WESTERN PROVINCE.
ANNUAL REPORT IN NATIVE AFFAIRS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 1937.
CHAPTER I.
Political and General.
The year has been noteworthy for the satisfactory demeanour of the Native population and the complete economic recovery of the District.
Relations between the Native and European populations have been satisfactory, but with returning prosperity there has been a tendency upon the part of the natives to be more independent.
There has been employment available for all able bodied natives and during the past 4 months a definite shortage of labour has been apparent. Employers offering reasonable conditions and wages of 10/- and 12/6d. per month have found difficulty in keeping up their labour strength, and in many cases have failed to do so.
Markets have been available for all produce received from native sources and the prices have been high. Crops were satisfactory.
On the 1st January a section of the old Solwezi District comprising the areas of Chiefs Kalilele, Musaka, Chikola, Mulonga and Kimbilombilo was incorporated in the Ndola District. The area taken over contains a total population of 8380, and a taxable population of 1476. The tax rate in this area was 7/6d. and has not been changed.
This area is a far cry from the Administrative centre of Ndola, and the difficulties of satisfactory administration are considerable. It is hoped that the situation will be eased when an administrative post is opened at Nchanga Mine (pictured below in 1950).
There have been many mining and commercial developments which have been of considerable interest to the native population. Nchanga Mine has commenced development work on a large scale and now employs 79 Europeans and 1162 Natives. Kankule prospect has been the scene of much activity, and the Kapako forestry industry had developed considerably. On our borders the Kansanshi Mine (below left) has again sprung to life, and near Ndola the lime quarries and works have been working to capacity. The timber concessions and timber works of Hasereis and Co., situated to the South of the Swahili Reserve, have been so busy that they have been obliged to refuse orders.
Considering the opportunities that are present for improving their position it is amazing how little interest the local natives are taking. Apathy is everywhere, and with a few exceptions, the local native is content if he has a full stomach, can pay his way, and provide clothing for himself and for his wife. There are very few signs of advancement in native life and conditions of living are in no way improving. The Watch Tower adherents and the Jehovah’s Witnesses have not been prominent and no untoward instances have been reported.
The complaints that the Natives’ Reserves are too small, which have frequently been commented upon previously, still continue to be received, especially from Chiefs Chiwala and Mushiri. Chief Nkambo was found gradually to be encroaching onto the Luanshya District and destroying large areas of valuable forest; some of this destruction was taking place on land that has been assigned to the Mining Company. Therefore it has been necessary to give several villages notice to move back onto the Reserve after reaping their next crops.
Every effort has been made to travel in the District as much as possible, but difficulties have been considerable. The Provincial Administration staff has been completely changed during the year from the District Commissioner’s Clerk to the District Commissioner himself, and for six weeks the staff was one District Officer short. Monthly visits of about five days duration are made to Nchanga, and six tours of the District have been undertaken covering a period of 103 days. Meetings have been held of all the Native Authorities and on the 6th November there was an Indaba of Chiefs at Ndola to meet H.E the Governor [Hubert Winthrop Young, Governor from 1935-1938].
The new Native Location at Ndola is quickly taking shape and will be completed next year. The improved housing and amenities are much appreciated. At Nchanga Mine the compound is satisfactory.
Unfortunately the African Town was a complete failure and not one application for a plot was received; the reason given was that the town being over seven miles away from Ndola made the site too remote. Another site was then found two miles from Ndola and a scheme of management submitted in September last: up to the present no progress has been made and I do not think the natives are really very interested in the project. They like being near the Beer Hall, Recreation Hall and grounds and the Dispensary, etc., and appreciate water from the main, proper sanitation, bathrooms and good conveniences for washing their clothing. All these pleasant conditions are to be had in the location upon payment of a reasonable rent, and they appear to prefer this rather than fend for themselves on a bare plot in an African Town.
