Page 40 - Number 2 2021 Volume 74

28 The Society of Malaŵi Journal

Hearing Lomathinda: A fearless and inspiring voice of Malawi.

A review of
Lomathinda: Rose Chibambo Speaks by Dr Timwa Lipenga

Chimwemwe Phiri

Telling women’s histories
Timwa Lipenga offers an in-depth tribute and intimate look at the
beautiful and challenging personal and political life of Rose Lomathinda
Chibambo (1928-2016). This book itself is less of a biography and what I describe
as a combination of interview narrative coupled with historic and ethnographic
vignettes. The book is a collaborative effort between the author and subject -as
the narrative weaves between first and third person narratives and allows Rose to
tell her story in her own right. Lipenga carefully traces Chibambo’s childhood,
family life and her role as a powerful women’s rights and political activist.
Lomathinda Rose Chibambo was born on 8 September 1928, given the
name Lomathinda (which means snatched from the grave) after a difficult birth
experience for her mother. The early chapters reveal her upbringing in rural
Malawi under colonial rule. Her father (previously widowed) was a schoolteacher
and her mother a dedicated homemaker. Lomathinda married Edwin Chibambo
and it was through this union that her name changed to Rose-an endearing
nickname from her husband.
The book follows a chronological order and charts Chibambo’s life
through key social milestones. However, Lipenga makes the overall message of
the book clear: ‘Lomathinda’ is a book on women’s history - and a specific
woman’s story. ‘Lomathinda’ addresses the silencing of women in the
historiography of Malawi which has mainly focused on the stories of “big men”
during the liberation movement and beyond. Lipenga carefully highlights the
triumphs and lows of a woman who bore witness to the violence of racism,
colonial oppression and played a crucial role in the fight for freedom. Readers
learn of a radical and defiant anti-colonialist who drafted the Women’s League’s
Constitution and championed campaigns against the 1953 Federation between
what are now Malawi, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
Following years of research and interviews with Rose Chibambo and
members of her family, Lipenga crafts a complex life story of a remarkable
woman whose accomplishments are seldom celebrated. Lipenga has described the
writing process in an interview with Michelle Chikaonda. The driving force of
the book is Rose’s commitment to bringing freedom to women which Lipenga
showed stemmed from her upbringing, patriotism, and a deep belief in working to
achieve an equitable life for the citizens of Malawi. It is an effective strategy in
establishing how Chibambo championed gender issues at a time where the