. Them too, felt like we are pompous and arrogant. They knew that we are now richer than them. A bit part of it was jealous on their part. We took them as lazy people who didn’t wan to do hard work.

returning home
mangochi_001-216
EM: How about the parents of those who refused their children to travel to South Africa to work in mines, especially that you are now back home alive, without scars of injuries, accidents, with property (gumbagumba, bicycles, and blankets), how did they feel about you?

returning home
purchases
bicycles
mangochi_001-217
Ngumbalo Harry: They felt very low, and full of jealous. Almost telling you don’t pass through this road with your sport 3 speeder bicycle. They felt we are too proud, pompous with our riches unlike their children they refused to go to work in WNLA.

returning home
bicycles
mangochi_001-218
EM: You might have travelled say twenty in your group and that 4 or 5 remained in South Africa after their contracts. Now they married, have children, settled there and happily, but you chose to come back. Why drove you to come back?

returning home
marriage
children
mangochi_001-219
Matumula Mamu: Our coming back was driven by the main objective of the journey…. which was to go to work to raise enough money to start families, businesses, support parents and children fees. Yes, there were other jobs and women there, but the drive was that home was so exciting and calling. This was always the case, homesickness never left us.

returning home
entrepreneurship
family
education
children
mangochi_001-220
EM: Anyone?

mangochi_001-221
Alabi Mitawa: When we left for South Africa, we had an agenda…...poverty. Some we left without shoes, without a trouser, we first wore a pair trouser in Blantyre on our way to South Africa. They dressed us well before leaving. Some short guys wearing long trousers and tall guys wearing short trousers. We never had watches though they gave us some wrist straps, not watches before leaving, these were numbers for everyone for identification. That was your number and name.

returning home
poverty
clothing
mangochi_001-222
EM: You were given right here in Blantyre?

mangochi_001-223
Alabi Mitawa: Yes. Though when we arrived in the mines, they were giving us another number different from this one. So, when I was in South Africa i always remembered that I left a wife and parents. So, each time, I used to send some money to my mother, and my wife. After two months without sending her some money, say K20, that would mean I was no longer interested in her. So, I used to send her at least K400 after months. That was really good money then. This and the vibe that people should see me that Alabi has come back and is cycling a good sporty bicycle, was always driving me to come back home. Even some people used to call us Chapagalu.

remittances
family
marriage
bicycles
chapagalu
mangochi_001-224
EM: What did Chapagalu mean?

chapagalu
mangochi_001-225
Alabi Mitawa: This meant that, you went to South Africa as a dog, who has no eyes to see. But when you will come back as dog that has eyes open. We went as poor and we come back as someone who has eyes open able to dress up, cycle bicycles, own a big radio, well civilized as compared to the time we first left. So, we were called Chapa-galu. (Chapa means-wash; Galu means-dog). Despite being called such names, we were not demoralized. Like me I went three journeys starting from 1964. The boy the one I was sending to school, is the one who is dressing me up now. Look how I look. These are not clothes from South Africa. He went to school and now does business and feeds his family and looks after me. The benefit of WNLA.

chapagalu
education
children
clothing
family
returning home
mangochi_001-226
EM: Anyone?

mangochi_001-227
Pearson Kumbemba: Anyone who went to South Africa then, had an objective to achieve. In my case, I went to WNLA sorely to raise funds for my wedding. It is for that reason that I had to come back to marry my promised sweetheart. There was no point of staying behind as mtchona ( an emigrant who settles away from home). Honestly, those who called us Mchapagalu, were right as we left home for South Africa as not as civilized as we came back. We were cleaned, sharpened by the experience we got in the mines while in South Africa. Most people in this district, Fort Johnstone now Mangochi went to South Africa, and this developed the district. If WNLA and TEBA continued, would have developed the district so much as compared to other districts who had less men going to WNLA or TEBA. That is what I wanted to add to this.

marriage
chapagalu
Teba
Fort Johnstone
Mangochi
mangochi_001-228
EM: Thanks, Mr. Kumbemba. Who else wants to add up?

mangochi_001-229
Beston Makhuva Fred: In my I left so as to uplift poverty in my family. This drive helped me from being busy with women while in South Africa. I know many people were embroidered with sexual activities and seeking safe heaven in South Africa. But I was focusing on what I went there for. I didn’t go there to get rich per se but to earn a good living for myself and my family not to run away from my family.

family
poverty
mangochi_001-230
EM: Is that so? Fine. Now that you were there in the mines, had different names. What names were you calling yourselves?

mangochi_001-231
Group: We were called Malawians

mangochi_001-232
EM: They were not calling you manyasa?

mangochi_001-233
Group: Oh yes those from other countries called us manyasa but we never called ourselves that.

manyasa
mangochi_001-234
EM: How about back home, what names were the villagers, or your peers call you?

mangochi_001-235
Group: They called us different names such as: maguduka or magaisa

maguduka
magaisa
mangochi_001-236
EM: Meaning what?

mangochi_001-237
Group: That is Yao, meaning they are gone (maguduka) and are now back, they are finished their contract (Magaisa).

maguduka
magaisa
mangochi_001-238
EM: What about amongst yourselves? What language or what did you call yourselves?

mangochi_001-239
Group: When we are on our own, we used to speak in Fanakalou so that others who did not travel to South Africa would not understand us. A secret language. So, wife and children of the ex-miners would not have understood anything.

Fanakalou
mangochi_001-240
EM: What songs were you singing while in the mines, on your own in South Africa?

songs
mangochi_001-241
Unclear Respondent: You see, were not working alone as Malawians. We worked with different people from different countries and cultures. We worked with Tswanas, Shanganis, and others. We could not sing our own songs as that would break the unity we had. However, we could sing a common song in fanakalou that everyone in the mine understood.

songs
Fanakalou
Tswana people
Shangaan people
mangochi_001-242
Group: Mostly the Shanganis liked singing unlike us, Malawians. We could only join them whenever they started.

songs
Shangaan people
mangochi_001-243
EM: Like what songs?

songs
mangochi_001-244
Group: They liked Chilala ma poisa, chilala ma poisa.

mangochi_001-245
EM: What did that mean?

mangochi_001-246
Alabi Mitawa: It means in the mines we had men having sex with other men. So, when we see a police officer giving a gift to a man, we knew they were homosexuals (mathanyula). These are police within the mines. They had so many powers and could easily force to sleep with you. So, each time we saw that happening we sang such song.

homosexuality
songs
mangochi_001-247
Unclear Respondent: Also on Sundays, we had social events where each country showcased their traditional dances. As from Malawi, we had Chongolo by Achewa from Lilongwe. Together with other countries’ cultural dances, we had a lovely afternoon in the halls, or mine stadiums. We had fun. We did not have to go outside to seek entertainment. This was only men’s entertainment.

dances
chongolo
mangochi_001-248
EM: So, you meant chongolo was a Malawian dance?

dances
chongolo
mangochi_001-249
Ngumbalo Harry: Not really. Chongolo was a mine school test, where we were tested blood strength. It was too hot in the mines, ranging from 30 to 40 degrees Celsius high. So not all men could get inside that. Hence, we had to be tested chongolo, blood test, to measure if you can to what levels in the mine. Like, me, I passed all levels hence I could work at any levels in the mines. Others could only go as far as second level due to their blood test.

medicine
health
chongolo
mangochi_001-250
Alabi Mitawa: True, we were tested on the scale from morning to 12pm. Others could fall on the scale. It wasn’t an easy process. That process was called chongolo. Even the white men were also tested so measure how far they can go. Checking their energy levels.

medicine
health
mangochi_001-251
EM: Was this taking place in the Malawi? Or right in the mines?

medicine
health
mangochi_001-252
Group: Was in the mines, just before we got in. we had to go through this test.

medicine
health
mangochi_001-253
EM: So, what happened if you failed?

medicine
health
mangochi_001-254
Alabi Mitawa: Actually, they had to give you energy injection. A very painful injection, they were injecting on your chest near the heart. After three days, you were gaining a lot of energy. We were receiving this injection 3times in 24 months, twice in 18 months.

medicine
health
mangochi_001-255
EM: What was the name of this injection?

medicine
health
mangochi_001-256
Group: Ohm, no idea as we got it from the doctors.

medicine
health
mangochi_001-257
EM: So, you had to go to the hospital, or you received it right within the mines?

medicine
health
mangochi_001-258
Group: Yes, we got it from the doctors within the mines

medicine
health
mangochi_001-259
EM: Tell me, were the dances done individually or communally? Say all countries came together to showcase their cultural dances?

dances
mangochi_001-260
Chitani Sane Amidu: All miners on Sunday came together and celebrated these cultural dances together. Shanganis, Sothos, Angolans, Malawians and even South Africans, we all came together in the hall or stadium and show case our cultural dances.

Shangaan people
Sotho people
Angolan people
dances
mangochi_001-261
EM: What time were these social events taking place?

mangochi_001-262
Pearson Kumbemba: All day. Started in the morning till evening. Some ingoma, nyau, were also being showcased by Malawians. We got the materials right there

dances
mangochi_001-263
EM: How did that affect you?

mangochi_001-264
Group: We were excited. We were reminded of our individual homes and cultures. Helping us not to forgo our cultures

dances
mangochi_001-265
EM: Oh, that was good. Did you have sports like football?

football
mangochi_001-266
Group: Yes, especially after the traditional dances, we had soccer matches. Country versus country.

football
mangochi_001-267
EM: Wow! Was Malawi winning?

football
mangochi_001-268
Group: Yes, we used to win and at times we could lose. We also used to play mine against mine during those social weekends. And we only had men as spectators without women supporters.

football
mangochi_001-269
EM: So, did you have something in common with other miners from other countries?

mangochi_001-270
Pearson Kumbemba: Yes, especially the Shanganis, we had similar things even culturally. A bit different from other countries like Angola, Lesotho, etc.

Shangaan people
Angolan people
Sotho people
mangochi_001-271
Group: Some other things were a bit similar for instance the dances and language of Malawians from Dedza and South Africans (Zulus, Xosas).

dances
language
mangochi_001-272
EM: Now I am interested to know especially the dangers you may have encountered while prior to leaving for South Africa at Mapanga. You were being weighed on scale, tested, and even injected with different vaccines. Firstly, were you weighed while naked or with clothes? And who was carrying such tests?

dangers
health
medicine
mangochi_001-273
Group: Were weighed while naked in front of a white doctor from Thyolo hospital. [Thyolo is district next to Blantyre. This doctor would be coming from the tea and coffee estates clinics. He must have been well versed with these tests while working with the estate labourers, who may have gone through similar tests]

Thyolo
medicine
mangochi_001-274
EM: How did you feel being weighed and tested while naked?

medicine
mangochi_001-275
Ngumbalo Harry: Testing us while naked was not right to be honest. It was sad and regrettable, unfortunately we had less power as we wanted to fight our own poverty.

medicine
mangochi_001-276
EM: Did they request for your consent? Or inform you of the procedure?

medicine
mangochi_001-277
Ngumbalo Harry: No ways. We were only asked to take off our clothes and go straight to the scale. They were even touching us, our private parts, without respect.

medicine
mangochi_001-278
EM: Was this done at Mapanga?

medicine
Mapanga
mangochi_001-279
Ngumbalo Harry: Yes, this was at Mapanga. They were not even classifying us men from young men. All were naked before each other. Some had their uncles and grandparents there but were not spared of this. We exposed ourselves to this simply because, we want to alleviate our poverty. No choice.

medicine
Mapanga
mangochi_001-280
EM: And, you did not have chance to complain these acts?

medicine
mangochi_001-281
Group: No. We were swallowing our pride and respect so that we get access to the contract with WNLA

medicine
mangochi_001-282
Beston Makhuva Fred: TEBA was different. We were even tested by a woman. While naked the lady would shake our manhood. This was very inhumane. We are human beings and not less human despite our poverty. This was done at Mzilikazi center in South Africa.

Teba
medicine
Mzilikazi
mangochi_001-283
EM: Oh, with TEBA, this exercise was don’t right in South Africa not at Mapanga as was with WNLA?

Teba
Mapanga
mangochi_001-284
Beston Makhuva Fred: Yes. That was it. It was a woman who was doing it. And she was very pompous and enjoying touching us without respect.

medicine
mangochi_001-285
EM: How did you take that?

medicine
mangochi_001-286
Beston Makhuva Fred: I had no choice. I was already in South Africa, on site, I could not go back home simply because I didn’t want to be touched by a woman. Plus, I have an agenda I wanted to achieve, ending my poverty.

medicine
mangochi_001-287
EM: That was bad. Now, what was the main reason for most parents refusing to let their children to go to WNLA?

family
mangochi_001-288
Group: Mostly parents were afraid of death, accidents. They heard many rumours about the dangers in the mines.

family
mangochi_001-289
EM: Now that you were there, experienced it, what would tell those parents?

family
mangochi_001-290
Beston Makhuva Fred: It was not easy. You imagine travelling on a line after being tied up to several wires. You are facing death right there, though were well protected. We could see sharp stones facing us and we had to pass through them to the very deep down.

dangers
mangochi_001-291
Useni Afiki: It was very hard work. Walking a long distance underground. But we were well equipped. Though those clothing attire if it gets worn out you must buy it yourself. But torches and others we were given by the office. We had boots. These boots get worn out fast due to the heat inside the mines.

dangers
purchases
mangochi_001-292
EM: How did all that affect your health?

health
mangochi_001-293
Group: We had no choice, what we wanted was to get money, to support our families. However, when we got sick, they sent us back home, especially TB.

health
tuberculosis
remittances
mangochi_001-294
EM: How come when you contracted the disease in the mine, should you go back home?

health
mangochi_001-295
Group: Yes, they wanted a healthy working force. You know in the mine, there is too much dust. So, TB was always the common disease. This was why each morning before any work in the mine, they started watering all angles to control the dust. So, TB and Psychosis (SP) was always the issue. Also, in the mine there was no water. You could not drink water.

health
tuberculosis
mental health
mangochi_001-296
Others disputed the point that in the mine you could not drink water, that in other mines, water was provided to the miners within the mines.

health
mangochi_001-297
EM: Was the elevator moving down with speed or normal speed?

dangers
mangochi_001-298
Group: Oh, it went down at high speed. More than a car

dangers
mangochi_001-299
EM: Was that scary?

dangers
mangochi_001-300
Group: 6666m down at a high speed, very fast in 5 minutes. It was scary, though we got used to it, with no noise at all.

dangers
mangochi_001-301
EM: Were you able to talk to each other while in the cape?

mangochi_001-302
Pearson Kumbemba: No, we did not talk to each other. We just travel at high speed.

dangers
mangochi_001-303
EM: How did you feel when getting down?

mangochi_001-304
Pearson Kumbemba: Some vomited when they arrived down. Even some private parts had to go in when going down. You only realized them back when you landed.

dangers
mangochi_001-305
EM: Were you prepared about all these risks before you got into the mine?

dangers
mangochi_001-306
Group: We were not informed of such risks at all. Even then, we would still go inside to serve our objectives. Remember we had no options

dangers
mangochi_001-307
EM: How about the ex-miners, who happened to be friends, would they share with you some of the dangers of working in the mines?

dangers
mangochi_001-308
Group: No, they would never tell us. Even us did not want to tell anyone aspiring to go to WNLA about the dangers we faced in the mines. We kept it a secret.

dangers
mangochi_001-309
EM: Why would you keep it a secret from young men who are eager to go to WNLA?

dangers
mangochi_001-310
Pearson Kumbemba: It was because we did not want them to be afraid and give up from going to WNLA.

dangers
mangochi_001-311
EM: Was this an advice from the mine leaders or WNLA?

dangers
mangochi_001-312
Group: We just developed this attitude. Nothing really. We wanted the new men to face the challenges themselves. Go and see for themselves. Also, that if they tell them, some will mock these ex-miners of the hardship.

dangers
mangochi_001-313
EM: Was that okay looking back at that attitude?

dangers
mangochi_001-314
Group: No, it was not okay really. We regret. However, that was the trend by many of the ex-miners.

dangers
mangochi_001-315
[break and unclear conversation]

mangochi_001-316
EM: Can you come again?

mangochi_001-317
Unclear Respondent: In the mine in which I was working, if you don’t report for work one day for no apparent good reason, they would arrest you for 14 days and be help in the mine prison.

absenteeism
mangochi_001-318
EM: Oh, is that so?

mangochi_001-319
Unclear Respondent: This was mostly with Malawians as we were very loyal unlike our colleagues from South Africa who were vocal and could fail to report to work any day they want without any punishment. We were very passionate about our work and passive. During holiday days, we could just remain within the mine. And if we were sick, we could go access treatment but not failing to report to work.

absenteeism
mangochi_001-320
EM: Why would they arrest loyal and hardworking Malawians and take no action against lazy South Africans and other nations? I don’t understand the rationale.

absenteeism
mangochi_001-321
Unclear Respondent: The issue is, we Malawians vowed to come to work hard and not to be lazy. So, we made an agreement with our government that we will not embarrass our country. So, not report to work for no good reason, was punished by 14 days imprisonment.

absenteeism
mangochi_001-322
Unclear Respondent, different: In my case in Impala, RPM, and Burgersfort, they did not arrest us for absenteeism. They instead cut our daily pay. They did not send us to prison. And in other cases, they would cut the salary only if you failed to report to work three times consecutively.

Impala Platinum
RPM Mine
Burgersfort
absenteeism
mangochi_001-323
EM: Let us talk about religion. We have our religious affiliations. Tell me how did your religion prepare you for this journey to work in the mine? Did it have any contribution?

religion
mangochi_001-324
Group: Ohm, for us Muslims it did not help us in any way. We did not have to get any permission from it. So, it played no part.

religion
mangochi_001-325
EM: Oh, okay. What about Christians?

religion
mangochi_001-326
Unclear Respondent: I am a CCAP (Church of Central African Presbyterian). It had no impact either. We did not have to tell anyone

religion
mangochi_001-327
EM: While in the mines, how did your faith help you to persevere the hard labour you encountered?

religion
mangochi_001-328
Pearson Kumbemba: Our different faiths really made us strong and persevere all the hardship we encountered daily in the mines. We knew soon we shall be out of this and be ready to live a better life out there. It was a sacrifice to some extent.

religion
mangochi_001-329
Ngumbalo Harry: Very true. Like some of us Muslims, we had to eat anything that was given to us. Whether it was pork, forbidden fish and other foods we had to eat just to be able to work in the mines. We had to forgo many of the things.

religion
mangochi_001-330
EM: Going back to the first set of questions I asked those I talked to last time. Was there vetting done by the chiefs before recommending you to the Traditional Authority?

vetting
mangochi_001-331
Unclear Respondent: Yes. They would want to find our if you are of good reputation in the village. If you paid your taxes, political cards, no criminal records etc. then, the chief would recommend you to the TA.

vetting
mangochi_001-332
Unclear Respondent: There were some taxes as well that we paid without us knowing. But the government Malawi and of South Africa knew everything about it including their agreements. these taxes were cut while in South Africa already.

taxes
mangochi_001-333
EM: So, you mean while in South Africa, there were some hidden taxes that you were not aware of?

taxes
mangochi_001-334
Unclear Respondent: Yes. Some of these taxes included, death, funeral, graveyard, coffin taxes. They used to cut us even when you were not aware of. We only realized of these taxes when we came back home.

taxes
mangochi_001-335
EM: Were you paid back those taxes when you came back home alive?

taxes
mangochi_001-336
Group: Oh, no. we were only receiving the documents with such taxes attached in. They were not paying us back. We don’t know where this money is.

taxes
mangochi_001-337
EM: That’s unfair, big injustice. What about if you died in South Africa what happened?

taxes
mangochi_001-338
Group: They would bury you there. Everything they would do it themselves without anyone. However, they would send the money to the next of kin suggested by you before your death.

taxes
mangochi_001-339
EM: Was this done with your consent where you had to sign?

taxes
mangochi_001-340
Group: Not at all. We only realized this when we came back and when you had no powers to demand repayment of all the moneys accrued. But government of Malawi knew of these taxes and cuts. Furthermore, when you die, they were not according you with your religious death or burial rituals. They were only burying you just like any other person.

taxes
religion
mangochi_001-341
EM: Let us talk about the bonuses. I want to understand them. You told me that when your contract came to an end, they gave you a bonus book with an agreement that within six month you must report back to WNLA for you to avail for your bonuses. Failing which, you may not receive the total sum value of your bonuses. Is that correct?

bonuses
mangochi_001-342
Group: Yes, that was the agreement.

bonuses
mangochi_001-343
EM: Now, may those who have travelled more than once respond to this question. Were you given the money inscribed in your bonus books upon reporting back within the six months?

bonuses
mangochi_001-344
Ngumbalo Harry: In my case, when I reported back, I was not given money, rather I was indebted to start at the position I was working on in the previous contract. That was the bonus for me. If you were a timber boy, you resume work as a timber boy. In the mine, I was work on, it was not money per se for reporting early. However, if you reported after 6 months, you were to restart with mine school process rather than going straight to the work you had in the previous contract. 132:30 Also, bonus meant that when you come will have the same salary/wage amount. But if you take more than 6 months, you will be changed the work category plus different wage. That’s what bonus was meant for.

bonuses
mangochi_001-345
Alabi Mitawa: As for me, at the end of my contract, they gave me the bonus book with an explanation that when I come back within the prescribed months (6), they would pay all the bonus benefits. Unfortunately, I did not make it back due to the WNLA closure in 1975. So, in my opinion, my money is still in South Africa.

bonuses
mangochi_001-346
Pearson Kumbemba: Same with me, however, they had told me when I come back within 12months not six as others.

bonuses
mangochi_001-347
EM: So, the bonus was how much money?

bonuses
mangochi_001-348
Pearson Kumbemba: It was the salary for 12 months after a contract of 24months

bonuses
mangochi_001-349
Took pics/scanned copies of bonuses, etc. Permission granted for website publishing

mangochi_001-350
EM: There is this wind going around that South African government is paying out some cash, like compensation to ex-miners. Would this be the bonuses we are talking about here? Please explain.

bonuses
mangochi_001-351
Mmadi Masudi: To some extent it is related to those bonuses being mentioned here. Remember these ex-miners were cut different taxes and contribution to their welfare such as death, coffins, burial places etc. but those who never accessed such funds have lost such funds. It is believed that some ex-miners with the help of other organization took the South African government to court over such unpaid bonuses and taxes by mining companies. The case was won, and South African government is forced to compensate those ex-miners in different countries including Malawi.

bonuses
taxes
mangochi_001-352
EM: these were head tax paid by ex-miners without their knowledge. They only realized this when they came back home that they paid death, burial site, coffin taxes. So, since they were not paid back as they arrived alive in Malawi, such taxes are being claimed today by these ex-miners.

taxes
mangochi_001-353
JW: Finally, how do you feel now to be called magaisa?

magaisa
mangochi_001-354
Pearson Kumbemba: We feel proud to be a magaisa. We feel good about it.

magaisa

Mamu_001

mamu_001-1
Elias P.K. Mandala (EM): Here am chatting with Mr. Matumula Mamu. He was born in 1950. He travelled first in 1971 to 1973 under WNLA. Thereafter he travelled under TEBA till in 1988. Wow, basically he has been there since 1971 to 1988. So, tell me, what it was like after 2 years of your contract. Were you renewing while in South Africa?

mamu_001-2
Matumula Mamu (MM): No, we used to renew when we came back by doing the same things we used to do, all the processes. They gave us a month to renew our contract back home.

mamu_001-3
EM: Is that so? Was that with WNLA and Theba?

mamu_001-4
MM: Both WNA and Teba had similar processes. They gave us one month of a rest before we went back to the mines.

mamu_001-5
EM: ok let me take the pictures of the document you have so far.So, in 1971, what drove you to South Africa?

mamu_001-6
MM: The journey was driven by huge levels of poverty within my family.

mamu_001-7
EM: Can you explain or expound more?

mamu_001-8
MM: Well, you see, I was not educated and then I was growing up. I needed to go to South Africa to make sure I can make some money to take care my family.

mamu_001-9
EM: Oh okay. So, what was the general process for you to obtain the contract and thereafter you travel to South Africa?

mamu_001-10
MM: First we were going to register interest to go to WNLA at Labour Office. There they used to send to our Traditional Authority, Mpondasi. The T/A was to sign and stamp our forms. Thereafter, we were going back to the Labour Office. At labour office, they used to measure our height, weight. Then, they were sending us to Ngumbe, in Blantyre.

mamu_001-11
EM: Ngumbi in Blantyre?

mamu_001-12
MM: Yes, in Blantyre along Lunzu Road.

mamu_001-13
EM: Did they have a big house?

mamu_001-14
MM: Yes, they used to keep us there

mamu_001-15
EM: So, were they feeding you well there?

mamu_001-16
MM: Yes, they fed us well. They served meals and teas timely. They looked after us well.

mamu_001-17
EM: So how long were they keep you there? Before your eventual departure to South Africa?

mamu_001-18
MM: At least one week. They wanted to have us taken vaccines, and other health precautions.

mamu_001-19
EM: What were these vaccines about? Like of polio?

mamu_001-20
MM: I am not sure, they knew themselves

mamu_001-21
EM: So, after one week at Ngumbe, and all vaccines done, where were you going next?

mamu_001-22
MM: We were heading to Mzilikazi.

mamu_001-23
EM: Oh, Mzilikazi in South Africa?

mamu_001-24
MM: Yes.

mamu_001-25
EM: what was the mode of transport?

mamu_001-26
MM: We were flying. By airplane straight to Botswana

mamu_001-27
EM: So, you were flying?

mamu_001-28
MM: Yes. Under WNLA we flew to Botswana and there we connected with train to Johannesburg. While under Teba, we flew direct to South Africa.

mamu_001-29
EM: Wow! That was good. So, you left Malawi, to Botswana, then to Mzilikazi in South Africa, how were they welcoming you? What happened later?

mamu_001-30
MM: They gave us first class welcome. They gave us food, accommodation and thereafter, seeing the doctor for health examinations. Then, they would allocate you the mine to work

mamu_001-31
EM: Oh, so while leaving Malawi, you did not know what mine you are going to be working on?

mamu_001-32
MM: No, we didn’t know. But while at Mzilikazi, you were allocated one

mamu_001-33
EM: Now that you arrived at the allocated mine, were they putting you into a house or dormitory?

mamu_001-34
MM: Into a house

mamu_001-35
EM: Were you staying alone?

mamu_001-36
MM: No, with others, like secondary school birds, one down and another up.

mamu_001-37
EM: Oh, just like in a hostel?

mamu_001-38
MM: Yes, yes.

mamu_001-39
EM: What about food? Were you cooking for yourselves?

mamu_001-40
MM: Actually, they cooked for us. The food was very good, in good amounts. Even if you felt not enough you could go and receive extra food.

mamu_001-41
EM: Oh, really? That’s good.

mamu_001-42
MM: They really took a good care of us. We had no problem with them at all

mamu_001-43
EM: That’s good to know. So, you are now at the designated mine, what was the first thing that you were introduced to?

mamu_001-44
MM: We were first introduced to the doctor to check whether we are sick or not. In case the doctors back home (Malawi) lied about my health. So, it was like three doctors in the process. At Ngumbe back in Blantyre, at Mzilikazi and at the mine itself.

mamu_001-45
EM: So, doctor’s tests what next?

mamu_001-46
MM: They would send us to the school mine. There we were introduced to the mine language, called, Fanakalo.

mamu_001-47
EM: Oh okay. So, they were very organized. Very procedural.

mamu_001-48
MM: Yes. This language helped us communicate to each other in the mines

mamu_001-49
EM: So, how long would that course take?

mamu_001-50
MM: It took a week

mamu_001-51
EM: So, in a week, you would really know the language?

mamu_001-52
MM: Not really. The issue is, after a week they assumed we have the basic language principle and the rest we would learn while in the mines. That was good and helpful.

mamu_001-53
EM: So, you are back in the mine. Ready for the work. What was the next step?

mamu_001-54
MM: Shosholoza.

mamu_001-55
EM: What was that?

mamu_001-56
MM: That was the fitness. You were noticed and placed on a number depending on your physique

mamu_001-57
EM: Oh, physical exercise?

mamu_001-58
MM: Yes. The doctors would give your energy booster tablets, panados, etc. This process helped them locate on work platform. If you are too strong you could be assigned deep inside the mines, and the weak ones would not be allowed work inside rather they were given easy work outside the mines

mamu_001-59
EM: So, the exercise was safe the weak from the strong and putting them in their respect positions in the mines?

mamu_001-60
MM: Yes. This is the last exercise. Thereafter, you are now starting your work in the mine. Loafing time is ever.

mamu_001-61
EM: Taking you back, before you decided to come to South Africa, did you have a relation in the mines anywhere in South Africa?

mamu_001-62
MM: No, I knew no one. I just decided to come over and make money for my family too.

mamu_001-63
EM: Is that so?

mamu_001-64
MM: Yes Sir. All Malawians were posted to different mines at Mzilikazi.

mamu_001-65
EM: When you decided to leave for South Africa to work in mines, how did your family take it? Did they accept it?

mamu_001-66
MM: Yes, they did welcome the idea and had no issue. They knew if I leave, I was going to change my life

mamu_001-67
EM: So, was there a time you wanted to get these paper works at labor office where you had to bribe the officers?

mamu_001-68
MM: No ways, there was no need. Unlike today, then there was no corruption. Officers would report you to the authority

mamu_001-69
EM: Wow! There was clean business all round. So, after the Shosholoza (exercise) where were you placed, inside or outside?

mamu_001-70
MM: I was placed deep inside. We took lifts and inside we also took a train to arrive at the position I was placed. It was dark and we used headlamps

mamu_001-71
EM: Wow! Really deep. Did you enjoy your work?

mamu_001-72
MM: I had too as I did not have any choice.

mamu_001-73
EM: So, while deep down the mines, what was your experience?

mamu_001-74
MM: It was fine, always on a helmet and head lamp for me to see. We also carried food warmers for food when I felt like hungry. It was indeed good food.

mamu_001-75
EM: Tell me when you arrived at your mine. Did you meet someone from Malawi that you knew?

mamu_001-76
MM: Oh yes, I met a few people that I knew from my area.

mamu_001-77
EM: Were there some relatives?

mamu_001-78
MM: Yes, I did meet some relations.

mamu_001-79
EM: Oh, great stuff. And while in the mines what language were you using?

mamu_001-80
MM: We used Fanakalo, the one we learnt at the mine school when we arrived.

mamu_001-81
EM: Oh yes! Fanakalo.

mamu_001-82
MM: Yes, all people from Angola, Congo, Malawi, Mozambique we communicated through fanakalo.

mamu_001-83
EM: What was your relationship with workers of other nations, mentioned above?

mamu_001-84
MM: We had great relationship. The managers used to bring us together in the hall, to explain to us that we need to be united, we are one people with one goal. Hence, they encouraged us to be united and work together.

mamu_001-85
EM: Wow! That was nice. While working in the mine, was there a time you felt like giving up on your contract and think of walking outside and seek new job opportunities due to bad working conditions, hard work in the mines, sickness and or low income?

mamu_001-86
MM: When you got sick, they called for an ambulance for you to get medical attention at the hospital.

mamu_001-87
EM: Did you ever get sick while there? What was the disease?

mamu_001-88
MM: Oh, yes. I did. But wasn’t that serious just body aches. I received treatment and recovered without much ado.

mamu_001-89
EM: Oh ok.

mamu_001-90
MM: But when I came for good, when they closed TEBA, I did get sick of TB. But I recovered it.

mamu_001-91
EM: So, while working in the mines, were you ever get visitors from Malawi Government?

mamu_001-92
MM: Yes, we received some government officials, who came to check on us and encouraged us to work well and maintain discipline. But I personally never met them as I did not go to meet them

mamu_001-93
EM: So, you never thought of running away from your contract?

mamu_001-94
MM: Not at all. You see, some weekends, a fortnight, they would give us off on Saturdays. And the other weekend, I would work but at night. On some off days, I would walk out and work in the nearest gardens and farms of the white farmers.

mamu_001-95
EM: Oh yeah! To add up some income?

mamu_001-96
MM: Yes.

mamu_001-97
EM: You went to South Africa before you married right?

mamu_001-98
MM: Yes. I only married when I came back from the first trip.

mamu_001-99
EM: So, while in the mines or on your part time moment, did you manage to have a girlfriend there?

mamu_001-100
MM: No ways. We were really looked after. They checked on us and you would not dare have a girlfriend. Also, they warned us that if we get sexual diseases, we will be responsible for ourselves not the company. The company is sorely responsible if we get diseases while in the mine. So, we were very careful and minding our work.

mamu_001-101
EM: But while in the mines weren’t you drinking beers and other beverages?

mamu_001-102
MM: Of course, we had a hall and bar. So, beers were served in the hall for those who could drink were able to do so. And we could have dances. Women dancers could come in the hall to entertain us. But no casual women could walk in the mines, no ways. Only dancing women

mamu_001-103
EM: So, in the mine only women, no women?

mamu_001-104
MM: No woman worker in the mines. It was men’s show only.

mamu_001-105
EM: Wow! And what are iziboda?

mamu_001-106
MM: Oh, these are designated house or hostel leaders. His bed would be near the door. If something goes wrong in the house, we will report to him. He would solve the issue. He would bring peace amongst us. But if the dispute gets heated, he then reports it to the site manager (white).

mamu_001-107
EM: Oh, I see, so Iziboda reports to the site manager?

mamu_001-108
MM: Yes. The manager would bring peace to the dispute. The police would also check our hostels constantly looking for knives and other metals that can be used during conflicts. If we buy stuffs like knives, we used to keep them elsewhere the police won’t be able to see them

mamu_001-109
EM: How about issues of homosexuality? Like men sleeping with other men, since you were only men in the mines.

mamu_001-110
MM: Ohm I never heard of that. Maybe it was happening in the other hostels of other nations. But in Malawian hostels there was nothing of such nature. We were all as one family, chatting and sharing things.

mamu_001-111
EM: If things did not, please you in the mine, were you able to make strikes?

mamu_001-112
MM: Ohm not from Malawians. It was popular with South Africans; they could strike not us (Malawians).

mamu_001-113
EM: What were the main issues for the strikes?

mamu_001-114
MM: Mostly were about salary increases. They felt they were being paid peanuts. After the increment, the issue is resolved

mamu_001-115
EM: But was the wage increment affecting everyone in the mine or just those who prostrated? (South Africans)

mamu_001-116
MM: Oh! When it comes to the increment of the wages, it was affected on everyone in the mine.

mamu_001-117
EM: Were you able to listen to the radios, TVs etc.?

mamu_001-118
MM: Yes, as the hall had radios which was reaching out to other audiences. They were not only for Malawians. It was a public radio. These radios were also used to broadcast timetables as well.

mamu_001-119
EM: So, you could as well listen to the news? Locals?

mamu_001-120
MM: True, we could listen to news but mostly local not about Malawi

mamu_001-121
EM: What about movies?

mamu_001-122
MM: Only radios no movies

mamu_001-123
EM: Were you at any time worried about being fired etc?

mamu_001-124
MM: Not really. We were well protected. And if we find that we are being abused by the white managers, we were given offices where we could report the abuse within the mine.

mamu_001-125
EM: So, what happens when you reported them?

mamu_001-126
MM: The abusers were called to explain why they are abusing workers. This is a human right body. Most often this manager would be shifted to another site

mamu_001-127
EM: Were there a time when some workers were suffering TB and other airborne diseases?

mamu_001-128
MM: Oh yes, many suffered from TB due to the dust in the mines.

mamu_001-129
EM: How about you?

mamu_001-130
MM: Yes, I did though when I came back home but not within the mines

mamu_001-131
EM: What was the company doing to the TB patient?

mamu_001-132
MM: They were taken care of by the company. Instead, after being healed, these workers were no longer accepted inside the mine, but were given other duties outside the mine.

mamu_001-133
EM: Tell me if you don’t mind the amount of money, your salary per day or monthly?

mamu_001-134
[He was not sure, he showed me his documents that I should the details. Unfortunately, I didn’t not find that clearly.]

mamu_001-135
EM: Were you able to go to churches, mosques to worship God?

mamu_001-136
MM: Oh, yes, we had the freedom to do that. I used to go to the mosque on Fridays; those of Saturdays, and Sundays would also do the same. I was the driver and first aider. Like in the mine, when someone got injured, I was called upon to offer first aid services.

mamu_001-137
EM: Wow! So, were you getting an increment for doing such services?

mamu_001-138
MM: Oh yes, I was receiving something extra.

mamu_001-139
[He insisted that I see the documents that showed his role as first aider]

mamu_001-140
EM: Thanks for the documents. Now tell me, did you get all your bonuses? I see a lot of books about your bonuses

mamu_001-141
MM: A small chunk of it was given while there, and some here when we arrived back from South Africa.

mamu_001-142
EM: Oh, so all the moneys you received while in South Africa and others here. That’s nice to hear. I see your books here. Oh, let me see this letter. From whom?

mamu_001-143
MM: [laughs] From my wife.

mamu_001-144
[NB: This letter is attached to his folder. She wrote to him telling him she will remain hopeful that when he comes back home, they will marry and form a family. Somewhere around 1971 during his first trip (contract).and when he returned in 1972, they got married, and still together, 2022.]

mamu_001-145
EM: So, explain again how the money issue was shared by WNLA to you while in South Africa and Malawi?

mamu_001-146
MM: Ok, in South Africa they cut half of the whole sum of my monthly wage. The other some was deposited straight into my savings account back in Malawi. That money I used to get it when I came back in Malawi at Ngumbe before going back to my home.

mamu_001-147
[He showed me a savings bank account by Malawi Postal Office. I also took a picture and dropped in his folder as well. You can access this document in there]

mamu_001-148
EM: Tell me what how did you spend your money that you received when you got back home?

mamu_001-149
MM: I first built a house and bought cows. But they stole the cows.

mamu_001-150
EM: Uh really? That’s bad

mamu_001-151
MM: Yes.

mamu_001-152
EM: So, when did you get married? And how many children?

mamu_001-153
MM: I got married when I came back in 1973. And I had 9 children but am left with 4 now.

mamu_001-154
EM: When you came back home how were you received by family?

mamu_001-155
MM: All of them received me very well. They were looking forward to seeing me

mamu_001-156
EM: The period you were working in South Africa, it was the era of the White Regime. And apartheid was high, did it affect you?

mamu_001-157
MM: Not at all. We knew that white is ruling and heard of the backlash, but never affected me.

mamu_001-158
EM: How about inside the mine? Were there pockets or elements of apartheid, xenophobia amongst the white managers and black Africans labourers?

mamu_001-159
MM: Oh, no ways. They were very good to us foreigners. So, I would be doing justice or being honest to say I experienced apartheid. Even when we went outside the mine, we had tags and numbers. When we met police, they knew we were mine workers and have nothing to do with what was happening in their communities

mamu_001-160
EM: Am now done with my questions. But before I end, let me summarize. You left first under WNLA in 1971 up to 1973, then you went again in 1974 to 1975?

mamu_001-161
MM: Exactly, however, when the plane crashed, I was still in South Africa, working in the mine. The news reached us that a plane from Malawi with mine workers crashed.

mamu_001-162
EM: So, this flight had Malawian workers to come to work in the mines like you?

mamu_001-163
MM: Yes.

mamu_001-164
EM: On the current mentioned and hyped compensation, are also considered? Registered? Or you already got your bonuses?

mamu_001-165
MM: No, I never received anything.

mamu_001-166
EM: So, it means you are on the list for this consideration?

mamu_001-167
MM: Yes. I am struggling. I am struggling with the kids

mamu_001-168
EM: How old are they?

mamu_001-169
MM: They are adult and grandchildren. Some of them are robbing my property selling to others. Too bad

mamu_001-170
EM: Am so happy to have met and talked with you. I would hope to meet you again come 22nd June. We will meet this time in a group. I will be coming with a colleague.

mamu_001-171
MM: Wow! That will be great. I will make myself present. I look forward to that meeting, Sir.

Mwale_001

mwale_001-1
Soloman Mwale was born in 1929, in Lilongwe, Central Malawi. The Mwale family had a history of migration, with Soloman’s father, Soloman, working on the South African railways during the 1930s. Despite the fact that Soloman senior had earned wages abroad, the Mwale children did not go to school, their father becoming a subsistence farmer on his return to Malawi.

mwale_001-2
Natane Soloman Mwale first left Malawi in 1948, initially travelling via bus through Fort Jameson to Zimbabwe. He worked in Newlands, East Harare, for two years as a gardener, but did not stay long in the Colony. During this period Soloman maintained contact with his family in Lilongwe and in 1949 crossed back into Malawi, to marry a woman called Mai - travelling on a Ulere bus. After two years, he left his gardening job in Zimbabwe in June 1951, returning to Malawi. Whilst Soloman had earned £1 a month in Zimbabwe, wages were three times that in South Africa. He felt as though he needed to earn this money, “because my family was very poor.”

mwale_001-3
Soloman left Malawi for the second time in November later that year – travelling first by bus to Harare and then by train on to Bulawayo. Given the pass laws of the time, and the concerted effort of the Rhodesian government to halt the exodus of labour to South Africa, Soloman walked from Bulawayo with two other Malawians, who he knew from Lilongwe, to Thabazimbi paying 5 shillings for a temporary permit at the South African border.

mwale_001-4
Arriving in Johannesburg, Solomon first worked in Bedfordview as a domestic servant and cook for a Mrs Snydon. During this period finding a job was relatively easy, as there was little competition and Malawian workers were in high demand. He later found a job as a gardener in Edenvale, working for the Bertram family. He continued with this job until he retired in 2000. Gardening was “nice work”, paying enough to support families in both South Africa and Malawi, and to afford a house in Tembisa in 1978. Soloman also bought numerous suits – some from a fellow Malawian, Samuel Phiri – or “Phiri” to Soloman.

mwale_001-5
Though enjoying a successful life in South Africa, Soloman did maintain his links with Malawi, visiting at regular intervals and sending goods back home. He would typically send clothes, but also from the 1960s the odd bicycle, which was sent back on trucks especially organised to send goods home. He first returned to Lilongwe in 1952 – yet whilst he left South Africa by train, his return journey only involved a bus to Harare and a train from there to Bulawayo. The rest of the journey, as when he first arrived in 1951 was carried out on foot, due to the continued stringencies of Rhodesian border control.

mwale_001-6
Relatives from Malawi would in turn use Soloman as a first port of call in South Africa. In 1959, he was joined by his brother Nathan - who utilised the Witwatersrand Native Labour Association’s transport network to get to Johannesburg before deserting when the train arrived in South Africa. After enjoying a “nice flight” on a Wenela plane from Blantyre to Francistown, Nathan then got on a train provided by the association to South Africa. When the migrants were allowed off the train, for respite, Nathan pretended to read a newspaper on the platform, and did not get back on board. His fellow accomplice was another Malawian who knew Johannesburg. After watching the Wenela train “roll on”, he got on the next train to Johannesburg where he joined Soloman. Nathan initially only spent 2 years in South Africa, working as a gardener, before returning to Malawi between 1961 and 1971.

mwale_001-7
In the early 1970s, Soloman took a friend to Tembisa Hospital. Here he met Ncingeleni Agnes Mwale, from Alexandra, who was a cook at the institution. Soloman took an instant liking to Agnes and the couple had their first child, Elisabeth in 1970 – followed by Auntie in 1972, Frank in 1974.

mwale_001-8
Until the family moved to Tembisa in 1978, Soloman practised at Agnes’ local Zion church, and on 6 September 1977 Soloman and Agnes married in a Zion ceremony. Though practising as a Zion during this time, Soloman did not enjoy this sect and when they moved to Tembisa in 1978 he joined the Zambezi Church there. The Tembisa branch of the Zambezi Church had a strong Malawian following, but was set up by an English missionary, Pastor Green in the early 1970s. Soloman attends Zambezi services at Engmore Primary School to this day.

mwale_001-9
Throughout his time abroad Soloman has been aware that he is of foreign descent - labelled a “Nyasalander” during the ‘50s and ‘60s, he nevertheless remains proud of his connection to Malawi. This though has not stopped him participating in South African society – he voted for Mandela in 1994 and in 1999 Soloman became a naturalized South African citizen. Though proud of his nationality, he has no plans to return to Lilongwe, noting “everything I have is here in South Africa.”

Asidi_001

asidi_001-1
Born 1945 but doctored my years adding 4 years to say that I was born in 1949 so that I would appear younger and be able to get identity documents.

asidi_001-2
I came into Zimbabwe 1954 alone after my brother who was working as a maize miller in Banket where he had sent me a telegram to come and join him in Zimbabwe. He had found him a job as a cook at a newAly established hotel in Karoi.

asidi_001-3
I went to Karoi and in 1957 went to work in Kariba at another hotel there. I worked there for 5 years and went back to Malawi in time for the country’s independence in 1964.

asidi_001-4
Came back into Zimbabwe in 1966 coinciding with the start of the liberation war. I was staying in Chinhoyi by then doing various jobs.

asidi_001-5
As the war intensified, I was caught up and called up by ZIPRA forces in the Karoi area and fought for them for 7 years until independence.

asidi_001-6
In 1980 that when I was able to take an ID for myself and my wife with the symbol Alien. There was a general call up for everyone to sort their identity documents.

asidi_001-7
On asking why I had not obtained an ID before, I told them it was difficult to do so under the Smith regime, which needed us to first go back to Malawi and get birth certificates which ironically were not produced/given in Malawi.

asidi_001-8
We only came here with the Passes or chitikinyani, the small blue form that we were given in Malawi by the Boma before migrating to Zimbabwe.

asidi_001-9
I also deliberately avoided getting an ID because of fear of conscription into the Rhodesian Army to the extent that I distorted my real age to avoid conscription. I added 4 years to my actual year of birth from 1946 to 1949.

asidi_001-10
It was given when one turned 18. It had your name, age and district of origin.

asidi_001-11
Went back to Malawi in 1981 and came back same year and have never returned since then.

asidi_001-20
In the aftermath of the land reform life was totally transformed because our white employer left for South Africa in 2004

land reform
asidi_001-21
We have been staying here since then doing piecemeal jobs and practising subsistence agriculture. When the new settlers came in they occupied most of the fields in the process allocating a small portion of the farm to the remaining farm workers.

land reform
asidi_001-22
However, some of us who had been of long service managed to get better land deals. I was allocated 10 acres of land whilst my eldest son Sidi got 4 acres.

land reform
asidi_001-23
Basically, farm workers brokered land deals with the new black settlers.

land reform
asidi_001-24
It is from these pieces of land that they have been growing tobacco as a cash crop on a small scale supplementing their meagre salaries that they occasionally get from the new farmers.

land reform
asidi_001-25
Over the years, these farm workers, because of a lack of a rural home and failure to return to Malawi due to family commitments, the former commercial farms have become their retirement homes where they practise A2 farming.

land reform
asidi_001-26
The land reform opened up numerous opportunities for some of these migrants.

land reform
asidi_001-27
We are now independent small-scale tobacco producers in our own right. We share the old farm equipment and resources during the tobacco season and produce a few bales of tobacco for sale at the end of the season.

land reform
asidi_001-28
In situations where a new black entrepreneur occupied the farm, farm workers remained as employees but under poor working conditions.

land reform

Jameson_001

jameson_001-1
27 Cornelius Street

jameson_001-2
27.1.28

jameson_001-3
[with a stamp of the Nyasaland Native Congress, Head Office, Johannesburg]

jameson_001-4
Honour of Director of Native Affairs Department,

jameson_001-5
Johannesburg

jameson_001-6
Sir,

jameson_001-7
The honour to beg you mercifully and to the Department.

jameson_001-8
The Bearer Jameson has been working underground from 1908 to 1927 Rand Colliery Brakpan, New Reitfontein, Germiston and also Witbank Middelburg District, Anglo French Colliery, Middelburg Main Colliery, Landau Co Colliery and Delagoa Bay Colliery he just left 1927, mine no 39800.

jameson_001-9
My lordship we are asking you if you can allow him to working underground because always he working underground so we desire you mercy that you can help him.

jameson_001-10
We have the honour to be Sir,

jameson_001-11
Yours obedient servants

jameson_001-12
Anderson Chimbaza

jameson_001-13
Founder of Congress

jameson_001-14
133768 M/Gton

jameson_001-15
From 18/11/15; 16/8/16; 17/4/17;3/4/18

Chisenga_001

chisenga_001-1
I Elias Chisenga, son of Jumba, S.C. 589605 M/J, 534571 M/J, lost coy no:4183 of Chigwazale of Chintechi, B.N.P. do hereby make statement and declare:-

chisenga_001-2
That I came to the Goldfields from home via Beira where I was brought to Johannesburg with the East Coast Boys recruited for mines in 1923, and was registered to the Wolhuter Gold Mine as such. I worked on that mine as a compound sweeper, and a year after, I left the mine and sought work in town.

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That as I could not find work in town, I was re-employed on the same mine for underground work as a Drill Carrier till the beginning of 1925 when I returned home.

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That when I was registered the second time, my nationality was shown as a Blantyre, as it was found out that I was of that nationality by the Pass Office. Owing the same year I returned home to Nyasaland and returned to the Union at the beginning of 1928, when I bought out a fresh pass from home. On my arrival in Johannesburg, I had all my papers stolen from me and I reported myself to the Pass Office where I was detained for three days, and thereafter given a special to look for work.

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That I was never registered by any other name but that of Elias Chisenga. I applied to the Compound Manager Wolhuter G. Mine, and he arranged my re-employment on the Mines. That is all I know.

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Elias Chisenga, his X mark

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Witness: Wm Bell [application approved]

Sam_001

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Born 1945 but doctored my years adding 4 years to say that I was born in 1949 so that I would appear younger and be able to get identity documents.

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I came into Zimbabwe 1954 alone after my brother who was working as a maize miller in Banket where he had sent me a telegram to come and join him in Zimbabwe. He had found him a job as a cook at a newAly established hotel in Karoi.

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I went to Karoi and in 1957 went to work in Kariba at another hotel there. I worked there for 5 years and went back to Malawi in time for the country’s independence in 1964.

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Came back into Zimbabwe in 1966 coinciding with the start of the liberation war. I was staying in Chinhoyi by then doing various jobs.

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As the war intensified, I was caught up and called up by ZIPRA forces in the Karoi area and fought for them for 7 years until independence.

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In 1980 that when I was able to take an ID for myself and my wife with the symbol Alien. There was a general call up for everyone to sort their identity documents.

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On asking why I had not obtained an ID before, I told them it was difficult to do so under the Smith regime, which needed us to first go back to Malawi and get birth certificates which ironically were not produced/given in Malawi.

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We only came here with the Passes or chitikinyani, the small blue form that we were given in Malawi by the Boma before migrating to Zimbabwe.

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I also deliberately avoided getting an ID because of fear of conscription into the Rhodesian Army to the extent that I distorted my real age to avoid conscription. I added 4 years to my actual year of birth from 1946 to 1949.

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It was given when one turned 18. It had your name, age and district of origin.

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Went back to Malawi in 1981 and came back same year and have never returned since then.

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I had a first wife from Malawi but we parted because of the unceremonious way in which our first child died at her rural home in Malawi. I just heard that the child had an eye infection and died and got pissed off and did not ever return to Malawi.

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Now all my relatives, parents and friends (makoro) in Malawi have died and have never gone back.

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My brother in Banket also died and buried him here alone.

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Then his children from Malawi came in their luxurious cars and took away his money and properties.

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They also took away my passport promising to get it formalised or renewed and return it but never came or posted it back.

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I had to go to the Malawian embassy in Harare but they were saying they needed $150 and the process would take very long. So I just gave up and decided to live without Malawian passport.

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I came by train which I boarded in Blantyre. My home area is Kalembo and we travelled by bus to Blantyre got into a train – Limbi, Tyoro.

sam_001-19
Came through Mozambique and faced serious problems at their border. The officials took away our clothes, goods and other things during searching.

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In the aftermath of the land reform life was totally transformed because our white employer left for South Africa in 2004

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We have been staying here since then doing piecemeal jobs and practising subsistence agriculture. When the new settlers came in they occupied most of the fields in the process allocating a small portion of the farm to the remaining farm workers.

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However, some of us who had been of long service managed to get better land deals. I was allocated 10 acres of land whilst my eldest son Sidi got 4 acres.

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Basically, farm workers brokered land deals with the new black settlers.

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It is from these pieces of land that they have been growing tobacco as a cash crop on a small scale supplementing their meagre salaries that they occasionally get from the new farmers.

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Over the years, these farm workers, because of a lack of a rural home and failure to return to Malawi due to family commitments, the former commercial farms have become their retirement homes where they practise A2 farming.

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The land reform opened up numerous opportunities for some of these migrants.

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We are now independent small-scale tobacco producers in our own right. We share the old farm equipment and resources during the tobacco season and produce a few bales of tobacco for sale at the end of the season.

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In situations where a new black entrepreneur occupied the farm, farm workers remained as employees but under poor working conditions.

Kadalie_001

kadalie_001-1

Autobiography of Robert Kadailie


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[Some time in late June or early July 1909] I decided that the only thing to do now is to go to Rhodesia.

Migration and work across southern Africa 1909-1929
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All this time my friend was with me. 8 of us all Tonga fellows we left Blantyre for the Rhodesia via Tete.

Migration and work across southern Africa 1909-1929
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We walk[ed] the whole day, about 6 O’Clock we arrived at Chikwawa. There at Chikwawa there is a river we must cross and we have to cross at [the] Boma (police camp).

Migration and work across southern Africa 1909-1929
kadalie_001-5
The police refused that we cross the river, asking us if we can produce permit[s] or passes for Rhodesia. This we failed to produce, and we were ordered to return to Blantyre.

Migration and work across southern Africa 1909-1929
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We had what is called a conference of what we must do, to go back to cross the river. But how we are going to cross it[?]

Migration and work across southern Africa 1909-1929
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We went to a village, lower or down [the river, and] we asked the police [for permission] to sleep, this was given to us.

Migration and work across southern Africa 1909-1929
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The police knew that there is no other place for us to cross except by the bridge which was by the camp.

Migration and work across southern Africa 1909-1929
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Next morning we asked the native[s] to help us with their canoe. They also refused fearing that if the police heard that they let us cross in their canoe or boat they will be arrested.

Migration and work across southern Africa 1909-1929
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This river which is know[n] as [the] Shire River is infested with croc[s]. Many natives in this place are being killed by the croc[s].

Migration and work across southern Africa 1909-1929
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We asked one another what must we do, to go back to Blantyre or to go on to Rhodesia[?] We must go.

Migration and work across southern Africa 1909-1929
kadalie_001-12
Here you must observe that in Nyasaland there is no tribe braver than [the] Tonga tribe. Even the Government of that country depend most[ly] on [the] Tonga tribe.

Migration and work across southern Africa 1909-1929
kadalie_001-13
There is no office in Nyasaland without a Mtonga man there, kapetao[s] in every sphere of work in Nyasaland.

Migration and work across southern Africa 1909-1929
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So in that morning we decided to cross the river croc[s] be damned. Our people are praying for us at home.

Migration and work across southern Africa 1909-1929
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We took off our clothes, to swim the river together, and believe me we cross the river without any of us killed or caught by Mr Crocodile.

Migration and work across southern Africa 1909-1929
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[On the] other side we sing Chitonga hymn[s]. The native[s] of that place could not believe they ask how did you cross the river[?] [There are] so many crocs.

Migration and work across southern Africa 1909-1929
kadalie_001-17
Then we start to walk. It was July month and the month of July is a very hot month. [We follow] the river and stream all day, [and] from the river there to the next village we have to walk the whole day. We were so thirsty that most of us could not walk.

Migration and work across southern Africa 1909-1929
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6 O’Clock we reach the next village. There the people wish us kindly and gave us the place to sleep. On the 10th we left this village.

Migration and work across southern Africa 1909-1929
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When [it was] about 12 O’Clock some fellows in the company start to drink some UCHEMA. This is the water the native[s] of that country drink. It comes out of a bark of a tree fall[s] in a cup then [you] drink it. Within 10 minutes a man is [so] drunk that he can hardly walk, even Scotch Whisky is not so strong as this water. (7) 5 out of 7 get drunk. They slept the whole of that afternoon.

Migration and work across southern Africa 1909-1929
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About 5 O’Clock we start to walk to [the] next village, arriving there [at] 7 pm. To my surprise at this village I find a wife of a man of our village at home. She welcome[s] us so nicely that we stayed two days at this place, and from here to PEA border is only 6 miles.

Migration and work across southern Africa 1909-1929
kadalie_001-21
The morning of 13th we left this place going toward Tete, the capital of PEA. At about 12 O’Clock we arrive at the border, and about 5 O’Clock we came to a big village.

Migration and work across southern Africa 1909-1929
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Here we met 4 white men. These white men were recruiting African[s] for certain mines in S. Rhodesia. ([They] had also 4 African women as their wives.) They asked us if we can speak English.

Migration and work across southern Africa 1909-1929
kadalie_001-23
Out of 7 of us, only two could speak and understand English and they chose us two, myself and a fellow Jacob from Chituka Village, him as a cook, myself as a recruiting agent. I went again to Blantyre.

Migration and work across southern Africa 1909-1929
kadalie_001-24
There I got [a] lot of Ngoni. When I came with them to Chikwawa, I could not cross the river with them. The Police refused. I met these policemen at Blantyre. I explain[ed] the position to them, they told me that the Govt. of Nyasaland won’t want them to pay £40 (forty) to enable them to recruit the people. This they couldn’t pay.

Migration and work across southern Africa 1909-1929
kadalie_001-25
I have to return again to the PEA with about a dozen men of my tribe whom I smuggled through the Nyasaland border to PEA. From there they were sent to a certain mine in S. Rhodesia. I doubt if they ever went to that mine. We asked our employer to pay us the wages due to us. This they couldn’t pay, and we found out that they got no money. That day we decided to leave them and ran away.

Migration and work across southern Africa 1909-1929
kadalie_001-26
This we did on the night of August 15th 1909. We left there without no provision[s]. We slept on [arrival at the] next village. We left next morning about 5 am. We walk[ed] the whole day [with] no food, going to Tete. 6 O’Clock we stop on a village. There we slept. Following day we again walk the whole day. 4.30 pm we arrived at Tete.

Migration and work across southern Africa 1909-1929
kadalie_001-27
We cross Zambezi River to the other side where the town is situated, where I hope to meet a kinsman of mine, one Wilson Kayitandane. That was the 17th of August. There I remain, looking for work.

Migration and work across southern Africa 1909-1929
kadalie_001-28
Mr Kayitandane ask[s] me to proceed to a place higher up the Zambezi river, about two days journey, to work there as a storekeeper of the Mandala Store (ALC). I could not accept the position because I was very young to go and work among the people I does [not] know of.

Migration and work across southern Africa 1909-1929
kadalie_001-29
As rumour has it, the people there, some of them were savage [and] believe[d] too much in witchcraft. Then I met some of the fellows who come with us from Blantyre and left us with those four Europeans.

Migration and work across southern Africa 1909-1929
kadalie_001-30
This fellow has signed with Mr Skinner the recruiter for the Transvaal mines. [see note] We also join the this contract of a years service. We had a big fight at Tete with Wangona from Mtengula.

Migration and work across southern Africa 1909-1929
kadalie_001-31
[note: SANA GNLB 220 274/15 Tax: British Central African Natives (1915-1920) “We were all recruited by Mr Skinner [also comes up in Robert Kadalie’s autobiography] for work on the Witwatersrand. We came in contact with him near Blantyre as we were on our way to Rhodesia in search of work. From Blantyre he took us to Shiromo, and then on to Chindi where he handed us over to another European. From Chindi we proceeded by boat to Delgoa Bay. Immediatley on our arrival at Delgoa Bay we were entrained for Forodela where we were asked to hand over our BNP passes. We refused to hand them over. We were approached twice for our passes with the same result. Portuguese passes were then handed to us which we accepted not knowing what they were as we had never been in Portuguese territory previously. The reason we did not hand over our BNP travelling passes was because Mr Skinner had warned us explicitly not to do so. We arrived in Johannesburg six years ago and have had the sum of £1 deducted from our wage six times…We look to the British Government to request the Portuguese authorities to refund us these amounts.’ 19/05/1915. [go back to BS Krishnamurthy, ‘Land and Labour in Nyasaland, 1891-1914’, PhD thesis, University of London, 1964.]

Migration and work across southern Africa 1909-1929
kadalie_001-32
After stay[ing] in the barrack[s] of three weeks, we left in a river steamer for Chinde. Arriving at Chinde after 4 or 5 days, there we left again for Beira, where we were transferred to a big steamer known as Africa Listen. After a day and [a] half we reached Delagoa bay, from there we were put on a train. It was my first time to ride in the train.

Migration and work across southern Africa 1909-1929
kadalie_001-33
We came off at Fortes. There we stayed a week and [a] half. We entrain for Johannesburg. I was selected [from] among 500 to contract on as a[n] office boy. After a stay in WNLA we were sent to various mines. I was sent to a certain mine there to work in [the] time office. I only work[ed] there a month.

Migration and work across southern Africa 1909-1929
kadalie_001-34
One morning, when I came to work, as I slept to [at?] my uncle[’s] that morning, a mine police got hold of me when entering at the gate. When asking the reason he march[ed] me to the mine shaft. I dressed in tip-top treat that morning. There to my surprise I was told that I am going to work down below, no office office work for me, what with all my nice clothes.

Migration and work across southern Africa 1909-1929
kadalie_001-35
I bolted, in those days I could run, and dance like a Kalule. Nearly 40 people, Europeans, mine boys, police [pursued me]. I run toward the place where my uncle work[s]. Here there was some people run after me on [a] b[ic]ycle, the[y] caught me a mile from the shaft.

Migration and work across southern Africa 1909-1929
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I was carried and thrown in the skip. Down I went. There I was give[n] to a Scotchman.

Migration and work across southern Africa 1909-1929
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If you look at this miner you’ll thin[k] that he was one of those saint[s] which we read about in the Bible, among the son of Benjamin.

Migration and work across southern Africa 1909-1929
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He was the bully of [the] mine, other white men fear him, even [the] shift-boss[es] when they came [in]to his sight or quarter[s], first they must look for him before they do anything otherwise there will be trouble.

Migration and work across southern Africa 1909-1929
kadalie_001-39
To this man I was sent to work with. He asked me if I [had] ever handle[d a] drill hammer. I says, ‘no sir.’ ‘To hell with you don’t call me sir you must say boss. If I hear you call me sir again I’ll give sjamboks.’

Migration and work across southern Africa 1909-1929
kadalie_001-40
Well I was given a hammer drill, and put me to a certain place to drill. I drilled until two O’Clock. I could never even drill a foot in that (sol[i]d) hard rock. Mind you in this ma[i]n (site), or sight as it is called in the mine, there were more than 40 workers from Nyasaland or (BCA) as it was in those days.

Migration and work across southern Africa 1909-1929
kadalie_001-41
Knock off time the boss must come and examine the hole. If a man drilled say 3 ft he will be given a ticket marked loafer. From 4 to 6 ft you got your ticket, that means you got the 2/- which is mark[ed] in the ticket. When you get loafer that mean[s] that you have work[ed] all that day for nothing. So it goes in the mine[s].

Migration and work across southern Africa 1909-1929
kadalie_001-42
When my boss came to examine the hole[s], I must be there as an interpreter because none of these men from Nyasaland could speak English, even Zulu language.

Migration and work across southern Africa 1909-1929
kadalie_001-43
Well to tell the truth, at Tete none of us gave Mr Skinner our own names. Mine was Isaac for that matter. My father was Makuzi.

Migration and work across southern Africa 1909-1929
kadalie_001-44
‘Isaac,’ called my boss. ‘Yes boss.’ ‘Come here, ask this fellow why he only drilled only 3 ft.’ ‘Well boss he says that he can’t drill more than that. The rock is very hard for him.’ ‘Tell him to go to HELL and tell him him I am going to give sjamboks if [this] goes on’,

Migration and work across southern Africa 1909-1929
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10, 5 so on. He had a terrible sjambok if he hit a man himself. It is terrible unless otherwise his boss boy heat you or sjambok you.

Migration and work across southern Africa 1909-1929
kadalie_001-46
Now he comes to my own side, [and] put[s] his ruling stick in the hole. ‘Great Scott,’ he will exclaim, ‘what this not even a foot for [the] whole [of] this day.’ Trying to explain to him and beg him without success [a] sjambok given by Jim his boss boy. It went on day after day until one day the stone hit me between the line in my back.

Migration and work across southern Africa 1909-1929
kadalie_001-47
I was sent to hospital and those boys who were working in that sight, all got [a] kicking for letting a stone escape from their working place. I stayed in hospital only one week. The wound was not healed, yet when I was sent back in the mine needed you, there [was] no interpreter.

Migration and work across southern Africa 1909-1929
kadalie_001-48
I went back alas I could do nothing, yet I was forced to work. I can’t refuse because I am just like a slave. This mine paid so much for me to Mr Skinner far away in PEA, the fellow eating my sweat.

Migration and work across southern Africa 1909-1929
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I decided to bolt. It is no use. So young to work in the mine hard even Sunday I work like that. I made preparation.

Migration and work across southern Africa 1909-1929
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There were plenty [of my] countrymen somewhere in a town known as Maraisburg. One Saturday I wear three shirts, [a] coat and trousers, the rest I smuggle in the gate like [I] am going to the shop. I took [a] train.

Migration and work across southern Africa 1909-1929
kadalie_001-51
I was received by my people and on Monday I start work in the mine as a ticket collector. Before that month was finish[ed], Nov[ember] 1909, someone wrote or went to the Company Manager and told him where I was. The result, [on] Sunday coming to the compound a native police from that mine was waiting for me at the gate.

Migration and work across southern Africa 1909-1929
kadalie_001-52
He brought a letter from the Compound Manager of that mine where I ran away from. My present CM told him if, as they said, that the said Isaac is working in this mine wait at the gate and you’ll see him when he comes in from underground. So he waited for me. I was nearly caught.

Migration and work across southern Africa 1909-1929
kadalie_001-53
Thank [my] luck[y] star[s] I had one of my countrymen [who] pull[ed] me away just in front of this police boy. Murmuring in my own lingo, ‘don’t you see that police[man] from your ex mine[?]’ So I run to the married quarter until 8 O’Clock. This fellow is gone.

Migration and work across southern Africa 1909-1929
kadalie_001-54
After that the CM ask[s] him, ‘well did you see Isaac[?] No[?] Well tell your boss that this man is not working here in this mine.' I laugh to my own name.

Migration and work across southern Africa 1909-1929
kadalie_001-55
Well, this informer wrote again to that Compound Manager, [telling him] that although his police boy failed to find me, I am there for certain. He even suggested to this CM to send the police early on Sunday and search the rooms of the Blantyre[s], as we were known.

Migration and work across southern Africa 1909-1929
kadalie_001-56
This they did the second month. My luck[y] star was again with me. That Saturday I took [a] special pass to Joburg, [and] luck[il]y I left Saturday. Early Sunday morning the[y] search[ed] all our rooms. ‘No Isaac.’

Migration and work across southern Africa 1909-1929
kadalie_001-57
The[y] arrested Akimaleck, he [had] run away from [the] Pass Office the Nyasa police boy knew him, from Tete, so he was taken, instead of me. The Compound Manager was not please[d]. ‘I want Isaac. Dead or alive bring him to me.’

Migration and work across southern Africa 1909-1929
kadalie_001-58
When I return[ed] from Joburg my people told me about the raid, and they warn[ed] me that one day my lucky star may desert me. The best way is that I should leave the mine since I was not under contract. I agree.

Migration and work across southern Africa 1909-1929
kadalie_001-59
Before I went, this is what happened. Akimaleck wanted to gain his freedom, [and] told [the] CM that although I was not arrested that I was not present that Sunday. If [t]he Compound Manager gave[/permitted] it police (mine), he will go with them, to that mine, he is going to lead them down to the Jew Store known as [the] Kaffir Eating Houses.

Migration and work across southern Africa 1909-1929
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He will go to the Compound and intice me to come with him to the store. There the police will arrest me. This suggestion pleases the CM.

Migration and work across southern Africa 1909-1929
kadalie_001-61
On a certain day in December/January 1910, he came with four police boys. He left them as arranged, came to the compound [and] explain[ed] to us his mission. Dozen[s] of our people, including Akimaleck himself, armed [themselves] with sticks. He in front went to the police telling them that they must go to the group, I am among them. They advance. This they shall never forget to their dying days.

Migration and work across southern Africa 1909-1929
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My people gave them such a good thrashing that each one went back with two or three holes in his head and blood running in their uniform. The[y] run towards Maraisburg township where they must catch [a] train to Germiston. The[y] went even without Akimaleck. He also was never caught. After that I left the mine.

Migration and work across southern Africa 1909-1929
kadalie_001-63
I stayed with my cousin in Nancefield Location. Feb March no work. April I got [a] job as a house boy, washing, waiter etc. 7 Gentlemen with only a house keeper. I was there three weeks. The work was too much for me, [e]specially [the] washing [and] waiting at the table.

Migration and work across southern Africa 1909-1929
kadalie_001-64
If the housekeeper don’t come to examine the table, the spoon will be in place of knife, and when I bring food I put the plate any side suits me. For that reason I was paid off within three weeks. May + June no work.

Migration and work across southern Africa 1909-1929
kadalie_001-65
July I start work on Modder B Mine as [a] distributor of ration[s] in the compound under Mr Snell, Assistant Compound Manager. He was a good gentleman, only the Compound Manager was a bad fellow. We were three Nyasaland chaps in the compound. We had dear Edward from Blantyre, Tom from Usiska and myself.

Migration and work across southern Africa 1909-1929
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I worked there [for] three month[s], when King Edward died I was there just before that big star.

Migration and work across southern Africa 1909-1929
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One day or one afternoon, I distribute[d] bread, meat, vegetable[s and] fish from[/for] various body including hospital [staff, and] the head clerk, he must get [a] 5 penny or two pence loaf of bread, every afternoon.

Migration and work across southern Africa 1909-1929
kadalie_001-68
I went to take this bread to his house, down to the location. This fellow has a wife. On my way down I met the Compound Manager. He stopped me and at [the] same time asked me where I am going with bread. I told him to Edward[’s] house.

Migration and work across southern Africa 1909-1929
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‘Oh I see,’ he went [on] his way, myself to Edward[’s] house. About 10 O’Clock [the] next morning the messenger came to say that I was wanted by the Compound Manager. On entering his office I saw a mountain[/mounted] police[man], his horse one of the boys got him by the bridle outside.

Migration and work across southern Africa 1909-1929
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My boss, also Mr Snell, was there to my surprise. I hear the police man say, ‘Is this the boy who stole bread[?]’ This police man although police who care[s] two pence for an African, asked my name and where I came from, and how I stole bread. ‘Where was I taking the bread[?]’ I explain to him everything. Edward was called as a witness.

Migration and work across southern Africa 1909-1929
kadalie_001-71
That lucky star of mine again came to my rescue. For [the] first time in my life, I say, a police man acted as a magistrate, when I finish [he] was [rational?] this what he says.

Migration and work across southern Africa 1909-1929
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Mr [Curness?] that was the compound manager’s name. ‘I am afraid,’ said the man of [the] law, ‘I cannot arrest this boy for this offence. He may get four month[s] for nothing. It is better for you to pay him off, [and] also give [him] his pass.' He rose from his chair [getting] on his horse back off he went.

Migration and work across southern Africa 1909-1929
kadalie_001-73
Outside the office there were more than 100 mine boys. When they saw me, believe me, the CM felt so small, the whole crowd shout ‘Hurrah.’ I was very nice to every one in the compound as far as food was concerned because everything was in my hand (eatable).

Migration and work across southern Africa 1909-1929
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Tom my friend, hearing that I am leaving, he also tender[ed] his resignation. He was paid off. Away we went to [the] Pass Office. My boss Mr Snell was very sorry for me. A month after this incident I went to Witbank with one of Chituka man, Arthur Chimbaza. [see note]

Migration and work across southern Africa 1909-1929
kadalie_001-75
[note: In 1919, Anderson Chimbaza was a founder of the Nyasaland Native National Congress (NNNC) in Johannesburg. This is possibly the same man, or a relative.]

Migration and work across southern Africa 1909-1929
kadalie_001-76
We went to X mine, [a] coal mine, where one of my kinsmen was both head clerk and head man combine[d]. His name Tamali Kalala of [the] same village as myself. This fellow was my mother[’s] play mate when they were children and he left me home when I was 10 years of age. He was very pleased to see me and welcome[d] me as one of his kinsmen.

Migration and work across southern Africa 1909-1929
kadalie_001-77
We stayed there two days and he gave us nice work after with him in [the] office. Myself, he gave me a job to watch the mine boys where they came out to see that their ticket is signed by the boss.

Migration and work across southern Africa 1909-1929
kadalie_001-78
Otherwise I must send them back, those [who] their ticket is not signed. I work nearly two weeks at this mine. Here I must explain the boys when they go down they go by the skip and when they come by this pit.

Migration and work across southern Africa 1909-1929
kadalie_001-79
A house was built named this pit, here I must wait and examine the boys’ ticket[s]. Now at that time [the] Transvaal was very cold, and a [gilly?] is lighted in this small house and the house became very hot indeed. This were the cause of my getting [the] sack by my kinsman.

Migration and work across southern Africa 1909-1929
kadalie_001-80
You will hear this [gilly] made me so sleepy the result was that the boy[s] sung me [to] sleep so they began to come out without their ticket signed. This went on for for a week, and the head clerk, [t]he said kinsman of mine, found out in the compound that many boys, their ticket is not signed.

Migration and work across southern Africa 1909-1929
kadalie_001-81
He was surprised because he knew that there is no other place where the boys can come out. He asked me [and] I told him that I know no one to come by the pit without his ticket signed.

Migration and work across southern Africa 1909-1929
kadalie_001-82
One afternoon, he came himself to the pit there. On entering the house he found me fast asleep. He didn’t wake me. [He] just sat there watching the boys. I don’t [know] how long I slept.

Migration and work across southern Africa 1909-1929
kadalie_001-83
When I open[ed] my eyes I got [the] shock of my life to see the head [clerk] is there. Yes I thought. He exclaim[ed], ‘there is something fishy at the pit.’ He called one fellow from the compound and put him to watch at the pit I went with him to the compound. There he ordered me to pack my things and go that same day.

Migration and work across southern Africa 1909-1929
kadalie_001-84
I protest[ed], ‘you my own kinsman, you cannot do such a thing to me.’ ‘Yes you are my kinsman, I welcomed you and gave you a nice job and that job you abused and this company is not family company. I must do my duty, therefore you [have] got to go today. I don’t want to see you here again.’

Migration and work across southern Africa 1909-1929
kadalie_001-85
I cry like a child. He showed no pity. I was very sorry to leave because a certain Coloured lady was teaching me Afrikaner (Dutch language). I left.

Migration and work across southern Africa 1909-1929
kadalie_001-86
I arrived at Witbank Station. I meet one Matthew, also from home, working with [the] Inspector of [the] Railways. Next day, I got a job with 7 Scottish railway carpenters to cook for them. I had no experience in cooking, [but] I know a bit of it, so I tackle the job.

Migration and work across southern Africa 1909-1929
kadalie_001-87
[After] 2 weeks with them, one afternoon I went to the station to visit Matthew, when I reached the house I saw the gun pointed towards me by my friend[’s] boss. Then another gentleman stop[ped] him and got the gun from him. All this time I thought he was playing, when I was three yards from him he asked me where is my friend.

Migration and work across southern Africa 1909-1929
kadalie_001-88
I told him that this is [the] third day since last I saw him here. "He took me inside the house. There were 4 beds in the three rooms of the house. Not a single sheet or blanket is kept in the house. Matthews has taken or stole[n] everything in the house," together with some of his boss’ personal belonging[s].

Migration and work across southern Africa 1909-1929
kadalie_001-89
I knew Matthew [w]as a biggest thief among my people. No body knew where he went. So his boss warn[ed] me not to come near his house. That week finish[ed,] the second week it start[ed] to rain. It rain[ed] all that night. Next morning I went to my work to cook [but] the stove was full of water. I tried to light fire not with success until 7 O’Clock, the time these bosses of mine must eat.

Migration and work across southern Africa 1909-1929
kadalie_001-90
They came to their tent where the[y] eat their food [and] they waited in [the] rain. No breakfast came, one of them came to [the] kitchen, found me still trying to light fire. I think the chap was very hungry. He asked me, ‘where is the breakfast[?]’ I pointed to the stove. And the next thing I saw was only the star[s], and I knew no more. The blow he gave me nearly killed me.

Migration and work across southern Africa 1909-1929
kadalie_001-91
When I awake I was wet with water. The other gentleman, a Mr Reid, pulled me to revive me. And this gentleman was very kind to me. He spoke to me words of comfort like a father to his son. He went to his tent and came out with my pass and my wages, and tell me to go. ‘Before worse misfortune,’ he tell me. I pack.

Migration and work across southern Africa 1909-1929
kadalie_001-92
Next day I got another job with the secretary of Witbank Colliery. A very good boss, only the madam was just like a cat. At this place I [was] suppose[d] to take over the place of a Zulu cook. But the Zulu did not leave. I left the place before he went. This is what happened.

Migration and work across southern Africa 1909-1929
kadalie_001-93
My work was at that time to make juice early in the morning, put [on] porridge water and cook the said porridge. 7.30 I must give the cat its meal, [a] nice meal too. 8 O’Clock serve the Mr Boss breakfast. 8.30 breakfast for us boys, composed of meal[ie] meal porridge, nothing more, and the native girl and the cat eat [a] nice breakfast and dinner and supper.

Migration and work across southern Africa 1909-1929
kadalie_001-94
Dinner was compose[d of] pap with meat. We eat meat only on Friday from the compound. I told the mistress that I don’t eat pap at home, I eat rice. ‘Well that is the food I gave to my boys, you can buy yourself rice.’ I keep quiet.

Migration and work across southern Africa 1909-1929
kadalie_001-95
One morning after I finish two weeks the boss got ill, and he was very bad indeed. I really felt very sorry for him. Yet one morning when I came to [the] kitchen to make or light [a] fire, the blessed cat came, as was the case every morning. Just when he see[s] that you are in the kitchen lighting fire, he will come, ‘mew mew’, just to say, ‘where is my food cook[?]’

Migration and work across southern Africa 1909-1929
kadalie_001-96
That morning I got very angry with [the] cat. My patience began to fade away. I cannot eat meat. [The] cat can eat nice meat, yet he has no soul and he got no name in heaven. I waited till the oven was very very hot, I open it and feel the heat. I called the cat, and take him [and] put him in the oven. I cannot describe here, but that cat has his fright. ‘Mew mew mew’ in the oven.

Migration and work across southern Africa 1909-1929
kadalie_001-97
I heard the mistress, ‘what’s the matter with the cat Robert[?]’ When she was near the kitchen door I open the oven [and] out came the cat. Heaven he couldn’t see where the door was.

Migration and work across southern Africa 1909-1929
kadalie_001-98
‘Robert what [is] the matter with [the] cat[?]’ ‘I don’t know madam, [the] cat [is] mad today.’ At last the cat find[s] the door, out went Mr Cat, and I never saw him again in the kitchen till I left the place.

Migration and work across southern Africa 1909-1929
kadalie_001-99
I only work there 3 weeks, why I left this is what happened. The boss was now [a] little better. One morning the girl took the slop bucket, and the boss wanted to use it. The mistress came to me. I told her I don’t know where it is. I had not seen it oh that was enough.

Migration and work across southern Africa 1909-1929
kadalie_001-100
The mistress swore at me and took the broom [to] hit me. [I] caught the broom and when she saw the broom in my hand she scream[ed] and ran towards her husband[’s] room. I came to the kitchen, she wanted to call the police. I don’t know whether her husband stopped her.

Migration and work across southern Africa 1909-1929
kadalie_001-101
Shortly after this incident I saw the girl with [I can’t read this word] or slop bucket. I took the girl by the throat and gave her [a] good hiding, because I said to her she committed the sin and I got a broom nearly on my head. The scream, the mistress never came to her rescue, and I got hold of her by the arm [and] dragg[ed] her to her mistress.

Migration and work across southern Africa 1909-1929
kadalie_001-102
‘Robert what [is] the matter with you and the girl[?]’ I said to her, ‘no use for you madam to ask, I told [you] she got the bucket and [you] hit me with the broom.’ ‘Alright Robert please leave her.’ So I left her.

Migration and work across southern Africa 1909-1929
kadalie_001-103
She like the cat never came across my way till the day I left. Poor cat she was so frighting[/ened] of me that she ran right on top of a tree in the garden.

Migration and work across southern Africa 1909-1929
kadalie_001-104
When the boss was up one morning before breakfast, he called me to his room. This is what he said to me. ‘Madam said that she don’t want you to work anymore here because after [all] her cook is not going to leave. Yes Robert while I was sick I heard everything of what took place between you and madam. You know yourself, [the] woman [has] got [a] short temper. But the husband must also respect them. Now I am having to do what she says. But I am going to pay you all the money although you have worked here only 3 weeks and here is your reference 3 months good boy.’ I was amazed to read it said ‘thank God bless you for your WISE COUNCIL.’

Migration and work across southern Africa 1909-1929
kadalie_001-105
I left Witbank November 1910. I got a job at State Mine, working in Mr [Chocky?] the Compound Manager. Here also I only work[ed for] 3 weeks and [then] I was transferred to General Office for this reason.

Migration and work across southern Africa 1909-1929
kadalie_001-106
One afternoon the milk boy came with milk and I must boil the milk. I put it on [the] stove [and] the Mrs called me. I told here that I am watching [the] milk. ‘Never mind milk I will look after it myself. You go and wash baby napkins.’ I obeyed and went. I was not amused at [the] site when the whole milk boil out and there was not a single milk left in the pot.

Migration and work across southern Africa 1909-1929
kadalie_001-107
Here started the trouble. The mistress came to me with outstretch[ed] hand, ‘what you mean why you let the milk boil all out of the pot[?]’ ‘What you mean didn’t you tell me to wash this blinking napkins, which is a woman job[?]’ ‘You cheeky, I will come and tell the big boss.’ ‘All right you can please yourself madam.’ ‘The boss will send you to jail.’ ‘OK madam.’

Migration and work across southern Africa 1909-1929
kadalie_001-108
Supper time the boss instead of sending me to [court?] asked me if I can read and write. I said yes. ‘Tomorrow report yourself to my office, pack all your things from the room.’ Next morning I came to his office. He gave me a letter to the secretary General Office, there I was given messenger job. I only work there the month[s] of December January. I run away.

Migration and work across southern Africa 1909-1929
kadalie_001-109
For this reason on Christmas, at another mine, I won many prizes for running, including a little pig. Believe me pig[s] can run. They put lots of grease on her body, yet I caught [her] a mile from the starting place.

Migration and work across southern Africa 1909-1929
kadalie_001-110
This is the reason of my running away. While waiting for the letter outside the office I again fall asleep. This went on for a long time. One day the secretary called me. No answer. He came out to see what [had] become of me. He find[s] me fast asleep. Sack and send back to the Compound Office.

Migration and work across southern Africa 1909-1929
kadalie_001-111
There the CM want[s] to send me down the mine. I refused and I told [him] to pay me off. This he refused, even to send me back to his kitchen. Also [someone]’s request was rejected by him. ‘Well,’ I said to him, ‘I am not going down below. One thing I am going to do is run away.’

Migration and work across southern Africa 1909-1929
kadalie_001-112
‘You can run away. I will find you or [in] other words I will send police in your track’. I sold my b[ic]ycle. I went away to Johannesburg. One week in Joburg. I left for Kimberley.

Migration and work across southern Africa 1909-1929
kadalie_001-113
January 1911 I went to work in Bultfontein mine. In that mine I met one of my father[’s] cousin[s] Ezekiel Chiguza and I stay[ed] with him in [the] same house. We used to get our pay fortnightly. He told me that whenever I received my pay I must hand it over to him for safe keeping.

Migration and work across southern Africa 1909-1929
kadalie_001-114
He being [the] elderman, I thought [to] myself, he is wise. I start to give him all my money I earn. So much to keep, so much to buy food. I gave him my money for the space of 4 months.

Migration and work across southern Africa 1909-1929
kadalie_001-115
One day I went to a Msutu man he was a tailor. I wanted [him] to teach me how to make suits etc. He agreed providing that I paid him £5. ‘OK,’ I said, ‘I will bring the money.’

Migration and work across southern Africa 1909-1929
kadalie_001-116
I went to my father[’s] cousin. I ask him to give [me] £5 out of my money and I explain the reason of my wanting it. ‘Oh no you cant spend such a lot of money for that kind of work.’

Migration and work across southern Africa 1909-1929
kadalie_001-117
I told him I want to learn it so that I also can make money for myself. ‘And beside,’ I said to [him], ‘it is my own money I am asking [for].’

Migration and work across southern Africa 1909-1929
kadalie_001-118
‘NO. I can’t give you the money today, tomorrow OK,’ and it went on for the whole week. When one of the men in the house asked what it is that I am asking Ezekiel, I explained to him.

Migration and work across southern Africa 1909-1929
kadalie_001-119
‘What you was giving you to pay to him[?] Well if it is so you don’t expect to get it back. Don’t you know that Ezekiel is a gambler[?] He’s in this compound over 5 years, never go[es] out. He gamble[s] all his money out every night and he never win[s] so your money is gone the same way. This [is] why he can’t give it to you.’

Migration and work across southern Africa 1909-1929
kadalie_001-120
When I heard that I was very angry. I asked him. He couldn’t answer me. So much of my money he had spent. What could I do to fight him[? It] is impossible and he is [an] elder men and a cousin of my father. What to do[?] I move from that house to another one. No money, no earning[s]. I start to work again I save for five months. I went out. I stayed four months outside.

Migration and work across southern Africa 1909-1929
kadalie_001-121
I went in the mine again, not [the] same one of [course]. No this time [Daitospan?]. I work two months there. December 1911 I got sick in the mine, and I was sent out so that I can go to [the] big hospital. I stayed in Kimberley till June of 1912.

Migration and work across southern Africa 1909-1929
kadalie_001-122
I went to Free State to another Diamond mine known as Robert Victor mine. There I got a nice job job, to clean the rooms of unmarried miners, before 9 O’Clock I am finish[ed]. For the whole day I am doing nothing. There for the first time in my life I got sick. I mean [a] real illness. I nearly went to my maker.

Migration and work across southern Africa 1909-1929
kadalie_001-123
June of 1912, one night I was speaking with some of my friends, about 12 O’Clock midnight. I bade them good night. I went to sleep. When I opened my eyes I found myself in hospital, it was 3.30 in the afternoon. Early in the morning some one find[s] me in my room half dying.

Migration and work across southern Africa 1909-1929
kadalie_001-124
He went to report [it] and I was carried on [a] stretcher to the hospital with a temperature of 105. I was just like one who has lost his senses. I linger in that hospotal fighting death for the whole month.

Migration and work across southern Africa 1909-1929
kadalie_001-125
When I was better I wanted to get away from that place as soon as possible. I left the following morning on ox wagon to Bloemfontein. The wagon runs [the] whole of that day and [the] whole night. Next morning about 3 O’Clock we reached Bloemfontein. I didn’t stay in B/. I left that very evening for Joburg.

Migration and work across southern Africa 1909-1929
kadalie_001-126
In Joburg I meet a friend of mine James Love Banda working in Nourse Mine.[see note] After a month stay in Joburg I got a job as a housekeeper, looking after Nyasaland native[s].

Migration and work across southern Africa 1909-1929
kadalie_001-127
[note: Writing to his son Alexander in 1944, Clements described James Love Banda as his ‘cousin’ who fought in Belgium during WWI. Donald Fraser recalled that he met both men at the Cape Town docks in 1920 at the start of his book, New Africa. Clements Kadalie to Alexander Kadalie, 31/03/1943 and 19/04/1944, UWC Alexander Kadalie Papers."

Migration and work across southern Africa 1909-1929
kadalie_001-128
[Three pages are missing from the original manuscript at this point]

Migration and work across southern Africa 1909-1929
kadalie_001-129
This same day, it was at supper time I laid the table, the boss sit and I brought in soup. I waited in [the] kitchen for nearly 20 minutes without a call, even to ring the bell at last 24 minutes elapse. I heard the bell, when I enter the dinning room I saw that the soup is never touched.

Migration and work across southern Africa 1909-1929
kadalie_001-130
I was surprise[d]. He asked me if I [had] ever wait[ed] on table before. I said yes. ‘Look on this table if everything is OK[?]’ I look round I could see nothing, to me it looks like everything is in order.

Migration and work across southern Africa 1909-1929
kadalie_001-131
At last I observe that [the] soup spoon is not on [the] table. ‘I am sorry sir, I forgot [the] soup spoon.’ Going towards the kitchen to fetch the spoon, I got a hard blow I fell right in [the] kitchen. Back with [the] spoon put on table, before I turn towards [the] kitchen, I get boots behind me.

Migration and work across southern Africa 1909-1929
kadalie_001-132
One week after this trouble I was told by the boss that on Sunday there will be dinner. Mr So-and-So is coming, all Scotchmen farmers. Well I made nice dinner. The guest[s] enjoy[ed] it. And I heard one gentleman asking my boss Mr Yate, ‘who is this girl I always see here at your place nicely dressed[?]’ ‘Oh yes, you mean the girl you see here[? She] is my cook’s wife.’

Migration and work across southern Africa 1909-1929
kadalie_001-133
But the girl dress very good. She got [a] nice dress one day, I saw, with a nice coat. Even I [can] never afford to buy one for my Mrs. ‘How much do you pay your cook Mr Yate[?]’ ‘I paid him £5.’ After that the conversation dropped.

Migration and work across southern Africa 1909-1929
kadalie_001-134
On Monday I went to a certain farm where I always fetch vegetable[s]. This farmer was also at this dinner. He called me in his office, to my surprise to see the Bible open.

Migration and work across southern Africa 1909-1929
kadalie_001-135
‘Well your name is Robert, where is your country[?]’ I said, ‘Nyasaland.’ ‘Oh I see. Lots of Scottish missionar[ies?]’ I said, ‘yes.’ ‘Well do you believe that there is God in heaven[?]’ I said yes.

Migration and work across southern Africa 1909-1929
kadalie_001-136
‘Did you ever read ten commandments[?]’ ‘Yes,’ I said. ‘Do you know it said that you mustn’t tell lies[?]’ I said, ‘yes.’ ‘Well I am going to ask you something, and I want you to tell me the truth, hide nothing, but tell me the truth. Tell [me] whose wife is that by the place you work[?] I mean the girl I see there every day.’ ‘That girl sir is my mistress, my boss’ wife in another word.’ ‘Oh I see. Thank [you].’

Migration and work across southern Africa 1909-1929
kadalie_001-137
I said to him, ‘please don’t tell him otherwise he is going to hit me.’ Then I left for Mafekin[g]. I stayed there a month. I again came to Joburg. Christmas of 1914 I spend in Joburg. I work in Durban Roodeport with my cousin Titus, son of Gulu. One night a X[h]osa boy came to our place, asking [for a] place to sleep. My cousin refused.

Migration and work across southern Africa 1909-1929
kadalie_001-138
I told my cousin, ‘we must give the boy place.’ This we did. Next morning we left for work leaving him in the room. On our return my jacket [has] dis[a]pear[ed]. We trace the boy through the police. He was arrested and sentenced to 1 month hard labour.

Migration and work across southern Africa 1909-1929
kadalie_001-139
I left that place, and from there I went to [the] Pass Office to sign on as transport worker. Feb 1915 we left Joburg for Cape Town. At Observatory Camp we work very hard. No Saturday off, nor Sunday. We left the military with my chum James Love Banda. Here in Cape Town 1915, we couldn’t find work for many months. We roam the street[s] of CT in search of work.

Migration and work across southern Africa 1909-1929
kadalie_001-140
One day I got a job at [Jambreskloor?] as a house boy. The treatment was bad. I left, and I got another job in Adderley Street with George Findlay.[see note]

Migration and work across southern Africa 1909-1929
kadalie_001-141
[note: George Findlay was a prominent South African lawyer who Clements Kadalie hired for numerous ICU cases over the course of the 1920s. These included Clements’ personal defence when charged under the 1927 Native Administration Act in May 1928, and the defence of the Onderstepoort Laboratory workers, also in 1928. My Life and the ICU, pp. 170; 176. When he was interviewed by the historian Sylvia Neame in 1969, Findlay asserted that Clements, as a populist, was not popular amongst other Malawians or the majority of educated Africans in general – a view perhaps informed by Robert’s personal opinions. Sylvia Neame interview with George Findlay, 16/08/1969, WITS Sylvia Neame Papers.]

Migration and work across southern Africa 1909-1929
kadalie_001-142
There I work up to 1918, when my brother Clements came to Cape Town to work so that we can go home together.[see note]

Migration and work across southern Africa 1909-1929
kadalie_001-143
[note: Clements Kadalie recalls that on his arrival in Cape Town, “My elder brother Robert Victor Kadalie welcomed me at the station. When we reached his house at the top of Waterkant Street, my brother’s wife [Lillie], a Coloured woman, said to him after she had shaken hands with me, ‘Look here, Robert, there is something in this boy and you will see.’ Quietly I pondered her remarks.” C. Kadalie, My Life and the ICU, p.36. Joe Paulsen, the first president of the ICU, lived at 98 Waterkant Street, whilst Professor James Thaele lived at 115 Waterkant Street. After the collapse of the ICU in 1929, a core of the original Cape Town ICU continued to meet at ‘89 Waterkant Street’ – possibly Joe Paulsen’s home.

Migration and work across southern Africa 1909-1929
kadalie_001-144
In 1919 I engage a girl [Lillie], the same year I married her, but the relationship between me and my brother became bad.[see note]

Migration and work across southern Africa 1909-1929
kadalie_001-145
[note: Clements Kadalie asserted that in late 1920, the “excitement of the docks victory had hardly subsided when the so-called friends of the Natives began to plan my expulsion from South Africa. At this time relations between my elder brother, Robert Victor Kadalie, and myself were strained. It was alleged that at the time he was approached to supply the authorities with information regarding my birthplace…This deportation agony was borne alone. I was a single man in my early twenties. My own brother had foresaken me for he was now pleased that my political activities were over.” C. Kadalie, My Life and the ICU, pp.45-47. HD Tyamzashe also believed that Robert compromised Clements’ residence in South Africa. Tyamzashe wrote that in late 1920, “Nobody would have known that he [Clements] was a prohibited immigrant had it not been that his elder brother, Robert Kadalie, [who] had a small case of some sort in which he disclosed his nationality. Without much ado the authorities issued orders for the deportation of Clements Kadalie, but he had already become a force to be reckoned with in political circles…” HD Tyamzashe, Summarised History of the ICU.

Migration and work across southern Africa 1909-1929
kadalie_001-146
That same year of my marri[age] we part. He wish[ed] to stay at his own place.[see note]

Migration and work across southern Africa 1909-1929
kadalie_001-147
[note: Clements Kadalie went to live with Bennet Ncwana and an ‘Isaacs’ at 6 Morris Street.]

Migration and work across southern Africa 1909-1929
kadalie_001-148
My child Mary was born 13 September 1919. Again a boy born July 9th 1921, Stanley was his name. Again a girl Alice, she was born 31 May 1923. Still with George Findlay. Another girl Molly was born 1925, then again another Lettie was born 1928. And again another daughter Rachel was born May 1929.

Migration and work across southern Africa 1909-1929
kadalie_001-149
All this time we was staying at No. 4 Assurance Lane, Cape Town. And at that time there came a new manager at Findlay. This man always quarrel[ed] with [me], simply because I was a brother of Kadalie. One day I got fed up. I told him to pay me off. He did so and I left Findlay after 13 years with that firm.

Migration and work across southern Africa 1909-1929
kadalie_001-150
I left Findlay. Also I moved from Assurance Lane to [Vasco?]. There I stayed a few days. I went on July 1929 to Port Elizabeth to be a secretary of [the Independent] ICU. Here I must state that when I left Cape Town, I was promised by the committee of the [Independent] ICU that first I can come myself, leave my wife and children in CT and it won’t be long before I send for them. I [was] suppose[d] to go to East London there to be a branch secretary.

Migration and work across southern Africa 1909-1929
kadalie_001-151
This was arrangement with my brother Clements. But it please[d Joel] Magade, the Provincial Secretary, to use my name in PE [Port Elizabeth], where there was only [a] committee [and] no paying members.

Migration and work across southern Africa 1909-1929
kadalie_001-152
I am [a] Kadalie, [and] he think[s that] if the people of PE hear that Kadalie[’s] brother is here they will come by number to join the ICU, here, where he made mistake as far as PE people were concern[ed].

Migration and work across southern Africa 1909-1929
kadalie_001-153
He, Magade, forgot that the people [in] PE had wounds which never healed until this day. They lost [a] lot of money through [the] ICU there. [They] were promised land which they never got. To this place I went, leaving my family in Cape Town. Before I left Cape Town, I asked Magade to send me some money to leave it with my wife.

Migration and work across southern Africa 1909-1929
kadalie_001-154
The promise [was] that as soon [as] I reached PE he will give [me] the money, and I will send it from there [at] once. The train fare was for 3rd Class, and 3rd class I travelled. I arrived at PE station [and] no one was there to welcome me. So I went to my cousin James B[lackwell] Fuka, the son of Chief Fuka.

Migration and work across southern Africa 1909-1929
kadalie_001-155
[That] afternoon I took bus to Korsten where [the] ICU office was. I met Magade [and] the first thing I asked after hand shake was, ‘[where is] the money as I want to send it that same afternoon.’ ‘You’ll get it tomorrow,’ was what he says.

Migration and work across southern Africa 1909-1929
kadalie_001-156
Believe me or not I never got that money. For the half of that July month I got nothing in wages. I sent to my wife now and then 10/- or 15/-, some of this money was given to me by my friends. For food, breakfast and dinner, I eat at my cousin Blackwell Fuka[‘s] at Castle Hill.

Migration and work across southern Africa 1909-1929
kadalie_001-157
August finish[ed]. No members, no money come in the office. When I address[ed] meetings, people put hard question[s], which I was unable to understand because I was not in [the] ICU in its heydays.

Migration and work across southern Africa 1909-1929
kadalie_001-158
Some people came to the meeting[s] with a threatening attitude. ‘Where is our money [that] went to your brother, and [which James] Dip[p]a collected for to buy land[?]’ One woman say[s] ‘I subscribed £20 pounds, and I got nothing.’[see note]

Migration and work across southern Africa 1909-1929
kadalie_001-159
[note: James Dippa was Provincial Secretary for the ICU in Eastern Province, but was dismissed when it emerged he had stolen considerable sums of ICU donations]

Migration and work across southern Africa 1909-1929
kadalie_001-160
Oh I can’t describe here ever[y one of the] insults I got from the people of PE. I just wish I had money to go back to Cape Town. I wire to Clements at Johannesburg where the head quarters was, compose[d of] three people, Clements, Tyamzashe, [and] Maduna.

Migration and work across southern Africa 1909-1929
kadalie_001-161
End of October, Clements came. Yes, when the meeting was called that afternoon [on] that well know[n] hill, there were more than 500 people. Haratio Mbele was a chairman. Clements spoke for an hour. He spoke without interruption.

Migration and work across southern Africa 1909-1929
kadalie_001-162
Some women in the meeting cry, but not [a] single fellow ask[s] any question as the[y] do if we address a meeting. After 3 weeks stay I told Clements that there two things for me to do now, [either] be disgard[ed] or to be sent to East London.

Migration and work across southern Africa 1909-1929
kadalie_001-163
Clements promised to go with me to East London. But the women members of ICU beg[ged] Clements not to take me away, because there is no secretary and they don’t like Magade the PE [secretary], and they promise me many things which they never do nor fullfill. I remain in PE.

Migration and work across southern Africa 1909-1929
kadalie_001-164
CK went alone to East London what made me to agree to remain I really don’t [know] to this day. December I wrote to my wife to come to PE before Dingaans’ Day. I waited she never came. There was no letter from her. Christmas came. No wife. We are now preparing for the ICU conference [set] to take place at East London on January 5.

Migration and work across southern Africa 1909-1929
kadalie_001-165
My wife at CT sent no letter to me up to 1st January, so I thought that she doesn’t want to come to PE. 3 January I left for EL. She also left Cape Town for Port Elizabeth. Her wire probably reached PE on 4th January.

Migration and work across southern Africa 1909-1929
kadalie_001-166
Probably the person whom she sent to wire me did so in [the] afternoon on the 3rd January. If the wire was sent in the morning on the 3rd, I could [have] see[n] the wire before I left and I could [have] made preparations for her. Fate decided otherwise.

Migration and work across southern Africa 1909-1929
kadalie_001-167
I left with no thought of my wife, thinking she’s still in CT. 8 O’Clock [when] we left Port Elizabeth she was probably travelling toward Montague. I reached East London, [and] she reach[ed] PE two day[s] after my departure to EL.

Migration and work across southern Africa 1909-1929
kadalie_001-168
[As there was] no one to receive her at Station, she came to [the] ICU office. None of [the] ICU women members knew of her coming. Someone found her at the office, [and] went to tell one [the] woman member[s]. She came to fetch her to her house. The conference took nearly a week. All this time I know not that my wife she’s in PE. I even sent her money to Cape Town.

Migration and work across southern Africa 1909-1929
kadalie_001-169
The following week, [the] East London branch of [the] ICU declare[d a] strike.[see note] Second week in EL, the strike is now in full swing. Third week, a wire from my wife that she’s in PE. Mind you she was there almost 2(1/2) weeks in PE before she wired to me. I got her wire and I told her to go to my cousin [Fuka] until I come after the end of [the] strike.

Migration and work across southern Africa 1909-1929
kadalie_001-170
[note: Around this point, the South African Police opened a file on Robert, labelling him ‘Native Agitator No. 489’. GNLB 401 55/1 Native Unrest (1932-1935).]

Migration and work across southern Africa 1909-1929
kadalie_001-171
That same week I receive a wire from my wife, all [the] members of [the] strike committee were arrested including myself. We was put on trial after a preparatory examination. Clements [and] Maduna £100 bail. Mnika, Tyamzashe, Mkwambe, Darrington [also known as DDT Mqayi], Magade, Fetsha and myself our bail was £50.[see note]

Migration and work across southern Africa 1909-1929
kadalie_001-172
[note: Clements asserted in his autobiography that he “pleaded for the release of my brother, Robert Victor Kadalie, who was not a member of the strike committee, but it was pointed out that Robert had affixed his own name to the list of the strike committee, which was found in our offices, and as such the police held that he accepted responsibility for all the actions of the strike committee.” My Life and the ICU, p.189.]

Migration and work across southern Africa 1909-1929
kadalie_001-173
I was [a] week and [a] half in jail. When I instructed the committee to send money to my wife, so that she can come to East London, that now was February month. She did send send her train fare, she left Port Elizabeth for E London. The very day her train steamed toward EL we were ordered to be remove[d] to Grahamstown, our trains meet[ing] in the way. I without knowing that my wife is in that train, just past me by, likewise my wife.

Life in 1930s and 1940s southern Africa
kadalie_001-174
On her arrival at East London she was told that we have been transferred to Grahamstown [in] February. Clements, Tyamashe, Darrington, Mnika, Mkwambe, Magade were released on bail. Three of us was left namely Maduna, Fetsha + myself. Each [had] to go to his prospective branch or place, those from East London must go there, Joburg to Joburg, Transkei to Transkei. The whole of March finish we were still there. 1st of April we were released.

Life in 1930s and 1940s southern Africa
kadalie_001-175
I went to PE, Fetsha EL, Maduna Johannesburg. There at PE I hire a room, buy few furniture, etc, now instruct my wife to come back to PE, because I can’t go to East London, not until after [the] trial. If anyone is found in EL he will be arrested. After two weeks, she came with 2 children Lettie and Rachel (Tsapsi). The three she left in Cape Town, nameley Mary, Stanley and Alice they were staying with her cousin [Autamo?] Thus Jan, Feb + March we never meet, beside Aug, Spt, Oct, Nov, Dec of 1929 our separation was 8(1/2) months. This was due to my wife[’s] foolishness. She failed to come as instructed [again] and again. She now wrote that she is coming either that Dec or Jan. Again she should wire earl[ier]. I also told her that I was going to EL for [the ICU] conference.

Life in 1930s and 1940s southern Africa
kadalie_001-176
May month I went back to Grahamstown for the trial. We were tried by Mr Justice Gutche. Often in that court, the case was postponed for a week. I went bac to my wife in Port Elizabeth. Again the case came before the judge, we had as our defender Adv. Will Stuart and many people, African, in Grahamstown were good to us. Nearly [every] night [we] were invited there and here. Also [by] church people, including Rev Stuart of [the] English church, who in turn let every one of us chose a book, which we like[d].

Life in 1930s and 1940s southern Africa
kadalie_001-177
Our advocate fight a very hard to save us. There were many European[s] in that court. Mostly from the colleges. The case came to an end with the judge postpon[ing] again for two days for the decision.

Life in 1930s and 1940s southern Africa
kadalie_001-178
The last day, that night we prayed as we [have] never pray[ed] before. So was the morning of [the] verdict. The court was crowded that morning. When his Lordship enter[ed] the court, everything was quiet. Police were ready to fetch or to take us down below. The judge began from the last one, not from the head, which was Clements, Maduna, Tyamzashe and so on. Fetsha was the last one in the roll, I came second last. The judge started with Fetsha so and so. ‘I find him not guilty. R Kadalie not guilty. Darrington not guilty. Mnika not guilty. Mkwambi not guilty. Magade not guilty. Tyamzashe not guilty. Maduna not guilty. Clements Kadalie I find him not guilty on this + that count and guilty on one count: 3 months or £25 pound fined.’ This money was paid there and then. That end[ed] the famous strike of East London.

Life in 1930s and 1940s southern Africa
kadalie_001-179
That day the police could not look in our faces. They were ashamed, because they have failed. We slept at Grahamstown. Next morning we all left Grahamstown for East London by big bus. Clements, Maduna + Tyamzashe left by private taxi. The[y] reached East London about 3 O’Clock, our bus reached East London 7 O’Clock. The whole of East London came to welcome us, singing and dancing away for the whole night.

Life in 1930s and 1940s southern Africa
kadalie_001-180
I stayed at East London one week. I left for Port Elizabeth. While in PE many of my friends warned me to leave [the] ICU and return to my former job. When we parted with my brother, we arranged that when he came to EL, as he is going to remove head office from Joburg to EL, and I shall come again to East London to (start) to open a shop and a barber, I agreed. I stayed at PE without looking for work, yet I had a hard time. One day a CID came to my house asking me if I [have] got children in Cape Town. I said yes. The man who is looking after your children says that he is not going to look after them any longer because I don’t help him for their maintenance, etc. ‘Now look here Robert, I am a CID but I [have] got a father here in PE who has a big store and if you like I will tell him to give you a work there so that you can send for your children. I have gone through your record. Although you was arrested with your brother, you are not so bad as him, you only started to join him now all these years you were working in Cape Town. Thin[k] of your children.’ When my wife heard she was very pleased, and told me to agree to the Detective Griffin proposal. No my heart was not in PE but to EL, where I saw the vision of a shop, [and] she the wife help[ing] me to run it. I refuse the nice offer of [the] CID man. It was the devil as you will learn by [the] by.

Life in 1930s and 1940s southern Africa
kadalie_001-181
July month [1930] Clements send me £2 as my train fare. I told my wife that I am going to East London to start [a] business, and I shall send for her as soon as possible. I reached EL. Clements did not come to the station, but he sent a car to fetch me. I came to his house for [the] first time, [and] I met his new wife Eva. I was surprise[d] to see that she is not a Coloured woman, but really European.

Life in 1930s and 1940s southern Africa
kadalie_001-182
[According to page numbering in the original manuscript, ten pages are missing here, but this may be an error in numbering.]

Life in 1930s and 1940s southern Africa
kadalie_001-183
As stated, that I thought it was the devil or (SATAN) who [made] me not accept the offer the detective offered me. Likewise it was the same devil who intice[d] me to join [the] ICU, because, as I have stated on [the] other page, [of] what our relationship between me and my brother Clements was. We never had what is commonly known as brotherhood love. The fellow was, I don’t know what to term him, I can[’t] find a word. When his ICU had money he never want[ed] me to join him, although many of his friend[s] told [me] to do so. Many hundreds of pounds he spent, but he never gave or sent his mother[’s] son anything. I did not care because I had a good job, even, I cared nothing of the said ICU.

Life in 1930s and 1940s southern Africa
kadalie_001-184
In 1929 when I left G Findlay’s. I wrote to him that he can now see that the white people hate him, and I have been dismissed simply because he is my brother. I think, out of shame, he offered me the secretary job in [the] ICU, not because he wanted to. You can even see [that] when I wrote to him in 1929, that [is] why I am sent to PE instead of East London where the branch is rich. He says nothing. He himself knew that [the] PE branch cannot pay even [a] 10/- salary.

Life in 1930s and 1940s southern Africa
kadalie_001-185
I am coming to my story. While in EL, I asked my younger brother, after a week[‘s] stay, for money to start [a] barber shop, money to buy tools, glass, chains etc. ‘Wait, wait.’ And I waited. That July month finish[ed]. August I waited. All this time my brother, his wages were every collection on Sunday meeting, [which all] goes to him. Sometimes, morning meeting collect 6 pounds, £6 [which] goes to him. Afternoon 6 to 7 pounds, sometimes all this money goes to his pocket. Not a single penny is given to me. I ask, ‘what the people give to me, which I use to send my wife[?]’ Every branch, he got what was known as ‘capitation fees’ for HO, 5/- in the £. These he used to take more than 30 to 40 pounds a week. Yet he would not give me the money he promised me, to come to EL to open a store.

Life in 1930s and 1940s southern Africa
kadalie_001-186
I beg him to give me £4 [so] that I could send [money] to Cape Town, so that my children should come to PE to their mother. No not Clements. What can I do[?] I made up a plan. I typed a letter addressed to [the] branch chairman of Kingwilliamstown. He has a rubber stamp of his name, ‘yours faithfully, C Kadalie’. [I] instructed the chairman ‘to help my brother Robert with anything which he deem[ed] fit to raise money for him, so that he can send for his children who are in CT.’

Life in 1930s and 1940s southern Africa
kadalie_001-187
I came to KWT give Bovana the letter. The fellow call[s] upon members of that town to [a] social, to play for money [in order] to help Comrade Robert Kadalie, the brother of the chief. Before that social, about 3.30 pm, I address[ed] a big meeting at the Market Square. I spoke nicely that evening of [the] social. Also I address[ed] the members. The result was that [at] 4 O’Clock the chairman announce[d] that we have raise[d] for Comrade Kadalie the sum of five pound and ten shillings, £5 10/-. Hurrah. The money was handed to me. Some members help me privately. I come back to EL. I wired the money to [the] station master, Cape Town and [an]other wire to my wife[’s] cousin, where the children were. Then I came to EL.

Life in 1930s and 1940s southern Africa
kadalie_001-188
I also inform my wife, when I came to EL. I told Clement what the people of KWT did to me. He was angry with me and the chairman. I told him in plain English that, ‘He has fulfil[ed] his vengeance, that today I am struggling. If he did not [think] of call[ing me] to his accursed ICU I should be better of[f] in Cape Town.’ I was hot, and if you talk too much you will know what will result. ‘Just now I will do to you the same [as] I did to your PS [Provincial Secretary, Magade] for decoying me to PE. [He] left me there to starve when he ran to EL.’ He knew that I gave Magade a terrible thrashing. I said to him the same blood of Akafunda which [spilt?] that day, of Magade[’s], it [will] again start unless you shut your mouth. I will close this same door as I did to Magade. None of your officers will come to your rescue.

Life in 1930s and 1940s southern Africa
kadalie_001-189
Beside [this] I spoke [of so] many things, that I think I start from the day he was two years of age to that day. [I] told him what kind [of] a man he is. ‘Even Satan in hell is better. Some times he has pity on his brother angel[s] (THE SATAN), if they have gone to God’s side,’ etc. That very day I demand[ed] from him ten pounds so that I can go back to CT. He couldn’t give [it to me], so I left him.

Life in 1930s and 1940s southern Africa
kadalie_001-190
A week after this incident, my children reached PE and they find the same good members of [the] ICU were good to me, they find a room for me so that I can call my wife + children. They put two [collections together?] they in themself. So I sent [a] fare to my wife [and] she came. Alas, when my brother heard it he was very angry. He met me and ask[ed] me what I meant by bringing [my] family here as I [had] got no job to provide [for] them. ‘Yes,’ I said to him, ‘you are happy because your wife and son are with you, and mine are far [a]way with the people whom they know not. It is better for them that we starve together here.’ Then I told him that mother[’s] prophecy came true, when she told [us] many years ago, that we quarrelled daily in the house, ‘when we grew, we shall never love one another, no[r] help one another. You deceived me, about [the] business venture. Where is it now?’

Life in 1930s and 1940s southern Africa
kadalie_001-191
1930 finish[ed] with me struggling in that East London, some days starving, while food got rotten [at] my brother[’s] house. My own children cannot go to their uncle[’s] house because he will not receive them as an uncle. [In] August 1931 a boy was born to us, and he was called Clements simply because the room we occupy was lacking. So he Clements came and find that my wife was about to deliver the child, [and] order[ed] her to be removed to his house. There my boy was born. Hence his name, Clements. But alas, she was only two weeks there. When he start to complain, so we have to go back to our old place. A very small place it was.

Life in 1930s and 1940s southern Africa
kadalie_001-192
I was [so] tired with my brother[’s] unkindness that I went to look for work in the Railways.[see note] There, when I told them who I am, the foreman or the man who engage[s] boys says, ‘this time do you think we can give [a] job here in the railway to you [?] A year is not finish yet, or otherwise do you want me to lose my job for your sake[?] The Railways Authority have not forgotten the strike you and your brother had last year. And you came today to ask [for] work here. What a cheeky. Get out.’

Life in 1930s and 1940s southern Africa
kadalie_001-193
[note: In part, Robert instigated the demise of the Independent ICU, and emergence of the United ICU. In September 1931 Robert Kadalie was made the Organising Secretary of Kingwilliams Town. According to Tyamzashe, Robert messed up and the Provincial Secretary, Magade, demanded his dismissal. As a result, Clements Kadalie ‘called’ to a Provincial Conference at Port Elizabeth - which he then refused to attend because the committee wanted to remove both the Kadalie brothers. Clements Kadalie was in Port Elizabeth, but he refused to address the conference audience, and instead addressed a public meeting. The Provincial Conference then dismissed him. As a result, the Independent ICU split, with more than 90% of the members following Clements Kadalie in what was now called the United ICU. Mpolongwane was made the President, as Gumede had become indifferent to the ICU cause. Tyamzashe, Summarised History of the ICU.]

Life in 1930s and 1940s southern Africa
kadalie_001-194
Well what can I do[?] I went to a gentleman a Mr Wilson who is a member of [the Institute of] Race Relation[s]. He gave me a letter to the foreman of [the] Union Castle line. I get up [at] 5 O’Clock am that morning. [I] found the said foreman [and] gave him my letter. To my surprise the fellow just says to me, ‘go to Hell. I got enough of your Kadalie fellow[s]. I just wish I had a gun and blow your brain out of your head. Get out.’ There was many Natives some of them member[s] of [the] ICU, I came back and explain[ed] to my wife. I said to the wife, ‘I am sorry I never listen[ed] to you in Cape Town, when you stopped me not to go to PE to join my brother. Again in PE when Detective Griffin offered me a job, I was obs[ti]nate when you told me to go and work.’ To give courage to me, she says ‘I am all these years with [you] Robert. I shall do my best to help you I shall go and work, or do some business.’ True to her word, she start[ed] to make fancy pillow cases, charge 2/6 to 3/- and so on. This helps a bit.

Life in 1930s and 1940s southern Africa
kadalie_001-195
No I want to do some work. I went to Wilson + to [the] Sweet Company. Here one of [the] Wilson[s] was a witness on the strike case. To this very man I must go. He recognised me. ‘When[/well] Kadalie what [can] I do for you[?]’ I gave him my testimony and [say] ‘I am a new comer to [the] ICU you can even see my references.’ ‘No I am sorry Kadalie, the directors will go for me.’ I said, ‘you are the boss in this place Mr Wilson.’

Life in 1930s and 1940s southern Africa
kadalie_001-196
‘Yes, I am the boss. But I am not the only boss. We are three brothers. I am junior. There [is] the senior. You can go to him and ask him, Mr Douglas Wilson.’

Life in 1930s and 1940s southern Africa
kadalie_001-197
I went to this man. Also he was sympathetic, but he also thought that I am as his brother, so I left him. I went home [at] the end of 1931. [1931] ends, I was still struggling. 1932 came, I was given work in [the] ICU as [an] organiser. Every week I am out in the reserve organising meetings opening branches. Wherever I open [a] new branch, whatever the money for contributions there were, I had no power to do with it as I like. It was in committee hands. I have to record [a] certain amount for each meeting. But if the ‘chief’ came every penny in that branch will be taken away and I got nothing.[see note] Although I protest, ‘that is not right for him to take every branch[’s] money’, my brother will not listen. In some cases, the people, as members when they heard that this branch money is taken away to E London by Clements they stop paying their tickets. So it went on. 1933 came. I was still organiser secretary in that year. One day I was going to town when a native police[man] came and tell me that the Sgt. want[ed] to see me. I went to [the] Police Station. ‘Well Robert have [you] ever paid any poll tax[?] I warn you to appeal before the court on Monday. Failing which you will be arrested.’

Life in 1930s and 1940s southern Africa
kadalie_001-198
[note: Clements Kadalie was widely known within the Independent ICU as ‘chief’.]

Life in 1930s and 1940s southern Africa
kadalie_001-199
On Monday I went to the court. The magistrate was absolutely hostile, since my name was Kadalie. ‘You have never paid poll tax. All these years. I ordered you to pay the 8 years [I] fined you £3 or three months jail.’ I asked if I can pay this money in instalment[s]. ‘Nothing of that sort you have to pay everything cash.’ I went to jail. I stayed 4 days. Clements came and fetch[ed] me, or otherwise he paid everything.

Life in 1930s and 1940s southern Africa
kadalie_001-200
In 1934 I was given [a] job in [the] ICU office as a branch secretary. At 10/- a week I worked in that capacity until April 1937. I bank[ed the] ICU money nearly every week. Still, my wages remain[ed] 10/- a week. 1934 another son was born to us. We called him Johnnie. Again in 1936 another child, a girl, this we called Eleanor. 1937 I resigned [from the] ICU [and] I went to Port Elizabeth to see [to] work there for 5 months in PE. [There is] no work to find, [so] I came back to East London. I found my wife has opened a fruit stall at [the] Indian market. It was not a successful venture. Many people will not buy by [from] our store. ‘Yes, at last, the Kadalie[s] want to have our money by selling fruit and vegetable to us.’ [In] 1938, at last, I was given work in the railways. I work nicely. That now was [the] first work which I know that if I work all 6 days, I am going to get my £14/-.

Life in 1930s and 1940s southern Africa
kadalie_001-201
After a month I PTO for my wife and 5 children to visit Kimberley. They stayed there 1 month. My elder daughter was left behind and she [was] sent her uncle Foster at Vereeniging. She stayed there till December when I went to fetch her. I also went there [at the] end of October. I return[ed] to East London [in] December 1938.

Life in 1930s and 1940s southern Africa
kadalie_001-202
For the first [time] since 1909 that I met my younger brother Foster Kadalie. My nephew Clement Banda the son of my first sister Mary was born in 1913. It was the first time [for him] to see me. 1939 February 9th a son was again born to us. As[/at] these[/this] time we now had 9 children, 4 boys and five girls. As I could see that our relationship between me and my brother had become so bad, that I decided to leave EL and return to my former place. That is Cape Town.

Life in 1930s and 1940s southern Africa
kadalie_001-203
All this [time] I was still working with [the] SA Railway[s]. I had a good job that of working with [the] fruit inspector, and I was what we must call [the] office boy[’]s fruit juicer, and [the] boss boy each time. The year 1939, that was the year I decided to leave with all my family. August month I got [a] free pass for my wife and 6 children. I have [to] pay half for Alice the bigger daughter and the elder left by car. Thus my family came to Cape Town before me. In fact I was left with elder boy. And we also left East London October 20 1939.

Life in 1930s and 1940s southern Africa
kadalie_001-204
In Cape Town, of course after 10 years absen[ce] every[thing] is change[d]. Two weeks before we reached Cape Town, my wife found a house at Park Rd Wynberg. November month finish my doing anything. My first work was with Standard Building Society. I started first of December 1939. I worked there until Feb 19th 1940. I was again out of [a] job [for] nearly three months. I found another one with [Egnip?] Ltd. I work there with my son Stanley. I work there only two months. I left to go and work with Boston House. With Boston House I work only 3 weeks, because the work which we was work with the other day disappear, and the blame was put on me. I protested, the result was [the] sack for me.

Life in 1930s and 1940s southern Africa
kadalie_001-205
I went to work with Shell & Co. The work there was very heavy for me. The boss could see it. And I told him that I cannot [do] the work. So I was given a week[’s] notice. After that I stayed [a] long time without work, although I look[ed] for it. Luck deserted me. So one day I was very tired going from that and this building. At last I thought to approach W Harper + Co. I was lucky, the boss gave me work as a[n] office boy. That was February 1941. And this was defining of my sorrow and hardship, as you will hear in the following paragraph.

Life in 1930s and 1940s southern Africa
kadalie_001-206
It was a blessing, because now we can eat good food as other people. The struggle of my poor wife is near as an end. She was buying meat and we sell it to other people round about. Some time [she] go[es] and sell[s] vegetable[s]. She was very lucky. Also our elder son got a job somewhere in Seapoint, earning his wages weekly. Each week he give to his mother £1. So we have good income in the house, until sometime in July month when my wife start to complain that there is a lump on her breast. She did not take much notice with it. I told her to go to [the] hospital. There, the doctor told her to stay in hospital for a little time. She probably refused.

Life in 1930s and 1940s southern Africa
kadalie_001-207
She came to tell me that the doctor told her to stay in hospital for six months. But it was not so. She went on with her selling until December. Meanwhile my son start to get sick so, that on November, he left work to come home. I could not make all his sickness. Although the doctor said that he has TB the first he came to us for first time to sleep home. He complain[ed] that he can’t sleep in the house of room since he brought a friend to work. The boss let him sleep in the room alone so that night he come home 12 O’Clock pm. ‘I came to sleep here mother, [but] I want to sleep in that hotel again.’ The boy had a good job in that hotel, he use[d] to make plenty [of] money. That week he slept [at] home. The following [week] we didn’t see him again until his mother went to see what is the matter with him. There she learn from the boss that the doctor say he has [had an] attack of TB.

Life in 1930s and 1940s southern Africa
kadalie_001-208
He was sent home. It was funny TB. The boy scream[ed] every night. He can’t go in the yard himself if is not dark, [so] one of his sister must accompany him. Sleeping time he can’t sleep far from our bed, and every night the same. I went to the Malay doctors, African doctor, white - no one could help the boy. I spend some money for those doctors. None of them could help my son. That was November and December 1941.

Life in 1930s and 1940s southern Africa
kadalie_001-209
Again the same month, that is November 1941, I received a letter from my mother[’s] home to say that I must come home. She has been badly assaulted by Kawele. I write to her that I cannot leave just now because both wife and son are sick.

Life in 1930s and 1940s southern Africa
kadalie_001-210
January the lump my wife had on her breast became very bad [and] gave her much pain. I sent her again to hospital. There they told her to bring the husband next morning. I went with her there. I have to signed certain paper, for [an] operation. This I did, and after I left here there. That was January 1942. Before I received a wire from S. Rhodesia that my mother passed away at home on January 4th 1942. She was not long in hospital when our 10th baby was born. And we called her name Dianah. That was February, this baby was to [be] give[n] to a woman to look after it while her mother was still in hospital. This woman did not look well after the baby, and it died beginning of March. The mother [was] sick in hospital, the elder son sick at home, and that same month the baby died. The other boy 3(1/2) years got sick, so the mother has to come out with a very small lump on [her] breast.

Life in 1930s and 1940s southern Africa
kadalie_001-211
She came out from the hospital with another sickness called yellow gander, which made everything in a person[’s] body yellow. She was not long in the house when our son Leslie died, that was in April. This time the elder son also became bad. He also passed away June month, follow[ing] one after another, like it was Mpekeska. Before the elder boy died he called his mother and tell his mother that she also she’s called but not now. Note: Eleven months elapse, the mother also died. So my elder boy died, three children follow their grandmother whom they never seen. Now I have to struggle with my wife. I went with here and there, where we heard that there doctor or a person who knows the remedy.

Life in 1930s and 1940s southern Africa
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When last I went with her to the hospital, they told me that they can do nothing. They never told me that she got cancer. This they told me that they can send her to Cornard’s Home. I refused, telling whatever sickness she got I will look after her. This I said, I had a nice boss, who was sympathetic with me and give me ever[y] assistance. Two weeks after my boy[’s] death, I also fell sick with stomach for 5 weeks I was in the house. I went back to work very tired. I used to weigh 170lbs when I were back to work I weighed only 130lbs.

Life in 1930s and 1940s southern Africa
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I worked all that year 1942, nursing my wife. The breast by now was bad. December 1942 she went to bed for good. She fought with death until April. her sickness was [a] painful one, night and day no sleep she [would] cry. The pain was hard to bear. But she fight on. Her body was half eaten up, I was wonder to see that she can speak with us both, some night try to comfort her children, try to talk with [them] in even [her] dying words. I many days I was absent from my work, the result was [that for] many week I got half pass.

Life in 1930s and 1940s southern Africa
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On April there passed away a young, courage[ous] and kind woman.

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In Loving Memory of

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Of my dear wife and our darling mother, Lily, passed away on 16th April 1943. A wonderful mother, woman and aid. One who was better God never made. A wonderful worker; so loyal and true. One in a million that mother, was you. Just in your judgement, Always right. Honest and liberal. Ever upright. Loved by your friends and all whom you knew.

Life in 1930s and 1940s southern Africa
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Our wonderful mother, that mother was you. Sadly missed by her husband, sons and daughter.

Life in 1930s and 1940s southern Africa
kadalie_001-218
So died a wife and a mother. (She) her passing has been a crashing blow to me, for 24 years we had a happy life. She was a wife and at [the] same time a helper to me. Although not so educated, her wisdom was beyond praise. She had a host of friends, and these friends love her so dearly. many of them missed her today.

Life in 1930s and 1940s southern Africa
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My spirit seems to die with her. (I) since she left me I seem to have no soul left with me, the courage and power I had seems to [have] deserted from me, and I am today without [a] mother. In truth she was a real mother to me.

Life in 1930s and 1940s southern Africa
kadalie_001-220
PSALM 23.VI To End Chapter

Life in 1930s and 1940s southern Africa
kadalie_001-221
The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want; He maketh me to the dawn in green pastures; leadeth me beside the still waters.

Life in 1930s and 1940s southern Africa
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He restoreth my soul; he leadeth me in the path of righteousness for his name’s sake.

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Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for thou art with me thy rod and thy staff comfort me.

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Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of (my) mine enemies; thous anointed my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

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Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever (Amen).

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Those [who] will read the bio of mine will understand that it is [a] hard blow to a man after 24 years [of] happy life wife, a wife and daily companion, when one is taken away from one another. It [is a] hard blow to the one who is left. As I can see in myself, my peace is finish in me. I mean those I had when my dear wife was with me. Here I wish to close the narrative of my house next chapter is my journey to Joburg.

Life in 1930s and 1940s southern Africa
kadalie_001-227
Before my wife died I was working with the firm W Harper Builder. The boss of this firm helped me nicely while my house has so many sickness. Mr Harper died before my wife. After the death of my wife I asked [for] leave to go to Johannesburg to visit my sister MARY whom I never seen for 33 years. I arrived Johburg Jul 16. I met my sister at Vereening by Foster my young brother. I went there with my 3 young children leaving 4 in Cape Town. I stayed with my sister 3 months. I again left Joburg for Francistown to meet or visit one James Banda. While there I wanted to visit Bulawayo. But Mr Beaton Longwe stopped me, saying that he was coming to Francistown where his wife was.[see note]

Life in 1930s and 1940s southern Africa
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[note: John William Longwe, or JB Longwe, was another founder of the NNNC. Again this could be the same person, or a relative.]

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I met Mr Beaton Longwe at Francistown we had a good talk for two days. I stayed 2 weeks with Mr James Banda. 1st October 1943 (I again) I came back to Cape Town. The following week I got a job with the firm of Wier of Woodstock also builders. I was not long with this firm. I only worked with them three month[s]. Here I must state that, so foolish, I had been, like other men when their dear wife passed away they wait a longer time before they look to a second partner. In my case it was not so. I propose[d] to another woman much younger than myself. Friends of mine warned me that the woman I want[ed], she is brainless, and that I must not not take her. Even my four girls also told me not to take her. I never listen[ed] to either [of them and] the result was that the uncle of the woman asked me to pay certain Lobola (dowery). I paid in the year 1944 the sum of seven pounds, £7. The rest to be paid after, [some] of which is never paid. From 1944 to Nov 1945 I never work.[see note] I stayed home all this time, while this woman was still with her mother. She became pregnant and had [a] still born baby. This was in 1944. Again 1945 she also had [another] still born baby. [At the] end of 1945 I start[ed] to stay with her in one room, and became my [repentent?] wife, to this day.

Life in 1930s and 1940s southern Africa
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[note: Robert was, however, actively involved in chiefly politics in colonial Nyasaland. Clements told his son Alex in 1944, “Robert wrote this week sending me a newspaper cutting giving a report of [the] coronation ceremony in Nyasaland in our own home. Our grandfather, who was the chief that gave permission to the Scottish Missionaries to settle, died many years ago. Another man about Robert’s age or younger was called from Southern Rhodesia to Nyasaland to be crowned as chief. The crowning ceremony is a little similar to the civilised standard. The report in the paper is very interesting.” Clements Kadalie to Alexander Kadalie, 18/10/1944, UWC Alexander Kadailie Papers.]

Life in 1930s and 1940s southern Africa
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As I was told that the women, she’s [brainless?] it happened to be so. I suffered a lot, yet I never complain[ed]. [In] 1946 my 5[th] daughter, Rachel, passed away, having 4 daughters and two boys. In the same year the woman which is my [repentent?] wife born a baby child. He is named Charles. Of the year 1944 December I again visited my young brother Foster for three weeks. I had a holiday from the firm of Lewis Construction (Building). I continue with this firm. 1947 Dec I visit East London, to my brother Clements Kadalie. I was nicely by himself + his wife. Nothing important took place in 1948 of which I can write here. 1949 also came

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This is the names and date of children born from my first wife, Lillie Kadalie

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Mary Kadalie Born 13 September 1919

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Stanley Robert Kadalie Born 9th July 1921

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Alice Kadalie Born 31st May 1923

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Molly Francis Kadalie Born (deceased) 1925

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Lettie Kadalie Born 5th Feb 1928

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Rachel (Bapsi) Kadalie Born 5th February 1929

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Clement Kadalie (JNR) Born 9th August

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Children from my second wife, [Anna Windvogue?]

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2 died born between 1944 to 1945

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Charles Windvogue Born 3rd April 1947

Life in 1930s and 1940s southern Africa
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Robert Windvogue Born 19 September 1949

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Alice Windvogue Born 27 March 1953

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Muriel Flolinah Windvogue Born 27 May 1955

Life in 1930s and 1940s southern Africa

Masudi_001

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Elias P.K. Mandala (EM): In the first place and before we start with our interview, can you introduce yourself, Sir?

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Mmadi Kalonga Masudi (MKM): Ok, my name is Mmadi Kalonga Masudi. I am the Vice Board Chair of Ex-Miners Association of Malawi. I am also the District Secretary of Mangochi

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EM: Ok Ex-miners association of Malawi?

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MKM: yes EMAM

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EM: Oh well, thank you so much for being available for this interview

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MKM: Welcome Sir

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EM: Am very grateful. This interview will be different from the rest of the other guys.

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MKM: Ok

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EM: I will concentrate on asking you questions as a beneficiary. Your father travelled to South Africa to work in the mines under WNLA, and that he came back. So, when did your father travel first? How many times?

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MKM: OK, my dad only travelled once in 1973 to 1974. But he came back sick

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EM: OK

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MKM: It is for this reason that he only travelled once. He was diagnosed of TB.

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EM: Ok, ohm sorry to hear that

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MKM: When he came back home, he didn’t live long. He passed on of TB. His death brought untold problems to our family.

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EM: Would you know where he contracted this disease, TB?

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MKM: In South Africa

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EM: While at the mine?

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MKM: Yes

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EM: So, what happened that he came back home while sick? Why he didn’t seek health assistance while there?

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MKM: Relative that saw him struggling in South Africa advised him to better go back home and access local health services.

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EM: Ok

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MKM: But my dad insisted to stay on until the end of his contract. Which he did.

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EM: Oh ok

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MKM: When he got home, he told us that he was sick hence he was not going back to South Africa. So, my family decided to take him to different hospitals where we sought medical attention. Out effort proved futile as he passed on.

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EM: Indeed, very sorry for the loss.

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MKM: However, before his death, he had given me all his documents

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EM: Oh okay. These are the documents? I will scan them at the end of the interview. So, he travelled under WNLA to South Africa in 1973 and back in 1974?

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MKM: Yes Yes

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EM: Ok. I know that WNLA closed doors for Malawians in 1975, hence no one from Malawi joined.

masudi_001-30
MKM: Yes yes

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EM: Ok. So, for the short period your dad spent in South Africa (1973-1974) do you think was valuable? If so explain?

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MKM: It was very valuable especially that when he left, we were destitute. He left me when I developed polio. Only his relative were there to assist me and my family. However, when he got there, he frequently supported us financially. He never forgot us.

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EM: Oh okay, Good to hear that

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MKM: At times when we had nothing to eat, relatives who were farmers helped with maize and other food. Having said that, my dad frequently sent us money to support our family. Our life changed really. Other neighbours envied us due to his financial support

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EM: What was the intention of sending you the money? Was he sending for food? School fees? Or other reasons?

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MKM: My dad used to send money to help his brothers especially those who were doing well school. He also supported us through school fees. He also bought us a big house as he had left us in a small house then. On top of that he bought a land for future use when he is dead. A thing that happened eventually

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EM: Oh! So, he bought you a new land? Paid your school fees? And bought you a bigger house? And provided food?

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MKM: Yes Sir

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EM: Wow.

masudi_001-40
MKM: He was really a loving and supportive dad. This is why we still remember him with fond memories. [visible tears, pauses]

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EM: It is a pity he died early.

masudi_001-42
MKM: Yes

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EM: How old was he?

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MKM: Not sure really. But he should in his early 50s

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EM: ok ok

masudi_001-46
MKM: Sure.

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EM: Would you know why he decided to go to South Africa or WNLA?

masudi_001-48
MKM: Yes, yes primarily that we go to school. Before that he used to be a farmer and was not making enough money to feed us and pay for our school fees. So, his peers advised him to also travel to South Africa through WNLA if he was to educate us.

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EM: ohm! ok

masudi_001-50
MKM: So, he came home and brought the issue on the table. My mother and us children felt pleased as we knew now, we will be rich like our peers whose parents went to South Africa to work in the mines.

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EM: Oh, oh! great. Good to know.

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MKM: For real, (with some smile in the face)

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EM: Back to his health. When he was diagnosed with TB in South Africa, what did WNLA do? Any assistance?

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MKM: You know WNLA took advantage of him not being educated. He didn’t know his rights. But when he came home, I took it upon myself and my mother to get him to various hospitals to receive medical care. We did that though we didn’t know people who could help. But the good thing was that he had given us the letters and other documents about his disease.

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EM: Oh! so those papers and documents indicated that he was suffering from TB? And that he contracted it while in South Africa in the mines?

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MKM: Yes, and I only knew about this when a certain nurse who felt sorry for me at Zomba Central Hospital, told me. She said your dad got TB from the mines in South Africa. Just be strong as he could be alive or dead.

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EM: Oh okay, sad.

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MKM: So, we just accepted really. We were then ready for whatever happens. It can only be God’s plan.

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EM: It baffles me that in South Africa there are better hospitals then that your dad could receive better treatment there. What made him come back home?

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MKM: Indeed, there were better treatment there, but my dad wanted to be closer to his wife and kids while suffering.

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EM: So, it means the decision to come home wasn’t made by the WNLA management? It was him instead?

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MKM: Yes, it was his decision, though he managed to finish his contract. Then he decided to come home.

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EM: So, did he manage to get his bonuses?

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MKM: No. He told us that he did not receive his bonus. He was told only if he went back then, he would get it. We tried through his relatives who were still in South Africa, but we failed.

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EM: So, you did not try to push to receive these bonuses from WNLA?

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MKM: Actually, we tried then, but with no success. Now we are pushing through EMAM to get those forgotten bonuses.

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EM: Oh okay. But does EMAM have a lawyer?

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MKM: Yes. Am told so.

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EM: I think if you have a lawyer, he can assist in this regard. The second option is tp get to Ombudsman, or Legal Aid who can assist you by reaching to WNLA officials in South Africa.

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MKM: oh okay.

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EM: So, do you have Legal aid or ombudsman offices here in Mangochi?

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MKM: Yes, they have offices here.

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EM: So, I propose you and your mom to go to one of these offices to present this issue

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MKM: I will try my best to do that, thank you.

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EM: Also try private lawyers. Or let your mom approach the Women Lawyers association. They can help too on pro bono.

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MKM: Oh really? Is that possible?

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EM: Yes. I have one who most often, depending on the case, does on pro bono. For instance, the evicted residents of Malawi Housing at Ngumbe. He assisted them freely

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MKM: Okay maybe we need to explore more to get my dad’s bonuses

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EM: What about his savings while working in the mines? The ones the government kept for him. Did he receive it before his death?

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MKM: Ommmmm am not sure. He never told us anything on that. I was his first born hence he used to tell me many things. Nothing on that.

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EM: So, you need task about that as well. It was his entitlement.

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MKM: Oh okay. I will indeed find out about that as well

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EM: As we go towards the end of our chat, we talked about why he had to leave for South Africa? To which you said, he wanted to get more money to alleviate family poverty by sending his children to school, build a descent house, and bought a land. We also talked abut his health and how he finished his contract. That he did not access his bonus, that he died of TB.

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MKM: Exactly.

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EM: I also asked about your consent to publish these materials in books or on website?

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MKM: Yes, I have no problem at all to get these materials published either in my name or any other form.

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EM: Thank you so much for your time and value to this project.

masudi_001-88
MKM: Thank you.

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EM: So, what was the full name of your dad? I see on this identity card that he was also a chief.

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MKM: Exactly, he was the son of chief Masudi. So, his full name was Kalonga Masudi.

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EM: I get it. Thank you.

Mtegha_001

mtegha_001-1
Nkhunda left Malawi in 1932. At this point he was already a father, with a son Daih and two daughters, Betty and Nyazura. Nkhunda migrated with around 15-20 other young male Tumbuka from Usisya, led by experienced migrants. They travelled entirely on foot, walking along the main road to Blantyre before following the railway line – “a contemporary GPS” - down south through Southern Malawi and Mozambique.

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During the walk south, Nkhunda fell sick with diarrhoea and had to stop – causing the group to split in two. Those continuing on their travels walked to Port Elizabeth, but a number of close friends stayed back with him to make sure that he returned to health. This smaller group then travelled on together to Johannesburg. They were not the first from Usisya to head south and initially stayed at the home of a Malawian called Chiume in Boksburg to acclimatise and find work. At this point the group that had travelled together since Nkhata Bay dispersed, finding different jobs across the Rand.

mtegha_001-3
Gilead didn’t know what the first job of his grandfather was, but Nkhunda ended up working on one of the unfederated Rand mines. His superior education from the Livingstonia Mission, most notably his grasp of English, meant that he was immediately picked out as a “boss boy”. Throughout his time in South Africa, Nkhunda lived in Daveyton initially renting a room from a local, and during his time there learnt Afrikaans, Zulu, Xhosa, as well as Fanakolo - the language of the mines. Nkhunda's wife Maria never joined him in South Africa, but this wasn’t really a choice – she had to stay to look after the family, and physically it was very arduous to walk the huge distance.

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Nkhunda remained on the Rand for 20 years, but would travel back to Malawi periodically by train, perhaps once every four or five years. During such visits he brought back gifts for everyone in the village; mainly cheap clothes which were imported by the suitcase load. Nkhunda also brought numerous items of clothing for himself. A sharp suit and tie bought in South Africa was Nkhunda’s dress code of choice. He returned back to Malawi permanently in 1952, travelling by train with 5 bicycles, 4 of which he sold.

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Gilead did not believe that Nkhunda worked as a miner because it was honourable, but because “it was easy - it was the easiest place to go and find work, not everyone wanted to work on the mine because of the hardships associated with work on the mine, but if you were a foreigner you would go for anything. Mining was the most available job around.”

mtegha_001-6
The money he earned abroad however meant that his children were all very well educated. They all attended Bandawe Presbyterian Mission School in Usisya which was very expensive and only for the “well-to-do”. Many well-educated families in the area had a history of migration, with skills and wealth accumulating over the generations; migration becoming a “springboard for success”.

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On his return to Usisya in 1952, Nkhunda set up a small shop selling groceries, but passed away only 6 months later, the shop subsequently closing down.

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Nevertheless he did leave the legacy of his children. Daih went on to become a leading preacher for the Watch Tower movement in Malawi, whilst the education of Betty and Nyazura distinguished them from other women in Usisya. Both went on to marry migrants from Usisya. Betty married and migrated with Chris Chiume, a well-educated migrant who worked at the Wankie Colliery in Zimbabwe, whilst Nyazura similarly married Gladwell Gondwe, a miner who worked at Roodeport, west of Johannesburg. Both lived abroad until their husbands retired in the 1980s. In this sense, Usisya migrants came to constitute some sort of a distinct class – the wakuharare; “those who have been to Harare, those who have been to all over.”

mtegha_001-9
They also took away my passport promising to get it formalised or renewed and return it but never came or posted it back.

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I had to go to the Malawian embassy in Harare but they were saying they needed $150 and the process would take very long. So I just gave up and decided to live without Malawian passport.

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I came by train which I boarded in Blantyre. My home area is Kalembo and we travelled by bus to Blantyre got into a train – Limbi, Tyoro.

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Came through Mozambique and faced serious problems at their border. The officials took away our clothes, goods and other things during searching.

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In the aftermath of the land reform life was totally transformed because our white employer left for South Africa in 2004

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We have been staying here since then doing piecemeal jobs and practising subsistence agriculture. When the new settlers came in they occupied most of the fields in the process allocating a small portion of the farm to the remaining farm workers.

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However, some of us who had been of long service managed to get better land deals. I was allocated 10 acres of land whilst my eldest son Sidi got 4 acres.

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Basically, farm workers brokered land deals with the new black settlers.

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It is from these pieces of land that they have been growing tobacco as a cash crop on a small scale supplementing their meagre salaries that they occasionally get from the new farmers.

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Over the years, these farm workers, because of a lack of a rural home and failure to return to Malawi due to family commitments, the former commercial farms have become their retirement homes where they practise A2 farming.

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The land reform opened up numerous opportunities for some of these migrants.

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We are now independent small-scale tobacco producers in our own right. We share the old farm equipment and resources during the tobacco season and produce a few bales of tobacco for sale at the end of the season.

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In situations where a new black entrepreneur occupied the farm, farm workers remained as employees but under poor working conditions.

Galatiya_002

galatiya_002-1
ZG: When did you migrate to Zimbabwe?

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GGK: 1959. I started off for Zimbabwe on the 18th September 1959.

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ZG: What was your plan when you went to Zimbabwe? Were you travelling alone and were you looking for work?

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GGK: I went to Zimbabwe to look for a job. [He was 26 when he left]

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GGK: I went by bus and there was a group of us, a good number of people.

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ZG: Did you go with a recruitment agency?

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GGK: No, I just thought of going alone.

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ZG: Did you travel to Salisbury? And what do you remember about arriving in Salisbury?

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GGK: I remember that it was the time of the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland.

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ZG: What were your first impressions of Salisbury?

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GGK: The place was really good. It was very clean. The people used to dress very well as compared to Malawi.

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ZG: Why did you chose to go to Southern Rhodesia, why Salisbury?

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GGK: I decided to go to Rhodesia to look for employment and money, when I left Malawi, I had no employment or money.

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ZG: Did you have any friends who had already gone to Salisbury? Did you know anyone when you arrived?

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GGK: Yes, there were a lot of people I knew that were already there.

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ZG: Was it easy to find work when you arrived?

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GGK: It wasn’t very difficult to find a job, jobs were easily found. You could even choose what you wanted to do.

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ZG: What was your job in Salisbury?

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GGK: General worker. At the College of Agriculture, on the outskirts of the city.

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ZG: How long did you spend in Salisbury?

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GGK: 36 years

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ZG: Did you travel back to Malawi at all during this time?

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GGK: Since I went in 1959, I only came back in 1987 to see my relatives. I was on holiday at that time, still working but on leave. I went back to Zimbabwe in 1988 and then didn’t come back to Malawi again until after I had retired in 1993.

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ZG: Were you single when you went to Zimbabwe?

galatiya_002-25
GGK: Before I went to Zimbabwe I was married, but then that is I went when we were separated. We had one child, but that child died.

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ZG: And then you met your wife in Salisbury?

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GGK: Yes, she was the woman I married when I went there.

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ZG: When did you meet?

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GGK: We met in 1965.

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ZG: How did you meet?

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GGK: Agnes’ father used to work in the mines in Salisbury, where I was working at Gwibi, Agnes’ elder sister worked there. So, when she came to see her sister, I would see her.

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ZG: How did you feel to leave Malawi?

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GGK: I was happy to go to Zimbabwe because I couldn’t find any employment here.

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ZG: Where did you live when you first arrived in Zimbabwe, how did you find accommodation?

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GGK: There were many Malawians that were living there so we used to trace the ones that you were related to and you would stay there.

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ZG: And what type of accommodation did you then find?

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GGK: We used to stay where we found work. It was a house not a hostel. There were three people staying in one house at first and later everyone found their own accommodation. Our accommodation was good, we were not married at that time but it was good enough for one person.

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ZG: Were most of your colleagues Malawian?

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GGK: No they were different nationalities; Tanzanians, Mozambicans, Zambians, and some Swahili from Kenya.

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ZG: What language did you communicate in when you were there?

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GGK: Chichewa, Shona and English But when Malawians met they used to like speaking Chichewa among themselves.

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ZG: So, you had a lot of friends in Salisbury?

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GGK: The way we were living it felt as if we were in Malawi, because of the community. And since I stayed there for so many years I actually became like a Shona. It reached a point where we used to communicate a lot more in Shona than in Chichewa.

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ZG: When you were not working what types of things did you do in your spare time?

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GGK: I used to like playing football in my spare time. I also used to go to church.

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ZG: Who were the teams he used to play with?

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GGK: It wasn’t a team of only Malawians, where we used to work, we came up with a football team. And during the weekends we used to invite teams from other places to play with us.

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ZG: Which church did you belong to?

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GGK: CCAP

galatiya_002-50
ZG: Who else used to attend this church?

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GGK: At that time, most Shona didn’t go to that church. If you saw a Shona woman going to that church, her husband would have paid lobola for her and she had no choice but to go to her husband’s church. But otherwise, it was mainly Malawians, [mentions Tsankho]

galatiya_002-52
ZG: So, were relations between Malawians and Shona friendly?

galatiya_002-53
GGK: We were living together in one place because of where we were working but in day-to-day life, there was a sense of separateness. The Shona people were “onyada”, we got used to their character and we didn’t really care.

galatiya_002-54
ZG: So, did you have Shona friends?

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GGK: Yes, many.

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ZG: Do you remember much about the rise of Nationalist politics in Zimbabwe? How did people feel about the federation?

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GGK: We were quite unified during that time, but I don’t think that most people really understood what it was about on the ground.

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ZG: Were you involved in any politics yourself?

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GGK: Before 1980 I was not actively involved because most of the freedom fighters were not in Zimbabwe, they were more in Zambia and Mozambique. Before 1980 we just used to hear what was going on but we didn’t play any role. I joined ZANU PF in 1980. We were actually forced to join ZANU PF we didn’t want to join but they were a cruel party and we didn’t feel like we had a choice. We were forced to go to their meetings and we were afraid so that is why we used to go.

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ZG: So, before independence you were not actively involved in politics, but how did it affect life in Salisbury?

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GGK: We were told, before independence, that if we didn’t join a party, we would be sent home and that we wouldn’t be able to take anything with us that we had acquired during our time there.

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ZG: When you returned to Malawi how did you feel about leaving Zimbabwe?

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GGK: I was happy to return to Malawi. I was happy to return to my homeland because the way they lived there was different.

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ZG: What were the reactions of people in your village to your return?

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GGK: When we came home, we were welcomed, especially by my brother. Even before we built this house where we stay now, we used to stay with my brother at his house.

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ZG: How did you adjust to returning to a small village after spending so long in Harare?

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GGK: I thought it a good idea to come back to the village because I stayed in Harare for a very long time. With the way we were living it was better to come back to Malawi. Town life is not really suitable for grown men like me. If you are to compare life in Zimbabwe to Malawi now, then life in Malawi is better!

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ZG: Why did you return to Malawi?

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GGK: Retirement

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ZG: Is there anything else you would like to add about your experiences in Salisbury?

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GGK: Things I remember about Zimbabwe: Zimbabwe is like home (“kumudzi”) my second home, there was good food. That time when Zimbabwe was still Rhodesia, they used to eat well. In terms of working conditions, sometimes the whites would treat us as if we were slaves (Akapolo). Sometimes the people that we used to work for, our wages were not so good. Sometimes, we used to just bear with the situation because home was so far away, we didn’t have any choice. It was difficult to make the decision to come back home, because compared to the money that I would have earned back here I was better in Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe used to look like heaven in that way, “kunali ngati kumwamba”.

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LP: According to the lifestyle that we live in Malawi, did you find things that were similar in Salisbury or was it different?

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GGK: There were dances similar to those found in Ntcheu. The most common dance was “Ingoma”, we used to enjoy doing that dance in Zimbabwe.

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ZG: Was it just the men who would do that dance?

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GGK: Most of the dances and the dance groups were in the mines. There were a lot of Ngoni people in the mines.

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ZG: And what about the other tribal groups from Malawi?

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GGK: Other tribes from Malawi also had their own dances. When there was a function, those dances used to take place. People from Tanzania had their own dances and those from Malawi had their own dances. The dances from the other countries also had their own “Ingoma” but it was somehow different from the way they dance it here.

Kazembe_001

kazembe_001-1
Born on 1 January 1934

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I came here during the Federation period in 1957 when it was not yet clear if Smith would rule this country.

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I came to Shamva town and worked as a shopkeeper at Shamva store. From there I went to RD Carewood in Mufurizi to continue working as a storekeeper. Then went to Matepatepa, Mvurwi worked as a post-boy. Then came to Mtorashanga Mine and worked for 22 years as a Picannin Mine Captain.

kazembe_001-4
1972 went to Darwendale to open a new mine there. Then went to Penhalonga worked for 3 years and left because of war. I then came to Maryland Farm and worked for a few days and went to Chinhoyi and enrolled into the Rhodesian Army until 1980.

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Then went to Roswa Mine, then Musukandebvu Farm until the Farm Invasions and headed back here to Maryland

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Now look at my state. I do not have enough clothes.

poverty
kazembe_001-7
When it comes to benefiting from the land, we have been excluded because we are aliens, we are strangers, we do not belong and cannot vote.

politics
kazembe_001-8
But in 1980 we were allowed to vote. I voted in Chinhoyi as well as in 1985 we voted here at the school. 1990 we voted at Darwendale after they had initially refused to allow us to vote. Sabina facilitated for our voting because we were in her constituency. And after that we could not vote until now because we are aliens.

politics
kazembe_001-9
Came by bus from Mangochi Fort Johnstone through Mangochi, Kasupe, Zomba, Blantyre

Fort Johnstone
Mangochi
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Came to buy a bicycle and gramophone – people would come here and work for two years

bicycles
purchases
kazembe_001-11
When you came you would meet women here and forget everything else and with families you would be doomed.

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1975 I went to war and know the gun in and out – I wanted the money that was given. Even in the mines we were looking for money and survival.

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I was given a house in Chinhoyi on retirement

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Can’t go back because of shame. I have nothing to show for all my work here. No properties and people back home have a tendency of sarcastically laughing at me for my poverty.

poverty
kazembe_001-15
Now I am traditional healer of repute. I deal with a lot of ailments. I am very grateful to God for the gift because it is what I am now depending on here to survive.

medicine
health

Mtegha_002

mtegha_002-1
Born in Usisya Village, Nkhata Bay in 1930, Daih achieved the highest level of education possible at Bandawe Presbyterian Mission School, and trained as a medical assistant for 3 years in Zomba during the 1940s. Raised for most of his life by his mother Maria in Nkhata Bay and highly educated, Daih didn't consider becoming a miner like his father. His son Gilead reflected in June 2014, “he was trained - he had a profession, he was in a class above being a miner.” On completing the course in Zomba, he migrated south to work in Cape Town in 1951, having heard of a job through word of mouth. In contrast to migrants in the 1930s who had to walk to South Africa, by the 1950s the railways had become an easy and affordable means of travelling. Migrants would often travel independently or in small groups of two or three. Whilst his father had walked over 2,000 miles to reach South Africa, Daih travelled on his own by train, using the money his father had sent home to pay for the fare. At the same time though, just like his father, Daih did not have an identification certificate, and instead got a temporary pass once he was in South Africa.

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Before travelling south, Daih married Melrin in 1948. Also from Usisya, together the young couple had two children, Mala (born in 1948) and Maina (born in 1950) before Daih left. Melrin came to South Africa in 1952, but did not join Daih in Cape Town. She instead lived with his father Nkhunda in Daveyton, because of the “better family network” and the fact that Cape Town was “a tough place to be”. Gilead and Jegger were born in Daveytown in 1955 and 1958 respectively.

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In Cape Town, Daih worked for three years as a hospital lab assistant, periodically returning via train to Malawi. He had a flat of his own in the District 6 area of the city and socialised with other Malawians from Usisya. This self-supporting group included Nebert Thindwa, a shop assistant and Mnkhowo Nyasulu, a labourer, among others. They had all travelled to Cape Town by train, joining others who were already in town. One such individual was the famous trade unionist, Clements Kadalie, who Daih knew personally but, by this point, was also very old. Settled in Cape Town Daih, like many Malawians, became a consistent suit wearer – a tradition he picked up from the hospital. Like his father, Daih would “wear suits all the time”. “They took after the British - the suit and tie, you couldn't go to a meeting without a tie.”

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It was whilst in Cape Town that Daih “got a calling” and become a follower of the Watch Tower movement. Converted by an Israeli doctor who worked with him at the hospital Daih became “a firm believer” – much to the consternation of his father. One of his close friends Nebert Thindwa from Usisya, was converted alongside him, but no other Malawians joined them in transferring to the Jehovah's Witnesses.

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After 3 years working at the hospital Daih left his job as a medical assistant to concentrate on his church work. Funded by the American Jehovah's Witness Mission in Cape Town, he trained as a missionary for the following 6 years.

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Melrin and their children returned to Usisya in 1959, to attain a good education and avoid the crime that was associated with urban living. The young family, with Daih still in Cape Town, lived with Daih’s mother and grandmother in Usisya – and during this period it was the women “who kept the family”.

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Living in Apartheid South Africa “was difficult for them - it was difficult for every black person...” Returning to Banda's Malawi however was a “similar situation, but I think living under Hasting's Banda was worse. Here they were living under Apartheid, OK there were restrictions in terms of they couldn't move, they couldn't go to the schools they wanted to, they couldn't go to the same hospitals, but at least they were free to do everything else. In Malawi they couldn't talk, it was a real dictatorship.”

mtegha_002-8
In 1960, Daih returned to Malawi as a Jehovah's Witness missionary. Though the movement “was well established, it was run mainly by Americans at that time, so he was one of perhaps the first indigenous Malawians to be head of the province.” Daih was based in Blantyre at the Jehovah's Witness head quarters run by the long-serving American, Mr Vigo, and was constantly busy translating English works into Tumbuka, preaching, and corresponding across the globe - most notably with Jehovah's Witnesses in Brooklyn, New York where the movement was based.

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Though based in Blantyre, Daih “was head of the church in one of the provinces - if you are the head you don't stay in one place. One week you are here, the next you are there, so they move around.” As area supervisor of a province, Daih was known as ‘mtumiki wa dela’, literally translated as someone who serves the region. Gilead reflected that “he was a very good preacher.”

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After a number of successful years, Mr Vigo had arranged for Daih “to go to the United States and train in international law, so that when he came back he could be head of the Jehovah's Witnesses in Malawi.” The banning of the movement in 1966 however meant that instead both Daih and Melrin had to flee the country. “They went to Zambia first and then Mozambique. There was actually a whole nation of Jehovah's Witnesses, so they ran into Zambia and stayed in some camps, refugee camps - so he was looking after them in the refugee camps. Later on they came back to Malawi, in 1969 for about a year or so, and then the persecution started again and then they went to Mozambique - again they stayed in refugee camps.”

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Jehovah's Witnesses “would be beaten up, killed - it was bad. They had what you call the Youth League, so they had people persecuting people. That time in Malawi it was pretty bad - it required you to be an automatic member of the party. So you know Jehovah's Witnesses don't allow you to associate with politics, so they were seen to be anti-party, that's why they were persecuted.”

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“Nobody beat them [Daih or Melrin] as such, but there were times when they would come in and they would herd out all the Jehovah's Witnesses and try and force them to change, to reconvert them to whatever church and if they refused they would put you into the water, into the lake or the river. So there were some bad things that happened.”

mtegha_002-13
“If you learn the old history of Malawi, it was quite bad.” This only ceased when Gilead “was at university at the time, I think around 1978, that's when there was a lot of international pressure on Hastings Banda - you can't treat your people like that, so some people came back.”

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Daih and Melrin came back to Malawi in 1980 - having been in Mozambique for a decade. For all this time they were staying in camps, receiving money from Jehovah's Witnesses in the United States.

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Daih was a man of the world – “he had got a good outlook of the world - it was beyond the local sphere. He learnt a lot through his travels.” Whilst abroad he learnt to speak Afrikaans and Xhosa.

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Nevertheless, local tribal authority remained important to Daih – “people were still organised in terms of the hierarchy of the tribe - in that sense that is how people organise themselves, get in line and set the rules.” The role of chief however, “wasn't for him. When he retired and returned to the village, people tried to make him chief and he said no, he didn't like it. Interestingly though he was still involved in some way, because if people wanted advice they would still come to him for advice, so he was still involved. The other reason is that if you remember, if you are a Jehovah's Witness they renounce what you call the earthly things - like being the tribal chief which is ungodly, if you like.”

mtegha_002-17
In some ways, this was typical of many men of Daih's generation. The emigration of large numbers of men “didn't remove power, but it did remove the best minds so to speak...leaders are people who would have mind to go to South Africa, so it was those natural leaders who went away...it wasn't everyone that left, there were a significant number that stayed behind.”

mtegha_002-18
What were the advantages of South Africa? “It was simple - that was where the better life was. Malawi at the time there was nothing, literally nothing, so there were some people who had been to South Africa earlier, they returned and people could see oh dammit, if you go there oh, ok I'll also go." Wealth was important for "a good living and a good life - higher status as well, if you're wealthy you've got higher status and they could educate their children. My family, they came from missionary schools, my grandfather went to Livingstonia, my father went to Bandawe - so for them that was a tradition too, to be able to afford to send their children to go to school, and the only way they could do that was come here and work." Education "was the only way you could advance yourself - and it wasn't just about knowledge that was a ladder to a better life.”

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All Daih’s children were university educated - Gilead went on to university in 1980 training as an engineer, after which he worked for Anglo-American’s sugar plantation in Malawi for 3 years after which he was transferred to work on Anglo’s mining interests in South Africa. Mala is currently an astrophysics lecturer at Imperial College London, both Maina and Jegger live in the US, a doctor and economist respectively.

Galatiya_001

galatiya_001-1
LP: Can you tell me more about yourself and where you are originally from?

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AG: My mother is from Zimbabwe and my father is a Malawian. According to my father’s customs the children belong to the father’s side.

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LP: When did your father move to Zimbabwe?

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AG: In the 1930s.

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LP: What ethnic group was your father from?

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AG: My father is Angoni from Mwanza District from a place called Kandugu.

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LP: How far did you go with your education?

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AG: Up to form 2

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LP: What languages do you speak?

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AG: Chitumbuka, Chichewa and Shona and a little English.

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LP: When did you move to Zimbabwe?

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AG: I was born in Zimbabwe in 1949.

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LP: Was your husband born in Zimbabwe?

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AG: No, he went there when he was already grown up.

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LP: How long were you in Zimbabwe?

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AG: From when I was born until 1995.

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LP: Where were you living in Zimbabwe?

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AG: At Gwibi College of Agriculture, Harare. There were houses where we used to live within the College.

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LP: Where did you work?

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AG: At the College.

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LP: Did you ever work in Zimbabwe?

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AG: Yes, I did primary health care and later worked with co-operatives. I used to work in village communities.

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LP: Can you tell me more about your life in Zimbabwe, did Shona and Malawians stay together peacefully or were there any problems?

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AG: Life was generally good, we had good food, good clothing, but Kwanu ndi Kwanu – home is best. Sometimes the Shona weren’t treating us nicely. They used to call us Mablantyre, even though my mother was Zimbabwean, because she belonged more to her father’s side, I used to feel insulted when they called us Mablantyre.

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LP: What did they mean by Mablantyre?

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AG: Malawians or Mabwidi, Obwera, [separate terms for foreigners, when asked what Mabwidi meant, she said she didn’t know exactly]

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AG: This used to hurt me a lot when we were called these names. The “tsankho” [?]. Let’s say you are given a place to live and you made it look nicer than it was before, then the MaShona would come and tell you to leave, tell you that it is not a place for Mablantyre.

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AG: Then we would move to another place and then the Shona would say, “the owners have come this is not a place for Mablantyre.” And that was the biggest problem I used to find with my life there.

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LP: Who did you used to chat/socialise with?

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AG: There were so many Malawians that you don’t even know that you are away from Malawi. I even thought that all Malawians had moved there because we used to stay among so many of them. There are so many Malawians who have a mother from Zimbabwe or South Africa and a father who was Malawian. I used to spend my time with those people. And when you heard that someone’s father was from Malawi you could even stay in that person’s house as if they were your relative. There weren’t any problems there we used to love one another. We, the children used to feel upset by the name calling but it didn’t seem to affect our parents.

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LP: What did you used to do in your free time and at weekends?

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AG: I used to like going for prayers. I used to pray at the CCAP.

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LP: Did you used to have organisations for people working or living together, or any trade unions?

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AG: Yes, the organisations were there. Some of them were for everyone but there were some specifically for Malawians. The ones that I knew of were the burial societies. These organisations were started by Malawians. Because they were not originally from there, they did not have the villages or places to go for funerals and burials, so that is why they came up with the societies. It was very much the Malawians who came up with these. They used to collect money weekly or monthly as a contribution towards these societies, so they could buy food and coffins for the burial ceremony. The Shona later joined these societies because they were impressed by the unity among the Malawians.

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LP: Did you have churches specifically for Malawians?

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AG: The churches were not selective, they were not meant for one group or another, but when the Shona saw that Malawians were patronising one church over another, they would brand it a Church of Mablantyre, most of the Shona wouldn’t go there. If you saw a Shona go to that church, maybe if it was a woman she would be following her husband, but Shona didn’t usually go to such churches.

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AG: There were several churches for Malawians, such as the CCAP. The CCAP was predominantly a Malawian church. Malawians from farms and from the towns would attend the CCAP.

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LP: Did Malawian participate in politics in Zimbabwe?

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AG: We used to participate, because they wanted more votes.

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LP: So, you think they allowed people to participate purely to increase their support base or were they able to take positions within parties?

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AG: The President of a party would not mind, everyone was considered able to take part, but if it wasn’t for the leaders and those in the higher positions Malawians would have been chased back a long time ago.

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LP: Did you participate in any meetings when Zimbabwe was obtaining independence?

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AG: Because we were living in Gwibi Colllege and it was a government building we were not allowed to attend the meetings. It was only after independence that people from government institutions started attending meetings and rallies. After independence some Malawians were even given positions within the party.

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LP: Did you used to communicate with relatives back home when you were in Zimbabwe?

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AG: The communication was good, we used to write letters to each other and we even used to send money to my mother-in-law.

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LP: While you were in Zimbabwe did you ever come back for any holidays to see relations?

galatiya_001-47
AG: No, it was my first-born son who first came here to Malawi. And then his sister came after he had already come.

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LP: So how were you welcomed on your arrival back home?

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AG: We were welcomed well because we used to send them things like money and clothing. When we came back it felt as if we had grown up together because of the communication we had, it wasn’t very difficult.

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LP: So, had you not been sending things would you not have been so welcomed?

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AG: Yes, it would have been more difficult.

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LP: How about this land, did you buy this on your arrival?

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AG: We already had this land and my husband’s brother used to look after it for us when we were away. Some people were interested in this land but he (the husband’s brother) had to keep them away. When we came back, we found our land.

galatiya_001-54
LP: How did you feel on arrival and how long did it take you to get used to the new environment?

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AG: When I came here, I felt as if I was coming home. In Zimbabwe we used to be called Mablantyre so I was never really happy there. I was prepared for what I was going to face when I came back, that is why I have never really found it difficult to stay here. I just had the heart to come home, even if I had to come here and eat greens (bonongwe) I was happier than staying in Zimbabwe where the food was good because I was tired of all the name calling, “Mablantyre”… people used to tell me that because I was stout that when I came to Malawi I would lose weight because the food wasn’t good, but I didn’t really care. And then when people used to tell me that I would tell them it was fine, that I would eat whatever was found in Malawi.

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AG: I didn’t really find it difficult to adapt to farming because in Zimbabwe, although we were not allowed a garden at the college, we used to have a piece of land by the railway line where we used to grow maize.

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LP: Do you have any relatives still in Zimbabwe?

galatiya_001-58
AG: Yes, I left some still there. Some of my relatives told me that when I came here, I would die, but I have been living here for the past 12 years and I am happy. I don’t wish to go back especially with the problems there now, some of my relatives really want to come here but they can’t.

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LP: What made you marry a Malawian man? What were the differences between Malawian men and those form Zimbabwe?

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AG: My mother is Angoni from Mwanza and because of the attitude of the Shona it would not have been a good idea for us to marry Shona men. We grew up with the mentality that we would marry somebody form Malawi.

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LP: Did you and your sisters all marry Malawian men?

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AG: Yes, all of us married Malawian men.

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LP: So, you were lucky to marry a fellow Angoni?

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AG: Yes, we used to hunt for them! Even if there were some Shona guys who were wealthy and wanted to marry us, we didn’t see them as men, we were only interested in Malawians.

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ZG: Mrs. Galatiya, what was your father’s occupation in Zimbabwe?

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AG: He worked in the mines.

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ZG: Was your mother Zimbabwean?

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AG: Yes.

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ZG: Did your father remain in Zimbabwe?

galatiya_001-70
AG: Agnes says that her father died in Zimbabwe.

Mtegha_003

mtegha_003-1
Born in 1928, Melrin was raised in Usisya, Nkhata Bay District, the last-born of 6 daughters. Her father was a fisherman and as the youngest daughter “she was the darling of the family.” Throughout her childhood, Melrin “was just in the village”, helping out round the family home.

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The family rented a 3-bedroom brick house and lived with other cousins and relatives, Melrin cooking for the whole family. In turn, family and the broader Usisya community in Daveyton provided a safety net for Melrin – supporting her financially and during illness. For most of her time in South Africa Melrin “was just a housewife raising her kids.”

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In late 1952, Nkhunda returned to Malawi late but the family remained in the same house - Daih paying for the rent both in Cape Town and Daveyton – “I guess it must have been very cheap at that time...there were other cousins there at the time.”

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“She has fond memories of her time in South Africa, how things were better here, how good the life was, how advanced they were.” Gilead recollected that Daveyton was “a normal township - you'd play in the streets.” Whilst in South Africa, Melrin came to speak Afrikaans well and also picked up local traditional cuisine – “she's a very good cook...and a good baker (I would often go in the night and steal the cakes she would bake for the morning).”

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Melrin would nevertheless still see Daih, travelling across South Africa by train – “occasionally she would go to Cape Town to see my dad, but not to stay there just to visit. She was mostly based here.” The couple's third and fourth children, Gilead and Jegger were born in Daveyton, in 1955 and 1958 respectively.

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In 1958, Melrin joined the Jehovah's Witnesses - converted by Daih. “Funnily enough in the end she became more of a Jehovah's Witness than my dad was...she's more of a believer than my dad was. My dad was strict, but you know he wasn't very strict, he liked to do some social stuff. Not my mother.”

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Melrin and their children returned to Malawi in 1959, to attain a good education and avoid the crime that was associated with urban living. “If we had stayed here, I wouldn't have learnt anything for sure.” With Daih training as a Jehovah's Witness missionary in Cape Town, the church funded the children’s school fees and their clothes. The young family lived with Daih’s mother and grandmother in Usisya – and it was the women “who kept the family”.

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On Daih’s return to Malawi in 1960, the family moved to Blantyre. The children however were sent to boarding primary schools, as “those were the best resourced schools and they could afford it.” “The only church that had schools was the CCAP - the Presbyterians, and the Roman Catholics...and ironically all of us went to Roman Catholic school.”

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Within the Malawian Jehovah's Witness community, Melrin became a prominent member in the Women's Guild. The guild had about 20 members – “Jehovah's Witness was not a very popular church because of the restrictions, so many people do not like it.”

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Post-independence Malawi however was an increasingly inhospitable place for Jehovah's Witnesses. In 1966, Melrin left Malawi with Daih, who by this time was head of the church for the Central Province of Malawi. Jehovah's Witnesseswould be beaten up, killed - it was bad. They had what you call the Youth League, so they had people persecuting people. That time in Malawi it was pretty bad - it required you to be an automatic member of the party...Jehovah's Witnesses don't allow you to associate with politics, so they were seen to be anti-party, so that's why they were persecuted.”

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“They first went to Zambia and then Mozambique. There was actually a whole nation of Jehovah's Witnesses, so they ran into Zambia and stayed in some camps, refugee camps... Later they came back to Malawi, in 1969 for about a year or so, and then the persecution started again and then they went to Mozambique - again they stayed in refugee camps.”

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Within the refugee camps, Melrin took on a leading role among the women - both Melrin and Daih “took it as a duty - they were duty bound as they were leaders.” “In the Jehovah's Witness they don't ordain women...” but “they were all refugees, so there had to be some strong leadership in the camp, so she played quite a big part in that looking after the women, looking after the social issues of the women, the hygiene of the place, that kind of stuff, made sure everyone had enough to eat, if people had problems counselling them, some people would be traumatised by those moves, staying in the campsite it wasn't always easy.”

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At this time all the children were in boarding schools staying with relatives in the holidays - Gilead noting that the extended family was “very strong.” The children nevertheless did not see a lot of their parents, Daih reflecting “you get detached, but we still kept in touch - at that time there was no Skype.”

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Melrin and Daih returned to Malawi in 1980 - having been in Mozambique for a decade. Throughout this period they had been staying in camps, supported by Jehovah's Witnesses in the United States. Today Melrin is a well-known matriarch, living in Blantyre, “people look up to her as a custodian of the tribe, if people are looking for help with decision making they will go to her.”

Phiri_001

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Signal Ayathu Phiri was born in Tumbwe, Mangochi on 17 April 1931. Though his great grandfather was a chief, both his mother and father were subsistence farmers. Signal was raised as a practising Muslim but did not attend a madrassa - instead he came to South Africa at a very young age and attained his life skills there.

1950s
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Tales of South Africa were often recounted by elders in Tumbwe, and in 1952 Signal decided to leave with 6 other young men from his village to “come and work”. Travelling in a bakkie driven by a fellow Malawian, “whose business was to drive people to South Africa”, the group was transported through Fort Jameson, Lusaka, Livingstone and Francistown all the way to South Africa. This was a regular route operated by the driver, who drove groups of migrants down to the South African border around once every fortnight. This was a widespread phenomenon at the time, but seen as illegal by the colonial authorities - at night “they used to hide from the cops, so they used to sleep in the bushes.”

1950s
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After a week and a half on the road, they were dropped off at the border, crossing into South Africa at night. Without official passes, Signal and his companions then walked for two months heading to Johannesburg. Without shoes and carrying bundles on sticks over their shoulders, they initially found work as farm labourers in Tzaneen, earning 50c (one shilling) a week.

1950s
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While working on the farm, Signal was taken to the famer’s house to do domestic work, and it is here that he started picking up culinary skills. A year later in 1953 he started working as a full-time cook on the farm.

1950s
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In 1955 Signal’s boss moved back to Britain, and he was then taken to a hotel in Hinesburg, Tzaneen. He worked here as a cook until he moved to work on an avocado farm in West Fallia in 1966. He worked there until 1970, when he moved once more to Roman farm where he worked as a cook.

1950s
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In 1971 he met Miss Awisa Jane Mokwena Knee Phiri, born in South Africa from Malawian Muslim parents. Signal and Awisa went on to marry on 21 May 1986, and together, they had 6 children - Aluna (born in 1977), Fatima (1980), Mohamed (1981), Mulina (1990), Hajina (1993) and Usain (2001).

1950s
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It was in 1972 that Signal first came to Pretoria. Using a reference from the hotel in Hinesburg, Signal got a job working as a chef for MR Botha, an Englishman living in Sunnyside.

1950s
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During this period he worshipped at the Queen Street Mosque, and periodically came in contact with imam and fellow Malawian Yusuf Saidi, “a nice man”. They would socialise together on the way to the mosque, but were two of only a few Malawians within the Pretoria Muslim community, which at the time was predominantly Indian.

1950s
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Signal changed jobs once again in 1973, when he started work as a chef at the Malawi Embassy in Waterkloof, Pretoria.

1950s
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After working at the embassy for 6 years, Signal moved to work at the Jewel Street Jummah Mosque, Laudium in 1979, a position he retains until today.

1950s
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Though heavily involved in the Pretoria Muslim community, family connections in Malawi remained important. Migrating to South Africa meant “he was able to get a job and maintain his family back there.” His work was crucial “to look after his family back home because there wasn't much means of getting income - they would just depend on crops and farms.” During the 1950s, Whitey, Signal's older brother also joined him in South Africa, working on the mines. Signal typically returned to Malawi once a year - the family currently visit every December - but he would also send back money and goods with other Malawians who were returning home.

1950s
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Though one of only a few Malawians in Pretoria, he was proud of his Malawian identity – “a lot of people who asked him, he told them his origin”. Though he has lived most of his life in South Africa, he would not consider himself a machona, ‘a lost one’, as they are “people who stayed a long time and don't go back.” Nevertheless, Signal was not involved with the Malawian nationalist politics of the late 1950s and did not know much about what was going on in 1964 - his limited involvement in politics however reflects that at the time, the “danger was too much”, Malawians “would just stay indoors.” On 20th August 1996, Signal became a naturalised citizen of South Africa.

1950s
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Today Mr. Signal Ayathu Phiri has 10 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren. At the age of 83 he is still strong and still working as a caretaker at the Pretoria Muslim Trust Sunni School in Laudium.

1950s

Kazambara_001

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Patterson Kazambara (special permit) of Chief Mkumbira of Chintechi, B.N.P do hereby make statement and declare:

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That I first came to the Union in 1913 and was employed at Langlaagte Block B Mine for one year, and from there I went to Germiston where I was employed as a kitchen boy. In 1915, I went to Potgietersrus where I worked, first, as an ordinary general labourer and afterwards as a mabhalane, at the Zebediela Estates. I returned to Johannesburg about the end of 1923.

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In 1924, I was employed as Hospital attendant at the Johannesburg Municipal Native Hospital, Vredesdorp and was discharged in April 1925.

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That I applied to the Director for permission for employment on the Mines for Hospital work in 1925. I worked on the Langlaagte Estate G.M. Co. (file 258038 M/J) for one year and thereafter I went to South West Africa where I worked on the Diamond Mine for two years.

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That at the end of 1928, I returned to the Transvaal and worked on the Coal Mine at Witbank. On the 26th May 1929, I left Witbank and came to Johannesburg.

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That I am now offered employment at Rose Deep as a Hospital attendant, and therefore do hereby pray for permission of the Director of Native Labour.

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Patterson Kazambara

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Witness: Wm Bell

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[stamped 23 July 1929; application approved]

Denisani_001

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Born in 1945

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Denisani came in 1960 from Zomba as a 15-year-old young boy. My father was working in Railway staying in Highfield came much earlier. Left me as a kid.

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Trained to be a tailor. First job worked as a garden boy in Harare $3 (1 pound 10)– it was quite a lot of money

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Bought clothes and gave some to my father to save for a bicycle – but failed

purchases
clothing
bicycles
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Worked until my white employer went back to Australia in 1964. They gave clothes and money

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Worked for them without a Chitikinyani

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But worked in different jobs – sugar refineries, Litton tobacco, Lever brothers, GMB Mabvuku

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Kadoma, Norton worked in those areas

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Came to farms in 1976 – CSC, then in farms until now

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Went to Malawi for the first time in 2011 after 46 years. Was asked by officials why and told them that life was tough in Zimbabwe. Got an ETD at Malawi embassy. Processed a passport in Malawi to return it cost $20 and comes out after a week.

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Malawi is fine but their money is inflated and things are a bit expensive there.

inflation
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The journey to Zim 1960 – no passports needed. Just came without a Chitikinyani

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Came by train 5 days in the road

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It was still Federation time and no restrictions time of Sir Roy Welensky – teachers could go and work there. Even police could go and arrest there.

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Cost was $2.30 by train…. $3 going back to Malawi – back then it was 1pound 3 shillings

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Nowadays things have changed life is tough and bad.

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Going back – hard times are everywhere but its better to suffer at home in Malawi

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Why not going back – its because of family cant leave them behind

family
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Even when I went to Malawi in 2011 I was just thinking of the family

family
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I left my wife behind and she does not work and the new settlers chase away from home

marriage
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We usually send our kids to work mugwazo on behalf of the mother here.

children
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We bought some stand and we will be moving when God allows

entrepreneurship
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During war times I was in Harare, Highfield – we had passes to get in an out Highfield.

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Wife Esther does not know home - Malawi

marriage

Phiri_002

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Samuel Phiri was born in Chiradzulu District and attended Parma School there, but left from Zomba, after the death of his father “to go to work” in order to earn money; “he wanted buy clothes, to help the mother”. By this time he was already married, leaving behind a wife, Sarah. He would remain abroad for over two decades “because he was upset, he did not come home”.

1950s
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Phiri left Nyasaland in 1943 in a group of 15 friends, with no passport, walking through the bush. He travelled light and carried his possessions in a bundle on a stick which he carried over his shoulder. On the road “he had man-made pots, maize meal dry meat, dry vegetables and traditional peanut butter”. At night Samuel and his fellow travellers would hide in trees from lions and snakes - nevertheless people would disappear on the way. Whilst travelling farmers provided shelter and food in return for labour.

1950s
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Travelling on foot, he took 3 months to find a job in Zimbabwe. He did find work as a tailor for a number of years, but he eventually left this job the country “was not comfortable for him, no nice money, no nice job.” He arrived in South Africa in 1953. Though he had left with 14 other Malawians, only 5 made it South Africa – a number being killed by wild animals on the way. Samuel though “was a survivor”.

1950s
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On arrival in South Africa he found employment in Johannesburg as a chef, “he had a good education but the foreigners when they came here they didn’t have a nice job because they need pass to show that they can work here because they coming themselves. If you wanted to work in a nice job, you were supposed to apply in Malawi.” He soon however found his forte as a tailor. Initially he was based at Kempton Park and worked in Jameston. This job meant he gained skills; learning how to make clothes, skills which he would use in later when he set up his own business.

1950s
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Samuel met Johanna, a coloured South Africa, in Middlebank during the early 1950s. Johanna was from Lake Timbek, in Mpumalanga her family having come to Johannesburg as migrants. In 1960 Johanna started a job as a domestic worker and nanny for the Prolius family - in particular looking after the youngest Prolious son, Joe who was born the same year, and was nicknamed ‘Obus’.

1950s
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The young Phiri family, who already by this time had three sons Gerd (also known as Richard) born in 1954, Stephen (also known as Tain) born on 7 September 1956, and Moses born 8 May 1960, moved to the Prolius family farm where accommodation was included as part of Johanna’s job. The Phiri and the Prolious family were closely integrated, Fred Prolious recollecting that the children “all grew up together” catching and cooking rabbits and guinea fowl in the fields together. Janet felt “we were like sisters and brothers”. The parents of both families had a similarly close relationship –for Joe “those years was good years better than today and nothing can change that”.

1950s
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Samuel ran a tailoring business from this plot. Joe recollected that “every day he got on his bicycle, finding where are the orders, coming back making clothes – everything that you wanted her father could make...he made it on the farm and then delivered to the people... Every day we would see him on the sewing machine – he was very fast.” Equipped with a pedal-powered Singer sewing machine he sold suits to customers across the local community, stocking his material from Johannesburg. He was also a prolific suit wearer himself – Janet remembering that he “was always in suits, he didn’t dress traditional – he did have one traditional but he was always a gentleman with his suits, always...”

1950s
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In 1962, Samuel and Johanna married, in a “white wedding” ceremony at Zambezi church in Tembisa. A fourth son, Leonard was born in 1963, he however was only to live for a year passing away in 1963. Nevertheless he was followed by Janet on 1 April 1964, Butiki 23 March 1966 and Nudi (John) 31 January 1970.

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During this time Daddy was also President of the Tumbuka Burial Society alongside fellow Malawians, ‘Straight Number One’ the chairman, and Scotch the treasurer. The society - around 300 members - would have weekly meetongs outside the Phiri’s house. “My father was talented you know – he was doing everything.”

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Johanna worked for the Prolius family for 16 years, until 1976 when the Prolious parents retired and sold the farm. The Phiri family then moved to Tembisa. When they first moved to Tembisa, Samuel started work at African Gate – a company which made fencing. He worked for this company until he retired in 1984. He continued his tailoring alongside this job and during this time, “business was very good for him”. He owned a number of sewing machines, and made suits for a lot of people in Tembisa and his brothers back in Malawi.

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In Tembisa, Samuel was an elder at the Zambezi Church, which “had lots of Malawians” and was run out of the Emoriting School. Over the next few years he worked his way up through the system, eventually becoming a minister.

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‘Daddy’ Phiri was a hub of the Malawian community at the time and would often help newly arrived Malawians, who would write to him in advance of arriving in Tembisa. “My father was very proud of his nation – everyone knew that he was from Malawi and he didn’t hide his country – he would tell everyone I’m from Malawi and I’m proud of my country”. Daddy hosted numerous migrants and would help them get passes for South Africa - Janet reflecting that he “was helping a lot of people – there was a lot of Malawians who was taking his money...he was like a leader, a lot of people they know my father.”

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This nationalism however did not cross over into overt politics, and Daddy’s societal life remained rooted in the Church. “My father was a great person but he didn’t want to come out and shout...He didn’t like politics, he just went to vote – he didn’t like talking this and that..” His outlook was above all a Christian one, “My father did hate apartheid...his soul was always saying my bible says we are just brothers, the soul is one.”

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Daddy only returned spasmodically to Malawi – returning 5 times in total, and then only once he had South African

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Identification Papers – which he attained after marrying Johanna, a South Africa national. His only child through his marriage to Sarah was born in 1972 and Agnes Tamson, his niece, knew he came to Malawi in 1974 when he wanted to take Agnes to South Africa, and Daddy returned again in 1976, 1996 and 2003. Although Samuel ran his own business in South Africa, “he did not have much money because life was very hard...he would send back second hand clothes, but he was trying to help.” Nevertheless, according to Janet, during the 1970s, “he was sending lots of things, goods, bicycles, sewing machines” back via a passenger bus, which would ship the goods back to the addresses they were labelled with.

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Having established a successful family in Tembisa, Johanna Phiri passed away in 1992. When Agnes came to South Africa in 1994, she lived with Daddy for a number of years. Though he suffered from a swollen foot from 1989, he still tailored in Tembisa. Indeed from 1996 he employed 4 other Malawians. Samuel Daddy Phiri passed away in 2005, with an ANC flag on his coffin. A proud Malawian he nevertheless felt rooted in South Africa: In South Africa “everything was new for him and he did like this country...because even when he died he said you’re not going to put me back on a flight to Malawi, you’re going to bury me here in South Africa, everything of mine is here in South Africa.”

Phiri_003

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I Amos Phiri TP 71180 K Barberton of Barberton (formerly of Chintechi, BNP) do hereby make statement and declare:-

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That I came to Johannesburg in 1915 and was employed on Witwatersrand G.M. Co as a shovel boy underground for 3 years. Thereafter, I was employed at City Deep as a hammer boy underground for 2 years. I was again re-employed on the same mine as a boss boy shovelling work for 4 years.

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That about the beginning of 1926, I went to the New Amianthus Mine, Barberton, where I was employed at the blacksmith’s shop till 19th March 1927. On the 22nd March 1927, I took out a Travelling Pass to Johannesburg (Witbank & Brakpan visited). I have been regarded as a Portuguese subject, hence my reason of being registered to the above mines without first obtaining the authority of the Director of Native Labour for employment on the mines.

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Amos Phiri his X mark

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Witness: Wm Bell

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Employment on mines approved Director’s Authority No 16/1927 to be quoted on every subsequent pp issued to this native.

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HGF

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Director of Native Labour [stamped 2 May 1927]

Mack_001

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Mack Banda, pass-less, FIRD classification I/U U/T IIM/IMM 11/15, no record, stated that he had worked on the West Rand Consolidated Mines, Krugersdorp, from 1920 to 1925 inclusive. He gave his Coy Mine No: 2005.

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The West Rand Consd Mines were rung up, and they gave his passport no: as 74873 M/Kgsp (underground) 12/10/1920-7/7/1925. The Pass Office, Krugersdorp have authority for issue of pp 74873 as pp225876 M/G.

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The Tropicals Register shows that Mack Banda pp 22587 M/G was granted permission for employment underground on the 15th September 1920.

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Mack Banda states that he came to the Union, under 12 months’ contract from Blantyre during the year 1911, and was sent to Brakpan Mines where he was employed underground as a machine handle boy.

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In 1913, he was employed by the New Kleinfontein Mines, Benoni, as a machine boy underground. From 1914 till 1918 inclusive, he was in the employ of the Glencairn Gold Mine as a boss hammer boy underground. In 1919, he went to Rose Deep where he was employed on the similar class of work. From 1920 to 1925 inclusive, he was employed on the West Rand Consolidated Mines as a boss hammer boy, Coy Mine No: 2005. About the beginning of 1926, he left the goldfields and went to Ermelo in Headman Ndhuli’s ward, where his family is residing. He remained there till the beginning of this year when he returned to Johannesburg for work.

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He is offered underground work on the Durban Roodeport Deep and therefore pray for the permission of the Director of Native Labour to be employed by that company. The passport on which he was employed at the West Rand was inadvertently lost at home last year.

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Wm Bell [signed 19/4/1927]

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Employment on mines for underground work was previously authorised on the 15th September 1920.

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Employment on mines approved Director’s Authority No: 14/1927 to be quoted on every subsequent passport issued to this native.

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HG Falwasser

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Director of Native Labour [stamped 2 May 1927]

Kandowe_001

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Director’s Auth No: 17/1927

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I Elias Kandowe TP 71569 K Tax Identity No: 174/380/941 Tax receipt No: 7719 E Barberton, formerly of Nyasaland, now of Barberton, Transvaal, do hereby make statement and declare:-

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That I originally came from British Nyasaland in 1914 and on arrival on the Rand, I worked for City Deep as a hammer boy underground for 3 years. I came to the Rand (as a recruited boy for mine work by the WNLA Portuguese East Africa) and was sent to City Deep from WNLA Compd here.

kandowe_001-4
That from City Deep, I went to Springs Mines where I was employed underground as a hammer boy for 4 years. Thence I went to Witwatersrand G.M. Co. Ltd where I was employed as a boss boy shovel work underground for 3 years.

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That in 1925 I worked for a private employer at Boksburg for only 1 year, and in 1926 I went to Barberton where I settled with my family. In all the mines I have been regarded as a Portuguese subject when registered and when called upon by the Portuguese authorities to pay their tax, I used to tell them that I was a Blantyre native of the Atonga tribe, part of which falls in Portuguese East Africa and other part in Nyasaland. I was therefore exempted form [the] Portuguese tax. I am now a taxpayer in the Transvaal.

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I pray for permission to be employed on the gold mines for underground work. I am offered employment at the Nourse Mines as a police boy underground.

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Elias Kandowe, his X mark

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Witness: Wm Bell

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Employment on mines approved Director’s Authority No: 17/1927 to be quoted on every subsequent pp issued to this native.

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HGF

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Director of Native Labour [stamped 8 May 1927]

Lungu_001

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ZG: Do you consider yourself Malawian or Zimbabwean?

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SL: Both, yeah, I mean I think I spent almost forty years in Zimbabwe and later in Malawi.

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ZG: So, do you consider your roots to be in Zimbabwe?

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SL: Well, yeah because that’s where I grew up and even when I speak in Malawi, they can still detect that I've got a Zimbabwean accent. Yeah, even my Chichewa has a Zimbabwean accent. [Laughs] My English in Malawi they know I speak Zimbabwean English than Malawian English which is more…Malawian English is more Scottish.

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ZG: And your father is from Malawi?

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SL: Malawi yes. He went down to South Africa to look for employment, but on his way, he stopped in Zimbabwe where he got a job first on the farms, then later on he found a job in the post office. Yes, so he was working as someone who was repairing telephones and also putting telephone lines from one big city to another, so that was his work.

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ZG: Do you know how he came to find his accommodation in Zimbabwe?

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SL: Ah, it was quite difficult in those days because there were certain areas that you had to live first when he found [work] in the mines, the mine compounds, there was what they call compounds, where he had worked first in Kadoma, which used to be called Gatoma in those days, but changed to Kadoma. So, he worked there and then went to, he proceeded to Johannesburg and then he came back to Malawi, I mean to Zimbabwe, Rhodesia then and found his job in the post office. Now, they had to go through the town council to find accommodation, which would take almost six months before you were provided one. Yeah, so which was in a squashed area, high-density area, no street, tarmac so on, dust road and so on. But that's how it was.

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ZG: And he was single when he left Malawi?

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SL: When he went he was single. Yes, he was single then that's when he you know with the arranged marriages that's when my mother was given to him because in their culture… my mother comes from Zambia, yeah in the Eastern part of Zambia, which is called Chipata and they had a similar, similar culture. Yeah, my father comes from Salima. Yeah, their culture was more or less similar, the central region and Chipata and so they had, they used to have these arranged marriages. So, my mother was given to my father when she was only 13. My father was about 50 and so the gap between a 13-year-old and a 50-year-old was just too wide. I was born when my mother was only 14; she almost died, because she was just too small. Yeah, then that’s how they met. Still there was friction between my father and mother because of the gap, yeah so…it went on and that's how we found ourselves dumped in the streets of Harare, yeah.

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ZG: Do you remember much about growing up in Highfield?

lungu_001-12
SL: Yes, quite much yeah because we lived, because he was with the telecommunications, we started living in a town called ……… in Harare, Highfield Township and then he was transferred to Bindura, in the Eastern part of or err… Northern part of Harare and then Bindura with the post office, working repairing telephones and so on. Yeah, and the houses there were almost what you would call grass thatched houses which were built by the town council, there were no tarmacs there, dusty high density. I remember one time, one house caught fire, which spread into our house, because they were just too close and that's how dense it was and err... often in those days if you had a visitor you had to report to the police because certain townships were not allowed to have you know police, I mean a visitor, you had to report it to the township authorities. Yeah, if you came from like another city and went to another you had to report to the government, I mean to the authorities because of… I think they were sensing that I think it was a way of controlling Africans, you know free movement, yeah free movement and you couldn't pass through the white area after six o'clock.

lungu_001-13
SL: So you'd be, you know I remember my father when I was tiny little boy, crying as he was carrying me being beaten severely by white people because we had passed through you know white area, yeah. And the police really humiliated him, they had, because he had his bicycle, he couldn't carry all of us, so we had to go quietly, you know even we were not even allowed to cough because they say you'd disturb the white people. So, they took the valve of the bicycle, you know threw them away so he had a flat tyre because he had been moving after six o'clock. And it was still, you know I mean the sun was still there, but just the fact that it was after six, he was in trouble, that I will never forget, because it stuck in my mind to see my own dad being beaten by police. And these were not white police officers.

lungu_001-14
ZG: They were black police?

lungu_001-15
SL: Yeah, but they had to have a white police officer, you know to see, he'd watch, you know see these black beating another black. So those are the instances when, if you talk about the townships white people could come and knock at your house at any time and errrm… yeah, so those are the instances where you are not sure who you were, yeah so…

lungu_001-16
ZG: Do you think it made a difference to your father because he came from Malawi? Was he surrounded by other Malawians?

lungu_001-17
SL: No, I think at that time Malawians were regarded as foreigners. No matter how best you contributed to the development of the country, you were still regarded as foreigners. I think they used to get Malawians as labourers. Yeah, so Malawians were more ah, people who were doing the dirty work if I may say so. Because you go into the mines, they were full of Malawians, Mozambicans, from Zambia and of course a few from Tanzania and the Congo and so on, Swaziland. Those were the people who worked in mines. Yeah so, they were really, the labour force came from these countries and Malawi wasn't developed, Zambia wasn't developed so all development under the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland, Rhodesia was more developed, because they took all the labour force from these countries and you talk about railway lines.

lungu_001-18
SL: The railways there were three quarters were Malawians, or Zimbabweans or foreigners I should say, but mostly Malawian and then you go into… what else… people who cleaned in the streets were mostly foreigners. Zimbabweans were more and more working in the factories, but here and there you would find a few Malawians working in the factories. But also working in the farms, were mostly Malawian and working in the gardens for white people were mostly Malawian because they were coming from outside, they were very hard-working people. So white people wanted these who came from outside more than those, the local ones, because the local ones wanted good jobs, clean jobs, the white-collar jobs, yeah. And so, but they developed they helped quite a lot in the development.

lungu_001-19
ZG: Was there any division in the black communities along the lines of ethnicity?

lungu_001-20
SL: Tribal. That's true because, well more and more what the interesting part was if you had the Ndebele people form the south in Bulawayo and then Shona people, Malawians or foreigners like Malawians, Mozambicans were put in the middle. Yeah, if there was a conflict between the Ndebele and Shona Malawians were like, you know put in the middle of the two, they were like the third class. You know they used to have quite strong conflicts like they would do, say when God created the people, he started with the Shonas, then came the Malawians, then came Ndebeles when he was very, very tired. So, the Ndebeles would say similar things, God created Ndebeles, then came the Malawians, then when he was very, very tired he created the Shona people. So that's how they used to laugh at each other. They would not allow a Shona to marry a Ndebele or a Ndebele to marry a Shona, but you could marry a Malawian, yeah because Malawians were very polite. So that way they respected a Malawian or a Mozambican, Mozambicans were very [gap] because there was another tribe called the Sena. Sena people were like err aggressive, ruthless, you couldn't fight a Sena people because he was a fighter.

lungu_001-21
SL: Yeah, so that was the conflict between the ethnic, between the Shona and Ndebele it was quite strong, but Malawians were like the third-class citizens. When I say Malawians that includes Zambians and Mozambicans, people who came from other countries, but also there were insults which were also used on Malawians or foreigners. That people who come from far and who follow the railway line. So that connotation when it is spoken in Shona was a bad one. They would say "something in Shona" the one who comes from far or [something else in Shona] the one who follows the railway line and you stop where it ends and you find a job there. The Shona they used to call the Ndebeles "matsiti" which was a bad language and the Ndebeles would call "mashina" calling the Shona. So those were words used on each other which now they are not used but they were just like words for confrontation, yeah. So, then Malawians they were like in between. So, if you want to find someone good then the Shona would rather choose a Malawian than Ndebele, for the conflict between the two has no more or less faded away, now you find many Shona marrying Ndebele and Ndebele, Shona especially among the educated, but the old folk still stand on their… yeah.

lungu_001-22
ZG: Can you describe to me growing up in the township, day-to-day life? Involvement in any sports, associations…?

lungu_001-23
SL: Yeah, sports I think we were just as everyone else except that during that time sports were separate from the white people, there were different leagues for the white people and the blacks. But it came later after the Rhodesia and Nyasaland sports were mingled. But then we had many Malawians play for Zimbabwe in the national team, there were quite a number of Malawians who were… because they were born there, we had people like Moses Chunga, which is a Malawian surname and then Frida Phiri, Phiri as you know [is a Malawian name] and many, many, you know Mali, the best goal keeper there. So there were many, many Zambians and Malawians who played for the national team because they were born there. So in sports we accepted each other, in the beginning of the political struggle we got involved because we are all under the Rhodesian Federation and Nyasaland. So we thought more or less the same way, to fight the same enemy.

lungu_001-24
ZG: So do you think people felt united by the Federation?

lungu_001-25
SL: Yeah, by the Federation we felt united because when there was a fight before the split which came up later on, because we were the ZAPU, you know the Zimbabwe People's Union you know, and then we had the Malawi Nyasaland Congress and in Zambia what they called ANC which was first before they all split up, with Nkumbula in Zambia, then when they split up it was between ANC with Nkumbula and Kenneth Kaunda of UNIP (United Independence Party). And then in Malawi there were also, they banned the Nyasaland Congress Party then which they formed the Malawi Congress Party with Dr Banda coming in, so when these political leaders came, we fought as a united front. So like me with the Youth League, I would fight for UNIP or Malawi Congress Party or ZAPU at that time. Even meetings, the political leaders would have joint meetings, I remember when Dr. Banda, Kenneth Kaunda came together in Highfield, when it exploded into riots, we all went together. So there was that togetherness, togetherness.

lungu_001-26
SL: But then the white man was clever that he started what they call divide and rule, so that he would come to this group and lure them with money and then there more splits and more splits, so with more splinter groups there was confusion among the black people, they didn't know who to support. Yeah, so that also came with ethnic groups, yeah, but growing up in the townships was err there were no, even if our neighbour was a Malawian, there were no ill feelings in that time, except when it came to marriages. To marriage yeah, or if there was a fight between two people then there was trouble because then people would fight with their group. But otherwise, day to day life was quite normal people would accept Malawians as brothers.

lungu_001-27
ZG: Do you think there were any issues of class within the black community?

lungu_001-28
SL: Yes. There were issues there because there were the educated who were like the high class, then came the middle class and then the lower class. The lower class were those who worked in the streets, sweeping the streets, they were the lower class, people who worked in the railway lines, people who like my father who worked in repairing telephones they were all the lower class people and then the middle class were those who were like clerks, who worked in schools, teachers.

lungu_001-29
ZG: And those jobs tended to be held by people from within Zimbabwe?

lungu_001-30
SL: Yes, because very few, if you were Malawian you had to speak Shona fluently, or you had to be born in Zimbabwe not just coming from Malawi to help, but errr…the fathers never spoke Shona fluently. Like my father he spoke Shona but he, you could detect in some words, with the pronunciation of words. Because there was a time, there was a time where we started fighting each other in Zimbabwe, like they wanted to know which part you belonged to, or which country you came from so the Shona people started rising up against all foreigners, literally all foreigners. They would ask you to pronounce a word like err, Chicken. Chicken in Shona is pronounced [speaks in Shona] which is difficult for Shona to pronounce, [attempts to demonstrate how people would mispronounce the word in question] they would say what is the Chicken in Shona, [more words in Shona] would mean little chicken, there can you say it? So Malawians would say [differently] and then they would beat him because he couldn't pronounce the…, then when they came to the Sena people they would say, "don't ask me go and ask his father there, he knows the word for rooster" and then they would fight.

lungu_001-31
SL: So they were more afraid of the Sena people because they would retaliate, Malawians naturally were quiet people, reserved people, but also they had to keep their jobs, only Malawians were feared in areas of witchcraft. Yeah, anyone from Malawi was, I don't know it was just in their mind set that anyone who came from Malawi was very strong in witchcraft. So they were careful how to handle a Malawian, or someone from Mozambique if it was an elderly person it was regarded someone who knew witchcraft. Yeah and also like the South Africans they used to say that Malawians you know were cannibals. So anyone from Malawi was a cannibal. [Laughter] So you come to Malawi, anyone from Congo was a cannibal. So it's a tribal thing which means they want to belittle you. Yeah.

lungu_001-32
ZG: Can you tell me about your teenage years in Harare, the time when you worked at the Tennis Club and your time with the 'Black Shadows'?

lungu_001-33
SL: Those days were difficult for me…I went to the tennis club and the golf club to pick up balls and so on, it was desperate trying to find food and so on and when you had a job I remember the first time before I started going there I had a job to scrub a white man’s home, I was working for one as a garden boy as a person who cleaned the house and ironing the clothes and I was very small.

lungu_001-34
ZG: How did you find those jobs?

lungu_001-35
SL: Ah, someone who was working next door said I will find you someone because they are looking for someone to work as a…so you are like …even…No matter how old you were among the white people you were called a boy, any black person was a boy and then any black person calling a person would call him boss and any white lady no matter how whether you are a girl you had to be called madam. So those are …you never call anyone, or no matter how small you were you couldn't call by your first name. So you were madam you know, so that was the…and then every black person had to have an identity, an I.D. card you couldn't travel without an id card. Found without an id card, you were real, real punished. You could go to prison for that. A white person would go free but not a black person. So I was struggling because I didn't have an id card, because as I grew up in the streets I didn't have parents who would register me to the government, so the only job I could get was in the streets, I mean with the white people working in the house as a garden boy and then they give you work which was very hard to finish in a day so like you couldn't be expected to finish in a day and at the same time you had to scrub the floors, you know real shine, you know, glitter and then to iron his short and when you iron the shirt it had to look as if it was coming from the shop, no crease, and you would be asked to iron twice because there was a little crease somewhere. So you had to really do properly and if you broke one glass means half of your salary was gone, your wages. So that’s how you were almost like a slave. That’s how you could be insulted any time, but also living during that time picking up balls at the tennis court you had to do it properly…even the way you threw the ball to the man or the woman, you had to throw it properly, so your friends had to train you. But if you were delayed or if you threw the ball quickly you had to use the …

lungu_001-36
[explains how the ball should bounce and the position of the racket]

lungu_001-37
SL: The language they would use on you was just horrible and you had to keep quiet because you are working, but if you threw that ball over near his head three times that means you were not going to be paid, so you had worked for nothing that whole day. So those were the pains we experienced [goes on to explain how they could make mistakes as a caddy and lose balls and then not be paid]

lungu_001-38
SL: So when you ask me a question about the black shadows, the black shadows was a gang which formed like a family. We were all like orphans we all had nothing to lose, we started breaking into homes, breaking into cars, stealing car radios, sometimes we would go and scratch a car just you know to revenge because we had been insulted at the golf club or at the tennis club. Then the only way for me to revenge was for me to go round the parking areas and scratch all these brand new cars with a screw driver or puncture all the cars, the tyres. All I just wanted revenge, how can he insult me? Working in the white man’s home when I was insulted I used to do quite some terrible things. Fortunately, I didn't know about poison. But if I had known poison that there was poison somewhere I know exactly that I would have poisoned the white person, all trying to take out what was in me to revenge. Because every time I remember as a young boy how I wish I could kill a white person. All the time was ringing in my mind the way my father was humiliated in my presence and they spat on him and they made him to kneel down. And I remember my father was kneeling down and they put their legs [demonstrates how they rested their legs upon his father as he knelt] they asked my mother to clean his shoes with her dress. And I had never seen my mother’s underwear only that day when she was stripped like. So the anger was so strong from that time.

lungu_001-39
SL: So when I came into the political struggle partly there was fighting for freedom, but partly for me it was revenge, personal. So much so that when I became a Christian, it didn't leave me. Yeah, it was haunting me, even when I became a Christian preaching the word of God it was still in my mind that I never trusted a white person and it took me, well if you have read from my book when I encountered Patrick Johnstone, he was taking care of me. But in my mind, I was still thinking of killing him. [laughter] Yeah, I was still thinking of killing him. [Reminisces about a man who married a white woman and the anger he felt about white men raping 'our girls' and the different treatment of the white man to the black man who had sexual relations with a white lady. He would be put in prison]

lungu_001-40
SL: So the anger in me was just too much.

lungu_001-41
SL: So growing up in the streets you appreciate I was growing up with this bitterness which came from my father. I think I was only four, I remember I was only four that time when this happened to my father. Then I was only four when I went with my father to his work and this white man…I don't know what my father had done but he used one of the most horrible language to my father, almost stripping naked his mother the language he used so my father was saying "thankyou sir" and I thought how can say Thank you, this man is…I was so small but it kept here [points to his head]. It was recorded. It only took God 7 years later when I became a Christian and God spoke to me and said Stephen you are enslaving yourself, you need to let go please and when I allowed that thing to go away from me that was when I could accept white people as people, I could accept him as a fellow human being.

lungu_001-42
SL: [Talks about his children for a while and their relations with white people]

lungu_001-43
SL: Now you go to Zimbabwe and you find people like me still there and the conflict in Zimbabwe you hear now, people don't understand. [Talks about the lack of understanding between the black people in Zimbabwe and the political world]. They forget that when Mugabe, his two children died, in prison they refused him to go and bury his children even with the handcuffs. So, people forget that many Africans have a history and where they are coming from, they have never dealt with that history. So when the day came that Zimbabwe was given independence they want to put a cement block on top, it is not easy, there are still a lot of Africans in Zimbabwe who went through a lot of bitterness, a lot of bitterness and some I have seen attending court cases and these young boys went and raped this farmers daughters and I said I'll just go and chat to these prisoners and I sit down and why did you do this? "Mr Lungu, they did this and this to my father to my mother, to my sister so it was a revenge. In court nobody listens, they are discussing what happened and manslaughter and so on, but nobody went to talk to this person, why did you do this. They don't look at his background so this person is sentenced to life imprisonment. I think there is a lot of injustice in the world but you don't condone what he's done, but you look at the background behind it all. What we went through in Zimbabwe, Africans were humiliated in many, many, many, many areas. I remember one guy in the township where I lived. He had three dogs and you know what he named his dogs? One of the dogs was Ian, then another dog was Douglas and another dog was Smith. All of these names were those of the Prime Minister Ian Smith and he said to me, "my friend I have no way of insulting him, if I said to Ian Smith now you are a dog they would arrest me, so I named all of my dogs his names." So I burst out in laughter, he was trying to express himself through the dogs. So I asked him what happened and he said that he was beaten severely and he showed me his leg where he had been beaten so severely that he couldn't walk. He said he was coming from a funeral but he had a puncture so he had to walk but now he couldn't go back. If he had cycled through the city, it would have been five half past five o'clock, but because he had to walk, he had been explaining to these people but it didn't mean anything and they real messed him up. So all that was his anger.

lungu_001-44
SL: [Talks about the problems after independence in Zimbabwe. Lack of counselling and integration.] People are still hurting.

lungu_001-45
SL: So growing up in the streets of Zimbabwe that was one of the things. The education system was bad. The standard of education among the black people was lower among the whites was high and the black people were asked to start at a certain age about 7 I think in those days whereas white people started at five. When white people finish university, they were still young and here was the black person still struggling and when he came to a certain age if he failed twice, he was not allowed to go back so we had many school drop outs who couldn't repeat because, they were over age.

lungu_001-46
ZG: You attended school for a short period.

lungu_001-47
SL: Yes, a very short period, I would say 5 months but even those 5 months, two weeks and then I would sneaked away and go three weeks yeah…

lungu_001-48
ZG: Were there other children from Malawi?

lungu_001-49
SL: No not from Malawi, in those days we guided ourselves. I don't know as young as we were we never looked at tribe, among children it wasn't a big deal. In those days jobs were easy to find not as it is now. Jobs were easy to find and they were even recruiting people from Malawi and Zambia to come and work so those who came were the lower classes. You couldn't get jobs as teacher or banker, but even in those days not many people worked in banks. They were all white men’s jobs. If someone you found in the bank, he was a sweeper or someone who stood by the door, those were the jobs for the black people. Even at the airport the steward for example they were all the white man’s job. Yeah so even if you got a degree, you had the same qualifications you would get more salary than a black person, the salary would be almost tippled, whereas the black persons was almost peanuts. Not really nothing, so you would struggle to survive. You could get in the police force but the African could just be the constable when a white person the same qualification was a senior police officer. So a black person had to work under these young people even if you were been working for ten years, young white guy comes into the police force, he was already the boss. So the imbalance was just to white all the time.

lungu_001-50
SL: Yeah so growing in that environment you saw these things you know, these balances. I was thinking oh, this is what happens because the white person comes wears his sergeant black belt you know and the African has to salute to the white man, and the black person was always used as an interpreter. If a white person wanted to use brutality he used a black police officer to beat another black, you know the brutality which was there. You know the white man is standing there, watching another black police officer beating another black, he had to obey that and continue. So he has to continue beating even if you are in a pool of blood. So all those things we used to see them as small boys. When you are caught by a black police officer, he is all by himself he'd look around and say don't do it, quickly run, go. So he would make you run because the white officer is not there. But if you had a white officer, ohhh, you were in trouble. So we grew up in such kind of environment. But also the environment within the community, I think black people lived as a community. No matter from which tribe you came from. If I ran out of salt I could go to my neighbour and ask for salt, or I ran out of sugar I go to my neighbour and ask for sugar. That's how we lived as a community. Yeah. But also there were suspicions from the Shona people with the Malawian people, foreigners cos, the same mentality, maybe they are using witchcraft. There was all these things happening so that's why you had, we used to have a church for Malawians the CCAP. In Zimbabwe it was only for Malawians. The CCAP yeah…The Church of Central Africa Presbyterian.

lungu_001-51
ZG: Was this the church where your father used to preach?

lungu_001-52
SL: Yes, he used to preach there and my mother was in the women’s guild. You know she would wear a uniform. So these were for Malawian. And they spoke in Chichewa. Although some of the Chichewa language used was a mixture. Because they worked in the mines and also in the railway lines and the post office they spoke a language which they called "fanacolo", it’s a "lapa" a mixture of Zulu, English, Chewa it was called the mine language. Yeah it was called fanacolo. “fanacolo” it's a Zulu word which has been put in that language meaning like this; “fanacolo”. It is also mixed, like slang but it was adopted as amine language, but those who couldn't speak English that's the language they spoke, yeah they spoke “fanacolo” or in Zimbabwe it used to be called "chilapalapa". All those that worked in the mines, who worked in the farms, or the white suburbs and garden boys and cooks and so on they talk “chilapalapa”. Because that's how they could communicate with a white person, and say come here [speaks in “chilapalapa”] yeah so that's the language they used.

lungu_001-53
ZG: You say there was the CCAP church exclusively for Malawians were there any other societies or associations for Malawians?

lungu_001-54
SL: Yes there were the burial societies which were formed in Zimbabwe for Malawians because when there was a burial Malawians used to struggle, like getting a place for the cemetery and then coffin, buying a coffin, so they used to struggle to afford it. So they had to form a burial society which in advance, they'd buy a graveyard, then also they knew where to buy a coffin so that a Malawian wouldn't struggle, so it was like a society of Malawians, then we started spreading, then you had ethnic groups, Tumbukas were on their own, and Tonga's were Tongas on the own, within Zimbabwe and then you had the Bemba's from Zambia, yeah and the Senga from Zambia and so they became like ethnic groups which spread out the whole Zimbabwe. They became very big burial societies around Zimbabwe. Even now you go there they are so big, they've become real big.

lungu_001-55
ZG: And was your father a member of a burial society?

lungu_001-56
SL: Yes. Any Malawian had to be otherwise if there was a funeral you would struggle. But when there was a funeral, they handled all the, the burial society you know buying the coffin and everything and so on. During my time when I was small, they were very small groups but they started growing bigger and bigger.

lungu_001-57
ZG: Was there any link between these groups and the political parties when they began to form?

lungu_001-58
SL: Yes, there were links because each burial society had to belong to a political party, according to the ethnic groups. Because if you had a Bemba they would belong to, depending on where Kumbula was a Bemba, or Bemba went to join ANC, and then the other Senga from Chipata, the Eastern regions, from Lusaka to the eastern regions they all belonged to Kenneth Kaunda, yeah. And even some of Malawians too joined to help Kaunda, Zambians who spoke Chichewa joined Malawi Congress Party to help in the struggle in Zimbabwe, so they were helping each other according to ethnic groups and as long as you spoke more or less the same language. So was in Mozambique, but Mozambique at that time had to be one of the secret groups because they had started already the freedom struggle. Although in Zimbabwe during that time it was very secret from the early sixties. When we were doing all the petrol bombs it was very secret, the struggle which were fighting from within. Then there was the group which was being trained outside from the early sixties which was coming through Chinoi, Charundu, from Zambia and so on, coming down into Harare which was confronted by these soldiers around Chinoi area so the whole group which came first because at that time they had learned tactics of hit and run and so on. The first ethnic groups started coming together joining the political struggle.

lungu_001-59
ZG: Can you tell me some more about the first meetings you attended in Highfield?

lungu_001-60
SL: The political meetings? Ah yeah, those meetings were, well let me tell you. The first one which we had was 1958 or 1959 one was when Dr. Banda came to, yeah, I think it was 1958. When Dr. Banda came to Zimbabwe, to address the rally there and then later on was arrested and put into Gwero prison. It was there that the fireworks started because the white people thought by arresting him it was going to be a quiet thing that it would destroy all of the noise from the black people and that was a big mistake, because that's when now everything was an explosion, that became all the riots from there on.

lungu_001-61
ZG: So it was a public meeting?

lungu_001-62
SL: It was a public meeting and he came to address there, and he couldn't speak either Chichewa because he had been in prison for forty years, so he spoke English as an English person. Yeah and he was aggressive and he was the first political leader who challenged white people in public he challenged because he said we have come to do two things here. One is to break this stupid federation, to call it stupid in public, man that was ooooh, it was fireworks, with white soldiers around him, telling them I don't fear you and I have come to break this stupid federation and to attend our own independence, to stand on our own. And he spoke about being humiliated and so on. And it was the first time a black man had heard another black man saying all that was inside us. My you should have been there to see it, ooh the excitement! The anger! You know that meeting didn't finish well because we started stoning all of the police cars and we just took hold of stones and stoning, because now there was no fear.

lungu_001-63
ZG: And how old were you at that time?

lungu_001-64
SL: I think I was born in 1942, so in 1958 I was 14? Somewhere there, that's where we started the fireworks and then there were also in 1960 when Edgar Whitehead, the Prime Minister then came to address the meeting, to address the black people in the townships at the Jennings Cyril Hall, he came there and he didn't know that we carried stones, to stone the Prime Minister and started throwing our shoes and our stones and you know and they had to take him by the window they lifted him by the window and they started shooting live guns and then that was another chaos that day. When it finished well… There were several political meetings because they used to be held in Jennings Cyril Hall in Highfield, which became the centre, yes that was the centre of all political rallies.

lungu_001-65
ZG: Who would attend the rallies?

lungu_001-66
SL: All political parties. From Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe. They used to come together. But of course, we had ZAPU meetings of their own and then when they split up then that’s where the confusion started because we used to have the ZAPU and ZANU and then came Abel Muzorewa when these guys were, you know, detained. Because now our leaders were in prison and in detention, so what do we do? Let’s follow whoever comes. So there would come this Muzorewa and he would tell us…then came the Pearce Commission where they wanted us to agree whether to call for the UDI which Ian Smith had declared and the black people we said "no" we are not going to agree on the UDI, that time that black people won. That was the first time that we were given a chance to say our mind. So then onwards, because the elections were only among the white people the black people were not given the right to vote. Those who were given the right to vote were the few selected what we call 'puppets' of the white people, were in parliament under the federation but they had no voice, like the chiefs they had the chiefs who were in parliament, selected chiefs and business men, who were members of parliament under the federation of Zimbabwe under Ian Smith. These people were the voice of the black people, but really, they were not the voice of the black people. Because they say that the chiefs are controlling everyone in Zimbabwe, everyone was under at least a chief, but there were other black people like Malawians who didn't have chiefs in Zimbabwe, Zambians who didn't have chiefs in Zimbabwe. But we were in Zimbabwe as residents, but we couldn't vote, we had no voice because we are foreigners. But when it came to something which we had to vote for the government, Malawians were included. Yeah, so that was the confusion. So that also, they were creating enemies between the Shona people and the Malawians because they were being used by the government to voice out for the government, but already we had been politicised by Dr. Banda and Nkumbula. So I think quite a number of us cared for what we did.

lungu_001-67
ZG: So do you remember some of the more private meetings?

lungu_001-68
SL: Yeah, secret meetings there were quite many you know for some of us we were told at secret meetings to cause havoc in the cities or government institutions or electric pylons or some of the sell outs, at things like beer halls which really what the white government was doing was to build more beer halls, before they should drink as much as, you know beers, so they became stupid. They were not thinkers. So those are the areas we targeted to blow up. Because the white people they were building more beer halls than schools. Yeah, there were less schools and more beer halls. So each township, which they started building the township the first thing which came there was a beer hall, and a police station, so as to control and then the schools come later and then the clinic would come later. So first number one was the beer hall.

lungu_001-69
SL: But also the system of education was very, very poor. Hence some of the guys you would see educated at university in South Africa or went to UK, went to America, those who went to the UK or America were like a threat, they were sharp, they had been exposed to the outside world. There were not very few who were educated in Zimbabwe itself. So they wanted to really pin down the black people.

lungu_001-70
ZG: And was it those who had been educated in America or the UK that were conducting the meetings?

lungu_001-71
SL: Yeah, most of those were like Dr. Banda who spent his time at Oxford University, Edinburgh University. He did his PhD in medicine and the he went to Harvard in the states. So those guys were like a threat. You know Jomo Kenyatta was at one in Britain. Those guys were most feared because they were to get education. They made sure not to give him, but then he obtained his degree. So these guys got their education and were respected but also feared. They would try as much as they could to eliminate... we had a doctor, ahh what was his first name? Dr. Parirenyatwa - they killed him. Faked a train, car train crash. It was a fake.

lungu_001-72
ZG: Which party did he belong to?

lungu_001-73
SL: He was with ZANU before they split up and him, because he spoke openly and he was very intelligent guy, medical doctor, so they killed him, with the fictitious train crossing where there was a car, but they killed him first, put the car there and then the train, yeah.

lungu_001-74
ZG: So the meetings you attended were held by the NDP?

lungu_001-75
SL: Yeah, the first ones, the National Democratic Party, which became when they band it, it became ZANU, I mean ZAPU and then they split, that came later on.

lungu_001-76
SL: The secret meetings they would call one by one.

lungu_001-77
ZG: Where was it that you held the secret meetings?

lungu_001-78
SL: There were some rocks, and the townships were being built to those rocks but you had to make sure when you came one by one, to those rocks and that was where the secret meetings were held. But we used to go sometimes some 20km away near this bush area it was also. But in some secret homes where we met one by one. We never met in the house of the top leadership because they were always being watched but we went to the places they least expected.

lungu_001-79
ZG: And weren't you involved with the city youth league?

lungu_001-80
SL: Yes. That's where I was strongest, because even when others were right in the bush, we used to go to organise the supplies, like the beer halls I'm talking about, and places where white people were working at to great subdue the black person. Number one was the beer halls; number two was some of the areas you know... During Christmas, white people used to play games where they would abuse a black person, making sports of a black person. You know they would put maybe a pole, a big pole and on top of the pole they would put a 2-pound piece of meat, steak. So they would put oil or grease this pole and then they wanted to slip on it you know they had to struggle because of the grease to get up. So it was there, we would say why are these people being used. I can remember there as a small boy thinking that man is being used as sports, for their entertainment. Also, there were areas where they would use dogs to err run after black people, for them it was like a sport, when a black person was mauled and bitten by these dogs. They would laugh at the top of their voices and some of us would see some of the black people suffer and you know they would still have beaten us against animals. Many people my age have become anti animal because of the way animals were used against us.

lungu_001-81
ZG: Could you tell me a bit about how aware you were of the political situation in Malawi when you were in Zimbabwe?

lungu_001-82
SL: Yeah, in Malawi it was really like erm fireworks when Dr. Banda came. The first leaders who were there you know, they were like very mild, they wouldn't take the whole political situation on fire. But as soon as Banda came, he became awfully challenging of the people and the riots in Malawi became more and more. And the arrests and many people were killed.

lungu_001-83
ZG: Were you aware of this when you were in Zimbabwe?

lungu_001-84
SL: Yes, the news used to come down. That also was an inspiration. Yes, it was an inspiration for Zimbabwe, but the grip on Zimbabwe was rather strong because the white government had invested so much in Zimbabwe so it was like paradise for the white people, so more and more, to let go of Malawi was not a big deal, because they were not losing much in Malawi. They used the labour from Malawi and Zambia to Zimbabwe. So, losing Malawi was no big deal so when in 1964 the British had to give independence to Malawi, you know self-government, self-rule, that affected us very much in Zimbabwe because we would hear that one has gone out of the federation, so next was between Zimbabwe, I mean, Northern Rhodesia and Southern Rhodesia. So later on, Zambia got its independence, so then the whole federation was destroyed. Then we thought that by getting Malawi and then Zambia that Zimbabwe was going to be easy but ahh I think we underestimated the grip of Ian Smith and the white government and settlers because many of them had a lot of wealth in Zimbabwe. Even those who were living here had invested a lot in Zimbabwe and some had two, five, ten farms which went for miles and miles just one person’s. So, the grip was just strong and the military was quite strong and then also they had the help from the white South Africans who came to help. And of course there were some British people who came as mercenaries to help. So we were confronted by this big strong army force.

lungu_001-85
ZG: When Malawi gained independence did people want to return to Malawi, did people want to go back?

lungu_001-86
SL: Yes, there were many people who were determined but also, they had the question of, well Malawi wasn't as developed as Zimbabwe so people went to Zimbabwe because of the cash. For example, people come from Africa to Britain because of the power of the pound. £100 is many, many Kwacha you know...

lungu_001-87
SL: So when they thought about Zimbabwe, first it was good because they all used the pound. The same British pound. In Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe. You know we had the head of the Queen in our pound. We used to use the pound and pence. So when independence came they changed to Kwacha. And then Zambia also Kwacha, Kwacha and Tambala. Then Zimbabwe remained on their own. So they used the pound for a while and later changed to dollar.

lungu_001-88
SL: People were afraid to go back to Malawi at first because they were afraid to lose their jobs. Money in Malawi was not enough, the money the way people were paid was less. Even if you were a teacher, even with the same qualification you were paid more in Zimbabwe than in Malawi. Then there were the first women like my wife who were employed in the bank among the white ladies who almost segregated her during tea time, even after independence because she felt out of place.

lungu_001-89
SL: To answer your question, those Malawians who were in Zimbabwe who returned to Malawi were only those with the top positions, like Alec Banda, he was in Zimbabwe. After independence he went back to Malawi and became a cabinet minister. But most remained in their jobs. Zimbabwe was like the bread basket for Malawi as well. There were good job opportunities, better salaries. Malawi didn't have factories, or the mines, even the railway lines, the railway line was single, so they didn't have much really.

lungu_001-90
ZG: Can you tell me some more about you and the black shadows and how it became political?

lungu_001-91
SL: Well, that spilled over, when I think I was about 18 or so, it became political because we were one of the notorious gangs and we had nothing to lose, so throwing things like petrol bombs was no big deal for us. My gang they were almost about thirty people, yeah. There were the people I moved with to do some real bad things, we were about 16. People joined because one they wanted protection and two because they wanted people to keep the turf, you know the area. So it grew to that number. But those who did the real bad things and were involved in the political struggle, there were just those few. We got as much information as we could, you know stabbing, at the beer halls. When they would say tomorrow we are going to strike because they needed young people who would stop people getting onto the buses. So we were those young people who went and stoned the buses. And so we just had to go on top of the buses with tear gas and guns to allow people and say to them alright but when you come back you will find them. Police would take some of them back to their homes and that was there we used to beat people and do them a lot of damage in those areas.

lungu_001-92
ZG: Were there any sports clubs or associations that you were a member of?

lungu_001-93
SL: I joined a youth club first which was the erm dynamos, one of the big teams in Zimbabwe. It was entertainment. I used to like sports but I was too much focused on the political side but also because I wanted to survive, my gang you know all of this, the breaking in... it was all to survive. I wanted to stay alive, you know I lived under a bridge. It was also the political but I wanted to survive. It was very much a mixture of both for me, well for a few of us.

lungu_001-94
ZG: Was the membership of the political groups quite a young membership, what were the ages within the political groups?

lungu_001-95
SL: Oh, the political groups there were many people, young people were like the youth league and then older people were those who were in the, like the cell groups, of each section you know party groups, this one was the chairperson, all the ranks there and then another section of the township there was, it was how they used to control the running of the political party and it was from these that information was spread out very quickly.

lungu_001-96
SL: We knew about a strike within seconds, yeah and if we were to hit something we knew about it within seconds but of course the white government used to send and pay a lot of money to informants, so they had a lot of informants among the black people who would join the party as members but actually those were the ones who really destroyed us, ahhh because these informants pretended to be like us but you find out that what you wanted to do has been intercepted, yeah.

lungu_001-97
ZG: So was there a great deal of suspicion within the parties?

lungu_001-98
SL: There was because we didn’t know who to trust. The government had the money, now you give them a poor person, let’s say, you know in those days if you give them 10,000 Zimbabwean dollars that’s quite a lot of money, so even 5000 was a lot of money, so to get 5000 which was going to go a long way because given in a full year wouldn’t earn that, so to these informants the government gave a lot of money. And even this too they knew it was risky, because if they found out, it was a death sentence to that person. We didn’t play games, yeah, because to consider many people dying because of this one person, you know we had people who were killed in the 1000s in Mozambique when they raped young children it was terrible, but when the black people like mission, the guerrilla fighters slaughtered almost every missionary there including one day old child, it was big news around the world, you know big news, but when black people died in Chimoi, you know terrorists had been killed but we were, they called us terrorists but we were saying no we are not terrorists, this is our land, it is you who are terrorists, because you came to get what is not yours. You see so the use of the language there. That’s why I was against this title. I wanted my gang name ‘out of the Black Shadows’ that was the name of my gang and then because when we struggled, later in the middle of the struggle I became a Christian, so I quit the fighting, because I didn’t come to the end of the struggle, so there is no way I could call myself a Freedom Fighter, no.

lungu_001-99
SL: [Talks about disappointment at publishers choosing this title but then working to change it when the book was re-published.]

lungu_001-100
ZG: Can you tell me about the films that you talk about watching in your book?

lungu_001-101
SL: Well what do you want to know?

lungu_001-102
ZG: Were they cowboy films?

lungu_001-103
SL: Ahh those were cowboy films, western films yeah. That’s where I learnt also a lot of violence, err they didn’t do good to me. That’s where I learnt a lot of violence a lot of you know using my revolver, you know to me, I started having a revolver at the age of 12. It was in dangerous hands, unresponsible young man, you know, so I learnt a lot, how to break into homes, sabotage, all that. It was the films. I’d watch what they’d do, you know walking into doors, breaking into homes, breaking into cars it was all from those films. But I used to like it especially the fight, the cowboys which they used to use, the main actor, you want to act like him, yeah.

lungu_001-104
ZG: So the cinema was quite accessible?

lungu_001-105
SL: Yeah, it was just about how much, 3p in those days. But to get that 3p you had to go into the gulf club, you know for the whole day, 20p for the whole day so that 20p then sometimes I would go to my aunt’s place and she would take all to feed herself. You know so to find £1, you know to make £1 was a struggle, a real struggle and to make £10 was a struggle so to buy clothes was also a struggle, yeah. We lived that poverty. I remember as well when I was on the streets, I used to have my shirt out you know like young people do, because my shorts had these two holes in the back so to cover the holes I had my shirt out and I used to wear these slippers but there were half, the whole heal was gone. You know these slippers you just put on here and then sometimes it would get break because it was rubbing so would use wire to hold it together. So that’s how I struggled, yeah. And I remember even the old, old shoe I picked up from the garbage bin it had no sole here, you could see all the toes. So I remember I used to kneel down because people would see. So I had my first actual pair of shoes when I was 20, 21 years old. When a white missionary bought me a pair of shoes.

lungu_001-106
ZG: So the cinema was one form of entertainment, how about music?

lungu_001-107
SL: Yeah there was music. Yeah there was Zimbabwean music, but the most popular one was any music which came from Congo. Yeah, music from Congo, at that time we used to call it Zaire, that was the music people loved so much. Although the Zimbabwean music was more and more, but Zimbabwean music was going very much on the political,

lungu_001-108
SL: Some they would be band and then, we also used to listen to news of the Soviet Union. We never used to listen to the BBC, because people had done away with British BBC, because BBC used to broadcast into Zimbabwe, Malawi, the Federation, so all our news came from BBC so people started disregarding BBC news and we used to get… all the Zimbabwean political leaders would be allowed to broadcast from the Soviet Union from Moscow. So we used to get these and we would gather round the radio and they used to give horrible names to all Ian Smith, to all the whites, to Ian Smith and we used to love it, yes! And they would tell us and this is what we are going to do, blah, blah, you know and it was an inspiration. And they would tell us look. we cannot be behind; Ghana got their independence and they would come up with all these men and countries which had obtained their independence. So, the news from Soviet Union was quite an inspiration to most young people, but then we had also they used to tell us, introduce this station to many other people, so these political people would print on these old type writers, they would type and type and cut with scissors and give to us young people, where we distributed house to house during the night at 2am, you know sneak in the house and put it under the door and so on to give them the frequency, yeah. That’s how we distributed. Or if they were staging a strike, we’d and distribute so that no-one is going to work, yeah.

lungu_001-109
ZG: Was there much support for those coming from Malawi in terms of extended family in the communities?

lungu_001-110
SL: Yeah, there was support and those who were not Christians would do sacrifices for protection on the roads because in those days they used to walk, like my father went on foot from Malawi to Zimbabwe, but during the night they had to sleep in the trees and they would be tired so that in the trees when he falls asleep he would fall out, but also there were lions so there were many, many dangers, until they got to Zimbabwe.

lungu_001-111
ZG: And did your father have any family already in Zimbabwe when he arrived?

lungu_001-112
SL: No people just went without knowing anybody, or there were those that went because there was someone who was there who wrote letters, but because letters took months or before they got there, and because of how they used to travel, it took such a long time, you couldn’t predict when you would arrive there, so you just appeared in Bulawayo and started looking. In the townships most townships, like my township they used to put bog loud speakers in the towns so when you arrive in the towns, you’d go to the township office and then they would announce your name, “so and so, there is someone at this office please come and pick up your visitor, so they would come and walk to the office to pick up a visitor, yeah.

lungu_001-113
SL: Some would leave their wives and children when they went to Zimbabwe and started working. For the first two years, they used to go back with clothes, money, to give to the family, they would go back, two years later they’d go back, but eventually they got use to the lifestyle in Zimbabwe and then they would find a beautiful woman in Zimbabwe and they would marry that person, whether it was in church they never told about the wife back home, so many wives suffered because of that, many children suffered, because here was this man now married in Zimbabwe. Those who were clever they would take their wives with them, the second trip in the period the gap of two years, the second two years they would take their wife back. So those you would find in Zimbabwe with a Malawian father and a Malawian mother were really clever. But you would find most Malawians who are in Zimbabwe, except those who married a Malawian family in Zimbabwe, but most would go and marry a Zimbabwean lady and so they have paid dowry, according to Zimbabwe because most people in Malawi don’t pay, except up north, the Tonga. But most people, in central region they just pay a rooster, yeah one chicken, that’s enough, that’s how expensive you are you know, [laughs].

lungu_001-114
SL: And all the children belong to you in the centre but up north because of the dowry the children they belong to the husband.

lungu_001-115
SL: [He then explains that he was given the name Lungu by a man who was helping him to get a job. He didn’t know his father’s name because he left when he was only four, but a man told him he should take the name Lungu as his father was from Malawi.]

Nyumbane_001

nyumbane_001-1
I Simon Nyumbane pp.35551 P/J of Chief Johan Jerry of Ekwendeni, Mzimba, British Nyasaland Protectorate, do hereby make statement and declare:-

nyumbane_001-2
That I first came to the Transvaal in the year 1921 at my own expense, and was registered to a Mr Read of Amet Street, Jeppes, during the same year. I worked for him for 8 months and thereafter, was employed by a dairyman at Fordsburg for whom I worked 3 months.

nyumbane_001-3
Thence I went to Boksburg where I was employed as a mine native detective on the Angelo Deep Mine for 2 and half months. From there I went to Krugersdorp where I was registered (as a Blantyre Native resident and paying (Transvaal) Native tax payable in the Transvaal) to West Rand Consolidated Mines Ltd as a Timber boy underground for 9 months. It was in 1923 when I was an employee of that mine that I was made to pay the Transvaal native tax and I gave my nationality as Msutu. The passport on which I worked whilst an employee of the West Rand Consolidated Mine was exchanged by the Pass Office, Johannesburg when I registered to Mr Read of Amet Street, Jeppes. I worked 2 months for him and went to Wolhuter Gold Mines about the beginning of 1924. I worked for the mine for 6 months as a Timber boy underground. My nationality was still shown as ‘Msutu’ (TR 76618/245 KG 1/502).

nyumbane_001-4
That I left and worked for a baker at Troyeville for one month only. Thence I went to Mr Read of Amet Street Jepped and worked for him for three months.

nyumbane_001-5
That from there, I went to Randfontein where I worked for Mr Pessen of Luipaards Vlei Farm for 26 months. I left his service last month.

nyumbane_001-6
That I now pray for permission to be employed on the Gold Mines for underground work.

nyumbane_001-7
Simon Nyumbane his X mark

nyumbane_001-8
[…]

nyumbane_001-9
This man is now virtually a Transvaal native. The exchange of passport numbers may or may not be a pass office error with which it could now be [possible to hold the] applicant with responsibility.

nyumbane_001-10
Employment on mines [is met] with approval.

nyumbane_001-11
[stamped for 22nd March 1927.]

Kumbemba_002

kumbemba_002-1
EM: Again we meet today on 16th January here at Mangochi. We thank God for the New Year. Happy New Year!

kumbemba_002-2
PK: Happy New year to you too Mr. Elias

kumbemba_002-3
EM: Yes, let this be the year of progress in our work, families, and in all what we aspire to achieve during the year

kumbemba_002-4
PK: Very true let God bless us all

kumbemba_002-5
EM: How is home?

kumbemba_002-6
PK: Home is fine. How about where you come from?

kumbemba_002-7
EM: No, everyone there is fine. It is good that we meet like this unlike through the phone. Our interaction would have been artificial.

kumbemba_002-8
PL: Very true. This is very good unlike if it was through the phone, as there so many issues of network down here. With that we could find ourselves lost and the chat would have been a bit weird. In addition, unending blackouts we could have our phones dead.

kumbemba_002-9
EM: Yes it is becoming terrible now with brownouts. But thank you for accepting my call and to come for this interview. We do appreciate.

kumbemba_002-10
PK: You are welcome, and feel free to ask me any questions.

kumbemba_002-11
EM: I already have all your details; I will not labor to ask you questions on that.

kumbemba_002-12
PK: Oh okay, Sir

kumbemba_002-13
EM: My first question is about your grandparents. Where did they come from? Do you know or heard them talk about it?

kumbemba_002-14
PK: My grandfather came from Lingamasa, within the district, across the Shire River.

kumbemba_002-15
EM: Oh, Lingamasa the opposite side of the river?

kumbemba_002-16
PK: Yes that’s where he came from then.

kumbemba_002-17
EM: Under which Traditional Authority (T/A)?

kumbemba_002-18
PK: That was T/A Jowe

kumbemba_002-19
EM: Oh ok, T/A Jowe. When was that?

kumbemba_002-20
PK: That was around 1964. But he passed on since.

kumbemba_002-21
EM: Oh sorry and when was that? Would you know?

kumbemba_002-22
PK: That would be around 1970s. More exact in 1972 that was when I was leaving for South Africa to work in the mine WNLA.

kumbemba_002-23
EM: Oh is that so? And would you know when he was born?

kumbemba_002-24
PK: Oh that would be a while in the late 1800s. Because the time he passed on, he was saying he as above 100 years old.

kumbemba_002-25
EM: Oh yeah that’s a mirage.

kumbemba_002-26
PK: Definitely. That should be in the 1870s for sure. Because even I was born he was already an old fellow.

kumbemba_002-27
EM: Was he married then? Was he leaving with his wife?

kumbemba_002-28
PK: Actually she was my granny am talking about. When I was born her husband was already dead. So I never saw him.

kumbemba_002-29
EM: Oh! My apologies. I thought we are talking of your grandfather.

kumbemba_002-30
PK: No, I never saw him.

kumbemba_002-31
EM: Where was he then? Was he alive?

kumbemba_002-32
PK: He was dead when I was born. So I didn’t know much about him. Also, when I was born, my granny was then living with my mom.

kumbemba_002-33
EM: Is it because of the matrilineal family set up that made it possible that you met and lived with your granny?

kumbemba_002-34
PK: Very true according to our culture here, my dad would only come to my mom’s family to establish his family. He would not be a reliable figure in terms of my family lineage. He could easily be ditched out if the family of my mother felt enough of him. So it could be that my grandpa was chased away from the family the time I was born.

kumbemba_002-35
EM: Oh is that so? That’s very sad not so?

kumbemba_002-36
PK: That’s how it happens here. Actually probably after his death (grandpa) or disappearance, my grandma moved from that side to this side of the river to a place called Saiti Kadzuwa. That’s where the family settled till we were born.

kumbemba_002-37
EM: Oh I see. So you moved to Saiti Kadzuwa after his death?

kumbemba_002-38
PK: Yes when he died, my granny moved from there to settle at Saiti Kadzuwa with my mom.

kumbemba_002-39
EM: So, tell me which T/A now?

kumbemba_002-40
PK: This area is within TA Mponda.

kumbemba_002-41
EM: Tell me what was your grandparents’ occupation? I am sure they would talk about it?

kumbemba_002-42
PK: Oh yes. They were farmers. They used to grow groundnuts and sweet potatoes. They would. They had big farms and would grow huge sweet potatoes. They were popular too.

kumbemba_002-43
EM: E:Was that time when your grandparents were married and lived together?

kumbemba_002-44
PK: Yes they were married and lived together as a family. They were great farmers.

kumbemba_002-45
EM: Were they selling their produce?

kumbemba_002-46
PK: Yes they were growing for sell. They would sell upon harvesting groundnuts and potatoes, sweet potatoes though not Irish potatoes.

kumbemba_002-47
EM: Do people grow Irish potatoes here?

kumbemba_002-48
PK: No we don’t only sweet potatoes

kumbemba_002-49
EM: Alright. So tell me about your dad. Where was he born?

kumbemba_002-50
PK: My dad was born at Mpondasi.

kumbemba_002-51
EM: Oh Mpndansi not Mponda? What is the difference?

kumbemba_002-52
PK: Actually Mponda is a chief (Traditional Authority T/A) while Mpondasi is a village. Many people easily confuse

kumbemba_002-53
EM: Oh I see, I actually get confused too each time I get across these two names. Thanks for clarification

kumbemba_002-54
PK: Yes Mponda is T/A while Mpondasi is village headman.

kumbemba_002-55
EM: Are they related?

kumbemba_002-56
PK: No. They are not related at all. And if you notice every current chief will retain those names and their titles. It comes from bloodline.

kumbemba_002-57
EM: Now I understand the difference. So tell me when your dad and mom got married and settled at Mpondasi, what was their occupation?

kumbemba_002-58
PK: When they settled at Mpondasi, both parents were farmers. But my father was also a butcher man. He owned a butcher that sold meet to many people within the area.

kumbemba_002-59
EM: So he owned a butcher? That means he was rich and you were lucky to be born from a rich family then

kumbemba_002-60
PK: Yes. We were selling to the white people (Azungu {plural}) as well. Also I remember selling more meat to the army barracks especially at Monkyebay (Marine).

kumbemba_002-61
EM: Oh yes that means this business was big? And those armies were then run by the British?

kumbemba_002-62
PK: Exactly it was huge business for the family. Those white British in the army liked our meat. They always bought from our butchery

kumbemba_002-63
EM: Oh ok. Around this period most of people moved from one area to the other and abroad too for various reasons like poverty, security, employment, witchcraft, and land for agricultural purposes. Were your grandparents and dad and mom involved in these mentioned movements? If yes from where to where?

kumbemba_002-64
PK: No my parents did not move. Even my grandparents did not have to make such moves.

kumbemba_002-65
EM: Wow. That means they were comfortable. So would I be correct to assume you were the first in your family to have travelled abroad to South Africa?

kumbemba_002-66
PK: Yes I was the first to have travelled abroad then.

kumbemba_002-67
EM: Wow! So you were the torchbearer as a migrant worker in your entire family?

kumbemba_002-68
PK: Yes. I am the only one.

kumbemba_002-69
EM: So who else in your family every travelled abroad for work purposes?

kumbemba_002-70
PK: So far only my kids have travelled abroad. They are in South Africa.

kumbemba_002-71
EM: Oh Wow! Are they working in the mines in South Africa like you did?

kumbemba_002-72
PK: Oh No. They are working in different companies not in the mines.

kumbemba_002-73
EM: Wow! That is following your footsteps right?

kumbemba_002-74
PK: Definitely, they know that they went to school with the money from WNLA. So they had to go abroad to restart their lives.

kumbemba_002-75
EM: This is wonderful! So they have benefited from the WNLA money?

kumbemba_002-76
PK: You are right. They are the direct beneficiaries.

kumbemba_002-77
EM: How do you compare them today and of your years? Do they support back home as you were doing?

kumbemba_002-78
PK: Yes. They are very supportive. They are supporting us as parents just as I used to do to my parents and my immediate family. So far they have not lost it.

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EM: Wow! That’s encouraging. I have heard about what younger generation of migrant workers from Malawi to South Africa is known for unlike your generation. Mostly, are known for binge drinking, womanizing etc. Most of them have forgotten about their homes. But your kids are a little bit different here.

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PK: You are absolutely right. Young people go to South Africa without any goal. Hence they miss their objectives and lose themselves to worldly things. They tend to lose focus too. But my children are exceptional. They look after each other; remind each other about home etc. They meet each other often. I also try to encourage them to focus.

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EM: That’s fascinating. Keep encouraging them.

kumbemba_002-82
PK: Back to your family lineage:

kumbemba_002-83
EM: Tell me, where did your grand grandparents come from? Say you’re the parents of your grandmother? Where did she come from? Did they tell you their story?

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PK: In hearing them, her telling me a story, she said, her parents came from Mozambique side at a place called, YAOH.

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EM: By the way you are tribe is Yao, so could this be the origins of your tribe?

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PK: Exactly, I am Yao. Many Yao people came from this place in Mozambique. Now we attribute this place as our original home.

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EM: But would you know why they moved from Mozambique to Malawi?

kumbemba_002-88
PK: Yes. They moved away from the political hardship of the Portuguese government. The British government in Malawi was very fair and friendly.

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EM: That’s a good point to note as most of us do not know where we truly come from. Our children are not taught these histories and origins. So you are lucky to know this.

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PK: Exactly, we know where we come from. Yaoh is our original place, and we came into this country running away from the Portuguese.

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EM: Would you know when were parents born?

kumbemba_002-92
PK: I am not sure of my father birthdate, but my mother was born in 1922.

kumbemba_002-93
EM: Oh okay. So who was older between your mother and father?

kumbemba_002-94
PK: My father was older than my mother.

kumbemba_002-95
EM: Oh Okay, 1922.

kumbemba_002-96
PK: Though I heard from his friends that he was born around 1901.

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EM: Wow! 1901. He was older than your mother. So was it also possible that older men could marry younger girls in those days?

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PK: Yes. His friends/peers say so. He was older when he married my mother. True it was also happening in those days that older people could marry younger girls. My mother and father is the example.

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EM: Oh I see. Nowadays is very common that older men marrying younger girls.

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PK: Yes it was happening then, and now it is also very popular older men marrying younger girls even as younger as 15 years. As long as there is love between them it is possible.

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EM: So how many children were born in your family?

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PK: We were born seven (7) children

kumbemba_002-103
EM: How many boys and girls?

kumbemba_002-104
PK: We were four girls and three boys.

kumbemba_002-105
EM: SO out of the seven children born in your family, how many did travel or contracted by WNLA? Was it only you?

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PK: I was the only one who was contracted by WNLA. And the only one who travelled to South Africa except for my own children as I explained earlier.

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EM: so it means you didn’t influence others in your family to join WNLA as you did? In most my families when one goes abroad, tend to influence others to follow suit.

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PK: No. None in the family really joined me or went to South Africa to work in the mines as I did.

kumbemba_002-109
EM: So what position was in the family?

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PK: I was second. The first born is my brother, I am second.

kumbemba_002-111
EM: Oh! Okay. So the rest were women? I mean after you?

kumbemba_002-112
PK: Yes the rest that came after me were women and one boy. The first born is still working at Mkopola lodge at the bar at the golf area. He did not go to WNLA like me. When you go there you will see him and also on the walls as the first barman.

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EM: Oh really! So him is the first born, you are second, who else?

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PK: Yes, him first, me second, then came a woman, woman, woman, man, and woman.

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EM: Oh! Really? So where are they now?

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PK: Yes that’s how our family is structured. And they are all at home now

kumbemba_002-117
EM: By the way did you marry before or after you came back from WNLA?

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PK: I married after I came back. Remember, I went to South Africa to that I get money to marry my wife.

kumbemba_002-119
EM: So you married when you came back first or after your second journey?

kumbemba_002-120
PK: By the way I only went once not twice.

kumbemba_002-121
EM: Oh Why?

kumbemba_002-122
PK: When the plane crashed, Kamuzu curtailed the business with WNLA. We could no longer go back. It was only later after 1975 when they opened TEBA when people could back to South Africa to work in the mines.

kumbemba_002-123
EM: So you went to South Africa, your elder brother started working at the bar at the golf club, what about the rest of the brother and sisters? What did they do?

kumbemba_002-124
PK: True, but the rest were not working. Instead they got married. Some managed to go to school and eventually got married

kumbemba_002-125
EM: So while in South Africa did you manage to help your siblings with money back home? Or you just ignored? Or you concentrated on making more money to help with your future wedding?

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PK: Yes, I used to send parents with money to help them with school fees and food. As they were young, I could only send my parents.

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EM: Oh yes, how were you sending such monies? Tell me more on this?

kumbemba_002-128
PK: We used to send money through the airmail.

kumbemba_002-129
EM: Airmail? How did it go? Explain.

kumbemba_002-130
PK: Actually, we could send through the post office. We usually go to the post office to deposit the exact amount of money. Then the post office would send to Malawi. And in Malawi our relatives are notified of the money. They go to the local post office and then they get the money. It was that easy.

kumbemba_002-131
EM: Is that so? But some told me that they used colleagues those going back home. When they arrive home they would give their relatives say R10, these colleagues would ask that recipient to write a letter confirming receipt of the money (R10). When the sender receives this confirmation letter from the recipient, gives that equivalent to the colleague who is back from home. This method was based on trust not so?

kumbemba_002-132
PK: True, trust was paramount. Some people used this method but not many people actually used it.

kumbemba_002-133
EM: When telling me about your story earlier on, you said when you finished school, STD8; you left for South Africa (WNLA). How old were you by this period?

kumbemba_002-134
PK: When I left for South Africa, I was then 20 years old.

kumbemba_002-135
EM: Wow! That was a young age? And you left for you to get money to marry your future wife.

kumbemba_002-136
PK: P. Yeah, I was young. I knew for me to marry I needed some good money. Unlike today, many young men just get married even when they don’t have anything. They even marry at a tender age

kumbemba_002-137
EM: Exactly. Many young people today marry early; they also grow fast due to the type of food such as sausages. But 20 years was really young to take such a mantle of going to WNLA.

kumbemba_002-138
PK: Oh yes children today grow fast and want to do things quicker. As for me 20 year was younger as you may see on my picture.

kumbemba_002-139
EM: Oh yes can I have a look at your picture again? May I scan it?

kumbemba_002-140
PK: Yes go ahead. I look young but my problems made me mature fast. Even when I went to the mines, I was given some responsibilities due to the levels of my education. Our manager liked me. Young and energetic and could speak English. I could communicate well with them.

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EM: Is that so? So they could differentiate

kumbemba_002-142
PK: Yes. You can also take a picture of this bonus card. I think I didn’t have it last time

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EM: Oh yes. You kept it very clean. You must have taken a good care of it. Is this card that you are using for the reported compensation program?

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PK: Yes that the card. You are to be considered only if you have this bonus card (which was never paid)

kumbemba_002-145
EM: again how did you reach at the idea of going to WNLA for work?

kumbemba_002-146
PK: This decision was made based on the reason I already mention that I did not have the money to start a family with. I need to work harder to raise funds to facilitate my wedding with my then future wife.

kumbemba_002-147
EM: So WNLA was the only option for you to raise such funds? If yes why then taking this dangerous option?

kumbemba_002-148
PK: There was an alternative. However, I chose the WNLA one because this one guaranteed success faster unlike the other one which would have taken a long time, with much uncertainty.

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EM: What was that option?

kumbemba_002-150
PK: I could have done business like the one my dad was doing, especially butchery and farming. This option was not certain. I didn’t know how long it would take me to raise such funds.

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EM: You also said during our previous interview that you came from a business background. Would you tell me where did your father get the capital for his business?

kumbemba_002-152
PK: My dad got his money from his pension and gratuity from where he used to work. He used to mention Railways. So he used that money to start up his business empire.

kumbemba_002-153
EM: Oh great. So you mean you dad used to work for Railways?

kumbemba_002-154
PK: Yes he was working there

kumbemba_002-155
EM: Did you ever see him working there at Railways?

kumbemba_002-156
PK: No. I was born when he had already retired. So we only heard stories that he worked for railways. So, his pension was used to kick-start his business.

kumbemba_002-157
EM: So, at railways he was working as whom? What position?

kumbemba_002-158
PK: He was working as a cook. He used to cook for workers and servicemen and shipmen. That time it was Chancy Maple ship. That was way back before the current popular Ilala ship.

kumbemba_002-159
EM: Oh! Is that so? I thought he worked for ground railway line. And was he also cooking for the passengers?

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PK: No he was not cooking for passengers at all. There were only white/European workers no African at all. Africans were not well trained then except for the cooks

kumbemba_002-161
EM: So upon his retirement, your dad went into business. What kind of business?

kumbemba_002-162
PK: He used his money to open a shop and butchery. But after that, he went into serious farming. By the time of his death, he had closed his shop and had gone into farming

kumbemba_002-163
EM: Wow, so it means you did not face economic difficulties while growing up?

kumbemba_002-164
PK: Oh yes. I was very lucky. But I went to experience real hard work in the mines in South Africa while trying to raise my own money

kumbemba_002-165
EM: Oh okay. How was it in the mines?

kumbemba_002-166
PK: Eh in South Africa, in the mines we really faced hard work. I felt it, experienced it the hard work. It was strange especially coming from a well to do family. I remember others who came with us, decided to withdraw just after seeing the mines, the steps going down, the cage . It was not a place for lazy man. But I grew up in confidence and worked there for two years. It was not a joke. It was a do or die, a risk to go down there to the end of the mine.

kumbemba_002-167
EM: Wow! Pure hardship.

kumbemba_002-168
PK: And we were not going in upright but with bended necks. The path was too small. And we could walk miles underneath without stretching our backs. We tied some kind of flex-form material on our knees to help us sustain movement. It was tough. We sweated for our dime really.

kumbemba_002-169
EM: Oh! Yes. I saw that somewhere else.

kumbemba_002-170
PK: It was a torcher. We were tying those flex forms both in our elbows and knees just to get to the destination. The path was too small for us to turn around or stretch our necks. If you do, you could hit the wall, it was very narrow.

kumbemba_002-171
EM: Wow!

kumbemba_002-172
PK: It is very painful and discouraging that these people aren’t giving us compensation for the work we did without any reservations. The government should indeed work with them that we get something from the hardship we did. We made a lot of money for them. It is ethically right that they now compensate us. And just because they did not themselves go underneath, they should not accept the damage done to most of us.

kumbemba_002-173
EM: Tell me how would you have felt if the money you were sending back home to your parents, relatives was mismanaged?

kumbemba_002-174
PK: I would have felt very bad considering the painful means of getting that money. I would definitely get mad. In my case I was sending to my parents who knew how to use money well. They didn’t disappoint me.

kumbemba_002-175
EM: Oh yes. However, many people tend to abuse such monies they didn’t sweat for.

kumbemba_002-176
PK: Correct. Most people enjoy spending lavishly proceeds of other people’s sweat. It would be unfair to misuse money gotten from the hardship in the mines.

kumbemba_002-177
EM: True.

kumbemba_002-178
PK: Now that you shared your decision to migrate to South Africa to work in the mines especially just after finishing school (STD8). How did your parents respond? You could have gone for further studies.

kumbemba_002-179
EM: P: True, I could have gone further with my studies but then my parents were not having the money to pay for my school fees. Instead I chose to go to South Africa to look for money that would have helped me with my plans to marry.

kumbemba_002-180
PK: E: So what was the immediate reaction from your parents? Especially considering that you just finished STD 8?

kumbemba_002-181
EM: P: Actually, they did not stand in my way at all, they supported me. However, even if they chose to control me, I would still go as I already had all the papers done. I would have just sneaked out and report to WNLA officials. I was very determined.

kumbemba_002-182
PK: But the family supported my decision. They also knew that STD 8 was like the end of my school next is marriage and work.

kumbemba_002-183
EM: How?

kumbemba_002-184
PK: The issue is that Std 8 then was like Form4 where you are almost finished with school. It was more like send off to marriage or to seek job opportunities. So my parents had to some extent such expectations. So my decision was not totally surprising to them.

kumbemba_002-185
EM: Very true indeed that Std.8 was today form 4. And also to be in STD 8 in those days would be old enough to start a family. So tell me when you came back what happened? Did you find your parents already arranged a wife for you?

kumbemba_002-186
PK: When I came back home I looked for my wife. When I found her I got married to her and I have seven children with her. My parents did not look for a wife for me. I did not ask them to do so.

kumbemba_002-187
EM: Wow! That’s a good achievement for you especially achieving your objective for going to work in the mines in South Africa under WNLA. But tell me, how was your childhood?

kumbemba_002-188
PK: You mean my youth years?

kumbemba_002-189
EM: Yes especially when your youthful years were around the struggle for Malawi’s independence? Tell me anything that you can remember.

kumbemba_002-190
PK: Oh yes, I remember when Kamuzu came back home, 1950s, brought a lot of enthusiasm. We joined Youth League where we were so organized. Each time Kamuzu came around, we would line up in the streets to allow him pass through. He was a hero that we adored as teenagers. We were taught to be respectful. We could go around and take care of the aged. We had good manners.

kumbemba_002-191
EM: Wow! That was really nice. Am sure Kamuzu loved that

kumbemba_002-192
PK: Yes he did. When I grew big, I went to join Malawi Young Pioneer (MYP) where were taught to be fit and a man.

kumbemba_002-193
EM: All really? Tell me more about?

kumbemba_002-194
PK: True I was there but I only stayed for 2 years. That was from 1964 to 1967. I left them in 1968. We were fully trained

kumbemba_002-195
EM: But then you were very young considering you were born in 1951?

kumbemba_002-196
PK: Yes I was. At MYP, Kamuzu only wanted young men and women. They did not want older people. They want to train them hence adults were not welcome at all.

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EM: So you joined after the independence? And what were you trained in?

kumbemba_002-198
PK: Yes they came to our schools and picked a few fit individuals to join the Malawi Young Pioneers. I was lucky I was also chosen to join them. While there, I was trained in farming. It was tough training. It involved hard work. We were also taught discipline, resilience, and hard work.

kumbemba_002-199
EM: Oh! Ok. So there was much training?

kumbemba_002-200
PK: Yes. Some were trained in engineering, construction, and farming. This organization was very helpful to most young Malawians.

kumbemba_002-201
EM: So by the time you were leaving for South Africa, you were already used to hard work?

kumbemba_002-202
PK: Yes I was already used to hard work and it was not difficult at all at the mine.

kumbemba_002-203
EM: What were the main pillars that you learnt from your time at Malawi Young Pioneers?

kumbemba_002-204
PK: The main pillars include the fearless, resilience, and discipline. These were key to our survival while in. these pillars made me standout at the mine

kumbemba_002-205
EM: In 1964 uprising, when Kamuzu and his key ministers like Masauko Chipembere, who hailed from here, where were you? What side did you take?

kumbemba_002-206
PK: I remember very well about this uprising. Kamuzu first time met his equals. The country was at stand still. People were divided. There were two sides. You were with Kamuzu or with rebel ministers. In my case I followed Kamuzu, that guy brainwashed us to believe in him. He was a superhuman. We betrayed our own man Chipembere, and realized later that we made mistake.

kumbemba_002-207
EM: if you were given a chance to choose between the two, whom you choose with the background you have of Chipembere and his other ministers?

kumbemba_002-208
PK: Without a shadow of a doubt I would choose Chipembere. He was our own. And we despised him since Kamuzu had brainwashed us. Today with what I know no ways. These men had good intentions for our country

kumbemba_002-209
EM: During this period was your family a member of Malawi Congress Party?

kumbemba_002-210
PK: Of course, we were. Remember, we were in one party system and had no alternative. We were born to be MCP (Malawi Congress Party) members.

kumbemba_002-211
EM: In our last interview, you said that when you came back from South Africa you bought a bicycle. You said the bicycle helped you so much when your child was ill. Describe how this bicycle helped your family?

kumbemba_002-212
PK: Indeed I bought the bicycle when I came back from South Africa. This bicycle was crucial to my family. As I told you, one night, my child fell ill, I had no other transport means except for the bicycle to take him to the hospital. If it is not for this bicycle, I think my son would have died. There was no way I would have walked to the hospital at night. So this I think, I owe to WNLA. This bicycle was used for many other purposes by the family at home. It was a good companion not only to me but to the whole family.

kumbemba_002-213
EM: Apart from the bicycle, what other item that you bought that had similar impact in your life?

kumbemba_002-214
PK: The other item that I bought is Gumba-Gumba, (Big disc radio). This helped me make more money back home. It used to be hired for parties, weddings, birthdays etc. So that also added value to my journey to South Africa.

kumbemba_002-215
EM: Who was operating this Gumba-Gumba?

kumbemba_002-216
PK: It was always me who operated it. I didn’t want anyone else to do it as most didn’t know how to.

kumbemba_002-217
EM: Wow this is good stories of post WNLA. What position was the child you took to the hospital at night? What sex?

kumbemba_002-218
PK: He was second born

kumbemba_002-219
EM: How old was he then?

kumbemba_002-220
PK: He was seven years then.

kumbemba_002-221
EM: Would you still remember as when this incident took place?

kumbemba_002-222
PK: It was on the 6th August, after 6pm though. And my bicycle had a blue light. This helped me to cycle at night.

kumbemba_002-223
EM: With blue light, that would have been expensive bicycle?

kumbemba_002-224
PK: Oh! Yes it was expensive. Not many people would have afforded this. In my case I bought it around K110 (one hundred and ten kwacha)

kumbemba_002-225
EM: Wow that’s expensive. That was when 2dollars was equal to one kwacha?

kumbemba_002-226
PK: True, kwacha was then too strong for the dollar

kumbemba_002-227
EM: Describe the weather like when you were taking your son to the hospital

kumbemba_002-228
PK: It was after 6pm, the weather was hot, and you know the weather in our summer like.

kumbemba_002-229
EM: What was he suffering from? What did the doctors say?

kumbemba_002-230
PK: The doctors said he was suffering from Malaria, very unbearable. I had to travel with him alone. My wife would not have joined me then

kumbemba_002-231
EM: So what hospital did you go then?

kumbemba_002-232
PK: I took him to Mangochi Central Hospital. That was the biggest and closest

kumbemba_002-233
EM: If you didn’t have this 3 speeder bicycle, how would you have taken your son to the hospital?

kumbemba_002-234
PK: My wife would have carried him at my back. Really unthinkable, not so?

kumbemba_002-235
EM: Oh really? And would you have escorted her? How old was he?

kumbemba_002-236
PK: I would escort them, He was seven years old.

kumbemba_002-237
EM: So now we can appreciate the role the bicycle played in your family?

kumbemba_002-238
PK: Indeed it helped me so much. It is for this reasons I thank God for this WNLA contract that I did not only managed to get wife, married her, got a bicycle and gumbagumba which all helped me to earn a living with my family. I owe this to WNLA.

kumbemba_002-239
EM: By chance would have a picture of the bicycle or gumbagumba?

kumbemba_002-240
PK: No I don’t have any currently.

kumbemba_002-241
EM: Ok, in 1974 after plane crash, Kamuzu decided to halt the contracts with WNLA. How did this affect you personally?

kumbemba_002-242
PK: Oh! I was deeply affected. I thought I would go again and work hard to raise funding for my business. But I was left hapless, confused. Look at my letter for me to go back at the same mine.

kumbemba_002-243
EM: So this letter reintroduces you to the same mine and same position?

kumbemba_002-244
PK: Yes it was to inform the mine managers that am back, and can retain me to the same position in the mine.

kumbemba_002-245
EM: So when you heard about the termination of the WNLA contracts, you should be devastated?

kumbemba_002-246
PK: I was devastated, I was so certain that I was coming back here to work and make extra money. I had unfinished business. I know that I did get married but I wanted to raise more funds for my family and business. Unfortunately it wasn’t meant to be.

kumbemba_002-247
EM: Looking at the document here, it shows that you wanted to go again 1986? Explain that?

kumbemba_002-248
PK: Yes when WNLA closed, there came TEBA and had similar processes, and similar requirements. But I did not go.

kumbemba_002-249
EM: Where do you get this document? Would you mind explaining what it meant?

kumbemba_002-250
PK: This document even doing WNLA we were getting it, when going to South Africa, we would leave behind with Malawi government. They would give us a different one to go and present it to the managers at the mine. This document meant that we are fit to work in the mine. Similarly, on our way back we would get similar document from the mine authority reiterating that we have left while fit.

kumbemba_002-251
EM: Is that so?

kumbemba_002-252
PK: With this document, the TA and labour office would not restrict or fail you to go. They know you are fit and can travel back to South. You meet all the requirements. This document (permit) was gotten from the court, also confirming that you do not have any criminal record to bar you from going to work with WNLA.

kumbemba_002-253
EM: What if you failed and deemed not fit by the court, or labor office? Were there other means of beating the trap?

kumbemba_002-254
PK: Eeeh there were no other way. No corruption then. They feared that if they let you go while not fit, you were going to fail at the mines. That would have damaged the image of Malawi. There were so many questions and tests along the way, so if you failed at home, you would never succeed further

kumbemba_002-255
EM: Oh okay. So did you know your wife or did your parents arrange for you a wife based on their knowledge of the girl or her family?

kumbemba_002-256
PK: I did find her myself. It was purely my choice not of my parents. I then introduced her to my family; they welcomed her into our family. There was no such a thing of searching your son for a wife.

kumbemba_002-257
EM: Is that so!

kumbemba_002-258
PK: Yes. There was no Facebook then. No zooming at all. Today, with Facebook women look good on the pictures but a disaster when you finally meet her in person. You need personal contact for sure before any stance. Some on Facebook pose as young people when they are very old in real life. This was not the case with our old women. They did not need some application, makeups whatsoever to attract us men. They were real and loyal to us men. Most of them were very realistic and show of natural beauty.

kumbemba_002-259
EM: How did you meet your wife?

kumbemba_002-260
PK: I actually, met my wife when playing my Gumba-Gumba show. Remember I was being hired to perform at various occasions. So she was dancing to the songs I was playing at a function. She stole my heart with her dancing antics. I immediately approached her and we clicked. I introduced her to my family and she was welcomed into our family. She is my wife.

kumbemba_002-261
EM: Wow! That’s a wonderful story. so you married her, and you have seven children together. Where are these children?

kumbemba_002-262
PK: Yes, they are seven in total. Some are here and others are in South Africa.

kumbemba_002-263
EM: How many are in South Africa?

kumbemba_002-264
PK: There are four in South Africa. Two are boys and two are girls.

kumbemba_002-265
EM: The girl went there after marriage or before getting married?

kumbemba_002-266
PK: They left before getting married. It is not good for women to go there already married.

kumbemba_002-267
EM: Why is it so?

kumbemba_002-268
PK: It is better to go there before marriage that way their marriage lasts unlike if they leave their husbands behind. So they got married there.

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EM: Are they married to South Africans or Malawians? If Malawians from which part?

kumbemba_002-270
PK: They are married to Malawians. And their men also come from this district, Mangochi.

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EM: And those left behind what are they doing?

kumbemba_002-272
PK: They are also married. They are two girls and one boy.

kumbemba_002-273
EM: I think you profited from your trip to South Africa under WNLA? You achieved your objective, built a strong family, and your kids also emulated your steel to take up jobs abroad (emigration). You remain strong.

kumbemba_002-274
PK: Yes I have profited from it. It is a pity it was cut short. If only I managed to go there twice, I would certainly have profited more.

kumbemba_002-275
EM: I think I have finally finished asking you my questions I prepared for you. If you have any comment please do so.

kumbemba_002-276
PK: I hope I have answered all the questions. But if you want I can comment on the compensation issue. WNLA without shadow of a doubt has profited me immensely. It has transformed me and my family. But am worried and disappointed that up to now, WNLA, is failing to compensate us, as earlier suggested. We need that money to make us truly feel appreciated for the work we did so well. We made them huge sums of money.

kumbemba_002-277
EM: I think this is an economic injustice; they need to reward you for many reasons. You have unpaid bonuses, this compensation program would really help you. By the way, are you in touch with other colleagues that you worked with from other countries such Mozambique, Zimbabwe or Botswana? Have they received their bonuses or compensation?

kumbemba_002-278
PK: So far I never heard from any of them. We are not in touch by the way.

kumbemba_002-279
EM: That’s sad. I hope this issue will be solved soon. Just in passing, a friend who is a priest working with ILO in Johannesburg, told me he was working on the issue of compensation for the Mozambicans who worked in the mines during WNLA. He was looking for lawyers who would assist with the compensation process. He was worried Mozambicans did not come forward for their money. Then I asked about Malawians who are also pushing for this compensation. He told me that Malawians are very slow in submitting key documents for consideration. In your opinion, where did things get stuck?

kumbemba_002-280
PK: Is that so? We did submit our documents long time ago. We don’t know where exactly things got stuck.

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EM: Could it be that your organization is slow in processing such required documents?

kumbemba_002-282
PK: I don’t think so. But government officials do not act fast.

kumbemba_002-283
EM: But why?

kumbemba_002-284
PK: Probably, they are jealous they can’t embezzle such money. No room for corruption as it is straight from South Africa. So they don’t give attention to this.

kumbemba_002-285
EM: Very sad. Well, I wish you all the best with the process. It shall be well soon. I look forward to hearing that you received your compensation, and that you feel great that you are appreciated by WNLA.

Ibrahim_001

ibrahim_001-1
Ibrahim: I went to Zimbabwe in 1953. I am Yao and a Muslim.

ibrahim_001-2
ZG: Where did you go when you first went to Zimbabwe?

ibrahim_001-3
Ibrahim: I went to a place called Hartley. It is between Gatooma and Harare.

ibrahim_001-4
ZG: What were your intentions?

ibrahim_001-5
Ibrahim: Initially I wanted to go to South Africa. The problem was at that time there was some kind of political upheaval resulting in them closing the borders to South Africa. That’s why I ended up in Zimbabwe.

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ZG: What type of work did you do there?

ibrahim_001-7
Ibrahim: I didn’t have a particular job in mind when I went; I was just looking for something to come up. The first job I had was at David Whitehead a textile company. There used to be one here in Malawi as well. While I was working there we were told that all those who had passports should transfer to Zambia, but I refused because I still wanted to go to South Africa. That is when I quit working for David Whitehead. I resigned.

ibrahim_001-8
ZG: What job did you have next?

ibrahim_001-9
Ibrahim: After that I went to work at Gent Mine(?), but it was within the same district.

ibrahim_001-10
ZG: How did you travel when you went to Zimbabwe?

ibrahim_001-11
Ibrahim: When I was going to Zimbabwe I went from Dedza to Blantyre and then I boarded the train that went through Mozambique. It cost me £1 66 shillings.

ibrahim_001-12
LP: When you were going did you have to get registered anywhere?

ibrahim_001-13
Ibrahim: No we just used to go.

ibrahim_001-14
ZG: Did you know any other people when you arrived in Zimbabwe?

ibrahim_001-15
Ibrahim: I just went there of my own free will. At first I used to sleep at the station. In the mornings I would go and look for a job. I didn’t have any relatives there.

ibrahim_001-16
ZG: Who did you work with?

ibrahim_001-17
Ibrahim: I used to work with white people [azungu]. There was one person from Mozambique. There were also some Malawians and some Zimbabweans.

ibrahim_001-18
ZG: What was your accommodation like when you found some?

ibrahim_001-19
Ibrahim: We were given houses with our jobs. We lived in company housing. Some of the people were given houses but others had to look for their own accommodation. At the Gent Mines we were also given accommodation.

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ZG: How was the accommodation?

ibrahim_001-21
Ibrahim: The houses were made of thatch. Sometimes we were given houses and sometimes we were given a number of days to go and build the house ourselves. You were given about four days to go and have a house built. It was like a punishment. Four days was not enough to build a proper house. You would end up having to finish the building after you had knocked off form work.

ibrahim_001-22
ZG: What were your first impressions of Zimbabwe?

ibrahim_001-23
Ibrahim: When I first arrived there was nothing there that really amazed me. At that time there was a lot of segregation [tsankho]. Malawians were not really wanted there. There was a real segregation between the Shona and Malawians. There was hatred between Shona and Malawians. The only people who used to really like us were the azungu because they thought we were a very hard working people.

ibrahim_001-24
ZG: Were you single or married when you went to Zimbabwe?

ibrahim_001-25
Ibrahim: No I left before I was married. I married in Zimbabwe and I had 12 children. 8 of them are still in Zimbabwe. I only had one wife and I had all of my children with her. Her parents were born in Zimbabwe and she was also born in Zimbabwe. Her great grandparents were actually from Kasungu.

ibrahim_001-26
ZG: Was it easy for you to migrate to Zimbabwe?

ibrahim_001-27
Ibrahim: In order for you to get a job you did need some kind of identification. Malawians were never allowed to look for jobs within town. They were told to look for jobs 10 miles outside of town and stay there. It was only if you were approached by a white person and he was happy with the way you were working, then that person would take you to the District Commissioner. He would organise for you to be given identification so that you could become like a citizen of the country. The reason for the 10 mile thing was that in 1963 in Malawi they were heading towards independence. They were worried that if we were allowed to enter the towns we would give people the same ideas and people would begin to push for the same things they were in Malawi. The best thing that could happen to you was for that white person to be impressed with the way that you were working and then it would be easy for you to work within the town. The white person would go there and say this is my boy from Malawi and I want him to work here in town and that was the way it would go.

ibrahim_001-28
ZG: Were you ever involved in Zimbabwean politics?

ibrahim_001-29
Ibrahim: I was never really involved in politics. I went there just for work. But sometimes when there were tensions they would beat you up because you were Malawian, but other than that we were not involved. If you told the white people that you were from Malawi they would protect you as long as you were living well with them.

ibrahim_001-30
ZG: Did you ever take any interest in Malawian politics?

ibrahim_001-31
Ibrahim: When I went to Zimbabwe I stayed there for about 15 years. It was very difficult for you to come back to Malawi with the government that was here at that time. When we were coming in you would have to go through the DCs office. First and they would ask you to give the names of those who had run away seeking political asylum form Malawi. Sometimes you would be taken to the police station and questioned about Mphakati and other opponents of Banda. When you got to the Malawian border they would tell you before you go to your home village you have to report to the police station. Then they would call the station and tell them that you were on your way. If you then went straight to your home village they would report you and then you could be arrested. That was the extent of my involvement in Malawian politics.

ibrahim_001-32
ZG: Did you used to hear any news about the MCP when you were in Zimbabwe?

ibrahim_001-33
Ibrahim: We used to listen to the news everyday on the radio. I used to like listening to the Malawian radio station so I could know what was happening here. I have never joined any political party though. When I was leaving Malawi I was still young.

ibrahim_001-34
ZG: How did you meet your wife?

ibrahim_001-35
Ibrahim: The time I met her she was at school. After she finished school she wanted to become a nun. She was at a mission in Harare. Her father was from Zambia and I used to run some errands for him. Malawians and Zambians get along very well. Zambians and Malawians are like cousins of some sort. The Senga from Zambia and the Yao from Malawi. So when we met in Zimbabwe we would end up being good friends and get along very well. I met her because I started chatting with her father. And by the will of God she failed to become a nun. And then she actually converted to Islam.

ibrahim_001-36
LP: So did you bring her back with you when you were coming form Zimbabwe?

ibrahim_001-37
Ibrahim: Yes. She is at home.

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ZG: Where did you live after you got married?

ibrahim_001-39
Ibrahim: I only stayed at the thatched house for one year and then I moved to Harare. I moved to the location.

ibrahim_001-40
ZG: Who else used to live in the location?

ibrahim_001-41
Ibrahim: There were Yaos, Shona, Ndebeles and many other people, there were Senga and Sena.

ibrahim_001-42
ZG: Were you happy living in Zimbabwe?

ibrahim_001-43
Ibrahim: Life there was very good. “Wabwino koposa”. Especially when there were so many whites there. And even when the ones who were ruling Zimbabwe were white, everything was good. Things in Zimbabwe started to get bad in 1988. That is when things started getting expensive; prices would be going up everyday. That is why I decided to come back home and buy a plot of land at the airfield. I built a house and that is where I am living at present.

ibrahim_001-44
ZG: How did you used to spend your free time in Harare?

ibrahim_001-45
Ibrahim: At weekends because they have so many dams there, the dams were full of fish, so I used to take my fishing gear and go with my wife to fish. After we came from fishing we would go for prayers. Sometimes I didn’t go fishing. I used to have my own sewing machines and tailors, so I would be tied up with my business. I used to sew uniforms and deliver them to different schools.

ibrahim_001-46
ZG: Were you a member of any work associations?

ibrahim_001-47
Ibrahim: The work associations were there at the companies where I used to work. We came up with the group so that we could help our friends. Maybe if someone was fired then we would be able to represent that friend. We used to call it a Workers Committee.

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LP: In what ways did these committees used to help?

ibrahim_001-49
Ibrahim: It helped because sometimes people were fired unlawfully. We decided it would be wise to have some kind of representation. I was one of the leaders of these groups. We negotiated that if somebody was to be fired they should first be given four warnings, severe warning and then final warning. Before the warnings came out they would fire you just like that. One small mistake could lead to you being fired. People were fired for instance if they didn’t greet the boss. So that is when we decided to come up with the group and go to the government to ask for permission. After that it was very difficult for someone to be fired. Only those who went to work drunk could be fired that same day, or thieves, those who stole company property. That rule is there until the present day.

ibrahim_001-50
ZG: Is there anything else you remember about daily life in Harare?

ibrahim_001-51
Ibrahim: I used to like the lifestyle there. There was no one who was very poor. We were used to feeling sorry for each other, even if you went to a restaurant and found that there was someone who couldn’t buy any food you would buy food for that person. Sometimes I used to go window shopping with my wife. Sometimes we used to go the park and sit around, buying drinks. Life there was Western/European. “Moyo wachizungu”. Even in terms of food you were not restricted to eating the same food everyday. You could even have tea with chicken! Yeah, we only used to eat bread at the workplace. Nsima was not something big. You would only eat it maybe once a day, perhaps in the evening.

ibrahim_001-52
ZG: What languages did you speak in Harare?

ibrahim_001-53
Ibrahim: I used to communicate in Shona. Even at my house here in Dedza most of the time we speak in Shona. I could also speak Ndebele. If I met a Shona I spoke Shona if I met a Ndebele I spoke Ndebele. If I met Makolekole, I would speak their language as well. Also Manyika and Makalanga.

ibrahim_001-54
ZG: Do you remember there being any cultural associations in Harare?

ibrahim_001-55
Ibrahim: There were many groups, some still there to the present day.

ibrahim_001-56
LP: Did you used to take part in any?

ibrahim_001-57
Ibrahim: I used to go and watch. There was the Gule Wamkulu, Beni [predominantly practiced by Yao and Mang’nyanja and Chewa], Chintali [Chewa dance], Mganda [Chewa dance], Malipenga [Tonga].

ibrahim_001-58
ZG: Who used to participate in these groups?

ibrahim_001-59
Ibrahim: Malawians, in different groups though [tribes]. In Zimbabwe there are many Malawians, approximately four million. And of these most of them don’t want to come back to Malawi. Malawians even have their own villages there. It is mostly those who have their own villages there that like to perform these dances.

ibrahim_001-60
ZG: How about burial societies?

ibrahim_001-61
Ibrahim: We used to have burial societies. When a Malawian passed away we would come together and discuss how we would organise things. We used to go and buy the coffin, food and a cloth, and anything else that was needed for the funeral. We would have some kind of a chief. These societies we organised according to where you came from and in a group of about fifteen people we would choose a chief. Tambala, Kachindamoto, many many… If there were very few people from your home district you could come together with another group to make it bigger. They were not just for when people died. They would be used for when people were sick as well.

ibrahim_001-62
ZG: Do you remember anything about popular music in Harare? Did they play any Malawian music?

ibrahim_001-63
Ibrahim: I used to like listening to Shona music. There are so many bands in Zimbabwe. Sometimes they would come to play in halls and we would have to pay at the door to go, just like here.

ibrahim_001-64
ZG: Where were these concerts held?

ibrahim_001-65
Ibrahim: Anyone could go and watch the bands would play in halls.

ibrahim_001-66
ZG: Did you have any interest in sports?

ibrahim_001-67
Ibrahim: Yes I used to like the ‘tug of war’. Our company used to employ me as a paramedic. I used to go to accident scenes and help dig people out if they were trapped in mines. I belonged to the safety council. They taught me all sorts of things and went to lots of training sessions. I used to really enjoy it. Sometimes we would even go as far as Zambia to do this work. We used to have compressors and oxygen and start digging.

ibrahim_001-68
ZG: Did you ever go to the cinema?

ibrahim_001-69
Ibrahim: Yes, we used to watch Jackie Chan. We used to really like it; the whole family would go to the cinema.

ibrahim_001-70
ZG: Did you know anyone who was involved with traditional religion?

ibrahim_001-71
Ibrahim: The traditional churches were there but Malawians were not involved with them it was the people of Zimbabwe, the ‘chikunda’. It was Malawians who actually taught them about Christianity and Islam. There was a lot of traditional religion in Zimbabwe. Even today some people from Zimbabwe only want to pray to spirits, they are not interested in other religions. They pray to sprits and after wards they pray to God. In their religions they put spirits first. Even if there is a drought, they would go to the mountains and offer things like beer to the spirits. The people involved in this religion don’t even bath, they only bath once a year. The Shona like this religion, but not so much with the Ndebeles.

ibrahim_001-72
ZG: How about witchcraft?

ibrahim_001-73
Ibrahim: There is a lot of witchcraft there. The Shona are highly dependent upon witchdoctors. Even if a person dies they still don’t believe that there is God. If a Shona person tells you that you will not see the light of tomorrow, it is very true you are going to die. If you are in a car and there is someone that practices this religion, carrying traditional medicines then the car cannot move.

ibrahim_001-74
LP: Was it just the Shona involved in this witchcraft?

ibrahim_001-75
Ibrahim: Yes. No Malawians were involved.

ibrahim_001-76
ZG: How did you feel as a Malawian living in Zimbabwe? Did it feel like home?

ibrahim_001-77
Ibrahim: It felt like home for me. I lived there for most of my life so it felt like home. Most of my life experiences started there. I learnt about the world in Zimbabwe, so it was like home. I left Malawi when I was still young.

ibrahim_001-78
ZG: Did you feel like there were any differences between Malawians and Zimbabweans?

ibrahim_001-79
Ibrahim: Zimbabweans used to insult us from time to time. They would call us ‘Mablantyre’ that is why I never married someone from Zimbabwe. Even if you live in the villages they would make sure that you do the donkey work. If you were involved in a funeral you would be the one to dig the grave. They used to pretend that it was some form of respect, but in actual fact they treated us like this because we were not from there.

ibrahim_001-80
ZG: Did you see any changes in this as time went by?

ibrahim_001-81
Ibrahim: No. Even in the present day they still do this. Until now.

ibrahim_001-82
ZG: Did your children go to school there?

ibrahim_001-83
Ibrahim: All of my children were educated there. Some of them even have degrees. Some of my children are still there.

ibrahim_001-84
ZG: Did any of your children come back to Malawi?

ibrahim_001-85
Ibrahim: I came back with the four younger ones. They completed their education here. One works within Dedza town. One works with the police in Rumphi. The younger ones; one of them is in form two and the other form one. Of all of the other ones who stayed in Zimbabwe only two of them have visited here, the others have never been to Malawi.

ibrahim_001-86
ZG: How did you feel about returning to Malawi?

ibrahim_001-87
Ibrahim: When I was coming back I was happy. But the time I came back after I had stayed in Zimbabwe for 15 years I didn’t like it because I felt like I was coming to the bush. When I came that time I used to go to Blantyre, book a room and stay there until I returned, waiting for the plane to take me back to Zimbabwe. I would spend all of my time in Blantyre. If I went to my village I only spent about three to four days there. After that I used to come back every 5 years. That is when I started getting used to the lifestyle in Malawi. In 1995 when I started thinking about coming back to Malawi permanently I went to the DC’s office to ask about buying a plot of land because I knew that I would never manage living in the village. I bought the land while I was still in Zimbabwe and had the house built before I came back. When I was coming back I wasn’t worried about where I was going to live anymore because I had a house within town. When I got here I found a job at the Islamic Centre along the M1 road. I work as a receptionist there. I welcome all of the people who come to our office. Every morning I go from my house to work. I feel like I am really home now, I am happy. I only go to my village because I have a maize garden there.

ibrahim_001-88
ZG: Is there anything else you can share with us about Zimbabwe?

ibrahim_001-89
Ibrahim: At first Mugabe was a good person. He cheated us because most Zimbabweans wanted Nkhomo but they ended up following Mugabe. When he became leader in 1980 he started telling us that this is the time for freedom. Sometimes he would lie to us and tell us this is the year of change. After a while we realised we had never seen the changes he had promised us. After ten years he became a very cruel leader. So many people were beaten up and so many bad things have happened. There wasn’t any freedom and we used to remember the rule of the whites. I wasn’t surprised with what Mugabe did because the people that I worked for had always predicted that this was going to happen in the future. There was a Mr. Brown and a Mr. White and they always told us this. What they used to tell me is what is happening in Zimbabwe today.

ibrahim_001-90
LP: How about Malawian politics are they any parallels to be drawn?

ibrahim_001-91
Ibrahim: No. It was different. Kamuzu was better. Kamuzu never used to have his opponents killed, but Mugabe does. Sometimes they hang people on trees and people find their relatives hanging on trees.

ibrahim_001-92
LP: Would you go back if you had the chance?

ibrahim_001-93
Ibrahim: No when I go to Zimbabwe now I only stay there for seven days and then I come back. There is no food there you can’t find food.

ibrahim_001-94
LP: How are your children surviving there?

ibrahim_001-95
Ibrahim: Because they are working they know how to survive. That is why I only stay there for 7 days because I know that if I stay longer I give my children a hard time finding food for me. Life is better here now.

ibrahim_001-96
ZG: Was your wife happy to come and live in Malawi?

ibrahim_001-97
Ibrahim: Yes she was happy, vary happy. Even when we lived in Zimbabwe I used to send her here to come and see my parents, bringing things with her from Zimbabwe. She also got used to life here. Even the garden we have in the village, she is the one who organises people to work in the maize garden.

ibrahim_001-98
ZG: Did she leave any family behind in Zimbabwe?

ibrahim_001-99
Ibrahim: As of now none of her relations are in Zimbabwe. Her mother died. After they [her parents] told me that they were from Kasungu I organised a place for them to live here in Malawi, but they were not here for very long before they passed away.

ibrahim_001-100
LP: Did she have any brothers or sisters there in Zimbabwe?

ibrahim_001-101
Ibrahim: She had other relations, but all of them came to live in Malawi except for her younger sister. One sister lives in Lilongwe with her husband.

ibrahim_001-102
ZG: Do you have any contact with any of the Malawians you used to know in Zimbabwe?

ibrahim_001-103
Ibrahim: Yes we call each other.

ibrahim_001-104
LP: Did they have similar ideas to you when you returned to settle in Malawi?

ibrahim_001-105
Ibrahim: My friends thought I was mad when I told them I was coming back to live in Malawi they used to laugh at me and say I was mad. They used to ask me why I was leaving such a nice country to come back to live in Malawi. But as of now they actually wish that they had done the same. When I go back to Zimbabwe I look like the “bwana” now!

Kamsali_001

kamsali_001-1
I. Moses Kamsali Banda TP 34228 K of Louis Trichardt, Transvaal, do hereby make a statement and declare:-

kamsali_001-2
II. That I left Nyasaland in 1914 and came to the Transvaal via Messina. I was recruited with Shangaan boys for the mine in 1915 and was allotted to the Brakpan mines. I worked on that mine as a hammer boy underground for 9 years.

kamsali_001-3
In 1924, I applied to the Director for Native Labour for permission [to work] on the mines, and the permission was granted. (Note: Tropical Register shows that Moses Kamsali Banda pp.433683 M/Banoni applied for permission to be employed on mines and was authorised on the 20/5/24.)

kamsali_001-4
I produce herewith a piece of the passport I worked on at the Brakpan mines from 1924 to December inclusive. The passport was inadvertently washed in my coat and this is the only part of it I could keep. (pp.573844 M/Benoni coy no: 2183.

kamsali_001-5
[Note: I asked Mr MacMaster to ring up Benoni for particulars of the pp. no: coy 2183:- The following are particulars given by Benoni pass office:

kamsali_001-6
First Name:- Kamsali

kamsali_001-7
Also known by:- Moses

kamsali_001-8
Surname:- Banda

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Chief:- Mazumba

kamsali_001-10
Kraal:- Mzimba

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Magistracy:- Chintechi B.N.P.

kamsali_001-12
This native was registered as a Transvaal native as he was so previously registered to the same mine under passport 433683 M/Benoni when he was allotted to that mine by the WNLA.]

kamsali_001-13
III. That I October 1925 I worked on the Messina Copper Mine till Sept 1926 when I was made to pay Transvaal Native tax by the S.N.A Louis Trichardt. I am a married man and my family is living at Louis Trichardt. My mine no at Messina was 186. I have no intention of returning to Nyasaland. I was working at Lydenburg for three months during this year.

kamsali_001-14
I pray for permission to be re-employed on mines.

kamsali_001-15
Re-employment on mines approved Director previous no:28A/1924 and no: 18/1927 to be quoted on every subsequent pass issued to this native

kamsali_001-16
Director of Native Labour [stamped 8 May 1927]

Kumbemba_001

kumbemba_001-1
EM: This is my first interview with Mr. Pearson Kumbemba born in 1951, at Satikadzuwa Village, Traditional Authority Mponda, Mangochi District. Passport Number 182596. He travelled to South Africa to work in the mines under WNLA contract while very young at the age of 20. He was then unmarried. In 1974, you must have been very young?

WLNA
kumbemba_001-2
PK: Very young, I was not married yet. I married when I came back in 1975.

marriage
kumbemba_001-3
EM: So, what motivated you to go to South Africa to work in the mines under WNLA?

WLNA
kumbemba_001-4
PK: What drove me to migrate was the level poverty at home. We were very poor at home. I could not continue with school. Hence when I came back, I had saved enough money for my family, wedding, sending to school my children, start business.

poverty
family
marriage
children
entrepreneurship
kumbemba_001-5
EM: At your young age, you had already made up your mind that when you come back with the money you could start your life with marriage, send future children to school and start business?

education
children
marriage
entrepreneurship
kumbemba_001-6
PK: Exactly. As I knew without going to work in the mines in South Africa, I could not afford to achieve anything.

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EM: So, you didn’t want to rely on parents’ assistance to start your life?

kumbemba_001-8
PK: No, no. Parents did not have anything to offer. They were in terrible poverty too.

family
poverty
kumbemba_001-9
EM: So how did you manage to go to South Africa? What was the process like?

kumbemba_001-10
PK: You just had to get registered. That’s all.

kumbemba_001-11
EM: Did you have to pay anybody to get the contract with WNLA?

WLNA
kumbemba_001-12
PK: Not at all. When registered then you just had to leave to Johannesburg

Johannesburg
kumbemba_001-13
EM: How did you travel? What means?

kumbemba_001-14
PK: We travelled by the railway

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EM: Who paid for the tickets?

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PK: It was paid upfront by Malawi Government

kumbemba_001-17
EM: Ok. I see. So, when you get there, they welcomed you?

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PK: Yes.

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EM: So, would that be a white man or African?

kumbemba_001-20
PK: It was an African. The white would be inside the mine. He was the head of operations in the mines. The majority outside were Africans.

kumbemba_001-21
EM: Ok. So, when you arrive in South Africa what happens?

kumbemba_001-22
PK: When we are welcomed at the mine, we were taken to mine school. There we were taught mine etiquette, and a common spoken language in the mine, (fanakalo)since we came into the mine from different countries. We needed a language for a group communication. Ukan kawena, ubani kawena? Who are you? Ubani khuma? Where are you coming from? Uba Sebenza khuti? Where do you work? Unakonalomanakazi? Do you have a wife? That’s the language.

Fanakalou
kumbemba_001-23
EM: So how long did this training take?

Fanakalou
kumbemba_001-24
PK: This training took almost 21days or 3 weeks. You by then know the language (fanakalo)

Fanakalou
kumbemba_001-25
EM: Wow! Within three weeks you had mastered it?

Fanakalou
kumbemba_001-26
PK: Yes, ready to work in the mine. This the bonus which was not given.

bonuses
kumbemba_001-27
EM: Oh! This is bonus? Aah ok. Abadala besi

bonuses
kumbemba_001-28
PK: Yes. Abadala besi. Meaning this is an elder who did not receive his bonus

bonuses
kumbemba_001-29
EM: So, this is the sign that you did not receive your bonus?

bonuses
kumbemba_001-30
PK: Yes. Those who received their bonus do not have this booklet

bonuses
kumbemba_001-31
EM: So, this means you are entitled to receiving bonus? Like the compensations being talked about now in the media?

bonuses
kumbemba_001-32
PK: Yes, they are not compensation per se but the unpaid bonuses.

bonuses
kumbemba_001-33
EM: Oh! I see. I thought it was about some compensation based on the health issues.

bonuses
health
kumbemba_001-34
PK: No! these about the unpaid bonuses they were to pay us when you go back to resume work in the mines. But in our case, we could not go back because then, the plane crashed. The plane crash ended the working agreement between WNLA and Malawi Government. No Malawian would again travel to the mine under WNLA.

bonuses
1974 plane crash
WNLA
kumbemba_001-35
EM: So, it was the plane crash that ended the WNLA contracts?

1974 plane crash
kumbemba_001-36
PK: Yes, when the plane crashed, many Malawians to the mines died. And Dr. Kamuzu Banda, the then president of the Republic of Malawi. stopped the whole contracts. So, we could not go again. The agreement was stopped.

1974 plane crash
Dr. Kamuzu Banda
kumbemba_001-37
EM: is that so? So many Malawian workers died on the plane crush?

1974 plane crash
kumbemba_001-38
PK: Yes, many died on their way to South Africa. So that’s when the Malawi government decided to end the contract. And that is why we did not go back to South Africa for the second time in 1975. This is also why those of us did not manage to receive our bonuses as outlined in this booklet.

1974 plane crash
bonuses
kumbemba_001-39
EM: Is this the reason that now you are pushing for the South African Government to pay back your bonuses?

bonuses
kumbemba_001-40
PK: That’s it. If we had gone back in 1975 like in my case, we could have received our bonuses.

bonuses
kumbemba_001-41
EM: Ok, Mr. Kumbemba, you went to South Africa in 1972?

kumbemba_001-42
PK: Yes, I went to South Africa in 1973 and back in 1974

kumbemba_001-43
EM: So, when did the plane crash?

1974 plane crash
kumbemba_001-44
PK: It was in 1973.

1974 plane crash
kumbemba_001-45
EM: Ok. Now, so far, we have agreed that I can do the interview with you, ask you questions, publish what we discuss today on website or documented into book? (Consent)

kumbemba_001-46
PK: Yes, sir go ahead. We need that even our grandchildren to be able to read and understand what we did while young,

kumbemba_001-47
EM: How was your childhood in the village you grew up?

kumbemba_001-48
PK: I had a normal childhood. In the village like any boy. We had so much poverty though.

poverty
kumbemba_001-49
EM: So how did you reach this decision to go to South Africa to work in the mines?

kumbemba_001-50
PK: When I finished my grade 8 (STD 8, Primary School Leaving Certificate), I knew I was not going anywhere due to poverty in the family. This is the time I decided to start processing the WNLA contract.

education
poverty
WNLA
kumbemba_001-51
EM: Was there an academic prerequisite for one to be allowed to go to work in the mines?

education
kumbemba_001-52
PK: Not at all. There was not a requirement perse. There was no qualification whatsoever, just your physicality and good health.

health
kumbemba_001-53
EM: At your household you were many, and you managed to go to school. Who was responsible for your school fees then?

education
kumbemba_001-54
PK: My parents managed to be paying for my school fees.

education
kumbemba_001-55
EM: How did your parents manage to pay for your fees?

education
kumbemba_001-56
PK: My parents were considerably well to do then. They had a grocery that was making money.

education
entrepreneurship
kumbemba_001-57
EM: Where was this grocery?

entrepreneurship
kumbemba_001-58
PK: It was here in Mponda, Mangochi.

kumbemba_001-59
EM: Ok, ok. And in the 1960s, there were a lot of political upheavals due to the Kamuzu Banda’s rule, did it affect you as a young man growing in Mangochi?

politics
Dr. Kamuzu Banda
kumbemba_001-60
PK: Not at all. I was not involved.

politics
kumbemba_001-61
EM: Around the same period there was the Chikanga myths (1960s) here in Mangochi. Did this affect you and your childhood? Were you aware of this?

Chikanga
kumbemba_001-62
PK: Not at all. It did not affect me. Yes, I heard about it.

Chikanga
kumbemba_001-63
EM: Oh! Ok. So, a young man, just finished his leaving certificate, and wanted to leave the country to go to work in the mines, in South Africa. What really motivated you?

kumbemba_001-64
PK: Ok. You see when I finished school, like any child wanted to get married. Yet, I had no money at all to use for the wedding. Also, I asked myself, even if I get married today, what will I do with the kids to be born in the family? Will I have the money to send them to school? This is really what motivated me to migrate to South Africa.

marriage
children
family
education
kumbemba_001-65
EM: Oh ok. Makes sense.

kumbemba_001-66
PK: Yes. I planned myself that when I go to South Africa I can make money, keep some for my wedding, future fees for my children, food for my household.

marriage
children
education
family
kumbemba_001-67
EM: Did you get motivated by anyone who was already there in the mines that you knew off?

kumbemba_001-68
PK: Yes, there was a man who went to South Africa to work in the mines. When he came back home, he sent to school all his children, fed them well, lived a decent life. That motivated me.

returning home
kumbemba_001-69
EM: Oh, that’s great story. So that time this man was in South Africa already?

returning home
kumbemba_001-70
PK: Yes, he was there already.

returning home
kumbemba_001-71
EM: Your own parents, how did they take it when you announced to them of your intention to migrate?

family
kumbemba_001-72
PK: At first, they did not like the idea. But after explaining to them of my objectives of helping them by looking after myself financially, and that I wanted to find funds to finance my wedding, build a future for my future children, they understood and supported me. They said let God give him what he wants. They knew I wanted to set up my future too.

family
dangers
religion
marriage
children
kumbemba_001-73
EM: In this case you went to South Africa under the WNLA contract, right?

WNLA
kumbemba_001-74
PK: Yes

WNLA
kumbemba_001-75
EM: Ok. So, what was the main process of acquiring such WNLA contract?

WNLA
kumbemba_001-76
PK: Actually, we had to go to the labour office to get the license. Then they sent you to the hospital to have examinations to ascertain that you are physically fit to work in the mines. Then they set a date for your departure.

WNLA
health
medicine
kumbemba_001-77
EM: At the hospital what were they looking for?

health
medicine
kumbemba_001-78
PK: Vaccination

health
medicine
kumbemba_001-79
EM: Vaccination? Which one?

health
medicine
kumbemba_001-80
PK: Yes, they wanted to find out if you got polio vaccination (katemera wa nthomba). Also, they wanted to find out if you have the and WNLA accepted weight and height on the scale. Considering that I was young they wanted to find out if I have the right weight and height to manage works in the mine. There were many others who were indeed being left out as they did not meet the accepted weight/height by the South African mine authorities.

health
medicine
WNLA
kumbemba_001-81
EM: But you passed all the tests?

health
medicine
kumbemba_001-82
PK: Yes, I did pass to the surprise of many as I was very young. I saw many of them being turned back. Some would be told to go home and get fitter before they come back….(laughs aloud). That’s the process. They were not just taking people as long as they have applied.

health
medicine
kumbemba_001-83
EM: Oh wow! So, after this process they were giving you date? Like you are leaving this Tuesday or Friday?

kumbemba_001-84
PK: Yes.

kumbemba_001-85
EM: So, how were travelling? what was the mode of transport?

travel
kumbemba_001-86
PK: When we got a date from labour office, we would go there and then be picked by a transport to Wenela Bus Depot in Blantyre. here we would be waiting till our day arrives for departure to South Africa. We would travel through train.

travel
kumbemba_001-87
EM: Where were you getting the train?

travel
kumbemba_001-88
PK: We were getting the train at Limbe Depot. Those travelling would be made to prepare for the journey.

travel
kumbemba_001-89
EM: So, the management would come and announce who would be travelling that particular day?

travel
kumbemba_001-90
PK: Yes, they would come and announce those travelling, 25, 30 or 50 are travelling by train today.

travel
kumbemba_001-91
EM: Where was the train going?

travel
kumbemba_001-92
PK: To Mozambique then Zimbabwe and Botswana

travel
kumbemba_001-93
EM: This train was it transporting people going to WNLA?

travel
WNLA
kumbemba_001-94
PK: This train was only picking those workers going to the mines under WNLA.

travel
WNLA
kumbemba_001-95
EM: You mean to say it took no other passengers? Only those by WNLA destined mines in South Africa?

travel
WNLA
kumbemba_001-96
PK: Yes, only WNLA workers no other. Other bogs were empty.

travel
WNLA
kumbemba_001-97
EM: So, you mean on the way the train did not pick any passengers even of WNLA say from Zimbabwe?

travel
WNLA
kumbemba_001-98
PK: No ways. It was only transporting Malawian WNLA workers. Zimbabwe, Mozambique all had their own trains.

travel
WNLA
kumbemba_001-99
EM: Oh ok. So, when you get into South Africa, they welcomed you and sent you to school? Where was this school? Outside or within the mine?

education
kumbemba_001-100
PK: The school is outside the mine. Although this school is only for miners.

education
kumbemba_001-101
EM: Oh ok, and the teachers were they black Africans or white? And what content were they teaching you?

education
kumbemba_001-102
PK: They were all black. They were teaching us how to be both in the mine and outside the mine. They also taught us the language used by miners (Fanakalo)

education
Fanakalou
kumbemba_001-103
EM: So, when you get the mine, how were you housed? Independent house or common house?

housing
kumbemba_001-104
PK: We were put into compounds. Like me I was in Biskop mines. So, I was housed in E Compound.

housing
kumbemba_001-105
EM: Ok go on!

kumbemba_001-106
PK: There were like 20 compounds. We were all mixed though Malawians would be in their own compound. The Shaganis (from Mozambique), Xosas (local South Africans) all had their own blocks of compounds.

housing
Shangaan people
kumbemba_001-107
EM: So, there were no mixing of people of different countries in the blocks of compounds?

housing
kumbemba_001-108
PK: No! No! there was no mixing, Malawians had their own block of compounds, so the Mozambicans.

housing
kumbemba_001-109
EM: So that way when Malawians are amongst themselves could speak their language, say Chichewa? Mozambicans Shangani etc.?

language
kumbemba_001-110
PK: Yes. When we met Malawians, we could speak Chichewa but when we mix with other nationalities, we spoke fanakalo.

language
Fanakalou
kumbemba_001-111
EM: On a working day, what did you report to work in the mine?

kumbemba_001-112
PK: We reported to work at 6am. You clocked in, get into the train/lift into downstairs the mines

dangers
kumbemba_001-113
EM: So, you woke up, get ready, at 6am report at the station, clock in, and off into the cage-lifts to your specific level in the mine?

kumbemba_001-114
PK: Exactly. When you get into the cage lift you go down to your stage like mine was in stage 15. Others in the lift could continue to 16, 17 etc.

dangers
kumbemba_001-115
EM: I get you. How about sanitation? How was it like inside the mines? Did you have cleanliness measures?

dangers
health
kumbemba_001-116
PK: Oh! Sanitation was a major issue in the mines. Very very clean indeed. We had moveable toilets, well closed. When it is full, it was elevated to get rid of the dirty outside.

dangers
health
kumbemba_001-117
EM: Is that so.

dangers
health
kumbemba_001-118
PK: Yes. We had no issue on health security

dangers
health
kumbemba_001-119
EM: Tell me something about the Izibondo?

izibondo
kumbemba_001-120
PK: Yes! Yes! This was the head, leader appointed to take care of the compound. And when he sees you are young, like what I was, they would want to sleep with you (Matanyula).

izibondo
homosexuality
kumbemba_001-121
EM: Oh! I see. So, these were leaders?

izibondo
kumbemba_001-122
PK: Yes, they had so many powers within themselves. They could abuse us the way they wanted. He was the most fearful people in mine.

izibondo
dangers
kumbemba_001-123
EM: So, could they be reported to his superiors? If so, what actions or punishment were they given?

izibondo
dangers
kumbemba_001-124
PK: When reported mostly were removed and sent back home.

izibondo
dangers
kumbemba_001-125
EM: Amongst the Izibondo were there Malawians?

izibondo
kumbemba_001-126
PK: Yes but a few. Mostly were the Shanganis. Very few were Malawians.

izibondo
Shangaan people
kumbemba_001-127
EM: What about the food?

food
kumbemba_001-128
PK: Oh! The food was fantastic. The had a variety of food. You could choose what you liked that particular day.

food
kumbemba_001-129
EM: Great stuff. So, before you left for South Africa, would you probably know someone, a relative who was already there?

family
kumbemba_001-130
PK: Ohm no. I didn’t know anyone there.

kumbemba_001-131
EM: So, you just left?

kumbemba_001-132
PK: Yes, I just left with knowing anyone already there.

kumbemba_001-133
EM: Oh! Ok. And what was your relationship with miners of other countries?

kumbemba_001-134
PK: We had a good working relationship with other miners from different countries. We respected each other and treated each other as one family. We shared objectives.

kumbemba_001-135
EM: Brilliant. So, what was your job in the mine?

kumbemba_001-136
PK: I was working as Tchisa boy (horse boy)

kumbemba_001-137
EM: What did that entail?

kumbemba_001-138
PK: I was the one who would clean the stones with water horse pipe. There was too much dust in the mines. Hence water horse pipe would clean the dust, plus marking the square meter, an area to be dug.

kumbemba_001-139
EM: So, when you meet within the mine with other workers from other different countries, what language were you using to communicate?

language
Fanakalou
kumbemba_001-140
PK: We used Bantu language called Fanakalo.

language
Fanakalou
kumbemba_001-141
EM: Oh! this Bantu language spoken in the mines only?

language
Fanakalou
kumbemba_001-142
PK: Yes, only in the mines. Outside no one would understand the language.

language
Fanakalou
kumbemba_001-143
EM: As a young man working in the mine, were you able to make a relationship with outside girls?

dating
kumbemba_001-144
PK: No ways. You can’t have such relationships.

dating
kumbemba_001-145
EM: Oh! Really? Why not?

dating
kumbemba_001-146
PK: Because you can easily lose weight if you indulge in sexual relationships. The nature of the job would not really be conducive to be reckless. You would not stay longer to finish your contract.

dating
health
absenteeism
kumbemba_001-147
EM: Oh really?

dating
health
absenteeism
kumbemba_001-148
PK: Most men were running away from their contracts. They would go to the Malawian leader to inform him he would not manage to finish the contract. (Nilefilikile nayamba khaya manji {I want to go home, I have failed})

absenteeism
kumbemba_001-149
EM: Okay. Would that be driven by desire to have sexual relationship?

dating
kumbemba_001-150
PK: Yes. And immediately he would be relieved of duty and sent back home. They would not hold him at all.

dating
absenteeism
kumbemba_001-151
EM: Okay. Would they offer him anything monetary wise?

dating
kumbemba_001-152
PK: Nothing. Since you have chosen to leave without honouring your contract, they were not obliged to pay you anything.

dating
absenteeism
kumbemba_001-153
EM: How was the management seeing you as people of different nations? Was there some sort of segregation?

kumbemba_001-154
PK: In the mine, there was not any segregation. We were treated the same

kumbemba_001-155
EM: Oh! Ok that’s great. I thought they would favour people of one country to the other.

kumbemba_001-156
PK: No ways. The white manager really loved me. When I knocked off, he would pick me to his house, I met his family and have dinner together. After that he would drive me back to the mine. No segregation at all.

kumbemba_001-157
EM: Wow that is good to hear. And was there a moment you requested the management for wage increment? What about striking over salary hike?

kumbemba_001-158
PK: Not at all.

kumbemba_001-159
EM: So, it meant you were all happy with the renumeration?

kumbemba_001-160
PK: Very much so. And if you wanted to make more money, you could request for extra shifts/overtime. You could increase the income through extra hours.

kumbemba_001-161
EM: That was good. Now while in South Africa was Malawi government represented? Someone who listened to your welfare.

politics
kumbemba_001-162
PK: Yes, Malawi Ambassador was taking care of us. He was our representative.

politics
kumbemba_001-163
EM: Where was he based? Pretoria or South Africa?

politics
kumbemba_001-164
PK: He was staying in Johannesburg.

Johannesburg
politics
kumbemba_001-165
EM: Is that the place you took your concerns? Did you ever go to him for assistance while working in the mines?

politics
kumbemba_001-166
PK: Not at all. I did not have any problem that warranted his services

politics
kumbemba_001-167
EM: That is great. Why in the mines, were you able to listen to radios or TVs? If so, what news were you listening to?

entertainment
radio
kumbemba_001-168
PK: Yes, we used to listen to the radio. However, we were listening to the local channels and only local south African news

radio
entertainment
kumbemba_001-169
EM: So, you did not have a chance to listen to anything from home?

radio
entertainment
kumbemba_001-170
PK: No chance

entertainment
radio
kumbemba_001-171
EM: Was there a program or new radio that you enjoyed watching or listening to?

entertainment
radio
kumbemba_001-172
PK: There was no news. They liked putting music channels only.

entertainment
radio
music
kumbemba_001-173
EM: What was the reason why they didn’t put news channels?

entertainment
radio
kumbemba_001-174
PK: Not sure why? And if you want to get some news, you will need to go to the shops to buy newspapers.

entertainment
radio
kumbemba_001-175
EM: So, newspapers were accepted?

entertainment
kumbemba_001-176
PK: Very much so. We could at times read what is happening in Malawi in the local newspapers.

entertainment
kumbemba_001-177
EM: Were you like having off days?

entertainment
kumbemba_001-178
PK: Yes. Basically, Saturday and Sunday. When we had overtime, we could work up to Sunday.

entertainment
kumbemba_001-179
EM: Were you like going out on your free days? (Saturday and Sundays)?

entertainment
kumbemba_001-180
PK: Not often because we were afraid of thugs. Remember we were foreigners, and they could easily identify us as foreigners working in the mines.

entertainment
dangers
kumbemba_001-181
EM: Were you also watching films, movies on your free days?

entertainment
movies
kumbemba_001-182
PK: No, we weren’t watching at all. Only listening to music on the radio.

entertainment
music
radio
kumbemba_001-183
EM: Were you at times being worried about losing your job in the middle of your contract?

kumbemba_001-184
PK: Oh! No. We were very protected. Unless one chooses to play around and decide to quit the contract.

absenteeism
kumbemba_001-185
EM: During your off days were you able to attend prayer services?

religion
kumbemba_001-186
PK: Yes. They allowed us to go to our churches and mosques. Like in my case am a Moslem, I would request in the mine to work half day that I can attend prayer services at the nearest Mosque.

religion
kumbemba_001-187
EM: Me Oh! Great. So, most of these Fridays you worked half day?

religion
kumbemba_001-188
PK: Yes, soon after work I would rush to the Mosque to pray with other congregants. I would knock off at 10am, get to the hostel and leave at 11am for the Mosque

religion
kumbemba_001-189
EM: So, for you Saturday and Sunday remained your off days?

entertainment
kumbemba_001-190
PK: Yes,

entertainment
kumbemba_001-191
EM: While at the mine, did you create a close relationship with anyone from other countries?

kumbemba_001-192
PK: Yes, I did have one, Armando from Mozambique.

kumbemba_001-193
EM: Do you still have that relationship with him?

kumbemba_001-194
PK: No! the relationship ended when we partied ways. His name was Armando Antonio

kumbemba_001-195
EM: Oh, I see, Armando Antonio. While working in the mine, was there an occasion where you or someone else did get injured?

health
kumbemba_001-196
PK: For me I finished my whole contract without seeing any miner getting injured in the mine. That’s at least from my section, could be different from other sections of the mine.

health
kumbemba_001-197
EM: It has been a common complaint amongst those in the mining industry that they mostly suffer from TB and Tychosis (Not sure what it is. Though he mentioned several times). Did you ever suffer from it?

health
kumbemba_001-198
PK: Indeed, this is common in the mines due to too much dust. Many miners suffered TB, and I suffered Tychosis (sp). It took me 21 days to heal.

health
kumbemba_001-199
EM: Oh really, sorry. So, you were treated of it within the mine or outside?

health
kumbemba_001-200
PK: I was getting the treatment outside the mine.

health
kumbemba_001-201
EM: Were you being transported of you could go alone to get the treatment?

travel
health
kumbemba_001-202
PK: I used to go alone. When my medicine finished, I could go out to get extra medicine.

travel
health
kumbemba_001-203
EM: Were you rested when you were diagnosed with the tychosis?

health
kumbemba_001-204
PK: No. I was still working while on medication

health
kumbemba_001-205
EM: In your section how many people suffered from this disease?

health
kumbemba_001-206
PK: We were at least three miners who suffered from this disease in my section.

health
kumbemba_001-207
EM: But the management of the mine assisted with treatment?

health
kumbemba_001-208
PK: Yes

health
kumbemba_001-209
EM: Let me ask again this question. Back home when you going through the process of acquiring this WNLA contract, was there at any point where government officials requested a kickback to fasten your application?

corruption
kumbemba_001-210
PK: No ways. There was no any act like that one at all. No corruption during the Kamuzu’s regime. (Dr Hastings Kamuzu Banda era)

corruption
Dr. Kamuzu Banda
kumbemba_001-211
EM: No corruption during Kamuzu’s time

Dr. Kamuzu Banda
corruption
kumbemba_001-212
PK: (laughs)not at all, he was a no nonsense. It was like you would fear his omnipresent.

Dr. Kamuzu Banda
corruption
kumbemba_001-213
EM: So, what was your wage like?

wages
kumbemba_001-214
PK: In my case I was receiving R1,37 per day.

wages
kumbemba_001-215
EM: So R1.37 cents. What about a monthly wage?

wages
kumbemba_001-216
PK: We were getting half wage as the other half was remitted directly to our savings account back home in Malawi.

wages
remittances
kumbemba_001-217
EM: So, how was this possible?

wages
remittances
kumbemba_001-218
PK: Before we left for South Africa, we were required to open up a savings account that WNLA can remit directly.

wages
remittances
WNLA
kumbemba_001-219
EM: The remitted money was it given to the parents and relatives?

remittances
kumbemba_001-220
PK: That money remained the account. Nobody had access to it. This is the money we received when we came back home. We got it upon arrival.

remittances
kumbemba_001-221
EM: Oh okay. That’s wonderful.

remittances
kumbemba_001-222
PK: Yes. That’s the money I used at my wedding. The remainder remained in my account. Helped me start my business and educated my children.

remittances
marriage
children
entrepreneurship
kumbemba_001-223
EM: So, you mean the other half that you received while worked in the mines in South Africa was enough for clothing, and other expenditures?

wages
kumbemba_001-224
PK: Yes, it was very enough.

wages
kumbemba_001-225
EM: Did you use that money to buy anything of significance while in South Africa?

purchases
kumbemba_001-226
PK: Not really. If anything, I bought bicycle and clothing materials such as blankets

purchases
bicycles
clothing
kumbemba_001-227
EM: Since you did not have a woman, most of your monies were idle and well kept?

marriage
dating
kumbemba_001-228
PK: Yes. I was single

marriage
dating
kumbemba_001-229
EM: So, you only bought bicycle? Where did you buy it? South Africa?

bicycles
kumbemba_001-230
PK: No, I bought it here upon arrival.

bicycles
kumbemba_001-231
EM: Tell me, while in South Africa, was it possible to leave the mines and contract and go and look for different employment? Like gardening etc.?

travel
kumbemba_001-232
PK: Yes, it was very possible

travel
kumbemba_001-233
EM: It wasn’t problem with government and immigrations?

politics
kumbemba_001-234
PK: No, it was not a problem. However, the government or the mining company was not to pay for his transportation back home. He would need to source his own money. He was no longer on a contract.

politics
travel
kumbemba_001-235
EM: What if you are outside, and now your contracted days with the mine are over and want to remain in the country, would you just go to immigration to renew your contract?

travel
kumbemba_001-236
PK: No, you needed to come back home to renew, they would not allow you to renew while in South Africa.

travel
kumbemba_001-237
EM: What about people trying to come to South Africa through WNLA legal contract?

WNLA
kumbemba_001-238
PK: Yes, people used to do that too. They would get the contract with WNLA and when they arrive in the mine, they would stay a few days and run away to go get other piece jobs other than the mines. Many also did that

absenteeism
WNLA
kumbemba_001-239
EM: Wow! So, people could that?

absenteeism
WNLA
kumbemba_001-240
PK: Yes. And many who did that are very rich now. They are millionaires in South Africa. They married there and have settled there.

absenteeism
WNLA
kumbemba_001-241
EM: Why was that?

absenteeism
WNLA
kumbemba_001-242
PK: Because they received more money outside the mine jobs compared to us in the mines. Inside WNLA paid according to Government’s salary scale which was normal. Outside they paid higher than the government scale.

absenteeism
WNLA
wages
kumbemba_001-243
EM: Oh, I see.

WNLA
kumbemba_001-244
PK: Outside it was not regularized. While in the mines, we were regularized. Dr. Kamuzu Banda made sure they paid us less not to go beyond those on the government pay roll. To him, if these miners received higher than the government officers, they would be boasting as very important than them. They would be pompous. (Some sort of injustice)

Dr. Kamuzu Banda
wages
kumbemba_001-245
EM: That’s some injustice. Not fair at all. During your time in the mines, did the apartheid felt outside affected you in anyway?

apartheid
kumbemba_001-246
PK: Not at all.

apartheid
kumbemba_001-247
EM: What about when you left the mines? Would you encounter apartheid through the police and citizens?

apartheid
travel
kumbemba_001-248
PK: We hardly moved out of the mines. If we did, we had numbers tucked on our arms to indicate that we are foreign miners. The police really respected us. We had no issues at all.

apartheid
travel
kumbemba_001-249
EM: Even if the police were white? They would bully you?

apartheid
kumbemba_001-250
PK: Not all, we had a very good reputation and respected us and protected us.

apartheid
kumbemba_001-251
EM: Now towards the end, when the contract is about to end (1974) what motivated you to come back home?

returning home
kumbemba_001-252
PK: For me, it was obvious. I wanted to go back home to find a woman to marry.

marriage
returning home
kumbemba_001-253
EM: Ok. You had objectives to achieve in South Africa and now you want to go back home to implement them?

returning home
kumbemba_001-254
PK: Yes.

returning home
kumbemba_001-255
EM: Wow! Fantastic, so when you came back home, how did the parents receive you back?

returning home
family
kumbemba_001-256
PK: They received me well.

returning home
family
kumbemba_001-257
EM: Oh! Ok that our son had left and now is back home safely and with full of energy.

returning home
family
kumbemba_001-258
PK: Yes, and immediately found a woman and married her.

returning home
marriage
kumbemba_001-259
EM: Eeeeh that was fast?

returning home
marriage
kumbemba_001-260
PK: Yes, I was hungry. I needed a woman that now I had money.

returning home
marriage
kumbemba_001-261
EM: hahahahaahhahah that was great. You had everything. Nothing really to delay you. Ok.

returning home
marriage
kumbemba_001-262
PK: Yes. You see I married in 1975, and in 1977 got my first born.

returning home
marriage
children
kumbemba_001-263
EM: So, you left for South Africa in 1972, first time. You arrived there and got inducted into the mine’s etiquette, mine language (fanakalo), started to work effectively, you got sick of TB and Sycosis. You got well treated and came back home well and fit. While sick did you continue working?

Fanakalou
health
kumbemba_001-264
PK: No, I stopped working for 21 days while receiving treatment.

health
kumbemba_001-265
EM: I was wondering. So, when you were healed resumed to work till the end of your contract (1974). Upon completion of your contract, you came home. Tell me when you got home, did you get your money in the saving account tampered by government or any other officials?

health
travel
wages
corruption
kumbemba_001-266
PK: No, I found it intact untampered.

wages
kumbemba_001-267
EM: Ok. I have already scanned your documents. And this should be it. Is there anything you would like to add?

kumbemba_001-268
PK: To add is to ask the current government to push South African government to remit the bonuses that we did not receive. The money we left behind in South Africa. Some of us are alive and other unfortunately have died will not be able to receive these money. They should hasten the processes whatever they are.

remittances
bonuses
kumbemba_001-269
EM: So, you mean the money got to Malawi and is Malawi Government?

bonuses
kumbemba_001-270
PK: Yes, this money was remitted to Malawi government and sitting idle somewhere.

bonuses
kumbemba_001-271
EM: Is this money (bonus) calculated per individual case or just sent a chunk of it and asked the Malawi Government to administer it?

bounses
kumbemba_001-272
PK: I don’t know what process they have adopted.

bonuses
kumbemba_001-273
EM: What about those who have died, what is going to happen?

bonuses
kumbemba_001-274
PK: I think they are going to remit to their beneficiaries.

bonuses
kumbemba_001-275
EM: No, I want to thank you for the information you have given me. This is very important to our project. Thank you for your consent to use this information in the book(s), articles, website, and other forms deemed feasible. We would hope your grandchildren will appreciate that we kept your experiences.

Chiwaya_001

chiwaya_001-1
EM: Once again today I would like to chat with you two. First, introduce yourselves please

chiwaya_001-2
TS: My name? I am Tambuli Samson

chiwaya_001-3
EM: Oh! Tambuli Samson, not Stambuli?

chiwaya_001-4
TS: No, am Tambuli Samson

chiwaya_001-5
EM: Wow! These are English names. So, when did you travel?

chiwaya_001-6
TS: I travelled in 1972.

chiwaya_001-7
EM: Oh ok 1972 and back in 1974?

chiwaya_001-8
TS: Yes

chiwaya_001-9
EM: How many journeys did you make?

chiwaya_001-10
TS: Only once

chiwaya_001-11
EM: Ok. How about you, Sir?

chiwaya_001-12
MC: I am McDonald Chiwaya Usi.

chiwaya_001-13
EM: So, when did you travel?

chiwaya_001-14
MC: Actually, I travelled the same year 1972 but I came back early 1975 because the contract was curtailed and they were busy transporting miners back home, so my turn only came early 1975

chiwaya_001-15
EM: Wow! So, do you stayed a year without working while waiting for transport to go back home?

chiwaya_001-16
MC: Not year rather a month.

chiwaya_001-17
EM: Oh, I see. Do you have any picture or it an item from South Africa with you?

chiwaya_001-18
MC: Ohm I don’t have any, they were destroyed. But what I can remember is my coin number which here we call company number. This is what identifies you. When someone reads it, knows this is Chiwaya and nobody else.

chiwaya_001-19
EM: That’s interesting. So, do you still remember this coin number?

chiwaya_001-20
MC: Yes, I do

chiwaya_001-21
EM: What is it?

chiwaya_001-22
MC: 519952

chiwaya_001-23
EM: Oh ok, that Chiwawa? Fantastic. So both of you left for South Africa in 1972? That’s when they were about to end the contract in 1975. What happened that they had to end the contract?

chiwaya_001-24
MC: Aaah the rumours we got was that the train fell and that forced Dr. Kamuzu Banda to request that his people come home immediately.

chiwaya_001-25
EM: Is that so? So, it was a train not a plane?

chiwaya_001-26
MC: Yes. I don’t know my colleague what he has to say? As for it was the train. I don’t know what they did to it, hence it developed a fault.

chiwaya_001-27
EM: Where did this take place? In Mozambique or another country?

chiwaya_001-28
MC: Rumours had it that it happened in Mozambique. I don’t know what my friend has to say.

chiwaya_001-29
TS: Similar story

chiwaya_001-30
MC: We just heard that the train fell in Mozambique and many workers got injured and that forced Dr. Kamuzu Banda to recall his workers back home. Like me I travelled through the train when going to South Africa but had to use a plane when coming back.

chiwaya_001-31
EM: In the 1975s there was a civil war with intense fighting in Mozambique. Could it be that guerrillas decided to bomb the train? Or the President felt insecure to have his men continue using Mozambican channel through the train? Just my thinking.

chiwaya_001-32
MC: Could be the reason, and that’s why the president decided to hire Air Malawi to come pick us from South Africa and never to use the train again.

chiwaya_001-33
EM: Now, what motivated you to leave Malawi to South Africa to work in the mines?

chiwaya_001-34
TS: I decided to leave because of absolute poverty (umphawi wa mtadzaoneni). Then when you see those miners coming back, you could see how they alleviated their poverty, made me think of going to South Africa too.

chiwaya_001-35
EM: How about you?

chiwaya_001-36
MC: Like my colleague, me too is poverty. I had just finished Standard 8 (grade 8) and no one could pay for my school fees in secondary school. When you see miners coming back with blankets and money, I was motivated to go to South Africa to do likewise.

chiwaya_001-37
EM: Oh okay, so poverty was the main drive for your travelling to South Africa to work in the mines? But were you married when you were leaving?

chiwaya_001-38
TS: I left a wife.

chiwaya_001-39
EM: Oh ok. With a child?

chiwaya_001-40
TS: No without. She was young

chiwaya_001-41
EM: So when you came that’s when you had your first child?

chiwaya_001-42
TS: Yes, immediately when I came back. I could not wait any longer

chiwaya_001-43
EM: How about you?

chiwaya_001-44
MC: I was not married when I left. I had just finished school. I thought I needed to travel and get some money to start the business and possibly to marry.

chiwaya_001-45
EM: Oh okay. So when you made this decision, how did your family, wife, parents take it?

chiwaya_001-46
TS: In my case all were happy. They saw something new in me and encouraged and supported me throughout. This made me to send my parents the first wage I received to make them happy.

chiwaya_001-47
EM: So where did you leave your wife?

chiwaya_001-48
TS: I left her at her parent’s house.

chiwaya_001-49
EM: Oh yes that’s what your culture demands? When you marry, you move to your wife’s side home. And what was her parent’s reaction to your travelling into South Africa and leaving your young wife with them?

chiwaya_001-50
TS: They had no worries at all. They knew I would come back

chiwaya_001-51
EM: How about you?

chiwaya_001-52
MC: My parents knew what I was doing and supported me. They I wanted to make money to get driving license, and some money for my future wife and children. So, when I came back,

chiwaya_001-53
MC: I applied for driving lessons in Blantyre. Unfortunately, I failed twice. Lucky enough, I was employed at the Malawi Hotels, where I worked and got promoted to the Barman. I was very happy then.

chiwaya_001-54
EM: Oh okay. Thank you so much. Now that you made up your mind to go to work in the mines in South Africa, what was the first step you made?

chiwaya_001-55
TS: Firstly, we go to get a form from our local group village headman. Then we take the form to the Traditional Authority to get his confirmation, thereafter to the District Commissioner. From there we start getting ready for the journey.

chiwaya_001-56
EM: What do you mean by getting ready for the journey?

chiwaya_001-57
TS: We would be going to the DC to check if today would be leaving or not.

chiwaya_001-58
EM: So you would just be going to the DC office to see if the journey is ready?

chiwaya_001-59
TS: Yes, if the journey is ready the luck ones would be picked

chiwaya_001-60
EM: Is it true Macdonald?

chiwaya_001-61
MC: Very true to what he is saying. After dropping T/A’s confirmation letter at the DC’s office, we would be coming to check when the journey would ready. When they pick you that day, we were driven to Mapanga, Blantyre.

chiwaya_001-62
EM: Oh okay.

chiwaya_001-63
MC: Yes, at Mapanga, the doctor would come to make several tests, until they are convinced that we are fit to work in the mine. The sick and not fit, were returned home.

chiwaya_001-64
EM: Ok go on.

chiwaya_001-65
MC: When all is set, they picked us to the railway station, when they picked us to South Africa. We arrived after seven (7) days. If I have forgotten my brother can add.

chiwaya_001-66
TS: Oh, that was the way it was. On the first day, we weighed on a scale, if you don’t reach the right weight, you were not accepted.

chiwaya_001-67
EM: Where was this taking place? At Mapanga or at DC’s Labour Office?

chiwaya_001-68
TS: This was at Labour Office. Luckily, we passed that test, and those who failed were asked to go eat groundnuts and come back at a later date.

chiwaya_001-69
EM: Hahahahaha really? Groundnuts? That’s funny. So, they have picked you up from Labour Office and now you are at Mapanga. What was happening there?

chiwaya_001-70
MC: When you arrive at Mapanga and all is set, we were receiving khaki trousers and blue t-shirt. That marked you are ready for South Africa. They also gave us 10 shillings. That was pocket money on the way. That was a lot.

chiwaya_001-71
EM: So, at Mapanga there were no further medical testing?

chiwaya_001-72
MC: Oh yes there were. What I said is about when all tests were done, and you passed fit to leave for South Africa. That’s when you get the khaki trousers and blue t-shirt for all miners from Malawi.

chiwaya_001-73
EM: After this then to railway station, off to Mozambique by coal train?

chiwaya_001-74
MC: Yes, straight by coal train slowly hahahahha…. Seven (7) days to Joburg (short form for Johannesburg).

chiwaya_001-75
EM: What happens when you get to Johannesburg?

chiwaya_001-76
MC: They received us as newcomers and distributed us to our specific mines. When we got there, they sent us to mine school. There we were taught various things about the mine. Including the language of the mines. After that we were tested, and graded, B1-Very intelligent, B2-Average, B-3 eeeh this one even live wire he would touch. Failed. Not good enough hahahahahahah. From here, we would go down to the mines to get mine etiquette. Not to smoke, to listen to your leader called pass-boy.

chiwaya_001-77
EM: Oh, pass boy?

chiwaya_001-78
MC: Yes, he was the head of the mine. When you are sick you would go to him to report. Him reports to the Mine Manager. That’s it, Sir.

chiwaya_001-79
EM: So, what language were you speaking when you meet in the mines considering you are Malawians, Mozambicans, and South Africans?

chiwaya_001-80
MC: Fanakalo. This was a language made after combining different languages Chichewa, Shangani, Zulu, Xhosa etc. This language is only spoken in the mines. This Fanikalo

chiwaya_001-81
EM: How did you manage to speak it?

chiwaya_001-82
MC: There were books plus those who went ahead of us taught us as well. When they say, buya la, meant come here. This is the language for everyone even if you were Tumbuka, Yawo, Sena, you had to master this language. Let my brother also add his voice on this.

chiwaya_001-83
TS: Yes, there was not English only Fanikalo.

chiwaya_001-84
EM: What about when you are done in the mines, you are free in your compounds, what would you be speaking?

chiwaya_001-85
MC: When free and in our hostels, we could speak our country local languages……Chichewa, Yao etc.

chiwaya_001-86
EM: Tell me, were put into hostels according to your nationality?

chiwaya_001-87
MC: Yes, we were allocated per country of origin. Shangani’s, Malawians, and others separately. And we had in each country’s hostel leaders and police to bring peace.

chiwaya_001-88
EM: Oh okay. What about izibonda?

chiwaya_001-89
TS: Izibonda is the chief in the house. A leader.

chiwaya_001-90
EM: Is that so?

chiwaya_001-91
TS: For sure and I was the police of the house. If someone goes against the house etiquette, I was reporting him to Izibonda. Even if he spills water on the floor and if he refuses to clean the floor, I would report him straight to Izibonda, and he would act swiftly.

chiwaya_001-92
EM: That was nice and orderly. So, in the mines you spoke fanikalo while in the hostels you spoke your local language. So, on your free time, were you able to read newspapers, watch TVs or cinema, or listen to the radio?

chiwaya_001-93
MC: When we knocked off, we would go into the shower where we bathed from the dust in the mines. From there we would go to our hostels to get changed. Get our plates and rations to the kitchen to get food. After that we could be play games, watch football and any leisure activities of choice. Even we had a bar where we could go get some beers.

chiwaya_001-94
EM: Were these beers free for all?

chiwaya_001-95
MC: Only weekends we could get some free beers, maheu (sweet beer), even nqomboti (African beers, brewed locally). But any other times, we could buy those beers (cash). If I forgot anything, my friend could remind me.

chiwaya_001-96
TS: That’s exactly it. It was all similar

chiwaya_001-97
EM: Were you all in the same mine?

chiwaya_001-98
TS: No, different ones.

chiwaya_001-99
EM: But the experience is the same?

chiwaya_001-100
TS: Yes, very similar.

chiwaya_001-101
EM: Great. So, so the point of contact with other people from other countries was in the mines alone?

chiwaya_001-102
MC: Yes, in the mines also in the leisure halls, including at the bar. There we could only communicate through fanikalo. We were very friendly no hatred or tensions.

chiwaya_001-103
EM: In the mines, you were placed on different levels based on your ability as assessed by the management. Where were you placed?

chiwaya_001-104
TS: I was placed on level 1.

chiwaya_001-105
EM: So, what were you doing at level 1?

chiwaya_001-106
TS: I was bell boy. But at first, I was the shovel boy. After several months, I was the best shovel boy. I could do 20 shovels while others 13 per hour. Hence the boss promoted me to bell boy. I spent most of my time there receiving and sending information when the lift arrives and leaves. So, I could be idle for two hours waiting for the lift of stones. I enjoyed working there as was not as hard as the previous shovel boy position.

chiwaya_001-107
EM: Oh, good and how about there?

chiwaya_001-108
MC: I was first placed as Malaisha. I only worked there for few months. Then due to my school and good English, the boss promoted me to a lamp boy. As a lamp boy I was minding the lamp house. This is the house where lamps were stored. After few months I was again promoted to a lamp clerk. I was responsible for all the lamps in the mine. I need to take note of all the lamps in the house and those taken out on each day. If one miner does not pick up his lamp, I needed to find out why? I then had to report to the manager. I really enjoyed working as clerk. It was a high rank position and with good pay too. This was job. Due to my school, I could also get overtime work to add to my pay.

chiwaya_001-109
EM: While working in the mines, how was your security?

chiwaya_001-110
MC: There was great security for everyone. That was very important

chiwaya_001-111
EM: How was your relationships? Would you have special relationships with workers of other countries?

chiwaya_001-112
TS: Yes, we could relate to any person despite his nationality. Like I used to mix a lot with the Shanganis from Mozambique. They called me crazy guy because I could easily join and fit in any group of people.

chiwaya_001-113
EM: I can imagine there were only male voices in the mine. Were there any female miners?

chiwaya_001-114
TS: Ohmm there were no women in the mines. We could only see women when we go outside the mines.

chiwaya_001-115
EM: Oh, you could go out? When?

chiwaya_001-116
TS: Yes, we could go out on Saturdays and Sundays. We could go out on these days provided we respected the working days.

chiwaya_001-117
EM: And could you have relationships outside with women?

chiwaya_001-118
TS: Yes, it was possible.

chiwaya_001-119
EM: Did you get a girlfriend outside?

chiwaya_001-120
TS: Me? No, I did not. Throughout my tenure, I did not have any girlfriend. I was afraid.

chiwaya_001-121
MC: I was also afraid as there were stories that most guys who had sexual relationships outside, were coming without their manhood, and other complications. We were very afraid.

chiwaya_001-122
MC: To add again on what my brother has said, I used to visit some of my friends from Malawi in the neighbouring mines. I could go there, welcomed by them after showing ID number. I could also sleep over with no problem. Them they could do likewise.

chiwaya_001-123
EM: How about with Malawians who had settled in the areas outside the mine? Could you interact with them?

chiwaya_001-124
TS: Yes, we could interact with them. Sometimes they could let us know of parties, even funerals in their communities. And we could attend if possible.

chiwaya_001-125
EM: Say the funeral is communicated, and burial is on Wednesday, a working day. Would you request permission to attend?

chiwaya_001-126
TS: No. It was obvious that the management of the mine would not give us the permission. We attended only if the burials were on weekends, free day.

chiwaya_001-127
EM: What about strikes? Were there such conflicts and strikes in the mines?

chiwaya_001-128
MC: Very rare. When they happened, we used to police who would report to the compound manager. If he also failed to control, he would call outside police to come to calm down the situation. But this happened seldomly. We had a very good working relationship with each other.

chiwaya_001-129
EM: Who would mostly start these violent actions?

chiwaya_001-130
MC: Mostly the locals, South Africans. They did not like us because we were hard workers and preferrable to the mine managers.

chiwaya_001-131
TS: The locals started all these and would call us, “ma nyasa inu, amphawi.” You, Malawians, are very poor that’s why you are here. Yet are all working in the mines to earn a living hahahahaha. “You need to come here by long train trips, to earn a living. We only go home and back within a week unlike you.” That’s how they used to mock us. They felt jealous of how we were treated by mine managers simply because we were hard workers.

chiwaya_001-132
EM: That’s a good story. But were you afraid to lose your job? Or termination of your contract?

chiwaya_001-133
MC: Oh no. There were not chasing you unless extreme cases. Otherwise, they wanted you to finish your full term, 24 months of contract. There was so much work and needed more people. So we weren’t that afraid.

chiwaya_001-134
EM: Would you decide to leave the mines and seek other piece jobs outside the mines?

chiwaya_001-135
MC: Ohmmm other workers would decide to do that, but when found, they would arrest you and bring back to your designated mine. It was really very rare as the mine managers made sure we had really good food and treatment, so why would you decide to walk out?

chiwaya_001-136
EM: So, they really took care of you. How about your hostels? Were they that clean?

chiwaya_001-137
MC: Oh yes very clean. We used to sleep like in secondary schools. One bed down and another on top. They really took care of us. We had good food, each had his own plate, cup and utensils.

chiwaya_001-138
EM: So, it was no longer necessary to run away for other jobs outside?

chiwaya_001-139
TS: Aaah no need as everything was smoothly run. No complaints. They took care of us

chiwaya_001-140
MC: Also, they used to pay us on time without delays or jumping a month without pay.

chiwaya_001-141
EM: What about your religious matters? Were you given off so to attend the prayers on specific days, Saturdays, Sundays, or Fridays?

chiwaya_001-142
TS: Yes, it was possible. Those on Friday we could go to mosques, those on Saturdays or Sundays could go and attend.

chiwaya_001-143
EM: My impression is that you were well taken care of. And the managers liked Malawians?

chiwaya_001-144
MC: Yes, they liked us and favoured us because we were hard workers. Well disciplined, respected the rules. They preferred to work with Malawians than other nations. Unlike Malawians the other nations especially the locals, would only manage a contract of six (6) months and off the go. Twenty-four (24) months was too much to the locals. So, Malawians were most trusted workers. When Malawian miner was given a hard work, was working diligently without unwillingness, revolt, as the locals would do. This attitude made Malawians loved more.

chiwaya_001-145
EM: It is commonly said that there was too much dust in the mines which was hazardous to human health. Was that not an issue in your mines? Were there some incidents of TB and other diseases?

chiwaya_001-146
MC: In my case, my mine was a very clean mine, that diseases were not easily detected. The pass boys were very strict that you would not litter in the mines. As I said, after knocking off they made sure we go into shower to clean ourselves from the dust. This helped to clean ourselves from such diseases.

chiwaya_001-147
TS: On top of that every six months we were taken for medical check ups in case we contracted diseases. This was to establish if you contracted some diseases in the mine the last six months.

chiwaya_001-148
EM: What if they find you with the disease that you contracted in the last six months? Would they help you?

chiwaya_001-149
TS: Yes, they would assist you. We had clinics within the mine. However, if the disease persists, they would send you home. But sometimes, if you are still strong, they would remove you from the mines that you do light works outside the mines.

chiwaya_001-150
EM: So, would the pay remain the same?

chiwaya_001-151
TS: No. outside the mine you earned less than those who worked in the mines

chiwaya_001-152
EM: Let me take you back. When processing your application from Labour office and at the departure centers, would at times pay some kickbacks to the officials so that they process your application with favour?

chiwaya_001-153
TS & MC: No ways, those days there was no corruption at all.

chiwaya_001-154
EM: Oh okay. Let us go to personal question, how much were you earning?

chiwaya_001-155
TS: I remember. I used to receive 55 cents per day. That was a very good money. I earned that because I was in mine far away, at Barberton, near Swaziland.

chiwaya_001-156
MC: Very good pay indeed. That was 1 to 1 with Malawi Kwacha. I was at Sheba Mine

chiwaya_001-157
EM: Oh ok. So how much were getting?

chiwaya_001-158
MC: I started with 45cents, and I finished with 75cents per day. This is due to overtime and level of my education.

chiwaya_001-159
EM: Tell me, was this money received all or some was deducted?

chiwaya_001-160
MC: It was deducted in phases. First salary was deducted to refund government money for transportation. Second and third months’ salary was given in full that we manage to buy some useful stuff. The fourth month salary was deducted to the saving account back home, the remainder was given to me. I think it was the same with my brother here.

chiwaya_001-161
EM: Oh, so the first you reimburse government of Malawi’s contribution to your transport. Second and third months’ salary was given to you that you settle, and the fourth month that’s when they deducted into two, to your savings account back home and your upkeep.

chiwaya_001-162
MC: That’s it. I don’t know if it was similar with my fellow brother.

chiwaya_001-163
TS: Yes, similar situation.

chiwaya_001-164
EM: Oh okay, that was a good program then. Am I wrong to conclude that you used to remit to Malawi the change you received monthly in the mine?

chiwaya_001-165
TS & MC: Yes, that was it.

chiwaya_001-166
EM: So, you were not taking from the account back home?

chiwaya_001-167
MC: No, it was untampered that account. We could only access it when we came back. Upon arrival that’s when we were able to take hold of the account itself.

chiwaya_001-168
EM: Was that account opened before you left?

chiwaya_001-169
TS: Those accounts were opened by the government when you had already left.

chiwaya_001-170
MC: And each account was linked with your ID in the mine. So, when you went back home, you could find you have an account like your employment number

chiwaya_001-171
EM: Could the government interfere with your account?

chiwaya_001-172
MC: No. It was given to you and had freedom to collect all cash or take a bit and leave everything.

chiwaya_001-173
EM: So did you buy something from South Africa?

chiwaya_001-174
MC: Yes. We bought shoes, blankets, t-shirts, and other items like watch, and music systems.

chiwaya_001-175
EM: Were you sharing the stuff you brought with you to your relatives?

chiwaya_001-176
MC: Yes, we had to be sharing different stuff. You wanted to show others that I am coming from abroad

chiwaya_001-177
EM: So what did you do with your money?

chiwaya_001-178
TS: When I came back home, I brought bicycles, clothes, radio. When I came back, I also bought cows, goats and built a house. I also paid fees for my sister as that that I did not have children.

chiwaya_001-179
EM: About you?

chiwaya_001-180
MC: Me, I used my money to partly register for driving school, which unfortunately, I failed. But that was one of the reasons to go to South Africa.

chiwaya_001-181
EM: How long did it take you to access your money when you arrived home?

chiwaya_001-182
MC: Immediately. We came by plane, and when we arrived in Blantyre, they gave us our account books

chiwaya_001-183
EM: The period you went to South Africa, it was an apartheid era, did that affect you?

chiwaya_001-184
MC: No it didn’t affect us. Only the locals were the ones being affected. Some of us were only there concentrating on our job.

chiwaya_001-185
EM: Even the police did not harass you?

chiwaya_001-186
TS: Aaah no. We never experienced any police harshness.

chiwaya_001-187
EM: Earlier on I asked why you were motivated to leave for South Africa, now I want you answer as to why you decided to come back home? Especially that you are not married and with not really responsibilities back home.

chiwaya_001-188
MC: I was motivated because I wanted to go to access my savings account. I wanted to start learning how to drive, start business and get married

chiwaya_001-189
TS: In addition, they kept our passports. So even if you wanted to hang on, it wouldn’t work as your passport was held by the mine administrators. They would only give you when you are leaving to go back home.

chiwaya_001-190
EM: In your case (Tambuli Samson) I thought you were motivated to go back home to see your wife?

chiwaya_001-191
TS: Yes, but not really. I wanted to go get my money and start a new life. Also wanted people to see me that I am back.

chiwaya_001-192
EM: Tell me about the story around the bonus? Is every miner who went to South Africa is to receive this bonus? Are you entitled to?

chiwaya_001-193
TS: Yes, I am. All ex-miners are entitled.

chiwaya_001-194
EM: So why is it that it is taking long?

chiwaya_001-195
TS: It could be our government officials here. They are playing with us, many of us have died without getting their bonuses.

chiwaya_001-196
EM: So, who is at fault? Is it our government or South African government?

chiwaya_001-197
TS: I think it is Malawian government. They are not explaining to us clearly why it is taking long.

chiwaya_001-198
EM: Now, you came back home this time by air Malawi. How were your welcomed back in the society by your family?

chiwaya_001-199
TS: They welcomed us.

chiwaya_001-200
MC: In my case my parents were relieved that I came back home healthily as there were many stories about mines falling and people dying in the mines. So, they were excited that I came back alive. They threw a party, killed chicken with rice.

chiwaya_001-201
EM: Well, am done with my questions. However, if you have some questions for me, please your time.

chiwaya_001-202
TS: Please if you can help us receive our bonuses would be great.

chiwaya_001-203
MC: I want to agree with my brother here. We are being laughed at by many people who think we are not going to be paid anything. Please assist us that we get something

chiwaya_001-204
EM: Isn’t it pathetic to note that a sovereign government wants to pay back bonuses to ex-miners and the home country sits without any interest. I thought, a straight government would welcome that considering its own people are going to be assisted, it is going to bring huge sums of forex, etc.

chiwaya_001-205
EM: Now, you both travelled to South Africa in 1972 and came back in 1974?

chiwaya_001-206
TS & MC: Yes, that’s when we went to South Africa and back. We indeed profited with that experience. We bought things like blankets, clothes, bicycles, watches, and radios.

chiwaya_001-207
EM: Well, if you don’t not have anything to ask me, this would mark the end of our interview.

chiwaya_001-208
MC: May be my friend has something to ask.

chiwaya_001-209
TS: I do not have anything to add, but I just ask Allah to make sure all goes well, and we get our bonuses and get a relief of pain in our lives.

chiwaya_001-210
EM: I again have two or three questions; one is who calculates the amount of bonus one receives? Malawi government or South African government? Or even the mines themselves? How do they know this individual is alive or dead? These are just my questions, and you don’t have to answer me.

chiwaya_001-211
EM: I am just asking myself. Or is that the authorities have settled for a general figure say MK500,000 for a every ex-miner?

chiwaya_001-212
EM: Further, does this bonus/compensation meant for TEBA (1980s)&or WNLA (1939-1975) ex-miners or for both? If you know and want to answer me, please feel free to do so.

chiwaya_001-213
EM: If you don’t have, I will try to find out from other authorities from labour offices. I pray that this issue ends well, and people are all served. The rightful miners are served with their bonuses.

chiwaya_001-214
EM: Finally, I want to thank you for your time and sharing with us your information. As I asked earlier, I want to ask for your consent to get this information used electronically or on books.

chiwaya_001-215
TS: Welcome as well, we thank you for your interest on us. We hope one day this book will be read by our grandchildren. Published our own names, without any reservation.

chiwaya_001-216
EM: Thank you. See you again on 22nd May 2022 when my colleague joins us here for a group meeting.

chiwaya_001-217

Mitawa_001

mitawa_001-1
EM: Welcome Sir! Tell me about your name

mitawa_001-2
AM: Thanks Sir. I am Alabi Mitawa

mitawa_001-3
EM: Alabi?

mitawa_001-4
AM: Yes

mitawa_001-5
EM: When were you born?

mitawa_001-6
AM: I was born in 1944

mitawa_001-7
EM: Ok, in 1944 just like my dad. Laughs

mitawa_001-8
AM: Laughs! Ok that’s my friend.

mitawa_001-9
EM: Yes and he is alive

mitawa_001-10
AM: Eh eheh that is my friend, thank you so much

mitawa_001-11
EM: Ok. So you first left for South Africa in 19……?

mitawa_001-12
AM: In 1964

mitawa_001-13
EM: Oh, came and came back when?

mitawa_001-14
AM: Yes, and came back in 1966

mitawa_001-15
EM: Ok. So, then you went again in 196…?

mitawa_001-16
AM: I went back in 1966 and back in 1968, then went back 1968 and back in 1970, went back in 1970-1972, went back in 1972 and back in 1974, 1974-1976, went back in 1976-1978. (I think he was a bit confused with the years)

mitawa_001-17
EM: So, the contract was for two years, is it?

mitawa_001-18
AM: Yes, it was for two years indeed. But for the first visit only lasted 11 months

mitawa_001-19
EM: Oh, 11 months why? What happened?

mitawa_001-20
AM: I wanted to test waters. I was not sure how long I would last. Thereafter, I was taking two years of each contract.

mitawa_001-21
EM: Oh! I see.

mitawa_001-22
AM: Yes, and I was not taking longer at home. Not even 6months. I was immediately going back to South Africa.

mitawa_001-23
EM: Wow! It seems WNLA was also happy with you?

WNLA
mitawa_001-24
AM: Yes, and I also got used to it

WNLA
mitawa_001-25
EM: So, your first visit where did you land?

travel
mitawa_001-26
AM: In the WNLA mines

travel
WNLA
mitawa_001-27
EM: Ok. And was it the same company or you had to change?

WNLA
mitawa_001-28
AM: Yes, same company, WNLA

WNLA
mitawa_001-29
EM: Give me a minute to record these photos…… So your full name?

mitawa_001-30
AM: Alabi Mitawa

mitawa_001-31
EM: Okay. So, in 1964, why did you have to live to work in the mine? What motivated you?

mitawa_001-32
AM: I was motivated by my peers who were all going to South Africa to work in the mines.

friends
mitawa_001-33
EM: Oh, so it was about seeing your friends leaving and coming that motivated you?

friends
mitawa_001-34
AM: Yes. Imagine we imitated what friends were up to. Whenever one marries, you were immediately challenged to follow suit. In this case most of my friends were leaving to work in the mines. I had to do likewise.

friends
mitawa_001-35
EM: So, you were also forced to leave for South Africa to work in the mines like your peers?

mitawa_001-36
AM: Yes, I was forced to do likewise

mitawa_001-37
EM: I see. And were you married before you left for South Africa?

marrisge
mitawa_001-38
AM: Yes, I was married.

marriage
mitawa_001-39
EM: Wow! And how many children did you have then?

children
mitawa_001-40
AM: I had one child

children
mitawa_001-41
EM: Oh ok. So, how did your wife and child feel that you were leaving?

children
marriage
mitawa_001-42
AM: They felt good that I was leaving and that I will bring some fortunes for the family

children
marriage
mitawa_001-43
EM: So, where did you leave the wife and the child?

children
marriage
mitawa_001-44
AM: That time, we were all living at my wife’s house. (Matrimonial) So, I had to leave them there at her family’s place

children
marriage
mitawa_001-45
EM: Oh, I see, you had to leave them with her family? Oh. Ok that’s great. Now that you made up your mind to follow your friends to WNLA, what did you do then?

marriage
family
friends
WNLA
mitawa_001-46
AM: I had to go to the Traditional Authority to get the authority

Traditional Authority
mitawa_001-47
EM: What was the authority for?

Traditional Authority
mitawa_001-48
AM: That I can ably travel to South Africa. Without that authority you can not be considered for the contract

Traditional Authority
travel
mitawa_001-49
EM: So where else did you go after obtaining such authority?

Traditional Authority
travel
mitawa_001-50
AM: I had to go the labour office. We were leaving from there

Traditional Authority
mitawa_001-51
EM: Oh, I see. Now that you were to get labour officers organize for you, did you have to bribe any of them that you are considered?

corruption
mitawa_001-52
AM: Not at all. That never happened to me. I was only told to go home to wait for the numbers of those travelling with me. We left when the number is reached

corruption
travel
mitawa_001-53
EM: Oh, I see. I thought you had to give some kickbacks to the officers for them to look at your application favorably.

corruption
travel
mitawa_001-54
AM: Not at all

corruption
mitawa_001-55
EM: Now you are at Labour Office, what was the determinant factor that marked that you are ready, or you are a fit for the WNLA contract?

WNLA
health
mitawa_001-56
AM: What happened was this. When you arrive at the Labour Office, they register you, and when number is reached, they take you to Blantyre, at WNLA house. After two or three days at WNLA, they brought you to the doctor. When the doctor finds you fit, then the journey is ready for you. They took you to the airport for the flight.

health
WNLA
travel
mitawa_001-57
EM: So, you were flying by airplane to South Africa?

travel
mitawa_001-58
AM: Yes, we used to fly by airplane.

travel
mitawa_001-59
EM: Who was responsible for the flight tickets?

travel
mitawa_001-60
AM: Government of Nyasaland was paying for our air tickets

travel
mitawa_001-61
EM: So, it was government of Nyasaland not South Africa?

travel
mitawa_001-62
AM: No, it was Nyasaland with the agreement of South African government as it wanted people to work in its mines.

travel
mitawa_001-63
EM: when you are almost ready, how did you know?

travel
mitawa_001-64
AM: They could tell us that all the processes are over and we are leaving on such a date

travel
mitawa_001-65
EM: Ok

travel
mitawa_001-66
AM: Today you are to sleep at Ngumbe, with the flight tomorrow at Chileka Airport. That marked that everything is ready

travel
mitawa_001-67
EM: But others had to travel by trains?

travel
mitawa_001-68
AM: Yes, others travelled through the train. But in our case, we flew to Botswana where we got the train to Johannesburg.

travel
Johannesburg
mitawa_001-69
EM: Alright. So, you flew to Botswana and then got into a train to Mzilikazi?

travel
Mzilikazi
mitawa_001-70
AM: Yes. And it was at Mzilikazi where we were distributed accordingly to our respective working place.

Mzilikazi
mitawa_001-71
EM: What happens further?

mitawa_001-72
AM: They give you a form of a contract (like that I showed you) and they drop you your mine. When you arrive, they did a few tests on you. They took a picture of you. When the results arrive, they call you and get them and if you had diseases, they would send you to the hospital for treatment.

health
medicine
mitawa_001-73
EM: Oh really. So, if they found you with some disease, they send you to the hospital and not send you back home?

health
mitawa_001-74
AM: No, they took you to the hospital, when you are healed, that’s when they sent you to your designated mine to start work. However, there some disease that they could easily send you back home. For instance, epilepsy.

health
mitawa_001-75
EM: Oh, I see. So what was your mine?

mitawa_001-76
AM: St Helena

mitawa_001-77
EM: Oh, St Helena! I see

mitawa_001-78
AM: Yes. If everything okay, you were introduced to your mine

mitawa_001-79
EM: Now that you are at your designated mine, what happened thereafter?

mitawa_001-80
AM: When proven fit, then the doctor is called for further testing right at the mine.

health
mitawa_001-81
EM: Oh! They had to test you again. What was the rational?

health
mitawa_001-82
AM: Yes, they did that again to determine your fitness and allocation into the mine. Before they allocate you area of operation, they wanted to know your fitness

health
mitawa_001-83
EM: After allocation what else?

mitawa_001-84
AM: They could then allocate us work position, and accommodation. The beds, and rooms. And when you get into the room, you would find someone to welcome you, called izioda

izibondo
mitawa_001-85
EM: Iziboda?

izibondo
mitawa_001-86
AM: Yes Izibonda. He welcomes you to the room and gives you the rules. For instance, remember tomorrow to wake up early, and would give some directions on how to behave within the mine. You are here to work hard, and don’t be absent from work unnecessarily.

izibondo
mitawa_001-87
EM: Oh, okay

izibondo
mitawa_001-88
AM: He could tell us the meal timetables, discipline issues, etc.

izibondo
mitawa_001-89
EM: So would the iziboda coming from Zimbabwe, Mozambique and other countries?

izibondo
mitawa_001-90
AM: No no, always from your own country. Like in my case he was a Malawian and from same district back home

izibondo
mitawa_001-91
EM: Oh, I see. So, each country would have their own iziboda?

izibondo
mitawa_001-92
AM: Yes. That helped for the language and culture. We could connect and unite ourselves.

izibondo
mitawa_001-93
EM: Oh, that was good. So, you were very united and connected? No gossip?

izibondo
mitawa_001-94
AM: Oh yes, we were very connected when we are on our own. As we were all men, no gossip at all.

izibondo
mitawa_001-95
EM: So, in your rooms would you be able to watch TVs or radios?

entertainment
radio
mitawa_001-96
AM: Ohmmm not really. But what the azungu (white people) did was to create a big hall where on Saturdays we could recreate with others. We could watch cinemas from there.

entertainment
movies
mitawa_001-97
EM: Oh, that was fantastic. So, what was the kind of films or movies shown?

entertainment
movies
mitawa_001-98
AM: Normally were like games, hatches, and football. Whenever we were tired you could just leave and go to bed. Mostly about the white people nothing African.

entertainment
movies
football
mitawa_001-99
EM: Oh! Mostly European not African?

mitawa_001-100
AM: Yes mostly.

mitawa_001-101
EM: Was that compulsory? That you had to go and watch that?

entertainment
mitawa_001-102
AM: Not at all. You had the freedom not to go to watch especially if you tired.

entertainment
mitawa_001-103
EM: Wow! So, they treated you as matured people with rights?

mitawa_001-104
AM: They indeed respected us as adults. We enjoyed the treatment as well.

mitawa_001-105
EM: What about your mine managers? Did they treat say Malawians as special to other nationals? That may be Malawians were hard workers as compared to the South Africans?

mitawa_001-106
AM: Ah no ways. There was nothing of such nature, we were treated equally. You know we were so many. Millions going in and out through the same doors. But inside the mines each working at different areas, sections of the mines, with different captains. So, we were indeed taken good care of, without racism, whatsoever.

mitawa_001-107
EM: Oh ok. How about radios in the mines? Would you be listening to during your recreation time?

entertainment
radio
mitawa_001-108
AM: Yes, we could at least only the local radios. Like the area I was working, you had Sesotho radios and English here and there. But if a Malawian would want to come to chat with you from another hostel, he would first meet the hostel police. He could introduce himself and ask for particular room or bed number as the person he wanted to visit. So, if I was in the bath, I would jump out to welcome him in our own local language, mostly Chichewa. We would hug and welcome each other in our local way.

entertainment
radio
language
mitawa_001-109
EM: So, meaning you could create friendships with Malawians and also with other nationals like Zambians?

friends
mitawa_001-110
AM: Yes, we could have such friendships though each nation had their own designated line. But we could mix and create friendships with each other, Shangani’s, Mapodo, Zulus and Zambians

friends
Shangaan people
mitawa_001-111
EM: So, there were no deliberate limitations as Malawians should only befriend Malawians?

mitawa_001-112
AM: Not at all. There were no such racist demarcations

mitawa_001-113
EM: By the time you were leaving for South Africa, did you have any school?

education
mitawa_001-114
AM: No. I did not go to school. Where I live here, is far away from where schools were in those years. The only school was at Mpondasi and is quite a distance from here.

education
mitawa_001-115
EM: Oh, I see. So, it was there with the white missionaries?

education
mitawa_001-116
AM: That’s true, they brought it there first before here. Schools here came very recently with Kamuzu (Dr Hastings Banda).

education
Dr. Kamuzu Banda
mitawa_001-117
EM: Oh right! So during your days in the mines, what language were you using to communicate with others?

language
mitawa_001-118
AM: We used one language called chi lapalapa (fanakalo). (22:14)

language
Fanakalou
mitawa_001-119
EM: Oh lapalapa?

language
Fanakalou
mitawa_001-120
AM: Yes. Fanakalo, buya, (come here); omu nanda? (Where are you going?).

language
Fanakalou
mitawa_001-121
EM: So, this language was applicable while at work inside the mines?

language
Fanakalou
mitawa_001-122
AM: First we started learning it when we arrived for one weeks if you are sharp, two or more weeks if you are not sharp enough.

language
Fanakalou
mitawa_001-123
EM: Oh ok

language
Fanakalou
mitawa_001-124
AM: It was especially difficult in our first trip, but became simpler second time around as we got used to speaking it

language
Fanakalou
mitawa_001-125
EM: Since you were all men in the mines. Were there a time you felt like having sex amongst yourselves? Or even outsourcing from the nearby towns, villages?

homosexuality
dating
mitawa_001-126
AM: Ohmmm not really. Especially where my mine was, ohm too far from the main towns. So, it was not possible. But I can’t say completely that it was taking place. Remember we were too many people, millions of workers.

homosexuality
dating
mitawa_001-127
EM: I understand but you know we hear of such stories in prisons where men have sex with other men.

homosexuality
dating
mitawa_001-128
AM: Ohmmm we could hear such stories, but we never witnessed such things with my eyes.

homosexuality
mitawa_001-129
EM: How about the iziboda? Weren’t they demanding sex from his men?

izibondo
homosexuality
mitawa_001-130
AM: Oh, not all. I was one of the iziboda and I never demanded any sex. I was a leader and had to lead by example

izibondo
homosexuality
mitawa_001-131
EM: Oh really? So, I am talking to an iziboda? So that is why you are also a chief here? They saw the good qualities in you.

izibondo
mitawa_001-132
AM: Laughs lungs out.

izibondo
mitawa_001-133
EM: While in the mines, would you find time to go to the mosques or churches for prayers?

religion
mitawa_001-134
AM: Ohm where I used to work, there were only few Indians as they were the ones building mosques. It was too far therefore to access any mosque.

religion
mitawa_001-135
EM: Oh yes. Free State was definitely very far from Johannesburg.

Johannesburg
mitawa_001-136
AM: Yes so, I could hardly travel. If anything would be by train. Long distance

travel
mitawa_001-137
EM: While working in the mines, did it ever come into your mind to change mine work to work elsewhere say as garden boy etc?

absenteeism
mitawa_001-138
AM: Oh no way, I enjoyed working in the mines.

mitawa_001-139
EM: Oh, so you had no problem?

mitawa_001-140
AM: Oh, not really. Although the work was hard, but we never thought of running away as we knew what brought us there. We learnt to persevere as men

absenteeism
mitawa_001-141
EM: So, there were no strikes whatsoever?

strikes
mitawa_001-142
AM: Strikes? No, ways. Because as Malawians, I was their leader, their Traditional Authority like. Same with other nationals

strikes
Traditional Authority
mitawa_001-143
EM: Now you remind me the powers the Traditional Authority had. When you were starting of with your journey, you had to get permission from your T/A. What would have happened if he refused his men from travelling to the mines?

Traditional Authority
travel
mitawa_001-144
AM: I don’t think he would have done that. First, he checked if you had paid full government taxes, if you did then he had no reason to refuse you his permission or authority.

Traditional Authority
travel
taxes
mitawa_001-145
EM: Oh, so you had to be in good books with the taxman?

Traditional Authority
taxes
mitawa_001-146
AM: Yes, to make sure you don’t owe anything the Government. You are not running away from criminal acts. You are sorely going to work, for employment. However, when we got to Blantyre, the government returned the tax money back to us.

taxes
mitawa_001-147
EM: That’s great. Now tell me, while in the mines did you ever make any relationship with other miners?

mitawa_001-148
AM: Yes. I did with other Malawians. Especially those we put up with in the same hostel. The other nationals, we could only greet each other, kunjani? (How are you?) sikhona, (Am fine) etc. but with Malawians we could chat more about our tribes, districts we came from, languages etc. And for your information I still chat with those around here in Mpondasi.

languages
mitawa_001-149
EM: Oh, that’s great. Back to the mines. What about diseases? Like TB, wasn’t that an issue? What was the company doing?

health
tuberculosis
mitawa_001-150
AM: Ohm some got it from home and others while in the mines

health
tuberculosis
mitawa_001-151
EM: So, what happened when they find you with TB while working the mines? Were they sending you back home or they kept you there?

health
tuberculosis
mitawa_001-152
AM: Whenever you were found with TB the company took care of you by sending you to the hospital for treatment.

health
tuberculosis
mitawa_001-153
EM: So, they took care of you guys?

health
mitawa_001-154
AM: Of yes, they really looked after us in every aspect

health
mitawa_001-155
EM: By the way, I am repeating this question. In those days while being served by the labour officers, were at any point where they asked for kickbacks or bribe to process your application?

corruption
mitawa_001-156
AM: Not all. There was no corruption

corruption
mitawa_001-157
EM: Oh, okay unlike these days. So how much were you earning at the mines?

wages
mitawa_001-158
AM: They were paying us 10 cents per day. Last trip they could pay me at least R6 and they cut half R3 they gave me, and the rest (R3) was remitted to my savings account back home.

wages
remittances
mitawa_001-159
EM: what do you mean when you say cut?

wages
remittances
mitawa_001-160
AM: They used to give half and the other half back home

wages
remittances
mitawa_001-161
EM: How were they sending that money.

wages
remittances
mitawa_001-162
AM: The company paid directly to the account they opened for us before coming over. All the money was deposited there, and we could access it only when we got back home. In case we died while away, we had to name our next of keen to receive my money and bonuses. So, when we arrived in Blantyre, we went to WNLA depot to access our savings account and our saved money. Each had his own money.

wages
remittances
WNLA
mitawa_001-163
EM: So, in your case, that you went several times, were you given some extra incentives? And were you given your bonuses of the first and second trips when you arrived for the third trip?

wages
bonuses
mitawa_001-164
AM: No. they were only given what they owed you per each trip.

bonuses
mitawa_001-165
EM: Was that money they cut and saved in your account, was it accessible to your parents and or wife?

wages
remittances
family
marriage
mitawa_001-166
AM: No. The money was kept by the bank and was not given to anyone. But periodically WNLA was giving moneys to our family back home while we were still away. This was a thank you money, Zikomo, or courtesy. This was not coming from the money saved in our saving accounts at all.

remittances
wages
WNLA
family
zikomo
mitawa_001-167
EM: Were you able to send some cash to your family from the money you received while in South Africa?

remittances
mitawa_001-168
AM: Yes we would do that.

remittances
mitawa_001-169
EM: What were they using that money for?

remittances
mitawa_001-170
AM: Basic items like clothes and food, It was not easy for sure that you could buy many things from that money

remittances
purchases
mitawa_001-171
EM: From that money when you came back what did you buy?

remittances
purchases
mitawa_001-172
AM: I bought radio, bicycle, clothes, blankets to show my people that am back.

purchases
radio
bicycles
clothes
mitawa_001-173
EM: Where did you buy that?

purchases
mitawa_001-174
AM: I bought when we arrived in Blantyre. And I built a house when I got back from the third journey.

purchases
housing
mitawa_001-175
EM: Was this of iron sheets?

housing
mitawa_001-176
AM: No, a thatched house. Iron sheets were scarce and expensive. Imagine one was at K50.

housing
mitawa_001-177
EM: Oh yes, imagine you receiving K30 and aiming at buying iron sheets?

houses
mitawa_001-178
AM: No ways. It was difficult.

houses
mitawa_001-179
EM: During your time, didn’t you face any apartheid /uprising aspects in and outside the mines?

apartheid
politics
mitawa_001-180
AM: Oh no ways. We hardly experienced that. We were concentrating on our work. We were on a contract, so the other issues did not affect us

apartheid
politics
mitawa_001-181
EM: As you were on a contract, did it come into your mind, or a situation forced you to think of ending your contract and go and look for new jobs outside?

mitawa_001-182
AM: No, I never thought of leaving. But I have heard of others leaving the mines and got new jobs outside. Others too, left the mines and walked back home, that I heard.

mitawa_001-183
EM: The period you left first, 1964 and 1966, Malawi became independent. Malawi became free from the British rule, how did that affect you?

politics
mitawa_001-184
AM: Honestly, politics did not affect me. Actually, my second trip was when Kamuzu Banda was the president, very powerful then.

politics
Dr. Kamuzu Banda
mitawa_001-185
EM: You first left home (Malawi) in 1964 and you returned in 1966. What motivated you to return home? You could have decided otherwise and remained there doing other jobs.

returning home
mitawa_001-186
AM: Actually, when you considered our daily problems at home, when you worked hand to mouth, I had no problem coming back to South Africa to work in the mines. So, to answer your question, I returned home primarily to renew my contract for another two years.

returning home
mitawa_001-187
EM: So, you mean, you returned to renew your contract?

returning home
mitawa_001-188
AM: Yes. Since I had to go back to the chief to get authorization and application to go back.

returning home
Traditional Authority
mitawa_001-189
EM: You mean you had to go through the same process when renewing your contract?

returning home
Traditional Authority
mitawa_001-190
AM: Yes, we had to go back to the Traditional Authority and then to the labour office etc.

returning home
Traditional Authority
mitawa_001-191
EM: Tell me, when you were coming home after completing your contract, how were you received back home by your wife, child, and parents?

returning home
marriage
children
family
mitawa_001-192
AM: Oh, that was the most exciting moment. While smelling good, nice, scented lotion, perfume, clothes, bicycle, and radio. Wearing a Wilson hat, oh, they were super excited. Her friends were envying her that now her man is home. Days of loneliness are gone.

returning home
purchases
bicycles
radio
clothes
marriage
mitawa_001-193
EM: Tell me anything you felt bad about being back home?

returning home
mitawa_001-194
AM: I think poverty. The level of poverty was just too much. This forced me to go back to South Africa as soon as possible.

returning home
poverty
mitawa_001-195
EM: Well, am happy we chatted today. Hence, I want to ask for your consent that myself and colleagues can access, publish in books or website your details, information. Even if your names can be used in the book?

mitawa_001-196
AM: Go ahead, it will be good for the future generation access this.

mitawa_001-197
EM: What about the current issue of compensation. What is it about?

mitawa_001-198
AM: The government officials told us that anyone who went to work in the mines will be given a compensation, to thank us for the work we did. It is my hope that they can honour that. We are really suffering right now. That money can push us to another level.

mitawa_001-199
EM: Who is going to pay you? Malawi government or South African?

mitawa_001-200
AM: We are told that the South African government will do the payment. It would be my pleasure if you can help us receive these bonuses.

mitawa_001-201
EM: Thank you for trusting me. I will with my team talk to government officials about this ordeal

mitawa_001-202
AM: Thank you and that marks the end of our interview.

Ngumbalo_001

ngumbalo_001-1
Elias P.K. Mandala (EM): May I know your, Sir?

ngumbalo_001-2
Harry Ngumbalo (HN): I am Ngumbalo Harry.

ngumbalo_001-3
EM: Oh OK, that’s my first time to hear about that name. Am sure white people in the mine had difficulties with it?

ngumbalo_001-4
HN: Not at all. It is simple

ngumbalo_001-5
EM: So, when were you born?

ngumbalo_001-6
HN: 1951

ngumbalo_001-7
EM: Ok 1951. So, when did you first travel to South Africa for WNLA contract?

ngumbalo_001-8
HN: In 1974, sorry 1972

ngumbalo_001-9
EM: Oh 1972 and coming back in 1974? When did you go back?

ngumbalo_001-10
HN: No! I didn’t travel again.

ngumbalo_001-11
EM: Ok. So, what motivated you to travel to South Africa to work in the mines?

ngumbalo_001-12
HN: Primarily, poverty at my home drove me to seek this WNLA contract. The household I came from was so poor. I just had to.

ngumbalo_001-13
EM: Were you married by then?

ngumbalo_001-14
HN: No. I was not married yet.

ngumbalo_001-15
EM: That you decided to leave for South Africa to work, was it through WNLA? What qualifications were they asking for?

ngumbalo_001-16
HN: Yes, I wanted to travel through WNLA contract. There was no requisite qualification so far.

ngumbalo_001-17
EM: What was your qualification then?

ngumbalo_001-18
HN: I had a Standard 8 certification (Grade 8 Leaving Certificate)

ngumbalo_001-19
EM: Did this certificate help you in anyway?

ngumbalo_001-20
HN: No, it didn’t help at all as it was necessary.

ngumbalo_001-21
EM: Tell me, was there any person who was already in South Africa that motivated you to go and work there?

ngumbalo_001-22
HN: There was no one whom I knew that was there already to motivate me.

ngumbalo_001-23
EM: So, you decided on your own to travel? So how did your parents feel when you told them that you are travelling to South Africa to work in the mines?

ngumbalo_001-24
HN: I just told them that considering the situation we have in the family I have decided to travel to South Africa to work in the mines under WNLA. They did not object my proposal at all. They gave me their blessings…… Go son and learn.

ngumbalo_001-25
EM: So, from here what did you do? Where did you go?

ngumbalo_001-26
HN: I went to my village headman to get the letter to the Traditional Authority. When I got the headman’s letter, I went to the T/A for his signature, stamp, and blessings. With T/A Mponda’s letter, I went to the Labour Office in Mangochi District Council.

ngumbalo_001-27
EM: So, you mean, without this T/A signed letter, labour office would not process your application?

ngumbalo_001-28
HN: Not at all. It was a necessary process that you get the confirmation of the traditional authority.

ngumbalo_001-29
EM: What happens at the labour office after showing them your confirmation letter from TA?

ngumbalo_001-30
HN: The labour officer would take it, and file it, then he would tell you when you should come to their office to hear when you would leave. When you come on that day, they tell you go get ready tomorrow you are leaving.

ngumbalo_001-31
EM: So there were no other measurements whatsoever?

ngumbalo_001-32
HN: Oh! Yes, there were tests. They would measure your height and weight

ngumbalo_001-33
EM: Was there specific weight and height required by WNLA?

ngumbalo_001-34
HN: Yes! And if you don’t meet the required height or weight, the officers could remove you from the list of those travelling to South Africa.

ngumbalo_001-35
EM: What next?

ngumbalo_001-36
HN: Then we were sent to Mapanga in Blantyre. They used to keep us in that tall house. They kept us there till the date of leaving for South Africa.

ngumbalo_001-37
EM: Oh, I see. So, what next?

ngumbalo_001-38
HN: When everything is set, we were taken to the railway station at Limbe. We left for South Africa by train.

ngumbalo_001-39
EM: From Limbe where were you going? Zambia or Mozambique?

ngumbalo_001-40
HN: We used to go through Mozambique. Straight to Dondo, Mashipanga, Mutare, Saulsbury now Harare, Bulawayo, Botswana,

ngumbalo_001-41
EM: In Botswana where?

ngumbalo_001-42
HN: In Francestown, then Mafikeng, Johannesburg, Germiston, Pretoria then to the mine, in Rustenburg to Union Section Mine in South Africa

ngumbalo_001-43
EM: So, you are now at the Mine, what happens?

ngumbalo_001-44
HN: When we arrived at the Mine, we received food and uniform (mkwacha), after getting food were then shown where we are to put up.

ngumbalo_001-45
EM: After that what else?

ngumbalo_001-46
HN: Early in the morning we were taken to the school mine. After that we were taken to see the doctor to get an injection on the chest (bere).

ngumbalo_001-47
EM: An injection? What was it for?

ngumbalo_001-48
HN: Not sure. I don’t know what it was. However, others were saying that it was to energize us (mphamvu). That you lift heavy stuff.

ngumbalo_001-49
EM: Ok I thought it was to reduce sexual feelings especially that you are men only in the mines?

ngumbalo_001-50
HN: Oh no. Only to give you energy to lift heavy stuff.

ngumbalo_001-51
EM: After the injection what else?

ngumbalo_001-52
HN: We then go to school mine. This school was helpful because we learnt all the stuff done in the mine. It helped us know what happens in the mine.

ngumbalo_001-53
EM: So, in the mine what were you doing?

ngumbalo_001-54
HN: I was the one making holes for other miners. I was called Tchisa boy. I was very young but with the energy we received I managed to carry out such heavy machinery,

ngumbalo_001-55
EM: Oh Okay! Interesting. Tell me how were sleeping? Same hostel/accommodation with other nationalities?

ngumbalo_001-56
HN: Malawians and Shanganis were mixed. But the pongos (locals) were not allowed to me mix with us Malawians and Shanganis.

ngumbalo_001-57
EM: Oh, that’s great. So, who was izibodo?

ngumbalo_001-58
HN: This the head, leader in the house we are sleeping. We elected him to take care of our needs and security. He was also a peace maker

ngumbalo_001-59
EM: So, what was the relationship between Malawians and the leaders in the mine? What about with other nationalities?

ngumbalo_001-60
HN: We had a very good relationship with our leaders in the mines (pass boys). We were only concentrating on working and leaders were not showing any favoritisms to any nationals. The leaders (pass boys) were encouraging to work hard and realize where we came from.

ngumbalo_001-61
EM: Were the mines clean?

ngumbalo_001-62
HN: Oh yes, the mines were always clean. Knowing there is too much dust, those on health department made sure that the mine is always clean. They were first to come to the mines to clean, and clear damages, clear moveable toilets, fix them all for safety of the miners.

ngumbalo_001-63
EM: That means the mine was taken a good care. You had a good environment.

ngumbalo_001-64
HN: Very much so, we never complained.

ngumbalo_001-65
EM: In case there were some issues miners did not like what were doing to make them be heard?

ngumbalo_001-66
HN: Ommmm to be honest we never had issues in the mine. They create a good environment for us to work hard. In my case I had one man I worked with. The boy was called spanner boy. This boy would be removing the debris after I made the holes. So, we worked just the two of us. We hardly had issues.

ngumbalo_001-67
EM: Where was this boy coming from? Malawi?

ngumbalo_001-68
HN: No, he was from Mozambique. In the mine we could mix no problem. Could be from anywhere

ngumbalo_001-69
EM: In the mine did you have the privilege to watch TV or listening to radio? Watch film?

ngumbalo_001-70
HN: Ohmmm that time we had no TVs. We had was the radios. We had individual radios to listen to news from home and local. We could listen on our free time.

ngumbalo_001-71
EM: I know the time you were there; apartheid was at its climax in South Africa. Did this affect you in the mines or outside?

ngumbalo_001-72
HN: No way. It never affected us all. We hardly went out in the communities to experience. If anything, we could hear on radios.

ngumbalo_001-73
EM: How about newspapers? Were you accessing them for your readership?

ngumbalo_001-74
HN: Ohmmmm I was not bothered to get local newspapers from Malawi. I did not even read South African newspapers. If anything, I was only interested in listen to news from Malawi on the radio.

ngumbalo_001-75
EM: To hear what Dr. Kamuzu Banda said?

ngumbalo_001-76
HN: Exactly, I wanted to know how he is doing. He was such a tyrant man.

ngumbalo_001-77
EM: Oh! Ok. While you were working, did you have thoughts or fears of losing your job especially in the middle of the contract?

ngumbalo_001-78
HN: Oh no. You know what we knew the exact date of the end of our contract. And they made sure we finished our contracts. So, I had no fears unless being sick and then decide to leave for home.

ngumbalo_001-79
EM: Is that so? So, would they treat you the same way as you travelled to South Africa when returning home?

ngumbalo_001-80
HN: Exactly same treatment. They made sure we land in Malawi and to our families. They were very caring on that regard.

ngumbalo_001-81
EM: So, nothing that you complained about on these journeys?

ngumbalo_001-82
HN: No complaint

ngumbalo_001-83
EM: Tell me who was paying for transportation?

ngumbalo_001-84
HN: I really do not know. Could be them (WNLA) or Malawi government. We were only travelling, being served with food etc. without knowing who is responsible.

ngumbalo_001-85
EM: While working in the mine, were there some accidents of different nature? What was WNLA doing then? Compensate?

ngumbalo_001-86
HN: Yes, many accidents. Many were receiving first aid right away. But I know one Malawian who was coming from Ntcheu who was cut fingers. He could not continue working and was sent home. He was given money as part of compensation. I knew this because he was my roommate.

ngumbalo_001-87
EM: Oh okay. I am told there was too much dust in the mines. Were TB and other diseases common in the mines?

ngumbalo_001-88
HN: Yes, too much dust. But it was not a big deal.

ngumbalo_001-89
EM: Did you not suffer?

ngumbalo_001-90
HN: Me? No, I did not suffer from it. And every six months they took us for TB testing.

ngumbalo_001-91
EM: Is that so?

ngumbalo_001-92
HN: Yes. Every six month

ngumbalo_001-93
EM: Oh! That was good. I asked you earlier on and want to ask again. During your acquiring WNLA contract processes, did you have to bribe any officer to fast track or recommend you?

ngumbalo_001-94
HN: During those days, no ways. You just had to get the form from the chief and do the needful. Nothing like corrupting anyone unlike these days.

ngumbalo_001-95
EM: Wow! That was wonderful. Unlike today, without a k2000 kick back to the officer you won’t get any service. So, while in the mines how much were you receiving as your monthly salary? Do you remember?

ngumbalo_001-96
HN: Oh! Yes, I do remember. It is still in my memory. When were leaving Blantyre for South Africa, they told us per day you were going to receive R0.22 (22 cents)?

ngumbalo_001-97
EM: It was not reaching R1 (One Rand)? [laughed, jokingly)

ngumbalo_001-98
HN: [laughed] No ways. There was no one who received one rand per day.

ngumbalo_001-99
EM: So only 22 Cents? Sad, but anyway it was a while ago, it means it was that much.

ngumbalo_001-100
HN: Exactly it was money then

ngumbalo_001-101
EM: Was that after subtracting the one they sent home to your bank accounts?

ngumbalo_001-102
HN: No that’s the full pay. They would then make all the necessary deductions from that one. Including the one they sent to our saving accounts back home

ngumbalo_001-103
EM: That was too small indeed.

ngumbalo_001-104
HN: Yes. And the one they sent home was too small as compared to the one they gave us while in the mine.

ngumbalo_001-105
EM: Wow! And how did you feel about that injustice?

ngumbalo_001-106
HN: Nothing, we were that powerless. Not in control at all, they were deciding on anything they wanted.

ngumbalo_001-107
EM: Tell me while in the mines were you having some sexual relationships within or outside?

ngumbalo_001-108
HN: No ways (laughs). We were only men no women. Outside ohmmm no, we hardly went outside the mines.

ngumbalo_001-109
EM: But you were not married then? So, you kept yourself intact, abstaining from sexual activities?

ngumbalo_001-110
HN: Yes. We had to. Like me I had never even thought about that. We had to work so hard that no time to think of those things.

ngumbalo_001-111
EM: Could it be that the vaccine they gave you earlier on?

ngumbalo_001-112
HN: [laughs] No… maybe but I don’t think so.

ngumbalo_001-113
EM: So, have you received all your money from WNLA? Do they owe you anything like bonuses?

ngumbalo_001-114
HN: Well, when we were leaving, they gave us a document written as bonus booklet. In it there were all our details. When I asked them what does it mean? They told me that this document will help you to be identified as a former worker and that you will immediately receive first attention to any mine when you report back. That was strange because to me bonus was money. This was contrary to my thinking. I was confused.

ngumbalo_001-115
EM: Tell me were you able to send money back home? If yes, how was it possible when some of the money was sent directly to your saving accounts?

ngumbalo_001-116
HN: Oh yes, I used to send some of the money home from the money that we received in South Africa. The one sent to our accounts was not tampered with.

ngumbalo_001-117
EM: Was that money sent home by you to your family from you’re the 22cents?

ngumbalo_001-118
HN: Yes, we used to send from our little we received at hand in while in South Africa. We could send 5 kwachas (K5) to Malawi for our family to use.

ngumbalo_001-119
EM: So why were you sending this money? What was your family using it for?

ngumbalo_001-120
HN: Just for the family back home to use. Some would use it for school though it was free, a few things needed to pay by parents. Fees was only 8 Tambala.

ngumbalo_001-121
EM: You did not use this money for your wedding?

ngumbalo_001-122
HN: No. You know I only married in 1978 when I was back. I just used the money in my saving accounts and blankets I brought from South Africa for my marriage.

ngumbalo_001-123
EM: Oh, I see, so you did not have to use much as your tribe does not pay lobola (dowry)?

ngumbalo_001-124
HN: Exactly, I had to go to my wife’s family home. You spend less kkkkkk (laughs)as we don’t have chilowolo (dowry) (money paid to the wife’s parents)

ngumbalo_001-125
EM: Tell me as we are going towards the end, you are in the mines working, ever thought of quitting mine work to go outside and find some work less difficult, probably with good pay?

ngumbalo_001-126
HN: Not at all. It was difficult because if they find you, they would arrest you for two weeks and then bring you back to the mine to continue working.

ngumbalo_001-127
EM: Wow two weeks and then bring you back to the mine? Very interesting. South Africa at that time it was going through difficult times with politics, violence, riots due to apartheid regime, was that having any impact on you?

ngumbalo_001-128
HN: No. It did not have any impact on us as we hardly went out to mix with the locals. We were always within our own environment.

ngumbalo_001-129
EM: How about the police in case you met them outside the mines?

ngumbalo_001-130
HN: When you meet police especially when you are over drunk, they would ask you to show them your ID number on your arm.

ngumbalo_001-131
EM: Oh! You had numbers?

ngumbalo_001-132
HN: Yes, we had mine numbers which we wore in our arms. So, when the police see you with that number, they would leave you without any problem

ngumbalo_001-133
EM: When you finished your two years of contract, you could have decided to run aways from the mines and start another piece jobs outside the mines. What made you decide to come back home instead?

ngumbalo_001-134
HN: There was a policy that we had to come back home after the contract, in addition to that, we were nostalgic. We wanted to come home to see parents and people back home after two years away.

ngumbalo_001-135
EM: That makes sense. However, others wanted to go home and see if that money they were deducted was reaching into their accounts back home. Does that talk about you as well?

ngumbalo_001-136
HN: Very true we were anxious to know if my money is in my account and how much?

ngumbalo_001-137
EM: So, what kind of reception did you get upon arriving home?

ngumbalo_001-138
HN: They were looking forward to meeting me after two years away. A great reception from everyone. They wanted to see what I would bring back home as was the norm to bring blankets etc.

ngumbalo_001-139
EM: Me; Were there traditional dances arranged for your arrival?

ngumbalo_001-140
HN: Oh yes, they were [laughs]. A warm welcome

ngumbalo_001-141
EM: Was there something bothering you about going back?

ngumbalo_001-142
HN: Not really. Only wanted to see what it is I didn’t do that when I go back, I can do much better?

ngumbalo_001-143
EM: Weren’t you driven also to see what the family did with the money that you have been sending them? Since others used the money sent abroad by relatives to drink excessively, and mismanage the money in other forms?

ngumbalo_001-144
HN: Not really

ngumbalo_001-145
EM: Finally, I want to reiterate your consent to the information you have given here. So, you agree that this information be published in the books, websites and be quoted?

ngumbalo_001-146
HN: Yes! You can go ahead please and do that. You can use my name and the information provided here. Hope my grand children will one day listen to me.

ngumbalo_001-147
EM: Thank you so much, Mr. Ngumbalo Harry for opening doors to me. We shall meet again on 22nd May in Mangochi for the group interview.

Spouse_001

spouse_001-1
Elias P.K. Mandala (EM): Today is Saturday, 8th July, 2023. I am here in Mangochi to chat with women whose husbands travelled to South Africa, under WNLA arrangement/contracts between 1939 to 1975. Some of these women’s men traveled beyond WNLA to TEBA from 1977 to 1988. So these women have rich and personal stories to share.

spouse_001-2
EM: I want to welcome you all to this group interview. This time, I will have a group interview where each one of you will be given opportunity to express your experiences. You will also be given opportunity to ask questions. At any point you feel to share please come in with your contribution. Stop me and share your experience.

spouse_001-3
EM: These experiences are vital to our learning, for the future of our kids. They will learn the brevity of their grandfathers, leaving the country for greener pastures, to lay a good foundation for their children. Their family and grandchildren are now enjoying their lives because these grandfathers sacrificed themselves a lot of things to make sure they set out a good foundation for their children and possibly clan.

spouse_001-4
EM: Therefore, I want you all to be open and free to share your stories based on my questions/ though not restricted to share other key elements/facts behind your stories. This sharing will help us keep your stories, and that of your husbands. The future generation will appreciate these stories. If you hide these rich stories, the future generation will not have no bank of stories to learn from. You just told me that you lost the letters that you exchanged with your husbands while away. We all lost a huge treasure.

spouse_001-5
All: Indeed we lost them because we never realized of their importance. (No chidwi). We lost them as something of no use.

spouse_001-6
EM: You see. If only you held them at heart today we could have been reading them, bringing back the lost memories. So today your stories might be telling me, but would in the future benefit a lot of people. So your stories will be kept very safe on the internet. So your openness will be greatly appreciated.

spouse_001-7
EM: Therefore, before I come to the main interview, I need to establish with you a few things. Firstly, be aware that whatever we are doing here will be recorded. Secondly, all the recorded information will be kept very safe on the internet. That way, all the recorded material shall be made accessible to all interested parties be it lecturers, students of all walks of life, our children. That way, your grandchildren will not be strangers to such stories themselves when asked in the future.

spouse_001-8
EM: When I get up to here, can I get your consent to record and keep these rich stories online, on the internet where all interested stakeholders can ably access?

spouse_001-9
All: Very possible and you can go ahead.

spouse_001-10
EM: Please respond with energy

spouse_001-11
All: Yes go ahead and do like that. (Consent)

spouse_001-12
EM: These interviews are not necessarily mine. I am conducting them on behalf of Professor Julie Weise. Do you agree that she can also access them, use them for her books and articles in the future?

spouse_001-13
All: Yes, she can have access to any document she would like to have.

spouse_001-14
EM: What I mean by asking you all is consent. We don’t want that in the future you come accuse us for keeping materials you never consented to.

spouse_001-15
All: So far we don’t have any problem with that. You may advise her to have full access to the material shared.

spouse_001-16
EM: Now am ready to ask you to first introduce yourselves, individually, where you came from, your husband’s name and possibly when they travelled, and how often did he travel (no. of journeys). For instance, if he traveled in 1961 and back in 1962, then in 1963 and back in 1964, that would mean your husband traveled twice.

spouse_001-17
EM: I will start with you madam.

spouse_001-18
EM: Tereza Saiwala?

spouse_001-19
Tereza Saiwala (TS): Yes.

spouse_001-20
EM: Your husband?

spouse_001-21
TS: Sinosi Saiwala

spouse_001-22
EM: What village are you coming from?

spouse_001-23
TS: From Mkanjo Village, TA: Mwambo, District Zomba.

spouse_001-24
EM: So what brought you to Mangochi?

spouse_001-25
TS: After all the travels, we migrated to Mangochi for labour. We ended settling here

spouse_001-26
EM: Is your husband alive?

spouse_001-27
TS: No he’s dead. Died two years ago (2021)

spouse_001-28
EM: Sorry to hear of the loss. So would you remember when he travelled and how many journeys?

spouse_001-29
TS: Yes I do remember. He traveled twice. The first journey was in 1960. So he came back in 1962.

spouse_001-30
EM: So when did he go back?

spouse_001-31
TS: He went back just after a month. Meaning he left in 1962 and back in 1964.

spouse_001-32
EM: Do you remember when he was born?

spouse_001-33
TS: No I can’t remember as I lost all the documents.

spouse_001-34
EM: How many children did he live you with?

spouse_001-35
TS: He left me with six (6) children. Unfortunately, I lost one

spouse_001-36
EM: Thank you so much for this detailed introduction. We will meet later after other introductions.

spouse_001-37
Aisha Bakali (AB): My name is Aisha Bakali

spouse_001-38
EM: Oh these are Mangochi names

spouse_001-39
AB: Exactly

spouse_001-40
EM: Your husband’s name?

spouse_001-41
AB: Pande Njira Bakali

spouse_001-42
EM: From where?

spouse_001-43
AB: From T/A Mponda, Mangochi

spouse_001-44
EM: Is he alive?

spouse_001-45
AB: Oh no his dead. He died in 1999

spouse_001-46
EM: How many journeys did Mr. Pande Bakali travel?

spouse_001-47
AB: He traveled twice.

spouse_001-48
EM: From when?

spouse_001-49
AB: 1964-1966, and went again in 1967-1969.

spouse_001-50
EM: So he made two WNLA journeys. So did he go again for TEBA?

spouse_001-51
AB: Yes he did and stayed only for 9 months and that was in 1973.

spouse_001-52
EM: But that’s still WNLA?

spouse_001-53
AB: Oh is that so?

spouse_001-54
EM: And he came back early due to plane crash. In that case, he made 3 journeys. How many children so did you have with him?

spouse_001-55
AB: He left me with six (6) children and are all alive

spouse_001-56
EM: Oh okay.

spouse_001-57
Delia Baston Mawilo (DB): I am Delia Baston Mawilo.

spouse_001-58
EM: Your husband’s name

spouse_001-59
DB: His name was Baston Mawilo.

spouse_001-60
EM: Do you know when he was born?

spouse_001-61
DB: Yes, he was born in 1952, in Chalingana Village, T/A Changata, Thyolo District.

spouse_001-62
EM: Very interesting that you people came from different districts though of the same traditional cultures (matrilineal). So how many journeys did he go?

spouse_001-63
DB: Under WNLA he only went once. From 1970-1972.

spouse_001-64
EM: Oh okay. Then he continued with TEBA?

spouse_001-65
DB: Yes he went for TEBA from 1978 till the closure.

spouse_001-66
EM: Is your husband alive?

spouse_001-67
DB: No he died sometime back on 25 May. 2014

spouse_001-68
EM: So all these journeys were happening while in Thyolo or in Mangochi?

spouse_001-69
DB: All of them while in Thyolo District. We only shifted when the government had established a find a place project. So we decided to come and settle here.

spouse_001-70
EM: That’s great. So next?

spouse_001-71
MB: I am Modesta Lingiston Brahim.

spouse_001-72
EM: Wow this is very Islamic name?

spouse_001-73
MB: Indeed that’s obvious Sir.

spouse_001-74
EM: And what is the name of your husband?

spouse_001-75
MB: Lingston Brahim.

spouse_001-76
EM: Oh ok. Is he alive?

spouse_001-77
MB: Unfortunately he passed on a few years ago.

spouse_001-78
EM: Where was he from? His village?

spouse_001-79
MB: He was from Supelo Village, T/A Chimaliro, Thyolo District

spouse_001-80
EM: Wow, many people who originated from Thyolo but opted to settle here in Mangochi. How many journeys did he make to WNLA?

spouse_001-81
MB: He made two journeys, one WNLA and one TEBA

spouse_001-82
EM: would you remember the years he travelled?

spouse_001-83
MB: He travelled first in 1972-1974 under WNLA and 1977-1978 under TEBA.

spouse_001-84
EM: I see. Did he leave you with children?

spouse_001-85
MB: Yes. He left me with 10 children but two passed on. I now have only 8 children.

spouse_001-86
DB: But you did not ask me about if I had children on not?

spouse_001-87
EM: Oh really? How I did I miss that? Let me check. For sure, I did. My apology. So how many do you have?

spouse_001-88
DB: Oh I have six (6) but I lost two. Now I have only 4 children.

spouse_001-89
EM: Thank you so much for reminding me. Let me go back to you Mrs. Brahim. Why did you move to Mangochi?

spouse_001-90
MB: We had no land to settle in Thyolo, so we had to buy a land here in Mangochi, and settled. We also bought land in Monkeybay (lakeside).

spouse_001-91
EM: I think I have now known each of you. Anyone who joins us later, will do due diligence.

spouse_001-92
EM: By the way, I am Elias Mandala, research coordinator; I work with various researchers around the global. I am Malawian, born and bred in Nsanje district.

spouse_001-93
EM: I will get your further details like phones at the end of the interviews and whatever you many have.

spouse_001-94
TS: That’s fine. But some of us do not have phones. We communicate through our block leaders. Some of us too are representatives of the women of migrant workers.

spouse_001-95
EM: Is that so? So you are actually put in blocks? And you are actually leaders of these blocks?

spouse_001-96
TS: Exactly, we represent other women

spouse_001-97
EM: I want to remind you that this interview and any other material from this group meeting will be shared to other scholars, published in books, and online (websites) etc. Would you again confirm your consent?

spouse_001-98
All: Oh, yes please go ahead.

spouse_001-99
EM: Thank you so much. We now can start our meeting. I will start putting questions across and anyone who feels ready to start responding please do so. Each of you will be able to respond to the same question.

spouse_001-100
EM: Would you, please tell me how was your childhood like before meeting your husband?

spouse_001-101
TS: I came from a very poor family, and I had to work on various piecework jobs for food. My parents were small-scale farmers who had very little to offer. Sometimes, we had to go through eating cassava roots (makaka) because we could not afford decent food. This is why I didn't have the opportunity to receive an education. That was my childhood till I met my husband and started my own family.

spouse_001-102
EM: Thank you for sharing. Anyone ready to share her story?

spouse_001-103
DB: In my case, were in a family of four. Two boys and two girls. However, my younger sister passed on while young. When we were growing up the three of us, we used to help our parents with any piecework they may find. Mostly were in the farms and that’s the way we got food and little money to buy other needs. We used to grow seasonal foods like maize and cassava. The extra we could sell to buy our needs like soap and clothes. So this is how we grow up until I got married my husband

spouse_001-104
EM: So, family, was like a rescue from family poverty?

spouse_001-105
DB: (laughs). It may sound like that.

spouse_001-106
EM: Okay. So, did you go to school? Or attend any form of education?

spouse_001-107
DB: Not all. I did not considering the level of poverty at home.

spouse_001-108
EM: Oh yeah. How about you Mrs. TS, did you manage to attend school?

spouse_001-109
TS: (Laughs), not really as I only reached and ended at STD 1.

spouse_001-110
EM: Wow! At least you could read and write.

spouse_001-111
TS: Yes, and I could only write my name

spouse_001-112
EM: Now I turn to you. How was your childhood?

spouse_001-113
MB: As for me I had a very terrible childhood. When I was born in 1965, the doctor named me. This pissed off my father to the point of denying me as his daughter. According to my mother, the doctor realized how I was going to grow up considering that my father refused me. She decided to buy me various clothes of different ages. She gave them to my mom. In 1971, I had to start school though I was not treated like the other children in the family. But I pushed myself and I dropped in standard 7. I had to do piece works while I was really young to afford my clothes etc. This treatment forced me to get married while very young. That’s the kind of my childhood.

spouse_001-114
EM: Wow! That’s a really hard situation. So sad story indeed. I feel sorry for you.

spouse_001-115
EM: Next. Please share about your childhood.

spouse_001-116
AB: I was born in 1960. My dad died while was just born. So I grew with my poor mom. We were four children. It was really hard for my mom to take care of us alone. She had to brew beers (Kachasu) to manage the needs of our family. So this poverty sent me fast into marriage as a scapegoat. I was married and with my husband assisted my tired mother.

spouse_001-117
EM: Oh okay. And in that condition, did you attend any form of education?

spouse_001-118
AB: No way. There was no chance. We had to work in the farms to meet our needs. So I had no opportunity to attend school.

spouse_001-119
All: Okay, thanks. Now tell me anything you know about the Chikanga Cult? I is well documented that people were being persecuted politically. This was prevalent in Mangochi

spouse_001-120
All: Ohmm no idea. Some of us were in Thyolo, hence we didn’t know any of these uprising.

spouse_001-121
Mmadi: I think I can explain what I heard as I was not born then. People say around the early 1960s close to the independence, Kamuzu Banda was threatened by his colleagues, in the likes of Orton Chirwa, Masauko Chipembere, who came from here Mangochi. So people especially of the MCP thought we are behind Chipembere and hence persecuted us the people of Mangochi. That is what I heard from our elders.

spouse_001-122
EM: Oh I see. That makes some sense.

spouse_001-123
EM: Now let us go back to the questions.

spouse_001-124
EM: Before your men/husbands left for South Africa to work in the mines, did you know anyone who had left or was working there?

spouse_001-125
MB: Yes I knew of my grandfather who went to work in the mines in South Africa. So my husband came home and made a decision to also go to South Africa to alleviate our poverty. When I agreed, he immediately started the process. He went to the village headman, chief to collect letters to court, then labour office. At labour office, he would be weighed if fit enough to travel. If deemed fit, he would be called later on for the journey to Blantyre where he would be weighed again and undergo various health tests. If all the tests went on well, then he would travel to South Africa. All these tests were done to make sure they are very fit for the hard work in the mines. And if not weighed fit enough, he was sent home and told to eat more proteins, or eat more roasted groundnuts to help gain more weight. As for my husband, was weighed fit, and he knew he was going ahead because he received the blanket that had black and white stripes.

spouse_001-126
EM: Was that the one they called TCHALE?

spouse_001-127
MB: No, that was called Chiperone blankets

spouse_001-128
EM: Where were they receiving these blankets?

spouse_001-129
MB: At Wenela. From here they left for Msilikazi. At this place, they were also another scrutiny. They were put to other inhumane tests where they had to be naked in front of everyone. My husband complained about this experience. When, they found them fit, they were given a painful injection to make them very hard and strong to fit the conditions in the mines they were heading to. That is what he used to tell me when he returned home.

spouse_001-130
EM: wow! This is very informative. What about you?

spouse_001-131
DB: As for me, my husband’s uncle had already gone to South Africa. He was the one who enquired if my husband would also go there so that he could also make money for his family.

spouse_001-132
EM: Oh, you mean his uncle was already in South Africa?

spouse_001-133
DB: Exactly. We then thought this is a better option to tackle our family poverty. Though it was difficult to leave, we helped each other to make sure he left for South Africa. With God’s help, he managed to leave and found his uncle there. He wrote me a letter that he arrived well, and received and had started work. The uncle came back a bit ill, and after two months he died. After two years my husband came back home with the money he had made. We settled as a family and enjoyed our lives together.

spouse_001-134
EM: Ok thanks for sharing. Now how did you meet your husband? (50:00.72)

spouse_001-135
TS: In my case, we met and got married on 5th February 1972. And guess what in March, he had to leave for WNLA again. So we did not enjoy the marriage that much before he went again for WNLA in South Africa. If anything it remained through the letter exchanges only.

spouse_001-136
EM: This was necessitated by the husband’s responsibility on you I guess?

spouse_001-137
TS: Exactly. We had no choice. We were poor. A man must work to feed his family.

spouse_001-138
EM: Thank you. What about you, Madam?

spouse_001-139
MB: In my case we met when I was very young. My husband was much older than me. But because of poverty I had to accept him even though I was too young to know a man. In honest, my husband took a good care of me. He brought me up and in the process never touched me waiting for me to grow up. While away he tried to keep in touch through letters, and support he sent to me. He was a very good man. We were married officially in 1980 and started a family. I had my first child in 1983 and in 2014 is when I lost my husband.

spouse_001-140
EM: Oh! Sorry to hear about his death. How about you Madam?

spouse_001-141
AB: Ok. We married and barely after two months, he left for South Africa on WNLA. We did not have enough time together, but I understood the need for him to travel. He left me at the house of my mother because I could not live with his aged brother. Though he left me behind, we kept the lines of communications through the letters and financial support.

spouse_001-142
EM: So when he left on that journey, and you said you were at your parents’ house, did he build you a house to stay?

spouse_001-143
AB: Not at all. We had no money to build a house for me. I just lived in my family home.

spouse_001-144
EM: Oh ok. So you were all married when your men left for WNLA in South Africa?

spouse_001-145
All: All yes we were all married

spouse_001-146
EM: Now that they left you for South Africa after marrying you, some of you just after a month, two months etc. Did you have any fears for your husbands?

spouse_001-147
TS: Definitely. My major concern was am sure my friends too had similar fear of them marrying other women in South Africa and forgetting us here.

spouse_001-148
EM: Oh really?

spouse_001-149
TS: We thought they could really marry there. But thank God my parents comforted me and encouraged me to have faith that he will come back for me and won’t marry anyone else while there. Indeed he came back and found me intact. And all the children I have are his until his demise in 2000.

spouse_001-150
EM: So your support system was that instrumental to your commitment to your husband?

spouse_001-151
TS: Yes, especially our parents would advise us to have faith until our men came back home. They would ask us to imagine the man comes back home to hear stories of infidelity and he decides to marry another woman, and all the blankets, clothes he brought home would go to that woman, when all that would have been mine. So these stories and pieces of advice kept us so faithful and committed.

spouse_001-152
AB: In my case, I did not have any fears as I was very young and living with my parents. To me he was my superhero who lifted me out of poverty as he was sending money to my family no and again to convince me to remain steadfast and not think of any man but him. And when he came back home from WNLA all what he brought with him left to my family and not to his family. He really loved and respected me. So I could never disappoint him. He even built a house within my family. And he treated me like his sister not his wife then, while waiting for me to mature as a woman. That respect was really something I loved him about. We even started doing piece works when the WNLA money finished. We were madly in love.

spouse_001-153
EM: Oh Ok

spouse_001-154
AB: So when TEBA started that’s when he decided to go again. But before going he decided that we get married as I was now fully matured to begin a marriage. We got married in 1980 and started a family. That is when he started going to TEBA.

spouse_001-155
EM: When did you know that your husband was planning to go to South Africa to work in the mines under WNLA? And was your first reaction?

spouse_001-156
DM: My husband introduced the plan to me verbally. When we agreed, that’s when he started by going to collect the letter from the chief. I reacted well considering the level of poverty we were enduring in the family. I thought that was a very good idea.

spouse_001-157
EM: That was great. Next?

spouse_001-158
AB: We discussed as a family. And I supported the idea which was introduced by our uncle. The level of poverty was the main reason I supported the idea. We knew by going we will be better off just like those who had gone and come back before.

spouse_001-159
TS: Just like others, we sat down and agreed to the idea. It was not a difficult decision.

spouse_001-160
MB: We sat down and seeing what we were going through, we decided that as a head of the family, he should also go. We were living in my brother’s house; we also needed to get money to build our own. When he got there, and started work, he sent me money to build our own house. When he came back, he found us in our own house.

spouse_001-161
EM: So you are all saying you had to sit down as a family to discuss this journey. What was driving you to this discussion?

spouse_001-162
All: Poverty. It was absolute poverty. Imagine with a child with only a two meter cloth sleeping together. The same piece of cloth was meant to wear during the day, protecting the babe, and at night becoming a blanket to the three of us. To alleviate ourselves from poverty that’s why our men had to leave to work.

spouse_001-163
EM: Now that all is set for your husband is leaving for South Africa to work in the WNLA mines. What piece of advice did you give him?

spouse_001-164
DM: I did ask him that as you are heading to South Africa, you are young and I am young too. Won’t you decide to marry another lady there? He said, my wife, I am going to South Africa not to look for a woman to marry but to look for family prosperity. He convinced me that he is only going to chase money not women.

spouse_001-165
EM: Ok next.

spouse_001-166
AB: For me, I requested him to bring his parents and that I brought mine too that we confirm in front of our parents our commitment to our marriage. He agreed to that. All parents came and discussed and it was agreed that we all remain faithful to each other despite distance. (1:10:27). We agreed to that and he then left and we never betrayed each other since.

spouse_001-167
EM: Next

spouse_001-168
TS: I had the same fear but he assured me that he is only going there to make money to alleviate our family poverty not to look for another woman. And I was convinced and he left.

spouse_001-169
MB: in my case, our grandparents from both sides came to advise us. They advised him not to chase other skates while in South Africa and to me they asked me not to replace my husband with other men around here. We both vowed not to betray each other. Further, when we came to our bedroom and alone, we reiterated and confirmed out commitment to each other.

spouse_001-170
EM: It is indeed nice to note the level of commitment that existed between you and your husbands despite the distance and time. I wonder if the new generation can live up to this level of trust and commitment. So how did you feel the day that he was finally leaving for South Africa?

spouse_001-171
MB: The day he left was the most difficult one. I have several questions. Is he really going? Why can’t he just abandon the journey? Won’t he meet and get enticed by other women while there? All these were some of the questions. However, I thanked God that he arrived safely when he wrote me a letter confirming of his arrival. He also confirmed that he started work well in a mine called Mshongolo (sp).

spouse_001-172
DB: That was the most difficult day to both of us. In the morning when all was set, I accompanied her to the stage. When he left, I went back home. After few hours I saw him coming back home. I asked what happened. He said, I think I was mistaken of the dates. He told me he would instead leave early in the morning. But I knew my man is not sure of going and leaving me behind.

spouse_001-173
DB: At night he called to himself, as he was not staying with me yet. He asked me several questions. One was that would I still wait for him and not accept another man to snatch me from him? I told him, no ways. For all you have been doing to me. All the support to me and my family I cannot cheat or run away from you. I am here and will be faithful to you. He then asked me to vow before the bible by beating it. I had to do it to confirm that I am not going to see another man but to wait for him. That was how hard it was to both of us.

spouse_001-174
EM: Wow! That must have been really hard to both of you.

spouse_001-175
DB: And in the morning he asked me not to accompany him to the stage. He just left and never came back. I knew that he arrived well, when wrote me a letter. In the letter he reiterated that I should remain steadfast and commit to him only that I should not see any other man. But that was easy for me. I knew love is blood and not money. I had to remain faithful to him.

spouse_001-176
EM: Wow! That is awesome. Next?

spouse_001-177
AB: On the day of departure, my husband invited his parents to our home. He told them that he was leaving Ishallah and please look after my wife, her ways and if she is cheating on me. And upon his arrival, he wrote two letters one for me and the other one with instructions that I must not open for his parents. In the letter, he had asked his parents if am cheating on him. The parents replied to him that the lady is very fine and faithful to you. So after two years, he came back and found me the way he had left me, and after few months, I fell pregnant for our first child. That is my story.

spouse_001-178
EM: Fantastic story. next!

spouse_001-179
TS: A night before his departure, I prepared warm water for a shower. After that we started talking about our worries, mainly about insecurities in case he marries someone else while away and me falling in love with other men while he is away. But I vowed to him that I won’t do that. He also convinced me not to do likewise. The morning he left as planned.

spouse_001-180
EM: Oh okay. Great stories to hear. I was thinking at times that men or you women would shed tears when their loved ones were going far away?

spouse_001-181
All: True, in this case shedding tears was understood as a way of bringing bad luck to the travelling men. So that was why we did not shed tears. But we had to be strong as we could not do anything more.

spouse_001-182
EM: Is there anyone whose husband left a child on his first journey?

spouse_001-183
All: No. only after first and others second journey. Remember the first journeys left soon after marriages.

spouse_001-184
EM: Oh yes that is true. How about after few journeys? Those children how did they feel parting with their fathers?

spouse_001-185
DM: Children felt missing their fathers. Most fathers used to buy dolls and stuff for kids to be reminded that their fathers love them and care for them. Those dolls and playing games were meant to remember of their fathers till they come back. Some of us used to take pictures with the kids to send to their dads to remember them. That was a really good thing to them being far away.

spouse_001-186
EM: Now that they have gone to South Africa and have arrived safely, months have passed on. How did you feel? How was it like?

spouse_001-187
AB: Mostly was filled with expectations. We waited to hear anything from him. So basically was the feeling of waiting as to when he is coming back.

spouse_001-188
DM: It was for me waiting to hear from him especially through a letter. But when you can’t hear from him to most women with weak minds, meant that the husband has forgotten about her and probably married another woman, when it was not like that. Yes, we heard stories of women getting other men and ignoring their husbands who went to work in the minds simply because of the gulf of communication.

spouse_001-189
MB: In my case it was about missing my love only. I never thought of ill things at all. I knew he wanted to get there, get settled and then would write me a letter explaining how he travelled. Like first time, he wrote me a letter while doing the training school of how to work in the mines.

spouse_001-190
TS: My husband sent me a letter when he arrived. He explained how he travelled and made me at ease.

spouse_001-191
EM: Oh okay. What about the time he just left, what was it like?

spouse_001-192
TS: It was a bit worrying but just praying. So prayer was instrumental that my husband arrives there safely. Bible was crucial

spouse_001-193
EM: What are the things that make you think that my husband made a good decision to go to work in the mine in South Africa under WNLA?

spouse_001-194
MB: The things included the suitcase full of clothes, radio, bicycle, blankets, mattresses, with two pillows one his and one mine. It was really nice. Then I rushed to call his parents, who were there when he was leaving. It was a very momentous time.

spouse_001-195
MB: So I told them you see he is back as he said he would be.

spouse_001-196
EM: Was all this from the first journey?

spouse_001-197
MB: Yes it was

spouse_001-198
DM: For me was joyful moments as when he arrived he never went to his family but to my house first with all the stuff he brought back. After three days he called me into the room. There were two expand suitcases one for me and one his. He opened them there were full clothes for me and his. Blankets there, mattresses there, folded beds there all for us. There was also one expand suitcase for parents. That suitcase contained clothes for the husband side and my family side. Male clothes well folded on top and female clothes well folded below. He then asked me to pick one folded pieces of clothes for my parents. But then I told him no need of doing that as all the clothes are arranged equally. So I took one pair to his family and another to my parents. Then when I opened my own suitcase, I found all clothes mine. While in his suitcase, there were only few clothes. Honestly I felt very honoured that am really loved by my husband. And till this time, my husband and I had not known each other as a man and woman.

spouse_001-199
AB: My husband arrived at night. I just heard a knock and I opened the door only to see my husband whom I waited for a long period. I prepared water for him to take a bath. While he was taking a bath, my mother sent a message to my husband’s parents to alert them of the arriving home of their son. We were all full excitement that we met again while with good health. His parents came to our house in the morning. While in bed, my husband presented to me two suitcases. One was meant to be shared between our parents. The other suitcase was ours.

spouse_001-200
AB: In the morning his parents came, after greetings, they picked aside their son and told him that, your wife was very faithful. He was never seen seeing other men while you were away. Later on, my parents also took him aside, and asked him how did you find our daughter? He said I found her as exactly the way I left. I was also asked by his parents if I have noticed anything in the man? I told them so far nothing has changed. We are both happy with each other. Well, after two months, I fell pregnant and gave birth to our first child, a boy. While he was gone that is when he was born. Then the other kids were born while he was back.

spouse_001-201
TS: I was told that he is coming by his friends who arrived earlier. Hence, I rushed to inform his parents about his imminent arrival. When he arrived, we welcomed him. He came with a bicycle, radio and four suitcases of which two were divided between my parents and his own. The rest were our own. We were all happy and seen the importance of that journey.

spouse_001-202
EM: Very exciting stories indeed. Thank you. But can you name one thing that really points out the importance of your husband’s journey to WNLA?

spouse_001-203
DM: He bought sowing machines, one for my parents, one to his parents, a stereo/zodiac (Gumba-Gumba) music player which was being hired for public events in the village even when he was away. So the machine played a pivotal role in reducing our poverty. The other thing was the house that we built with the money. Those were the most important things that were very profitable and we were grateful to WNLA journeys.

spouse_001-204
EM: Wow.

spouse_001-205
AB: My husband bought a bicycle which was very helpful to both families. We used it for various reasons including business. The maize mills were far away and we had to rely on this bicycle. We also used to transport fruits like oranges, lemons, tangerines and cassava tubes to sell. On top of that, he built a sizeable house for me and my child before building the big house later. So the bicycle and house remain the crucial benefits of WNLA journeys.

spouse_001-206
TS: My husband built a descent big house, with glasses and nice doors. That remained very crucial.

spouse_001-207
MB: He bought two bicycles, one to my family and one to his family. He then bought animals. To my family he bought goats and to his family pigs. The bicycle to my family also used to transport my son to school.

spouse_001-208
EM: If I can reverse the same question. What was the most difficult thing that you experienced while your husband away?

spouse_001-209
MB: The most difficult challenge was about the loneliness especially when the child fell sick. I had to be taking the baby to the hospital alone. The other thing was felt when he delays to send me some money. It was tough because I would miss the gardening period. I could not get fertilizer on time. But when he sends on time, I would do gardening effectively.

spouse_001-210
AB: The same loneliness and late sending of money from the husband for support, especially when we have a child or children. We had to be doing piece jobs for survival. This was hard and painful at times. You would wish your man was here.

spouse_001-211
DM: In my case, the most difficult thing was that when he went away, there was a robbery at my house. This was worrying as I lost personal stuff to assist me and child.

spouse_001-212
TS: Me I didn’t have anything to worry about as my husband had bought me a garden to which I spent most of my time. So there was not much to think about. Both my father in-law and mother in-law never interrupted me. In honest, I had less worries.

spouse_001-213
EM: Remind AB did your husband build you a house?

spouse_001-214
AB: No. he only build when he came back, all along I was living at his family home.

spouse_001-215
DM: In my case, due to the poverty at my own home, my husband left me at his family home. However, when he came back, he wanted to build a house of his own that is when he built a house away from his family. We settled there.

spouse_001-216
EM: So this means the three of you were left in the hands of your own families/parents when your men left for WNLA?

spouse_001-217
All: Yes

spouse_001-218
EM: So, how were you communicating with the parents/family of your husbands? Was there a bond?

spouse_001-219
3 women: 3 Women: Yes we had a good bond. Our parents always encouraged us to communicate with our husbands’ families. Also when our men used to bring or send money, always remembered them. We always spent some time with them.

spouse_001-220
EM: Oh that is good to note. You needed that kind of support. Now tell me, knowing that some of you were from different districts when your men were far away at WNLA, were you able to meet with other women whose husbands were also in WNLA?

spouse_001-221
MB: Oh yes like me we used to meet with others.

spouse_001-222
EM: Oh okay. What were the issues that you talked about?

spouse_001-223
MB: We used to ask each other what were our husbands used to send us. Some could be money, property and even building houses. The other issue was encouraging each other to remain committed to our husbands who were far away working for our future.

spouse_001-224
DM: The issue of commitment was high on the list. I used to encourage and warn other women from infidelity. I used to tell them that if they fall or cheat, their men out there would meet misfortunes like cut their legs, arms even death. So we encouraged each other to remain faithful and pray for our men’s health while working hard in the mines.

spouse_001-225
EM: So mostly you were encouraging and advising each other?

spouse_001-226
AB: In my area, we were only three of us. But we were really encouraging each other. We talked less about what our husbands were bringing to avoid envy and jealous among us. We focused on encouraging each other to remain committed to our relationship. We avoided mixing with bad women who could influence us into committing evil. We also knew that if we mess, our husbands’ parents and relative s would report us to our husbands. So we were very careful.

spouse_001-227
TS: The same with what others have said. We also had a group that helped each other to remain faithful. We had other women who wanted us to go astray but we tried to run away from them. We had to form a group that stood firm and not to follow bad advice. So this group helped to face the challenges of loneliness together.

spouse_001-228
EM: Wow! So basically those groups were instrumental in you remaining faithful and committed to your husbands?

spouse_001-229
All: Yes they helped us to stay put and realize our dreams within our families.

spouse_001-230
EM: That was awesome. Now was there anything that bothered you so much while your husbands were away? Be it from your family or your husbands’ family?

spouse_001-231
All: Not really. All was okay

spouse_001-232
DM: In my case, there was one incident that my husband shared to me through the letter that worried me so much. My husband was the driver of the lift in the mines that carried men up and down the mines. So one day there was an accident and many got injured including him. Then, my husband was arrested and put in the cold place where blood would only flow one direction. This worried me that I went some months not eating well. This was few months before he came back home. When he came back he found me very thin. He understood why I was that worried.

spouse_001-233
EM: Wow! That’s was really a concern not so? Anyone?

spouse_001-234
AB: My concern was the delay in responding to my letters. However, I was less worried because his parents and my parents were always there encouraging me. But I did raise the issue with him. And he said that don’t worry even if I delay in responding to your letters, you are always part of me, I am always impressed about your attitude towards my parents. They give very good recommendation

spouse_001-235
EM: So in this case the delay in replying to your letters was your major concern.

spouse_001-236
TS: As for me, I was worried once when he wrote me a letter explaining what happened in the mine. He said one day, one part of the mine fell down. And many people got injured. So the hard work worried me most.

spouse_001-237
EM: So how did you respond to him about the hard work and what had happened to him?

spouse_001-238
TS: I had to calm him down and also told him I am praying for you. So I told him about prayer and its role amidst the hard labour he was going through.

spouse_001-239
EM: Were there songs that you remember were singing with your friends when your men were away?

spouse_001-240
MB: Yes we used to sing some songs. One that I remember of by heart is:

spouse_001-241
MB: “You go through the problems, stop playing with these kids on the block, look at us, we are married to real men who have gone to Teba.” That’s one of the songs we used to sing with other women.

spouse_001-242
EM: Anyone else with a song?

spouse_001-243
All: No.

spouse_001-244
EM: Ok. Now that your men are busy in South Africa and you were left behind. Tell me how were you communicating to each other?

spouse_001-245
AB: It was through the letters only. We had no telephones, so letters remained the only mode of communication between us behind and our men.

spouse_001-246
DM: Like me I knew how to read and write so I did not need to get someone to read for me. So I was really expressing myself to him without any shame. Him too was so flexible and could connect a lot. All the love words came straight without hiding anything. And when I received the letter, I was really having nice sleep.

spouse_001-247
TS: In my case I was not able to read. So I had my uncle to read and write for me.

spouse_001-248
EM: Oh really? Was your husband able to read?

spouse_001-249
TS: No. He was not able to read. But he was also expressing himself in the letters just as I did despite Uncle writing for me. It was really nice.

spouse_001-250
EM: Fantastic. Who else?

spouse_001-251
MB: I did not read or write but I used my sister’s daughter. I was also very expressive. I was not ashamed at all. But my husband knew how write and read. So we could enjoy ourselves through letters. And most of the times he could send a picture in the letter. And I would take the picture place in the blankets and sleep with me. I felt like he was with me in the blankets. And if I had not I lost the photos through the fire-gutted house, I could have shown you.

spouse_001-252
EM: Fantastic. Let us go the issue of money. Were your husbands sending you money while away?

spouse_001-253
MB: He used to send money. Almost every month. With the money was to build a house of our own.

spouse_001-254
DM: Yes he was sending in relation to the things I asked for. So he was sending and I was using that money appropriately.

spouse_001-255
AB: He used to send me the little to me. Not every month. But what he could manage to send, he was sending.

spouse_001-256
TS: He used to send me for various purposes. He used to instruct me to share some of the money to my parents, his parents etc. I used to do exactly.

spouse_001-257
EM: Tell me, would you remember how much he was sending you? Or would remember how much he kept for himself?

spouse_001-258
TS: He used to send something like 500Kwacha, from it I used to buy my kids clothes, and the rest would share with my and his parents, some for farming in the gardens etc.

spouse_001-259
DM: Like me, he sent me with a program. Sometimes we used for gardening, basic needs at home. He could give direction for the money he sent. If the money was short, I could inform him and he could consider increasing the next time. And the leftovers I kept for him to see when he came back.

spouse_001-260
EM: So you could tell him exactly how you used it?

spouse_001-261
DM: Yes. He found at home that I bought goats, sent children to school etc. he also found some money that was left over.

spouse_001-262
AB: For me, he bought a bicycle and the money he sent, I used to send my son to school until passed on. But I continued sending the second child to school until he finished Grade8.

spouse_001-263
TS: I used the money he sent to me to buy goats, and these goats helped me send my children to school. Even when he came back, he was happy to see how these goats helped out at the house with the kids till he died.

spouse_001-264
EM: I hear some of you built houses with such money. Is there anyone whose house is still standing?

spouse_001-265
All: No. most fell off due to strong winds and heavy rains. Some of the houses were abandoned when we moved to new settlements

spouse_001-266
EM: Tell me how it was like when now your husband came back home after two years away?

spouse_001-267
MB: He arrived around 3pm. When I saw him I rushed to the bath to take a quick bath. I could not show up to him the way I was. After that, I called my grandmother to also alert the parents of my husband to come. When she came, she told me that look my daughter, your man was away, and you were home therefore, you will sleep on your own and him also away from you until we meet parents from both sides.

spouse_001-268
EM: Wow! Was that some kind of rituals? How did you feel about you both sleeping separately?

spouse_001-269
MB: Oh I felt very bad. It was difficult to hold on. Imagine I could wake up at night and go to see if he is asleep through the window. I could see where he left his watch etc. that was a sleepless night. In the morning both set of parents came and asked us questions. His parents asked me how did you go? (like did you keep yourself clean?) I responded, yes I am clean. My parents also asked my husband, how was the journey? He also responded, that he travelled well. So they introduced me to my husband. Then my husband brought the clothes and others stuff on the floor in front of everyone. And all the rituals were done, and we became husband and wife.

spouse_001-270
DB: When he arrived, I went straight to welcome him. I kissed him and brought him in the house. I welcomed him with excitement, while getting warm water ready for his bath. After the bath, it was then the two of us. All the rest will see him only after giving him the best of me. That is how I welcomed my husband. I never gave a chance all the other rituals as the most important thing was us not the others.

spouse_001-271
AB: I welcomed my husband home. When he gets here I would tell my mother that my husband is here now. He would tell me let him go in that house. All his stuff would be put in that particular house. I prepared water for his bath. Soon after the bath, I would serve him food. If people came, I would tell them now he is not coming out of the house. He is bathing, oh he has gone to the market to take a walk just to make sure spends more time with me. I always wanted to get the treatment which we both missed. In the morning, parents from both sides came. And they welcomed my husband and offered me to him. This was the start of a very fruitful marriage.

spouse_001-272
EM: Wow! This was great. Next experience please.

spouse_001-273
TS: As for me, he arrived at night. When I heard he arrived, I welcomed him, gave him a bath, food. He settled inside the house and when his friends came I told them he is tired. I did not want people take him away from me. I waited for him for two good years. In the morning parents came to welcome him back.

spouse_001-274
EM: Now let us continue from where left off. Now that you have welcomed your husbands who were away for two years, was there something that you noticed to be very painful or difficult for you?

spouse_001-275
DM: There was not necessarily anything painful, though there was something going on in my mind. The thing is that my husband could tell that I was really waiting for him but as a woman I could not tell if he was faithful and didn’t sleep with any other woman. That somehow worried me.

spouse_001-276
AB: It is true what my friend is sharing. It was a bit difficult to get used to my man. It took time. Remember, we were when we got married. And that he left right after marriage, so we hardly knew each other. However, it took me at least three weeks to get used to him.

spouse_001-277
TS: For me it took a few weeks to get used to my man. I had no issues really. He was charming and calm. So I could not complain of anything.

spouse_001-278
MB: The pain was from being told to sleep away from each other. That was hell. How can they separate you from your husband who has just arrived from SA? That was something very insensitive to me.

spouse_001-279
EM: Wasn’t there any conflict based on the property that your husband brought? That he advised to share some to your parents and other to his parents?

spouse_001-280
All: Not all. He shared equally well so no disputes. After all, my husband is what he is because of his parents.

spouse_001-281
DM: In my case, I used to live at his father’s place. So there was nothing to worry at all. I did not mind about the materials things except him. I needed just him, whom I missed so much. So he came back safely it was me thanking God for his safe return. Others met a lot of misfortunes in the mines, stories got to us but seeing him alive was all what we need to do.

spouse_001-282
MB: My husband used to tell me a lot of hard work. He said he work like Chain Boy who could break the stones in the middle. He used to walk with white guy as his boss who would tell him which stone to break. So when he came back alive to me was prayer of thanksgiving to God.

spouse_001-283
DM: I forgot something. He told me on the way up or down they used a cape. When that got broken, others could break their legs, arms etc. But these stories would not come in the early days until after a warm welcome back home. This could take some weeks. We needed to enjoy ourselves first before thinking of those hard stories.

spouse_001-284
AB: My husband also said something about the abuse of the foreigners by the locals (South Africans). They abused Malawians who were hard workers and loved by their bosses. They were called many names.

spouse_001-285
EM: Would you tell me the names that your husbands were called by the natives?

spouse_001-286
AB: The natives were called themselves, ‘mzika’ meaning natives but everyone else were called foreigner. But they had to work hard considering where they came from there is absolute poverty. They had little choice. But they survived all of these abuses because of determination and our prayers back home. We prayed for them unceasingly.

spouse_001-287
TS: The story is almost similar. There was hard labour in the mines. And that they survived all these atrocities simply because of the mercy of God.

spouse_001-288
EM: Thanks for sharing. Now that they stayed home for a month or more with you, friends, environment etc, was there a wish to return to South Africa (WNLA) to face up to the same hardship?

spouse_001-289
DM: My husband wanted to go back. And that WNLA was about to finish, he had no choice but to go back so as to accomplish his heart desire, including feeding his family and starting his marriage. And I was not worried as he was a faithful man. He knew there were so many diseases out there and the advent of HIV, he took a good care of himself. I also realized that with him going, both our problems can be solved and for that he had my blessings.

spouse_001-290
EM: That’s great. Anyone who wants to add to this?

spouse_001-291
MB: My husband only went once and then WNLA closed. So when TEBA came, he decided to go. Then, when he came back from his first TEBA journey, his boss (white man) sent him warrant that he goes back to work there. So he had no choice.

spouse_001-292
AB: My husband also had to go back considering our problems did not finish with the first journey. So I was left to raise the kids, and farming in the garden. He went there and because of working diligently, his bosses had no issues with him going back. He left and wrote us letters when he arrived there, and sent back some money when he could to serve our family.

spouse_001-293
TS: The motivating factor was the poverty was not completely eradicated. It was still there. With the money he brought from the first journey going to an end, he knew he had to go back. He didn’t want to go back to the memories of not being able to have money. So we had no choice but to let him go.

spouse_001-294
EM: Oh great. Did you encourage them to go back?

spouse_001-295
All: Yes we did, there was no other option due to level of poverty

spouse_001-296
DM: In my case I was about to let him not to go back considering that I had just started the marriage. So I wanted him more. He just broke my virginity and the bond was so strong that leaving me behind was not ideal. So he stayed a bit longer till I felt pregnant. Then I let him go.

spouse_001-297
EM: So finally he had to leave and was this WNLA or TEBA?

spouse_001-298
DM: Remember, he only went for one WNLA journey and this time around was TEBA. So he had to go since he has left me as a woman this time around. And even when the children were then born in the period of TEBA, I still remember one thing that my husband bought me while as his girl-friend. This remains the best ever gift he bout me while in South Africa under WNLA.

spouse_001-299
EM: Wow! What would this gift be? Are you free to mention it here?

spouse_001-300
DM: Oh it was a beautiful dress. I kept this dress and shown to my kids. It was older than my children imagine.

spouse_001-301
EM: This dress is very significant not so?

spouse_001-302
DM: Yes, I wore it even at the wedding invitations. I also did it at my own wedding. I still have pictures of people offering their gifts to us. And I can’t challenge you; no one had that dress especially the material. It was absolutely beautiful.

spouse_001-303
EM: Wow that’s memorable. Is it possible to get a copy of the picture through Mr. Mmadi?

spouse_001-304
DM: Yes he can come and get them.

spouse_001-305
EM: Anyone with pictures that would share please do so.

spouse_001-306
All: Some of us have lost them with resettlements.

spouse_001-307
EM: Ok. Now, you may have heard from your husbands or other people about the hardships in the mines. About the accidents, even deaths etc., TB and other diseases. Were you not concerned to let them go back still?

spouse_001-308
DM: True, we heard a lot of these dangers. But we had little power to stop them from going. Like my husband never got sick in connection to WNLA, or TEBA not at all. He died of a different disease that is not connected to the mines.

spouse_001-309
EM: Anyone?

spouse_001-310
MB: My husband never died of any disease that is connected to the mines. He died of normal disease. So there was no danger that I can name of.

spouse_001-311
EM: Oh okay. So in 1974 WNLA stopped due to the plane crash. How did you feel when you heard about this closure?

spouse_001-312
MB: It was very hard because of our poverty. How were we going to survive with children without WNLA? It was going to be very hard indeed. It changed our lifestyle as well.

spouse_001-313
DM: I supported government’s idea of stopping WNLA as that was a huge accident and loss. I imagined my husband was in that plane, wouldn’t it mean the end of my happiness? So to sympathize with those who lost their loved ones, we had to agree to the closure despite our poverty. We knew that later on when it is safe again, government will reopen. And TEBA came and this opened new chapters for many Malawians.

spouse_001-314
AB: I personally felt bad because WNLA was the only hope for us. But also the death of many people was difficult to accept. We had hope though that one day the doors will open again, and our men will be able to travel safely. TEBA came and many of those who travelled with WNLA traveled with TEBA when it was opened to replace WNLA.

spouse_001-315
TS: I felt sorry for the loss of many people. And it was not in our hands anymore but the government. We were worried though of our future with the closure.

spouse_001-316
EM: Alright. You were very concerned with such closure?

spouse_001-317
TS: Yes, because of the level of our poverty. What else would our men do to support their families.

spouse_001-318
EM: Alright. Now we are very close to the end of our discussion. Before I close let me recap. I began by introducing myself to you, you introduced yourselves to me. Thereafter, I made it clear to you what this research is all about. I also asked of your consent to allow us to record the discussion, publish this discussion in the book, online and other publications. You all gave me your consent. We are doing all this to preserve these stories, these treasures. If well preserved, our children, our grand-children will have full access to these stories, this set of knowledge for academia and other stakeholders.

spouse_001-319
EM: Finally, I want to ask you again if you agree that we can continue to use this data as prescribed above?

spouse_001-320
All: Yes we agree, please go ahead.

spouse_001-321
EM: Thank you so much for your time, please I wish you a safe journey back home especially some of you who came here from long distances.

spouse_001-322
Mmadi: Sorry, I wanted to pass on the message from these women, and their children. They want to request you if possible to provide a platform, for children whose fathers left them young, grew up in the absence of their fathers. They like their mothers have a point or stories to they would love to share with you. They too want to be listened to by you researchers.

spouse_001-323
EM: Thank you so much for raising this point. We may have ignored such point. I will sit down with my superiors if the find it worth or rich to their enquiry, and funds permitting, I will definitely come back to you, Sir for organization and arrangement.

Mitawa_002

mitawa_002-1
Elias Mandala: Good afternoon Mr. Alabi Mitawa?

mitawa_002-2
Alabi Mitawa: Good afternoon Sir

mitawa_002-3
EM: First I want to thank you so much for coming all the way from the hills. I know exactly what that means for you to come this far. This is shows great heart of support to this project. We do not take it for granted especially this being rainy season.

mitawa_002-4
AM: Welcome indeed.

mitawa_002-5
EM: Like we did last time, I want to request for your consent to ask you questions based on our last interview. Do you give me consent to record you and share it with other researchers?

mitawa_002-6
AM: No problem at all. Go ahead.

mitawa_002-7
EM: Secondly, I want to wish you a happy new year. We are in a new year. We thank God and to request Him to grant all our new year wishes

mitawa_002-8
AM: Thank you so much. I appreciate

mitawa_002-9
EM: So how do you get here? Did you come by motorcycle or car?

mitawa_002-10
AM: Today I used motorcycle

mitawa_002-11
EM: How much does it cost you to get here?

mitawa_002-12
AM: By motorcycle is K4000 and 3500 by car. So return is K8000

mitawa_002-13
EM: And K7000 by car.

mitawa_002-14
AM: Yes, it is not easy for me considering my age and being rainy season.

mitawa_002-15
EM: You are a strong man, Chief. May be you are this strong because of the hardship experienced while in the mines. Not so?

mitawa_002-16
AM: Yes, that experience ohm has helped me

mitawa_002-17
EM: By the way how many journeys so far have travelled?

mitawa_002-18
AM: Three times

mitawa_002-19
EM: Last time I was a bit confused on the journeys. You can now clarify. When were these journeys?

mitawa_002-20
AM: First, I went in 1964, came back in 1966, second journey, 1966 and back 1968, went back 1969 and back in 1971.

mitawa_002-21
EM: Oh now is clearer. Now this interview is a follow-up to the one that we had last year, if by chance you forgot anything you have an opportunity to let me know. First I want to know where your grand grandparents came from. Would you know or heard from your parents?

mitawa_002-22
AM: They came from within Malawi. From Makunganya, Traditional Authority Mponda, Mangochi district.

mitawa_002-23
EM: It is fair to conclude that your clan came from Makunganya right?

mitawa_002-24
AM: Yes.

mitawa_002-25
EM: This mean your grandparents bore your dad at Makunganya? And he bore you too?

mitawa_002-26
AM: Very correct.

mitawa_002-27
EM: Would know when your grandparents were born?

mitawa_002-28
AM: I would lie if I tell you the when he was born. My dad did not tell me when. I know he died when I was already born

mitawa_002-29
EM: Oh so, you saw him and met him?

mitawa_002-30
AM: Yes. He died when I was a man enough. My dad too died when I was a grown up. So I knew him very well unlike my grandfather. At my grandfather I could at times go just for food and ran away, I could not ask for many things and that is why I have less information about my grandparents.

mitawa_002-31
EM: Oh ok. So tell me what was his profession?

mitawa_002-32
AM: My grandfather was weaving MPHASA, or mikeka. I grew up seeing him doing that. He did this for selling. He was also a farmer. He cultivated and grew crops for his family.

mitawa_002-33
EM: Wow! So he combined both? This was a trend not so, that one could do agriculture at the same time do weaving business just to sustain family income?

mitawa_002-34
AM: Yes. This was long time ago that time food was in abundance and Mkeka weaving was so popular with villagers

mitawa_002-35
EM: Wow! This period could well be around 1800s?

mitawa_002-36
AM: Yes. This was a long time ago. Imagine I was born in 1944. These things must have happened long time ago.

mitawa_002-37
EM: If you were born in 1944, when was your granddad born?

mitawa_002-38
AM: Aaaah will be lying if I say he was born on such a date. I even don’t know when my dad was born. And for your information, when I started travelling to WNLA, South Africa, my dad was already dead except my mom.

mitawa_002-39
EM: Oh am sorry to hear about that. And so your granddad was basically weaving and farming as his profession?

mitawa_002-40
AM: Yes, that’s what I know off.

mitawa_002-41
EM: Going back to their origins. Where did your granddad’s parents come from? In case you may know.

mitawa_002-42
AM: Most people were saying their parents came from Mozambique. Before settling in Malawi, they came from Mozambique. But my parents were born here.

mitawa_002-43
EM: Why did they migrate from Mozambique to Malawi? Would you know?

mitawa_002-44
AM: Ohm they did not really tell us the main reason for their migration to Malawi from Mozambique

mitawa_002-45
EM: So they did not share their reason?

mitawa_002-46
AM: No. But that was a really long time ago. However, if you cross the border you will find chiefs on that side have similar names with those of this side. You find similar names, beliefs and types of food. But you would not go there and tell them that we are brothers or sisters because of the names.

mitawa_002-47
EM: So this means that most of people here (Malawi) came from Mozambique?

mitawa_002-48
AM: Yes.

mitawa_002-49
EM: But why did most people moved to Malawi from Mozambique? What reasons do they give?

mitawa_002-50
AM: I think people that side were being forced out by rulers of that side. So it was easy to come over this side. You know, then there were no waters on the river. It was dry. People could just walk over.

mitawa_002-51
EM: You mean the lake was dry?

mitawa_002-52
AM: Yes was dry and this river was running out of water and people could easily cross over. This is why many people also left the area to other areas like Mayani, in Dedza. Most of those people are from here.

mitawa_002-53
EM: So do these still consider this place their home? And why did they move from here?

mitawa_002-54
AM: The elders might know the reason why they moved.

mitawa_002-55
EM: So, am I right to conclude that, your grand grandfather came from Mozambique, though you do not know why they migrated to Malawi? Both your grandfather and your father were born in Malawi. Lastly you were also born in Malawi?

mitawa_002-56
AM: That’s correct. My father, his father and I were born in Malawi.

mitawa_002-57
EM: In your family history has there been anyone who ever migrated from here to another country or region for the reasons of employment purposes, war, or other reasons?

mitawa_002-58
AM: In my family it was my aunt, elder sister of my mother who migrated together with her husband to Zimbabwe. After them, it was me who also migrated to South Africa.

mitawa_002-59
EM: Would you know why they migrated to Zimbabwe?

mitawa_002-60
AM: They went to Zimbabwe to look for work as Malawi then were not giving job opportunities as was with Zimbabwe.

mitawa_002-61
EM: So did this migration influence your own flight to South Africa?

mitawa_002-62
AM: It did but just to an extent. The major influence was my friends who went to WNLA and came back. They truly influenced me. The stuff that they brought and the vibe at their homes really influenced me.

mitawa_002-63
EM: Were married before you left for South Africa?

mitawa_002-64
AM: Yes I was married when I left for South Africa.

mitawa_002-65
EM: So you did leave your sweetheart behind and went to work in the mines in South Africa?

mitawa_002-66
AM: I had to leave that I would make them happy. And she was happy as she envied the wives of those who had traveled to before me.

mitawa_002-67
EM: So where are your parents? Are they alive?

mitawa_002-68
AM: Yes they are alive. They are in Katema, where I come from.

mitawa_002-69
EM: So all members of your family are based in Katema?

mitawa_002-70
AM: Yes that’s where they are, all of them.

mitawa_002-71
EM: So where were you born? And when?

mitawa_002-72
AM: I was born at Katema. I was born in 1944.

mitawa_002-73
EM: Wow so how old is you now? 78?

mitawa_002-74
AM: Yes and still going.

mitawa_002-75
EM: I see. But what occupation were your grandfather?

mitawa_002-76
AM: When I was born I found my granddad and family farming, in big way. They did not do anything other jobs. They were farmers.

mitawa_002-77
EM: Wow! It was farming throughout in the family. But apart from you and your aunt who left for Zimbabwe has there been anyone who left for greener pastures abroad and within?

mitawa_002-78
AM: Yes in my family it was only me and my aunt who took a worthy risk.

mitawa_002-79
EM: And you left in 1964 when Malawians just gained independence? And after that Masauko Chipembere and his cronies rose against Kamuzu Banda, the life president, what side did you take?

mitawa_002-80
AM: Yes. We were only hearing about that, and never met or encounter them. But it was big news. But I didn’t get involved. Also when this became hot in the country, I was then in South Africa, and didn’t affect me and you confirm this with my passport that I got from Wilenski (First Prime Minister or governor for Nyasaland), that was issued in 1964. I used this to go to South Africa.

mitawa_002-81
EM: Where were you receiving this document?

mitawa_002-82
AM: We used to receive this document at the labour office. They had all the necessary documents. This was given to us travelling to WNLA only. When you receive that small document, it means the journey is at hand. You have been certified. You are fit and criminal record free to travel to work in the WNLA MINES.
[00:15:28]
mitawa_002-83
EM: So you were issued this document (travel permit) on August, 20, 1964? Taking picture. Where did you get this issued?

mitawa_002-84
AM: Yes. I received this in Blantyre as a signal of confirming me that I am fit to travel to South Africa under WNLA

mitawa_002-85
EM: Done now with pictures. So thanks for your patience. Now tell me, what or who influenced you to make this decision to emigrate?

mitawa_002-86
AM: I was influenced by those who went to work in the mines and came back with a lot of good stuffs such bicycles, radios etc. I wanted to also go and bring such stuff for my family and myself. It was like seeing your friend marrying a beautiful woman and you start imagining yourself too having a woman of your own. That’s what was happening to me.

mitawa_002-87
EM: So why did you choose to go to South Africa instead of Rhodesia, Zimbabwe?

mitawa_002-88
AM: I wanted South Africa as people and friends who came back enticed me with their stuffs. They brough blanket (Tchale), nice clothes and watches. Oh you could see the returnees with labeled watches such as Rotary, Loris, Oris, very powerful watches. Oh I was really enticed with the way they twisted their arms to showcase their watches……oh very proud guys. So I told my wife the decision that I am also going to WNLA. My wife reserved for a minute. She was afraid of the bad stories being shared by many who are in South Africa. But I had no choice but to convince her to respect my decision to go to work in the mines.

mitawa_002-89
EM: You mean your wife did not want you to travel to South Africa? Why?

mitawa_002-90
AM: At first she was afraid I was going to die in the mines. She knew that many have died in the mines. She was afraid she was going to lose me. The other fear was that I am going to marry someone else there. But I convinced her that I was going to come back with special properties like bicycles, GUMBA-GUMBA radio, blankets, and shoes. These are items that that also convinced my wife to let me go.

mitawa_002-91
EM: These returnees really impacted on you?

mitawa_002-92
AM: Yes. You know when going they would tell, my friend, we are going back to South Africa to make more money. This message was killing me. I took away all the fears and I decided to join them. When I came back also my peers admired me including my wife.

mitawa_002-93
EM: Tell me two or three names of those who influenced your decision to go to WNLA? Names of those who came back home from WNLA in your village.

mitawa_002-94
AM: Ah! I can’t remember any but they were many. In my village, I was the first one to do so. So I cant name any.

mitawa_002-95
EM: Can you name the stuff that really attracted you to go to South Africa?

mitawa_002-96
AM: Bicycle, blankets, watch.

mitawa_002-97
EM: On the watches you had named them can you name them again?

mitawa_002-98
AM: Loris, Lanco, Rotary, and Oris oh these labeled watches really attracted me

mitawa_002-99
EM: So you imagined yourself to also wear them some day?

mitawa_002-100
AM: Yes. We were really enjoying our youth then

mitawa_002-101
EM: So bicycles didn’t attract you that much? What so far were the brands of bicycles that were popular then?

mitawa_002-102
AM: Oh bicycles mostly were Raji, Raleigh, yes they also attracted me, sporty ones two were there. It was so much exciting.

mitawa_002-103
EM: So when you went to South Africa finally, did you manage to get those flush watches?
[00:18:08]
mitawa_002-104
AM: Yes. I did manage to buy Oris.

mitawa_002-105
EM: Oh yeah? Gold one?

mitawa_002-106
AM: Exactly that is what I got.

mitawa_002-107
EM: So then did your heart desire met?

mitawa_002-108
AM: Yes.

mitawa_002-109
EM: So what else did you buy?

mitawa_002-110
AM: Bicycle, shoes, oh yes I did get that. This was at the first journey

mitawa_002-111
EM: Oh that’s great.

mitawa_002-112
AM: On the second journey, I bought bed and mattress and the third time I bought a radio.

mitawa_002-113
EM: Wow! That is great. So did you buy gumba-gumba radio?

mitawa_002-114
AM: No I bought supersonic radio not gumba gumba.

mitawa_002-115
EM: Wow, so you changed the picture of your home?

mitawa_002-116
AM: Oh yes, I really made my home attractive and livable. The bicycle is parked there, good sound at the back, even my wife when she is out there fetching water her friends envied her that her husband is back home from Johannesburg. She felt very happy that she is my wife.

mitawa_002-117
EM: When you made the first journey to South Africa, were you married? Did you have a child?

mitawa_002-118
AM: Yes I was married but didn’t have a child then

mitawa_002-119
EM: So you left for the second time

mitawa_002-120
AM: Yes, and I left her pregnant. She bore me a son while away during the second journey

mitawa_002-121
EM: Oh okay he was born while you were away?

mitawa_002-122
AM: Yes. But then I left for the third time, and my son passed on while I was already in South Africa.

mitawa_002-123
EM: Oh sorry. That must have been difficult for you.

mitawa_002-124
AM: Yes. That was painful especially that I was away. Then when I came back, WNLA was curtailed. Then TEBA started recruiting, but I did not go with it. So I stayed home and began my family again. That was when started bringing up my family.

mitawa_002-125
EM: Was your son ill that he died?

mitawa_002-126
AM: Yes he was ill. And my wife alone could not do much, unfortunately he died

mitawa_002-127
EM: How did that affect you especially that you were away?

mitawa_002-128
AM: It was sad. But you know the message about the death reached me after weeks, when he was already buried. I could not call or talk with my wife or anyone in the family for more details. But then I had to send money for the service, though it was late.

mitawa_002-129
EM: Sorry to hear this. But what did you do when the message reached you?

mitawa_002-130
AM: I could only send money for the service, though it was late. Those days, cloth for embalming the body, they had to borrow from the shops, so the money I sent them was to reimburse for those expenditures.

mitawa_002-131
EM: Oh that made sense even when the money delayed. But how did your wife feel about the loss and that you were away?

mitawa_002-132
AM: It was really difficult for her. But she had to grow up as these are the normal human situations. But elders advised her not to sleep with other men during this period till I come back. So when I came back I went to stay at my family’s home until we both have been cleared traditionally. Then we could come together as wife and husband.

mitawa_002-133
EM: Is that so? Explain more on how this happened?

mitawa_002-134
AM: When I arrived, my parents asked me to call upon my marriage patrons/advisors to meet my wife’s patrons too. When they meet they would send messengers to me and to my wife. The messengers were to ask us if we slept with other women or men. When they have finalized this exercise and found out that none of us cheated, we could then be united with each other, and exchange our matrimonial vows.

mitawa_002-135
EM: So after this cultural ritual was done, what else?

mitawa_002-136
AM: After such ritual, they found us all okay; we were joined together again as husband and wife. We started living together and started having children.

mitawa_002-137
EM: Oh thanks for sharing this information. Now, that you have come from the first journey, you found your family and left again for the second time. Then a third trip as well was achieved. While away were you able to send cash to your family? To your wife?

mitawa_002-138
AM: Oh! Yes I had to be sending her some money to take care the affairs of the family.

mitawa_002-139
EM: What was your wife spending this money on?

mitawa_002-140
AM: She spent the money on clothing, food and some business. I had also advised her to use the sparingly. But she should not just keep it, she would use it when necessary.

mitawa_002-141
EM: Tell me how much were you able to send then?

mitawa_002-142
AM: Most k3,K3.5 or K4. This was a lot of money then.

mitawa_002-143
EM: But were you instructing her on what to buy? Or you relied on her wisdom?

mitawa_002-144
AM: True I never instructed her on what to do with the money. Instead she bought things that were needed at home and what she needed.

mitawa_002-145
EM: Between you and your wife, what mode of communication were you using to reach other?

mitawa_002-146
AM: It was only through letters.

mitawa_002-147
EM: So you did not use telephone calls?

mitawa_002-148
AM: Oh no. we could not use that as we lived far away from town hence they would not come to town for the phone calls. It was for this reason we communicated only through letters. The post office was very efficient then. It managed to connect us

mitawa_002-149
EM: Oh is that so?

mitawa_002-150
AM: Yes and the person to receive the money I could send, needed to come with someone who had paid his tax. Without this confirmation tax card, the post office would not process the sent money. It was that bad. Your own money was restricted. This card acted as Identity card. The post office workers needed the details and numbers on the tax card to release the money to the intended.

mitawa_002-151
EM: Very interesting. So how long did it take you or your wife to receive the letters?

mitawa_002-152
AM: We were sending through the post office in South Africa. They would take it also to Malawian post office. The messenger would take each letter to the specific area, home, T/A, and village. It was very well coordinated and executed their duties exceptionally.

mitawa_002-153
EM: So tell me how did you feel to receive a letter from your wife?

mitawa_002-154
AM: Eeeeh a letter from my wife oh! It meant something else, eeeh.

mitawa_002-155
EM: Please describe for me

mitawa_002-156
AM: We used to sleep on double decker bed. So when we knocked off, we are in our rooms, the police would come delivering letters in specific rooms, and specific bed. So when you come, and you see there is a letter addressed to me. If the letter is not written with a cross, we could immediately open, and read it, to see it is coming from my darling; reading through the love words, oh, we could shout allowed that others should know that my loved one, my wife has written me. They all knew that I received from my wife, love of my life. It was the most exciting moment. The hardship could be forgotten. Sometimes we could ask our wives/loved ones to be send pictures. That added to the excitement. We could even fail to go to eat. The letter was on its own making us full.

mitawa_002-157
EM: So, what was their excitement as well when they received your letters?

mitawa_002-158
AM: Ohmm they were also excited but they would be the ones to explain that …[laughs]. Even their friends knew that she received a letter from her husband in South Africa. They announce. Oh! My husband is alive, still loving me. They would shine to their friends. “So he wrote a letter? How long?” she would respond. “Yes, my sister, a very long one, He’s fine and still looking forward to come home to see me.” It was a happy moment to her too.

mitawa_002-159
EM: That was very exciting indeed. So when you come back from the mines, you come in the hostel and you a letter without a cross, your mood is excited?

mitawa_002-160
AM: Oh! So, excited. Even if I was tired from the work in the mine, I would get strange energy from nowhere but this letter from my loved one. Imagine I could either delay to go to get food or even forgetting food itself. Felt very full already.

mitawa_002-161
EM: Wow!

mitawa_002-162
AM: Even if I went to the kitchen to get food, the story would be of the letter. “My brother, my wife sent me a beautiful letter with beautiful photo. I am so excited” and we would joke that wow, you better go home now to make children, the lady is ready. That is what a letter from a wife would do.

mitawa_002-163
EM: That was great. So marriages were working through letters. They would connect the distanced love

mitawa_002-164
AM: Exactly. Letters had huge impact on our welfare.

mitawa_002-165
EM: Again on the letter from your wife or relatives with cross sign meant what?

mitawa_002-166
AM: Those letters with crosses simply meant they are containing message of death of a relative back home. It was a sad moment, unlike those without a cross. They weren’t bringing that kind of excitement at all.

mitawa_002-167
EM: Oh okay. I see. Let’s proceed. In the 1960s and most especially in 1964 before you left for South Africa, here in Mangochi especially, there was some sort of revolt against Kamuzu by few of his cabinet ministers. One of them was Henry Masauko Chipembere. He was a son of Mangochi. Did you in any way take part by supporting either Chipembere or MCP’s leader, Dr. Kamuzu Banda?

mitawa_002-168
AM: Yes I heard about it. But I was not involved at all. Violence was there. People were killed here but I was only one of the observers not necessarily taking part. Actually we did not understand what was going on. Even I did not know who was tight or wrong. In any case my whole attention was to travel to South Africa.

mitawa_002-169
EM: So you did not join the MCP and attack the revolting ministers?

mitawa_002-170
AM: By the way we were all MCP by force. We were not allowed to support anything but MCP.

mitawa_002-171
EM: So, there was no one in your family who participated during these uprisings?

mitawa_002-172
AM: Oh no. I was the eldest so if anything it would have involved me. They were all young. So no one did join these violent activities.

mitawa_002-173
EM: So what do you remember so far about these events? You told me other people died in Mangochi. Describe for me please.

mitawa_002-174
AM: Actually, we were only hearing of the violence. We did not see it happening. So from a far, we were told that those expelled cabinet ministers are coming this side, to our district. We all wanted to go see them, Kanyama Chiume, Masauko Chipembere, Chisiza, and Orton Chirwa. They were very popular. But some of us were running away as we knew there would be chaos as MCP mercenaries would be countering them. So we could only hear of the violence and disruptions.

mitawa_002-175
EM: So, Kamuzu after the WNLA plane crush in 1974 stopped the contracts with WNLA. No one was allowed to travel to South Africa to work for WNLA. How did this decision affect you?

mitawa_002-176
AM: This affected me badly. I was used to working for WNLA. Remember, most Malawians had no alternative for jobs. Most of us relied on WNLA contracts. That’s the only source of income and capital to start businesses etc. It was a difficult decision and we could not do anything about it.

mitawa_002-177
EM: Yes, I have heard many people complaining. Meaning they were badly affected, as WNLA provided jobs, a living to many. Then the abrupt stop. So in 1977, am told Malawi government opened new ties with TEBA. Did you travel to Teba?

mitawa_002-178
AM: No. I didn’t travel for Teba

mitawa_002-179
EM: Why didn’t you travel for Teba?

mitawa_002-180
AM: No. when they reopened as TEBA, I did not get moved at all. I decided to stay put instead. I did feel like moving around that period

mitawa_002-181
EM: So when you settled back at home, after all your WNLA years, how many children did your bear?

mitawa_002-182
AM: After the death of my first born who died while I was away, I gave birth to 8 children,

mitawa_002-183
EM: Wow! Such a big family not so considering in the middle of you had some good six years away from home.

mitawa_002-184
AM: Oh yes. Imagine that. Now I have big children. Like one is always on the radio. May be you hear him talking. I am a proud dad.

mitawa_002-185
EM: Wow. You sound happy for him. Where is he and does what?

mitawa_002-186
AM: He is working in Kasungu District; He is the one making me live comfortably

mitawa_002-187
EM: So your children all went to school?

mitawa_002-188
AM: Not all of them but this son and the first girl. These went to school. They are all doing well. The son works and does business. The same applies to my daughter. She runs her own businesses but she is married. Yes am enjoying life

mitawa_002-189
EM: Tell me in all your honest, did WNLA journeys profit you? Describe how.

mitawa_002-190
AM: Definitely, those journeys really profited me. I managed to get labeled watch, shoes, clothes.

mitawa_002-191
EM: What about education? Did you use the WNLA money to educate your children?

mitawa_002-192
AM: Yes. The children I was telling you they all went to school because of WNLA. Like the girl, went up to Form One and got married. I did not stand on her way. She went and has a good family.

mitawa_002-193
EM: So, you would be one of those men who would thank WNLA for the transformation in your family?

mitawa_002-194
AM: Exactly, and I still thank them for that. Even though during those we were not building iron sheet houses, but people would appreciate and admire that this home is living a good life due to WNLA. Our homes were shining within the villages. One could tell.

mitawa_002-195
EM: That’s a positive comment about WNLA. Now most young men especially from this district or region migrate to other countries. Most of them migrate to South Africa. What advice would you give them?

mitawa_002-196
AM: True. Most of them they go there to see not advance their lives. Imagine they do not even go the mines. But I am not convinced or attracted by most of them. They come back and find us still looking good than them. Wearing nice clothes and eating well, shirt and clean jacket on top. They even wonder how come we still look smart than them? If anything, they are able to build better houses as it is easy to send money to their relatives. With good plans, they build good house with good and good finishing from South Africa.

mitawa_002-197
EM: So, what would be your advice to them as mostly are young people?

mitawa_002-198
AM: These boys aren’t that humble to listen to the elders. So it would be hard to advise them

mitawa_002-199
EM: I think, these are the questions I wanted to ask you. But before I end this conversation, please if you have anything to add please go ahead.

mitawa_002-200
AM: Ah I would wrong to say I have anything to ask or to add. But anytime you want me will be available for a chat of this nature.

mitawa_002-201
EM: Oh ok, but I want to ask you one more question. You said you are married. Is your wife alive?

mitawa_002-202
AM: Yes she is alive.

mitawa_002-203
EM: Oh! Fantastic. Does she appreciate the transformation that has taken within your family through WNLA?

mitawa_002-204
AM: Oh okay, actually the wife that I had the time I was travelling to WNLA, we separated. The one I have now is new one. But with the first one we have 8 children, but four have passed on. But right now am left with only four children.

mitawa_002-205
EM: Oh is that so?

mitawa_002-206
AM: But even now we still talk and visit each other because of the children we had. We did not leave each in bad terms.

mitawa_002-207
EM: What? How does the new wife feel about that connection?

mitawa_002-208
AM: There is no bitterness. Actually she also goes there to chat even during ceremonies. There is no animosity at all.

mitawa_002-209
EM: Wow! This is very strange. Anyway, I want to thank you so much for your time. My apologies for not considering how far your come from. I would have started with you that you can leave earlier considering the distance and being rainy season.

mitawa_002-210
AM: No problem, I will see when I get at the stage and if I find a motorcycle will go and get there after 7pm. But if I find a car, will reach there after 10pm, that’s late and would prefer to sleep over and leave in the morning.

mitawa_002-211
EM: Oh! Sorry to hear that. I wish you travel safely. If you fail to leave, please let me know. Thank you so much.

mitawa_002-212
AM: Thank you too for remembering us, above all reminding us of our past and histories. I can’t appreciate you enough.

John_001

john_001-1
I Samuel John pp 95960 OE Benoni previous pp 211052 P/Germiston of Chinteche, British Nyasaland Protectorate, do hereby state as follows:-

john_001-2
That I came to the Union in 1908 and worked at Simmer & Jack East as a hammer boy underground and subsequently appointed a boss boy for drilling and shovel boys underground till the end of 1913.

john_001-3
That from the beginning of 1914 to the end of 1919 inclusive, I worked a private employer Mr Alexander of a Boarding House in Howard Avenue, Benoni, and that from there I was registered to the Government Mining (Areas) Ltd, Benoni, from 1920 to 1924 inclusive. (The F.I.R.D. here have no record against this native, and the Pass Office, Germiston, gives the following authorities for issue of pp 211052 P/Gton:-

john_001-4
pp.211052 P/Gton Mr Mackay, Rose Deep Married Quarters, 11/5/26 to 15/3/27.

john_001-5
pp.101392 P/Benoni 12/Jan ’25 to 30/4/26.

john_001-6
pp.433682 M/Benoni (Government M. Areas) 13/2/20 to 30/11/1924.

john_001-7
Register shows that Samuel John pp.101392 P/Benoni was granted authority to be registered to G.M. Areas for underground work on the 16th January 1920 by E.R.W.)

john_001-8
He now prays for authority to by re-employed on Van Ryn Estate for mine work.

john_001-9
Samuel John X his mark

john_001-10
Previous authority dd 16/1/20

john_001-11
Employment on mines approved on Director’s authority no 24/1927 to be quoted on every subsequent passport issued to this native.

john_001-12
HG Falwasser

john_001-13
Director of Native Labour [stamped 8 June 1927]

Zulu_001

zulu_001-1
Elias P.K. Mandala (EM): Welcome Mrs Zulu and Alabi Mitawa. I am Elias Mandala, a research coordinator for Professor Weise, an American scholar working on the labour migration. I will be going through with you on a set of questions that will direct our conversation today. Please feel free to answer or not to answer the questions. Your cooperation will be highly appreciated.

zulu_001-2
EM: Before I continue with the questions, I would like to seek your consent, to record, and also that Prof. Weise, other academics use this discussion for book, article, and online publications. Do you have any reservation?

zulu_001-3
All: Not at all. Feel free to do that.

zulu_001-4
EM: I take this as your consent for us to record and publish where necessary?

zulu_001-5
All: Exactly.

zulu_001-6
EM: Now can you please introduce yourselves.

zulu_001-7
Margret Alabi Mitawa (MM): I am Margret Alabi Mitawa. I come from the area called Katema, Village headman Mpitirira, T/A Mponda, Mangochi District.

zulu_001-8
EM: Oh the area is called Katema?

zulu_001-9
MM: Yes.

zulu_001-10
EM: That’s fine. Now Mrs. Zulu is your turn.

zulu_001-11
Samiyatu Zulu (SZ): I am Samiyatu Zulu. I come from the area of Namkumba, Traditional Authority Namkumba, Mangochi District.

zulu_001-12
EM: Oh ok. Is Mr. Zulu alive?

zulu_001-13
SZ: No. He passed on.

zulu_001-14
EM: Oh! Sorry to hear that. Would you remember the year?

zulu_001-15
SZ: Yes. It was in 1996.

zulu_001-16
EM: Well, I once again welcome you to this discussion. Feel free to ask, stop me or even not to answer a question you don’t feel like answering. In case you don’t understand any question, please ask me to rephrase it. Now we can start the conversation.

zulu_001-17
EM: In case you have any documentation or photos please let me have them scanned later after the conversation.

zulu_001-18
EM: To begin with, I want to know more about your childhood before you met your husbands.

zulu_001-19
MM: Before I met my husband, Mr. Mitawa, I used to live with my mother and father. They raised me till Mr. Mitawa’s parents spotted me for their son. They approached my parents of their wish.

zulu_001-20
EM: Oh! Explain to me again. You mean your husband’s parents approached your parents and proposed marriage for their son, Alabi?

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MM: Exactly. That was the way marriages happened. Parents would arrange marriages for their children. As children, we had little influence on who to marry us.

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EM: What if the child didn’t like the proposed man or woman? Would the wedding go on?

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MM: Yes would go on. Normally parents had a good reason for their choices. You had little influence at that moment. They had a good knowledge of the boy’s or the girl’s attitude, behaviours, and abilities at the farms or gardens. So we had to go along with parents’ choices.

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EM: So even if the guy doesn’t look liking the girl, must marry her?

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MM: It was not like compulsory, the boy had some limited choices. Say if the boy liked the girl and asks parents to go and approach the girl’s family. But if the girl in question decides otherwise, parents of the boy are advised and communicate to the boy of the girl’s decision. The arrangement ends there.

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Mmadi: That has been and is still being practiced here. It is the Islamic tradition that parents decide who their children marry.

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EM: Is that so? I thought it was a cultural norm of the Yao people. So it is also a religious tradition?

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MM: Yes that is how it happens around this region.

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EM: Just curious, were there incidences where parents would sell their children to the rich families? Or parents making choices based on the wealth of their counterparts?

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MM: Oh, that was not popular. Parents were always cautious of the personality of the particular boy or girl in question before they would agree to expose their children.

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EM: Fantastic. But the relationship of parents of both sides remained crucial?

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MM: Very crucial. If they were not good friends the relationship would have been very hard to establish especially for their children as well.

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EM: So that was your childhood? And where were you living then?

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MM: Yes that was part of my childhood. We lived within Katema Area. Born and bred there. People saw us growing. Alabi was on the other side and me on the other until we got married.

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EM: Wow! Beautiful.

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MM: Yes. And people used to mock us that I married an older man. Alabi was older than me. So I had no problem with that as we grew up together.

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EM: Thank you so much for your story. Now Mrs. Tell us about your own childhood.

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SZ: In my case Mr. Zulu was my cousin.

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EM: What? Tell me more. What happened?

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SZ: Yes he was my uncle’s son. My father and my uncle decided that Mr. Zulu and I should marry to protect each other. So we met and planned to marry. And because I was young, Mr Zulu left uncle’s home and followed me at my father’s house. We were indeed direct cousins.

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EM: Oh so this is possible around this region?

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SZ: Oh yes it is very possible. And actually many people marry from within their relations

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EM: I want to understand, you mean I can marry my uncle’s (my father’s brother) daughter?

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SZ: No, you can’t marry each other. My husband was the son of my mother’s brother.

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EM: Oh, I see. That is clear enough. So the essence was to make sure you remain in the clan?

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SZ: We didn’t want to be lost to another stranger.

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EM: Great, but how were you solving marriage disputes?

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SZ: Very easy, as our parents were brother and sister so they would solve our differences quietly and without fanfare. It was so simple.

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SZ: And parents of both sets took us as their real children. They wanted the best for us.

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EM: So where were you living after getting married?

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SZ: We lived at my home. Mr. Zulu followed me to at my parents (chitengwa).

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EM: That is very interesting. Tell me when you were growing up, did you go to school?

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SZ: No, I did not attend any school, due to the poverty. There were schools, but only those who had money could afford to send their children to school.

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EM: Oh okay. How about Mrs. Alabi did you attend school while growing up in Katema?

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MM: No, I did not attend school.

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EM: Why did you not attend school?

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MM: Mainly because of poverty. Some people were going those who had money then. Others failed to get clothes to wear to go to school. And parents were not interested in sending their children especially women to school.

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EM: So apart from poverty what was the other prevailing reason not attending school?

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MM: The other factor was that parents favoured boys to attend school as compared to us girls. We were taken as prostitutes hence best send boys to school. Mostly, they pushed us to marriage than compete with boys. They were looking forward to dowry rather than our futures then.

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EM: Ok let’s go ahead. In the 1960s, in this region there was some sought of a revolt called “Chikanga.”I am not sure of the word, if anyone would have an idea ir heard the story please enlighten us of what it was like.

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MM: Ohm not chikanga but “Chiwawa”. This is in connection with the coming of Kamuzu. Kamuzu had his men, and these men they came with war, violence, intimidation etc. For instance, these men here in Mangochi, they could come and terrorize the village and villagers. If we noticed that Kamuzu men are around, we knew that Chiwawa is here. We had to pick all our belongings outside the house and hide them in the bush. So they had targets. Those whom they thought were agents of the British government. At night would come into those homes and burnt them to ashes. Even if they found an empty house, they would still burn the house and run away. Also they wanted us to wear a green cloth to show them that we are for Malawi Congress. But if you don’t wear anything, we were thought to be traitors, friends of rebel Chipembere and his cronies.

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[Chipembere was one of the ministers of the first government of Kamuzu Banda in the early 1960s. Him and few others planned to overthrow Kamuzu Banda regimes for his authoritarian. So Kamuzu hated any person from Mangochi and thought every person from here also rebuilt against him and his policies.]

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EM: Wow so that was the case? And what happened when these chiwawa men found you without the green MCP cloth?

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MM: They were going to beat you up and take you to Special Branch police without any legal case. They brutalize you without reason.

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Mmadi: What really happened was that, they did not agree in Parliament. Chipembere and other ministers and MPs in parliament did not agree with the new policies Kamuzu wanted to be implemented like hospital fee, farming rolls, paying taxes all these members of parliament refused. The leader of these MPs was Chipembere, and his home was here. Hence most of these atrocities were taking place here his home.

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EM: Wow! That was really bad especially that you were not involved and some of you didn’t understand what was wrong at all.

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MM: Exactly, imagine these men would just come and burn your houses without any explanation or questioning.

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EM: So you mean you experienced this?

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MM: Oh yes, we did, we could run away from our homes at night when you hear them coming and singing, “Umenewu ndi ufulu” “This is freedom, this is freedom.”

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EM: Oh but was that really freedom? And where was Chipembere when these atrocities were happening?

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SZ: He was at his home in Malindi

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EM: Oh he came from the other side of Mangochi called Malindi?

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SZ: Yes.

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EM: So why then, did these Malawi Congress party men deal with him directly in Malindi and leave you free?

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SZ: When he heard that these men are after his life, he flew to America. And they instead concentrated on violence on innocent people.

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EM: Did you also experience these violent activities in person?

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SZ: No, but my parents used to tell us.

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MM: My uncle was going to another town from Katema to buy food. He met these men on the road. He did not have the green cloth with him. They took him straight to police and made huge allegations against him and they throw him into prison. They took him to Zomba Maximum Prison (Mikuyu). Thereafter took him to Blantyre Chichiri Prison. They kept him for many years as a political prisoner, without trial. They released him when I already had children. While in prison he told us were not given relish but only pap (nsima). So when he came out he could not eat pap with relish instead he used salt as relish. This is how terrible this guy was. He died not eating relish (ndio) with pap.

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EM: That was hard really. One’s lifestyle changed completely. Now that you are married with Mr. Alabi Mitawa, when did you hear about his decision to leave for South Africa to work in the mines under WNLA?

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MM: One evening he came to me and made a suggestion. My wife, look how are suffering to get the basic needs in our family.

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MM: We struggle to get clothes, food, etc. Most of my friends are going to WNLA. I feel I should also go so that we can change our situation. I replied to him, true my husband this is a good idea. Most men have gone there and after some years they come back and really changed their homes. You can also go my husband.

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EM: So that is how he left for South Africa?

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MM: Yes, and he left me at his family’s home as my mother wanted me to stay there. And by the time he left we had two children.

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EM: Oh I see. So how did the parents take that decision of your husband leaving for WNLA?

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MM: His parents were not sure whether their son should leave or not. But my mom was okay with the decision. She said look at those men who went away and came back. All their families are now happy. You could also be happy when your man leaves. Then when my mother talked to my husband’s mother, then his parents also agreed that my husband can now leave for South Africa.

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EM: Oh I see. Now, Mrs. Zulu tell me how did you come to know of Mr. Zulu’s decision to go to South Africa?

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SZ: Actually I was also influential on the decision. I told him look at my friend’s husband is back from WNLA and look how happy they are? Why can’t you also go? He saw the need considering we were growing old, and needed to stop relying on the family resources. We needed to be independent.

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EM: Wow! So your friend was instrumental in coming up with the decision for your husband to migrate to South Africa?

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SZ: Yes. Imagine I also wanted the blankets from South Africa (Tchale=Checks), zodiac (Gumbagumba) those things were very popular here.

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EM: How about your parents did they accept your decision?

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SZ: Oh yes! They agreed, they too wanted their children to do well and stop begging.

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EM: And did he leave you at your family home?

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SZ: Yes yes he left me at my family home as I did not have children by then. I was still young.

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EM: So now all parties are in agreement and ready to leave. How was it like? Can you please describe the moment? Mrs. Alabi can you start please?

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MM: [laughs] When he decided on the date to leave, he told me in a week’s time, I will be leaving. Then I told him, ok then this week we need to be together and enjoy ourselves as I don’t know when you are coming back. Let us make it a memorable week. So we had really good time to ourselves till he left. And when he left, he was a very happy man as I was a very happy wife.

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EM: Wow! That was awesome. You needed that, I guess. What about you Mrs. Zulu?

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SZ: The same. It was a moment for us to enjoy ourselves to the fullest as we did not know when he was coming back. We maximized our marriage life in a short period time.

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EM: Did you have any child by then?

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SZ: No, I was still young we just married.

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EM: How about you Mr Alabi?

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MM: I had two children when he was leaving us for the first time.

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EM: Oh yes, and what did you tell them about their husband living?

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MM: I had the duty to inform them and explain to them why he is leaving. And they understood as they were not old to ask many questions. But the only problem was that my husband left me at his family home. So I had problem with his relations. They gave me a horrid time. Fortunately, I loved my husband and reiterated my desire to stay put.

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EM: Tell me how was it when you finally saw him leave?

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MM: I did not find it difficult as I had faith that he is going to come back and also that he is going there for a really good cause.

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EM: What was really your source of your strength?

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MM: I think the knowledge of him and that what we had as a family. I knew he was not going to think about anything except for me his wife and children. No matter how long he will come back to us.

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EM: Mrs. Zulu what was your source of strength?

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SZ: For me I had parents who encouraged me. Also in those days we had strong faith in each other. I knew he will go and come back like other men; hence I should not bring shame to my parents and myself by cheating with other men. So that kept me waiting faithfully for my husband while away. Today is very different, where cheating is fashionable.

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EM: A different question now. What was the most worrying and painful thing that you went through when your husband had left?

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MM: The question as whether I will be able to survive the tests of loneliness. That was really worrying. There were men who try to test you especially when you have needs. I never wanted to have kids with separate men. I also asked myself if my husband will be faithful to me. Those were the only questions but with God, I managed to remain committed until he came back.

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EM: You said that your husband left you and your two children at your husband’s family, how did they treat you?

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MM: Yes we started our family right at his family home. But we moved out later. But when he left for the first time, we were still within his family home. Yes they were helping us and at times I would go to my mother to ask for help too.

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EM: What about when he left for South Africa? Was the help coming the same way as he was around?

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MM: No. actually the help or assistance was reduced somehow as compared to the time my husband was here.

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EM: Tell me, were you able to meet other women whose husbands were also at WNLA?

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MM: Yes. We used to meet them and chat. Most of the times, these were the women who had their men gone earlier and for several times. They used to advise us to stay strong and faithful otherwise, we will be the biggest losers when our men returned home.

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EM: Whenever you met what were your most worries you shared?

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MM: Normally we had little worries except for the loneliness I mentioned above. But through those experienced ones we gained courage to stay strong and resolute. We admired how our friends used to enjoy what their men brought them home. Imagine them cycling a bicycle to the market, getting their GumbaGumba (disco music instrument) hired. Though their men were away, they were still making money for them to spend at home. Those were some of the things that gave us strength to remain committed.

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EM: Oh that was your support group?

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MM: Yes.

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EM: Were you by chance singing some songs when you met?

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MM: [laughs] I don’t remember us singing any song.

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EM: How about you, Mrs. Zulu? Were you also meeting other women whose husbands had gone to WNLA?

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SZ: Yes. They were there. The same we used to encourage each other as well. In those days there beautiful clothes those whose husbands came back home brought such as Miroga (blouse) with lines. Those women looked very beautiful.

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EM: Oh ok and those were the blouses?

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SZ: Yes. And those made some of us strong and faithful that when our husbands come, we can as well look beautiful.

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EM: As for you, during those meetings were you singing any particular songs?

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SZ: Oh, I don’t remember us singing any particular song. It is not like these days where girls like music.

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EM: This question is for you Mrs. Alabi, at the time your husband was in South Africa there was an incident where by you lost your child.

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MM: Yes, I did lose my child while he was away.

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EM: Oh sorry. How old was the child?

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MM: Since in the past we were not able to attend school, we were not able to count the age of the child

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EM: Was the child a first born or second?

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MM: Was a second born

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EM: Oh okay which means that the husband left you with two children, and the second born died while he was in South Africa?

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MM: Yes.

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EM: So how did you cope with the situation on your own?

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MM: The child felt sick, for many days, that is when he died. My husband was not aware about the death. He came to know about the death through one of his friends who came back home from South Africa. On his way back to South Africa, he told him.

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EM: That must have been hard for you? But how do you think your husband reacted to the news of the death of your child

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MM: Whilst he was abroad, he wrote me a letter, I went to receive the letter, he told me that it happens will meet when God decides. That was his response. A typical man’s response.

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EM: Okay. This has brought me to another question, you have said that after he received the news about the death of the child he wrote you a letter, which means that despite he was abroad you were still communicating

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MM: yes

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EM: And he wrote you letters

zulu_001-145
MM: Yes

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EM: At that time you did not know how to read, so who was reading for you these letters?

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MM: My brother in law would read and write for me the letters

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EM: Was he the elder brother or the younger brother of Alabi?

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MM: The elder brother

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EM: Which means that for you to send a letter you were asking someone to help you?

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MM: yes

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EM: What kind of letters were you sending him?

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MM: These letters were mostly contained with love and words of encouragement. I would tell my in law that sorry but you have to include loving words to my sweetheart and he should bear with me. This is the only way to express my love to your brother. He has to know that am waiting for him

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EM: Okay, so you’re in law was really writing that?

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MM: Yes, and I was not shy because I wanted my husband to know how I felt about him

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EM: Can you mention two or three words that you sent your husband

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MM: There were only three words that I remember, the first word was:

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MM: I miss you my husband,

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MM: Am not well here,

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MM: I cannot even sleep at night because am missing you

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EM: Wow! And your in law would really write all that?

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MM: Yes, and I would tell my in law that this is an assurance your brother has to know that am waiting for him

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EM: So your husband was replying the same way as you expressed yourself?

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MM: He was and his would tell me that he is keeping it for me and he is not meeting with other women. Just keep it clean for me and I will also do the same here

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EM: It seems very interesting

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MM: Yes it was indeed. This is how important the letter was to us lovebirds

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EM: Which means that if you had problems that time from your family or people who were not treating you well. You would get cheered up when you have received the letter

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MM: Yes I would forget about all my problems and get glued to the letter

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EM: So even you Mrs. Zulu, you were also receiving letters from your husband?

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SZ: Yes I was also receiving letters and he would give the letters to his friends who were coming back home. I would give them back my own responses to my husband. That was the only way of communication between us.

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EM: So what was your reaction after receiving the letters, since you had no child?

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SZ: When I have just received the letter I would feel like my husband is back, I would even sleep with it under my pillow and wouldn’t even tear it

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EM: Ok. Which means that letters were powerful tools of communication by that time between you and your husband?

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All: Yes

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EM: The letters were helping with keeping marriages, bearing with problems.

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All: Yes, unlike this generation we were waiting for our husbands to come, in short we were loyal, and we would be so happy when we have received the letters. They had strange energy.

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EM: Now let’s move to financial circumstances, what can you tell me about the money between you and your husband’s whilst he was still abroad, was he sending you money?

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MM: Yes he would send money through his friends who were coming to Malawi. I would receive the money and count it. Then the person would tell us the exact date when he is expected to leave so that we would appreciate through the letters

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EM: Do you mean your husband would send you letter/money whenever he got a chance of a friend coming back home?

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MM: Yes and we would also do the same. We would also give the same person who came back home

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EM: So he was only sending money or something else?

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MM: Mostly money

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EM: Can you remember the amount he would send to you?

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MM: No, I did not know how to count either.

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EM: It’s hard I see

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MM: Yes since its long time ago

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EM: So the money he was sending, what did he say it was for?

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MM: So mostly he would instruct me that, take such amount of money and give it to your mother in law, because if she heard that you have received money and you did not share with her it will be another issue, there will be disagreements between you and her and give the other money to your mother. So I would really do that and I would also share some to my brother-in-law who was reading for me the letters

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EM: Oh okay good. The money that you received from your husband, can you tell us if there is something that you bought using the money he sent you that you can remember

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MM: Yes, this other time when he sent me the money I used it to buy a farm, and until now I am still using that farm, even my husband when he came I told him that I used that money to buy a farm and we went to see the farm together and he was also happy because that was wise

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EM: How about you, can you remember what you did with the money your husband sent you?

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SZ: Yes, me too. I would receive the money and share it with my mother-in-law. I didn’t think of buying a farm at that time since I had no child, and I was very young wouldn’t think of it

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EM: And at that time, parents were given money, which was sent by your husband, can you tells us if you remember anything on how they spent the money

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SZ: Mostly they used to buy food stuff for the home and the remaining they bought goats. They really helped them and they still have them up to date

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EM: Oh okay. How about your own family?

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SZ: As for my parents they used the money to send my younger brother to school

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EM: Wow! This is very good. Where is your brother now?

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SZ: He is now in South Africa

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EM: So he resides there now

zulu_001-200
SZ: Yes

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EM: So is he there with his family

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SZ: No his family is here in Malawi

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EM: What is he doing there? Is he working in the mine like Mr Zulu?

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SZ: He is working there. And he supports his family and ours too. He recognises the favour he received from my husband

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EM: That’s honourable. I wished most people are grateful to those who uplifted them.

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EM: Mrs. Mitawa, there was a time that Mr Maitwa mentioned that when he went to WNLA for the third time, with his money he used it to build a family house. What do you remember about this?

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MM: Yes, when he went for the third time, he said my wife let’s build a house away from his parent’s home. This is where we live in now

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EM: Do you think all of this would have been possible without WNLA contracts?

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MM: No, not possible at all. We had no better alternative or options to alleviate our poverty

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EM: How about you can you remember, how the money was from WNLA helped your family?

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SZ: As I said earlier, the money was used for my brother as a school fees, and now he is South Africa

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EM: Oh, yes he is also in South Africa. And is the one who is also helping you?

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SZ: Yes, and he has been helping us a lot and he has built our parents a house. This is very commendable job and because my husband went to WNLA and TEBA to assist alleviate our poverty

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EM: This is very interesting, we have moved from south Africa, now let’s come back to Malawi. After working there for two years, and they have decided to come back to Malawi,, I would really like to know about the first time coming here and you were not aware that your husband was coming. How was it like? What was your reaction?

zulu_001-215
MM: First time when he was coming he found me in the house, and I just heard people saying that he is back so I was surprised and then I saw him and I was so happy to welcome him, and he was so happy too. I can’t explain the sigh of relief that was in my heart. You know for him to come alive was by God’s grace.

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EM: How about you, what was your reaction when your husband was back from his first journey?

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SZ: When he was back I just saw him coming since he never said he was coming and I was also very happy. He was also excited that he found me at home

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EM: So after welcoming him back home, did you have any stress that if he was going back or he was back for good?

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SZ: No I didn’t have any stress; I knew that if he was back, hence anytime soon he was going back

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EM: Or did you think that since he was back your problems were solved?

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MM: In my case no. I dint think of any of that because we were both dependent on each other. And because a lot of people were trying to break us but it did not happen because we were so strong together. He even told me that he was leaving on a particular date and I should not tell anyone. Hence he left without knowledge of his family. Some knew he has gone back after he had arrived back in South Africa

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EM: Tell me since you knew that he was planning to go back to WNLA in South Africa, did you have any stress that he was going to stay there for another two years?

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MM: Not at all. I was not and when he was going back I was pregnant when he was leaving so I was not worried I knew he will come back for me

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EM: Mrs Alabi, when your husband came for the first time, according to the stories he was telling you, what are some of the activities that he liked doing when he was there?

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MM: He would tell me that he was really working hard there and the payment was just okay and if he had access to send money every day he would be sending

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EM: Does that mean heavy duties?

zulu_001-227
MM: Yes. They would work day and night; it didn’t require a lazy person

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EM: Going to the last part. By the time your husband was in South Africa either, the first time he came back home, or for the third time, did you hear any bad stories that was done towards men who went to South Africa to work in the mines?

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MM: Yes we would hear that it was a tough job, as well as hard, and even through the letters he would tell us that some had passed away and we should always wish them well as well as staying well with the people in the villages that he can have peace

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EM: When you heard such things what was your reaction?

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MM: I would get sad but I wouldn’t tell anyone and always prayed for him.

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EM: Mrs Zulu if you remember very well around 1974 Kamuzu Banda had abandoned Malawians from going to mines (WNLA) in South Africa due to aeroplane crush, how did you feel?

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SZ: I did not like it since our families were depending on those men who went to the mines and we were happy that our families were working. Most men did not find jobs to sustain their families locally

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EM: Mrs Alabi, how did you receive it when you heard about the closure of WNLA?

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MM: I was very sad, to the extent that I got sick because I was happy that my husband was working because we had nothing to provide for the kids

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EM: Back to you again Mrs Zulu, how did you cope up with the closure of TEBA around 1989?

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SZ: I was very disappointed, because we had plans of building a house so we failed to achieve our goals.

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EM: So should I conclude that both WNLA and TEBA contracts had a huge impact in the lives of poor Malawians?

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All: Yes, it reduced poverty, since we were able to buy our needs, built houses, sent our children to school. With these closures, it was really hard to take

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EM: Very interesting indeed. So do you have anything that you can say about WNLA that can have an impact on this project?

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MM: WNLA to say the list taught our men how to remain independent as head of the family. Men took responsibilities of their wives, children, families etc. So this contract brought something very positive about Malawians that they are hard workers

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SZ: My husband travelled abroad to work and became the bread winner for the whole family on both sides.

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EM: Thank you all. Is there anything else you have in mind before we close?

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MM: No, I don’t have much to say, but am happy that we’ve met. And I think you are the one to wish us well.

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EM: Thank you so much, and I am glad that, you decided to showup here, and you have given us the right information. Again remember all what we have shared here is recorded, and will be used for academic purposes. Your consent is crucial for its accessibility to others. On behalf of Professor Weise, I want to thank you all.

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Mmadi: Before you close the discussion, I want to repeat the request I made on behalf of the children of the ex-miners. They feel left out. Would you consider them please with an open or group discussion like this one. I think it can also inform and impact this project.

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EM: Thank you again Mr Mmadi. You have been a good servant for this project. I will take your request up with Professor Weise. However, this will depend on the availability of funds. Thank you for your services. Thank you so much.

Sanga_001

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Nelson Kalume Sanga SC 104419 M/Wbank of Chinteche, British Nyasaland Protectorate, hereby make statement and declare:-

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That I first came to the Union of South Africa in 1910, as a volunteer labourer, and on arrival in Johannesburg, I was employed on the Consolidated Main Reef for underground work for one month.

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That thence, I went to Modderfontein B. Gold Mining Co. Ltd, Benoni, where I was employed in the mine recreation hall for 4 months.

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That from there, I went to Randfontein where I was employed at the Central Native Hospital, Randfontein Estates, during the year 1911. I worked on that property for one year.

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That in 1912, I came to Johannesburg where I was employed at Nourse Mines as a native clerk in the compound office for one and a half years. In 1913, I went to Mafeking for a visit, and returned to Johannesburg at the end of 1913.

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That in 1914, I went to the Premier Diamon Mining Co. Ltd, Cullinan, where I was employed underground for a fortnight. The mine was closed down on a/c of the Great War. I went to New Reitfontein Gold Mines, Germiston Area, where I was employed as a native clerk in the compound & time offices respectively, for 8 months. The mine was closed down. Thence I went and lived in Benoni Native Location for three months.

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That in 1917, I went to West Rand Consolidated Mine, where I was employed on the survey work as a surveyor’s boy, for three months. I was retrenched because the mine was too full.

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That from there I went to Randfontein Native Location and stayed there for four months. Thence I went to Witbank and was employed at the United Kendal Colliery as a native clerk for 3 months, and thence returned to Johannesburg.

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That in 1918, I went to the Fides Tin Mines, Potgietersrust. I was employed for 7 months as hospital attendant. I was arrested there, and brought back to Johannesburg where I was charged before the magistrate and sentenced to one month IHL.

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That in 1920, I was employed at Oogies Colliery for 3 months, and thereafter I went to Barberton where I lived till 1927 when I returned to Witbank and was employed at the Schaangezicht Colliery as a native clerk for 5 months + 10 days. Thereafter I was registered to Kendall Colliery as a hospital attendant from 21/2/28 to 12/4/28.

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That I am now offered work as hospital attendant by the West Rand Consolidated Mines, Krugersdorp, and I therefore pray for permission of the Director of Native Labour to be employed as such.

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Nelson Kalume Sanga

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Witness: Wm Bell.

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We opened our Register of Tropical Natives on the 11th May 1920. This man was already, at intervals, in the employ of the mines. His name does not appear, therefore, in the Register.

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His last employer was the City Deep Ltd who did not register him because he was holding a Registration Certificate issued at Barberton on the 18th June 1927.

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WmB

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Employment on Gold Mines as hospital attendant is hereby authorised Director’s authority no. 8/1928 to be quoted on every subsequent pp issued to this native.

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HG Falwasser

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Director of Native Labour [stamped 24 October 1928]