Mission Rebel 1954

Rebel Mission: 1954

Special souvenir edition collection

History in the making of Zambia..,

Remembering our past, the treasured photos brings to life the nostalgic memories; the historical reference; the fashion statement; 1954 REBELS Witness historical event by Asian community, a peaceful march to bring new beginnings the process of change from the Federation Northern Rhodesia days to The Republic of Zambia on 24th October 1964.

Fifty four years on we remember the past and look ahead to our future generation to be proud of their achievements.

Back row: DAS V. Natubhai , C D Naik, Maganbhai Patel (mazabuka), Dhirubhai D. Naik, Kantibhai S Patel, (6th from left ?..,) Kanjibhai B. Patel, Ravi Pema, Rasikbhai Patel,(10th from left?.). Vitalbhai Ranchod, Sumanlal Naik, Manubhai Patel(maglas). Harishbhai Amin Front row: Hirubhai Patel, Prabhubhai V. Vilas, Kantilal Ranchhod, Kantilal Gordhanbhai Patel, Balubhai Mistry, (1from left ?..,)

the community spirit that reunited everyone and not forgetting the priceless expressions on everyone's faces. Knowing that they all participating in a peaceful march.., that ended with a positive result.

But overtime forgotten..

NAME : KANTIBHAI

GORDANBHAI PATEL

BORN : 28th October 1928 in Dharmaj, Gujarat State in India of a peasant family.

EDUCATION : Primary and Secondary at Dharmaj.

University of Bombay, B.A. (General).

Left University half-way to come to Africa.

FAMILY : Comrade Patel is a widower, having lost his wife in 1973.

BACKGROUND : He has three sons and seven grandchildren. All now Second and Third generation citizens of Zimbabwe.

EXPEREINCE and HISTORY :

PROFILE OF COMRADE K.G. PATEL 1928 - 2011

1951 came to Zambia (Northern Rhodesia). He was a shop assistant for a year. Rebelled against the injustices inflicted on shop assistants and formed a Shop Assistants’ Union to fight against injustices. As a result he lost his job and stayed unemployed for nearly two years.

Ultimately he found a teaching post in a Greenacre School, Kalomo which in those days used to be racially divided. The injustice of the colonial racialist policies was a major factor in bringing about his Political Consciousness. In those days Indians could not travel to Southern Rhodesia without a passport even when Southern Rhodesia was part of the Federation. Having come from a country, India, where the anti-colonial struggle for Independence was at its peak in the 1940s, Comrade Patel found it was necessary to link up with the emerging anti-colonial struggle in Central Africa, and he established a close relationship with the African National Congress and later U.N.I.P. to fight against colonial domination. He was also a member of the Provincial (Kalomo) Race Relations Committee.

He came to Zimbabwe (then Rhodesia) in 1961, and came in contact with progressive Zimbabweans of Indian origin who were linked up with N.D.P. and Z.A.P.U. He was elected to the Executive of the Asian Association, and in that capacity radicalized the thinking of some of its members on African Nationalism and Independence from colonial rule. Also as member and later as Secretary General of the Hindu Society (1979-1981), he took special interest in the sphere of education.

During the struggle in the sixties, his house and shop were twice ransacked by the Colonial Police after the banning of the first N.D.P. and the Z.A.P.U. He was then the District Treasurer of Z.A.P.U. in Norton District.

During the 1970s a group of progressive Zimbabweans of Indian origin started a trust called Sarasvati Education Trust (of which Comrade Patel was the Secretary General) to raise funds for scholarships mainly for black students to enable them to pursue University Education. The Trust gave about 25 scholarships yearly for about five years. Also, the trust helped many comrades who were expelled from the University of Rhodesia to escape to universities overseas.

He personally assisted many comrades in distress such as those who were expelled from the country and had left families behind.

In 1969, Comrade Patel was one of the principal organizers (as its Secretary General) of the Gandhi Centenary celebrations in Zimbabwe. The aim was to commemorate the contribution Mahatma Gandhi had made to the struggles of the peoples of Southern Africa against the injustices of colonialism.

In February 1980, Z.A.N.U. (PF) decided to open a branch at Ridgeview. At a meeting called for occasion, Comrade Patel was the Chairman. The meeting was addressed by several Z.A.N.U. (PF) officials including Comrade Maurice Nyagumbo, Comrade Nathan Shamuyarira and Comrade Herbet Ushewokunze.

Comrade Patel was elected interim Chairman of the Z.A.N.U. (PF) Tongogara Ridgeview Branch. When the branch was officially established, Comrade K.G. Patel was elected Vice Chairman.

In 1981, Comrade Patel was elected to the party’s District Executive Committee of the Salisbury Central District, he then became the Treasurer until 1984, when he was elected to the higher body of the Provincial Executive Committee as its Financial Secretary.

In July 1985, he was nominated by His Excellency, Cde R.G. Mugabe to sit on the Senate (as a Senator).

In 1990, Comrade Patel was appointed by His Excellency, Cde. R.G Mugabe in the Parliament as a Member of Parliament.

Cde Patel was an Executive Member of the Commonwealth Parliamentarians Association.

In 1994 at the Party’s Congress he was elected into the Central Comittee.

In 1995 he was re-appointed as a Member of Parliament by the President. He served in the following Parliamentary Committees: Public Accounts Technical Ministries

Cde Patel was a Treasurer of the Zimbabwe – India Friendship Association through which the Jawaharlal Nehru – Robert Mugabe Scholarship Fund was established.

In 1999, at the Party’s Congress he was again elected into the Committee.

Comrade Patel was on the Board of Trustees of 21st February Movement of which he was one of the founding members.

In 2004, at the Party’s Congress he was again elected into the Central Committee and thereafter was appointed in the Politburo of the Party as deputy Secretary for Finance.

For more info: https://www.herald.co.zw/politburo-member-patel-dies/ https://www.herald.co.zw/kantibai-patel-one-of-a-rare-breed/

'PAPER PRESENTED FEB 2000 - to the INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON *CONTRIBUTION BY PEOPLE OF INDIAN ORIGIN*

Interesting early history and plight of Indians in Zambia ..

'Indians in Zambia' were represented by LHA's Mr. Harikrishna Nayee (Past Chairperson).

T

" he first Indians to settle in North Eastern Rhodesia (now Zambia) came from Nyasaland (now Malawi) in 1905. The Khamisa brothers

and their retainers were the first INDIAN traders.

In the same period few INDIAN settlers began to trickle in from the South and were settled in North western Rhodesia in Livingstone. It is interesting to note that Muslims arrived in Chipata on the Nyasaland border and settled there. The Hindu migration took place from Livingstone. Eventually both communities made their way to Lusaka and settled down along the line of rail. Almost all the immigrants came from Gujarat. To our credit it must be said that both the communities have cohabited peacefully ever since.

The Europeans were totally unhappy that the Indians should be allowed to settle. The traders, mainly Jews, protested their presence.

The British Government tried to discourage INDIAN migration by imposing stiff criteria like literacy tests which required would be immigrants to read and write English. The test in English held the flow of Indians in total check until the end of World War II. Those traders who managed to settle met strong anti-Inflammatory sentiment everywhere. Cases of provocation, harassment and outright intimidation against Indians were a common feature. Indians and Africans alike lived under apartheid like conditions, only difference being Indians were treated as 2nd class, while the poor blacks suffered extreme humiliation.

Indians could not get employment opportunities anywhere in the civil service, posts, mines, farming or

railways. Even the

smallest clerical position was denied to them, unlike our brothers in East Africa who totally manned the lower echelons of civil service. There was segregation in schools, hospitals, cinemas and restaurants. The prosperous mining towns on the Copperbelt were prohibited to them. Only Europeans could trade there.

The pioneer INDIAN had no choice but to get into some sort of trade or service. Many began as market gardeners, tailors, cobblers, barbers and provided small services to the colonial masters. Hawking began to take root and thus emerged the small shopkeeper.

The Africans or Natives as they were called then were more comfortable dealing with the Indian trader.

No black person could enter a white store. He had to stand outside and be served through a cubicle. He had no choice.

Meat, tinned foods and even clothing were served through this hatch. The African therefore found shopping in Asian stores a luxury. He could mingle freely, pick and choose his purchases.

This marked the beginning of progress for the Indian traders and the beginning of the end of control of African trade by the white man. The Indian soon began to make inroads into remote and inaccessible rural areas providing vital and basic necessities.

As most of you may be aware, *Sir Winston Churchill acknowledged that the opening up of the hinterland in East and Central Africa was due to the Indian traders.*

There was a political side effect to develop from this. The emergence of the Asian trader in areas classified as second class was a significant development which paved way for greater influence and interaction between the oppressed Africans and Indians.

Indians had already become independent and the African leaders now looked to the Asian for moral and material support.

This was amply provided. Literature on Indian freedom struggle translated into the local vernacular was imported under the guise of religious material.

The president of the African National Congress, Mr Lewanika was flown to India where he met Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru and was accorded VIP hospitality. Local Indians also paid for trips to United Nations for Dr Kenneth Kaunda.

Prominent Indians accompanied him on his trip and also to Lancaster house conference to discuss Zambia's Independence. It must also be said that successive Indian High Commissioners from the early fifties played a pivotal role in educating political awareness amongst the early nationalists, a matter that somewhat irked the colonial administrators."

United Kingdom ended

NEWS AROUND THE WORLD 1954

the food rationing measures that had been instituted during World War II. It was a fairly good year for music: in April, Bill Haley & His Comets released “Rock Around the Clock”, the single credited with starting the rock ‘n roll craze in the U.S. Later that year, Elvis Presley released his first single “That’s All Right”, marking the start of a hugely successful career.

KENYA: The Darkening War Monday, May 24, 1954

Before dawn, some 400 Mau Mau came out of their strongholds to fight in the open. They first raided the white man's clubhouse at Thika, 34 miles northeast of Nairobi. They dragged out the African barman and slashed him to bits with their sharp pangas; they tore up a picture of Sir Winston Churchill, downed all the mineral water in the bar, and made off towards the police post at Kandara, 16 miles away.

Art: NEW CEZANNE Monday, Mar. 29, 1954

ALTHOUGH Paul Cézanne is widely regarded as the father of modern painting, and Manhattan's Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum is devoted to modern art, the Guggenheim has never owned a Cézanne. When it finally got one, it got one of the best: the Clockmaker (opposite), which will go on view next week along with 34 other recently acquired paintings.

Cézanne (1839-1906) painted pictures that were meticulous approximations of what he saw in nature; most of his contemporary critics thought them clumsy (in fact they were the reverse) and looked on Cézanne as inept or else…

INDIA: Land of Peace Monday, Aug. 16, 1954

Jawaharlal Nehru, disciple of the nonviolent Gandhi, likes to scold everybody else (especially the Western nations) for their bellicose natures. Last week some of the stones he has been throwing were thrown back at Nehru's glass house. Since India gained freedom in 1947, Nehru has repeatedly demanded an end to all colonial enclaves in the subcontinent. When his huffing, puffing and pleading did not blow the colonial walls down, armed Indian nationalists (often Communist-led) began to stir up revolts in the enclaves, and Nehru gave their activity the kind of silence that implies approval.

What was it like in the 50's B

ollywood Indian Cinema was at its best in 1950s and 60s.

The cinema of this time was marked with a distinct voice of country. Spirits were running high and the fate of Hindi film industry was changing.

With the rise of great actor-directors Raj Kapoor and Guru Dutt, Indian Cinema reached its pinnacle during this decade.

These were the glory years for Hindi cinema when some of the landmark films in the history were made and gained national and international fame.

1. Aar Paar (1954) Guru Dutt, Shyama, Johnny Walker, Jagdish Sethi, Jagdeep, Tun Tun, Bir Sakuja

2. Boot Polish David, Master Rattan, Baby Naaz, Chand Burke, Bhudo Advani, Veera;

3. Mirza Ghalib-Bharat Bhushan and Suraiya in the lead roles

4. Jagriti Abhi Bhattacharya, Bipin Gupta, Pranoti Ghosh, Rajkumar Gupta, Mumtaz Begum, Rattan Kumar;

5. Amar Dilip Kumar, Madhubala and Nimmi in the lead roles.

.

B

est movies from Hollywood, with Film legends Paul Newman and Jack Lemmon made their big screen debuts in 1954.

These top movies of 1954 are listed by popularity. The list consists of all different movie genres, but each film was released in 1954.

This is a list that features movies like on the top with

1. Rear Window Grace Kelly, James Stewart, Alfred Hitchcock;

2. On the Waterfront Marlon Brando, Eva Marie Saint, Rod Steiger;

3. A Star Is Born 2nd adaptation of musical film Judy Garland, Amanda Blake, Laurindo Almeida;

4. Sabrina Humphrey Bogart, Audrey Hepburn, William Holden 1954 was a great year for movies, since a lot of classic films were released.

Worldwide Cinema industry set the trend for film goers to enjoy special moment of escapism from reality of the World around, packed with thrills, suspends & entertainment values that continues to be apparent in today's modern day cinemas.

RESEARCH TO THE REBEL MISSION 1954

References websites 1.

REMANTS OF EMPIRE

https://remnantsofempire.com/

5.

INDIANS REPRESENTATION IN ZAMBIA

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indians_in_Zambia

2. http://www.zambiaworldwide.org/

6.

WHAT ITS LIKE DOING BUSINESS IN ZAMBIA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fZe9hFs-SZ4

3. FEDERAL DAYS THE RIDER & THE HORSE https://youtu.be/hZbPTDZAM4o

4. INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT ZAMBIA http://tonsoffacts.com/30-interesting-fascinating-facts-zambia/

7. HOW INDIAN COMMUNITIES STRENGHTENS ZAMBIA’S ECONMY https://youtu.be/CrOyNScTigQ

8.

INDIAN POPULATION IN ZAMBIA 2018

https://joshuaproject.net/people_groups/11982/ZA

For correspondence address / subscribe or to forward articles in connection with REBEL MISSION 1954. email: Zambialounge@gmail.com

Contact: Sunil Vilas 8/10 Leys Avenue, Letchworth Garden City Hertfordshire SG6 3EU. ENGLAND UK.