Interviews: 1971-1978 — transcripts, audio recordings, letters and notes

I (Paul David Wilkin) had many interviews with elderly men and women who contributed to the foundation and growth of the NWP’s modern educational system; almost all interviews were conducted within the NWP between 1971 – 1978. 

The page  contains about 24 pdf files of transcripts, plus notes and letters from these individuals. Most important, the page also contains some actual audio recordings with seven individuals. All materials may be read and listened to by anyone for personal use. Click on the links.

While living in the NWP as an UNZA Lecturer — as explained on another web page, “UNZA in the NWP: 1975-79” — I traveled throughout the province conducting and organizing seminars for the university. This provided me with wonderful chances to conduct these interviews. The interviews included over twenty Zambian elders as well as a few missionaries. In addition to full interviews, the last pdf file includes nine shorter conversations. In addition to these interviews, I conducted a few of the interviews overseas in the U.K. and the U.S.A. Actual audio recordings of a number of interviews are included. Users beware! The pdf scripts of some of these old notes and letters are very hard to read and a few of the audios are distorted!

A Special Note: As many scholars will know, websites that only exist in “cyber-space”are very fragile(!). Thus, physical copies of all these interviews have been deposited in Syracuse University’s Special Collections Research Center in New York. Check this link to see what has been deposited for scholarly use in their well preserved collections: Research Documents and Interviews at Syracuse

All interviews were conducted by myself in English, but in a number of interviews, Luka Yamba, a dear friend working for the Ministry of Education and stationed in Solwezi, helped me with KiKaonde interviews. I owe him much gratitude. In addition to my interviews, two additional interview transcripts were located in the SAGM archives in Wimbledon from an earlier era.

Audio recordings. Parts of audio recordings for seven interviews, recorded between 1975 and 1979, have survived. In mid-2014 these were placed on this webpage along with the interview pdf files interviews. PLEASE READ THE EXPLANATORY DOCUMENT BEFORE using the audio recordings. Just click the links.

Audio tapes of seven interviews

Interviewees. Almost all of these interviewees are now deceased. While this material should help scholars study the NWP’s past, relatives of these men and woman interviewed may also find the materials dear to their families.

Very important. A brief description of each interview is given beside the link containing the transcript. To read the pdf file, simply click the link. The first page of each pdf transcript starts with a one page overview about the person, the interview and the file.

Chizewu, Silas. Chizawu Interview transcripts. This pdf file has 36 pp. He was interviewed in Kabompo, on 15 June and 2 November 1976. These interviews were followed by lengthy informal conversations in 1977 and 1978. He also made available a copy of his unpublished manuscript entitled, “Traditional Tribal Education in Zambezi (Ishindi) Lunda Area.”

Forman, Janetta. Forman Interview transcripts. This pdf file has 24 pp. She was interviewed in her home in St. Andrews, Fife, Scotland, on 12 January 1976. The interview was not recorded. After the interview, she kindly went through her personal papers and in a lengthy letter dated 15th January, she gave a long chronology of the key events of her school work at Mukinge Mission from 1937 to May 1955. When she left Northern Rhodesia, she worked in Ghana.

Kalepa, Lumangula Remus. Kalepa Interview transcripts. This pdf file has 28 pp. He was interviewed in Solwezi, on 23 February and 7 March 1978. Both interviews were taped and transcribed, and the former was corrected by Mr. Kalepa. The latter was partly conducted in KiKaonde with the assistance of Mr. Luka Yamba.

Kibolya, Tito. Kibolya Interview transcripts. This pdf tile has 21 pp. He was interviewed in Solwezi, on 10 November 1977. At later dates, he also informally answered several other important questions as we were both living in Solwezi town at the time.

Letchford, Peter. Letchford Interview transcripts. This pdf file has 50 pp. He was interviewed in his home in Loudonville, New York, on 21 November 1975. He made available some useful correspondence regarding his work in Northern Rhodesia in the late 1940s. In later correspondence, he answered several other important questions. Click the link above to read the pdf file. Click below on the audio links to hear both Part 1 and Part 2 of the audio recording of the interview:

Manuwele, Sachilombo. Manuwele Interview transcripts. This pdf file has 30 pp. He was interviewed in his home in Chavuma, Zambezi, on 11 June 1976.

Mujatulanga, Lubinga. Mujatulanga Interview transcripts. This pdf file has 20 pp. He was interviewed in his home in Lubinga Village, Kasempa, on 12 November 1978. The interview was conducted with the assistance of Mr. Luka Yamba.

Mukimwa, David. Mukimwa Interview transcripts. This pdf file has 24 pp. He was interviewed in his home near Kasempa, on 12 November 1978. The interview was conducted with the assistance of Mr. Luka Yamba.

Mutembu, Kangasa (Spider). Mutembu Interview transcripts. This pdf file has 20 pp. He was interviewed in his home in Mwinilunga, on 7 December 1976.

Mutwale, E. Mutwale Interview transcripts. This pdf file has 5 pp. He was interviewed in his home near Kasempa, on 14 November 1978. Mr. Luka Yamba assisted with the interview. Click below on the both Part 1 and Part 2 of the audio recordings of the interview:

Mwondela, John. Mwondela Interview transcripts. This pdf file has 27 pp. He was interviewed in his home in Lusaka on two different dates: 8 January and 24 March 1979. The latter interview on 24th March was informal and not recorded. He kindly made available to me a rare photograph taken about 1920. Click on the audio links below to hear parts of the interview. Note: Both audio links are incomplete as the original cassette was stretched from sitting in my closet for 30 years. Part 1 contains pp. 1-6 of the pdf transcript and Part 2 contains pp. 11-12 of the pdf transcript of the audio recording of the interview.

Ngalande, Aaron. Ngalande Interview transcripts. This pdf file has 37 pp. Interviewed at the government rest house, Kasempa, on 14 November 1978 and on 20 April 1979. Click below to hear an audio recording for 14th Nov. 1978 (Part 1 and/or Part 2) or for 20th April 1979: 

Nisbet, Alexander and Marjorie. Nisbet Interview transcripts.This pdf file has 33 pages. They were interviewed in their home in Sandhead, Stranraer, Scotland, on 10 and 11 January 1976 and again on 1 and 2 April 1978: both unstructured and not recorded on tape. In addition, they have answered numerous questions in informal letters and conversations.

Pirouet, Mrs. Florence. Pirouet Interview transcripts by SAGM. This pdf file has 24 pp. This is a conversation between Mrs. Florence Pirouet and Mr. R. N. Wyatt [former General Secretary of the AEF in Britain]. No date given, no place of interview given.

Riddell, Agnes L. >Riddell Interview transcripts.This pdf file has 37 pp. She was interviewed in her home at Kalene, Mwinilunga, on 7 December 1976. In addition, she very kindly expanded on the interview in letters dated 8 December 1976 and 22 June 1977.

Sameta, Silas N. Sameta Interview transcripts.This pdf file has 30 pp. He was interviewed at Mwinilunga Secondary School, on 4 August 1976. Click on the audio links below to hear parts of the interview. Note: Both audio links are incomplete as the original cassette became stretched from sitting in my closet for 30 years. Part 1 contains pp. 1-6 of the pdf transcript and Part 2 contains pp. 9-12 of the pdf transcript of the audio recording of the interview. There is no audio recording of pp. 6 (bottom) through page 9 (middle). You must read the pdf transcript.

Sangambo, Moses. Sangambo Interview transcripts. This pdf file has 15 pp. He was interviewed in Zambezi, on 23 and 26 July 1977.

Sayila, Peter. Sayila Interview transcripts. This pdf file has 27 pp. He was interviewed in his home in Manyinga, Kabompo, on 17 November 1976. In an informal conversation later on 26 July 1977, he expanded considerably on the formal interview. Below are the two audio files of the formal interviews (Parts 1 and 2); click on the audio links below to hear these audio recordings. Note: These audio materials are crystal clear.

Shoosmith, Miss Edith. Shoosmith SAGM Interview. This pdf file has 23 pages. This conversation was between Miss E. M. Shoosmith and Mr. R. N. Wyatt. On 24 April [no year given] at Miss Shoosmith’s home at Crowborough, England.

Short, Robin. Short Robin Correspondence transcripts. This pdf file has 31 pp. We exchanged a lot of correspondence in the period after my dissertation (from August 1985 through January 1987). He not only read it carefully, but also thoughtfully reflected on the late colonial period in Northern Rhodesia where he had been DC of Kasempa District; he also held many other posts. He added some key points about NWP history that may possibly be useful to future scholars. His seven paged typed commentary of 3rd February 1986 is extremely informative. He also enclosed a 4 pp. letter from Miss L. Falconer at Kabulamema in Kabompo District.

Suckling, Gordon. Suckling Interview transcripts. This pdf file has 46 pp. He was interviewed in his home at Sachibondo, Mwinilunga, on 26 November 1977.

Stanley Tepa. Tepa Interview transcripts. This pdf file has 37 pp. He was interviewed at the government rest house, Mwinilunga, on 6 December 1976.

Wright, John (Ginger). Wright correspondence transcripts. This pdf file has 19 pp. This was my transcript of our conversation at his home in Ndola in March 1975, plus some brief correspondence thereafter. He made available a taped manuscript that he had written entitled “African Evangelical Fellowship”.

Yamba, Luka. Yamba Interview transcripts. This pdf file has 6 pp. He was interviewed in Solwezi, on 8 July 1979. In addition, we traveled to Kasempa in mid-November 1978 and he assisted in my meetings with various individuals in Chief Kasempa’s area. Also, we worked together in the period of 1976 to 1979 in Solwezi, and Mr. Yamba advised me on many details regarding my research and interviews. I owe him much gratitude. Below are two audio files of the formal interview (Part 1 and Part 2). Note: the two parts cover the entire interview but require concentration as the cassette was badly stretched due to age.

Informal Conversations and correspondence. This pdf file with the following people totals 8 pp:

• Brooks, Mr./Mrs. Don. 15^th June 1976. They were CMML missionaries at that time in Kabompo. One manuscript sheet. Their names were not listed on the sheet of informal conversations and correspondence in the original dissertation’s bibliography.
• Foster, Rev./Mrs. Charles. Interviewed at their home, Mukinge Mission, Kasempa, on 27 May 1975. Our chats were brief and not recorded; one page of impressions. 
• Kanga, James. Frequent correspondence and conversations about traditional society from 1965-81. Still a personal friend who has offered advice about this website. No notes.
• Kasumbelesa, Mr. This was a discussion at his home near Kasempa, on 12 November 1978 in KiKaonde with Mr. Luka Yamba interpreting. No notes.
• Musompo, Ezekiel. This was a discussion at his home in Musompo Village, Kasempa, on 11 November 1978 in KiKaonde with Mr. Luka Yamba interpreting. No notes.
• Samungole, Thomas K. Numerous conversations and correspondence about education, missionaries, and Christianity in Zambia between 1963 and 1981. Still a personal friend who has offered advice about this website. No notes.
• Totterdall, Horace. This was a chat about the AEF on 6 January 1976 followed by several conversations in the days afterwards — its past and then current policies. Clarified mission policy and its structure as it affected Zambia in 1976. Conducted at Wimbledon Headquarters in January 1976. Two typed pages.
• Warburton, Michael and Francis. Brief conversations and correspondence at intervals between 1963-1977. They served most of their earlier life at Mutanda Mission and I first met them when teaching at Solwezi Secondary School in 1963. (See the photograph of Mike at Mutanda in 1963.) I last met them at their home in England on 7th January 1976 when they working in England for the AEF. By this time they had become old personal friends. One typed summary page.
• Wilson, T. Ernest. This was a conversation in his home at Spring Lake, New Jersey, on 11 November 1976. Talked about Brethren (CMML) policies and his missionary work, especially his personal experiences in Angola and contacts with missionaries in the NWP. One typed page.

After reviewing these interviews, you might like to check the next page
with transcripts of documents from my personal papers — meant especially for scholars studying the NWP’s history.
Academic Writing and Sources