Page 5 - 2020 SoM Journal Vol 73 No 1 FINAL_Neat

Editor’s Notes

During the space of six days at the end of March and during early April
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this year, Malawi lost two most formidable and much-loved intellectuals. On 27
March we learned of the passing of Thandika Mkandawire, whose obituary
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appears on page 44 of this issue, and on the 2 April we lost George ‘Sam’
Shepperson, for whom a brief ‘Memoriam’ tribute appears on page vi. An obituary
and appreciation of George Shepperson’s remarkable life will appear in the next
issue of this Journal. May they both rest in eternal peace.
An account of the conflagration that destroyed one of Malawi’s most
historic and iconic buildings ‘The Old Residency’, Zomba, which had been
repurposed as the Hotel Masangola, relates (on page 1) a tragedy that could surely
have been mitigated to a considerable extent, if not avoided altogether.
Dr David Happold offers (page 4) interesting insights into surely
unsuspected contributions to the taxonomy of Malawi’s wildlife by General Sir
William Manning. This is followed (on page 8) by a most timely and readable
study by Professor Brian Morris on ‘Deforestation, Food Security and Sustainable
Agriculture’. Nota bene, Malawi!
Professor Mel Page explores (page 21) the fascinating and continuing
legacy of song that feeds Malawi’s very heartbeat. This study examines the
frequently imaginative lyrics of Malawi’s asilikali (or askari) and how culturally
their music and lyrics still evolve and mutate to fulfil a clear social need embraced
by the nation at large.
Specious speculation upon the origins of President Hastings Kamuzu
Banda survived decades after the specific instance and period that Brooks
Marmon closely examines in his interesting exposition. Such speculation remains
to this day a powerful political tool in the hands of those wishing to destabilise the
status quo. President Barack Obama (USA) faced similar malicious speculation.
The Society is most grateful to Paul Zeleza for his powerfully eloquent
obituary for Thandika Mkandawire. Always generous with his time and in sharing
the fruits of his considerable intellect, Thandika had the rare gift of making those
whom he met feel both at ease and valued. On page 50, David Bone has
contributed a most thoughtful and well-considered review of newly published
Politics, Christianity and Society. Essays in Honour of John McCracken. Kenneth
Ross and Wapumuluka Mulwafu, as editors, have accomplished a challenging
undertaking with a dedication and zeal that both illuminates and celebrates the life
of this much loved and missed historian; and dedicated mentor to many. There
follows a Book Notice for Yusuf Juwayeyi’s Archaeology & Oral Tradition in
Malawi. Origins and Early History of the Chewa. Now an Associate Professor of
Anthropology in the USA, Yusuf formerly held the post of Director of the
Department of Antiquities in Malawi.

David Stuart-Mogg
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