Page 33 - 2020 SoMJ Vol 73 No 2_Neat

24 The Society of Malaŵi Journal

John Chilembwe and Juma Chimwere: The Missionary and
the Soldier

Melvin E. Page

“He was his friend,” is how Titus Chimwere characterized his father’s
relationship with the Reverend John Chilembwe. Speaking with me in 1972, the
former King’s African Rifles Warrant Officer discussed details of his father’s life
as told to him when he was a boy. Though we spoke in English, other details
revealed in the interview suggests he was likely speaking more of a polite
acquaintance than a mutual bond. Nonetheless, Titus Chimwere’s memories of
Chilembwe—both his own experiences as a boy of less than ten as well as
recollections of his father’s views—offer another small glimpse of the socio-
political setting in the Nyasaland of 1915 and after.
My interview with Titus Chimwere was conducted as part of a much
larger project, designed to assess the impact of the colonial military on the life of
Malawians. The initial focal point of the study was the First World War, especially
as the generation for which it was a lived experience was rapidly passing from the
scene. With the encouragement of both the University of Malawi and the Malawi
Army, I was able to organize a multifaceted interviewing project to capture as
many memories of that era—which also included the Chilembwe Rising—as
possible. Early in this endeavour, I began tape recording conversations in the Old
Soldiers Memorial Home at Cobbe Barracks, Zomba, mostly with the aged
residents. In mid-September 1972, only a few weeks after beginning these
interviews, my student research assistant Yusuf Juwayeyi and I had an opportunity
to meet Titus Chimwere, a World War Two veteran, at the home itself rather than
his nearby residence. Army officials had arranged our talk, as his father was one
of the legendary Malawian soldiers who had served the Kings African Rifles:
Regimental Sergeant Major Juma Chimwere, DCM. His son, Titus, was gracious
enough to spend considerable time with us discussing not just his career, but also
memories of his father’s K.A.R. experiences as well. Though our formal
discussions were largely in English, Mr. Juwayeyi translated for us when my all
too limited Chichewa might have otherwise prevented our communicating clearly.
He also led the transcription team for this interview.
Plans for the overall project had always anticipated opportunities to elicit
information about John Chilembwe and his rebellion. While many interviewees
acknowledged a contemporary awareness of Chilembwe and his influence, few
offered any significant new insights. I have mentioned salient tidbits in previous
publications, most notably in The Chiwaya War: Malawians in the Great War and