Africa, Another Side of the Coin: Northern Rhodesia's Final Years and Zambia's Nationhood

'Africa is a lost cause'. This is a cynical view held widely in the West, in much of the world and even in Africa. Many people in the old European colonial powers - and not only the dwindling band of 'old Africa hands' who served in the colonies - are in despair, lamenting maladministration, corruption, civil and inter-state wars, poverty, famine and the seemingly unstoppable march of AIDS. And all in a great continent with abundant human and natural resources. The other side of the coin is that hope is beginning to dawn as Africa's plight is recognised by the Africans themselves and its vital strategic, political and economic importance in the age of globalisation is gaining universal appreciation. An 'African renaissance' may seem far-fetched but there is perhaps light at the end of the tunnel. This is the backdrop against which Andrew Sardanis' fascinating story is set. It begins with his work as a journalist in Cyprus - on the receiving end of British colonialism - and moves to Northern Rhodesia where he played a leading role as an international businessman and in the politics of independence leading to the new nation of Zambia. He was at the heart of Zambia's political and business development, and always a sympathetic but critical observer and adviser, both in government and in business, also a close but objective friend of leaders including Kenneth Kaunda.

Table of Contents:
List of illustrations Acknowledgements Map of Zambia (Northern Rhodesia) Introduction PART I 1. Cyprus, island of ‘beauty and longing’ 2. Northern Rhodesia, land of the bwanas and… ‘boys’ 3. ‘The roots of heaven’ 4. The officers and… clerks 5. The rider mounts the horse 6. Strikes and boycotts 7. Governor Benson’s ‘democracy’ 8. Colonies in revolt 9. Signs of change 10. The horse bucks… PART II 11. Dancing the Isaiah and the Chachacha 12. The ‘boys’ woo the bwanas 13. Back to the roots 14. A vital election 15. The reluctant candidate 16. Celebrations and intimidation on the hustings 17. Dashed hopes? 18. Harry rises to the occasion 19. The black coalition 20. … and the rider is thrown off 21. ‘One Zambia, One Nation’ PART III 22. The first steps 23. Development or contingency planning? 24. Hostages to the Rhodesian sanctions 25. Development and dissent 26. UNIP in turmoil attacks the Chief Justice 27. Rhodesian spies and intimidation 28. Economic awakening 29. Mixing business with government 30. The mines under government control 31. Confusion and pressures 32. Moving on PART IV 33. In King Tiny’s court 34. ‘One-party participatory democracy’! 35. A costly mistake 36. Hunted 37. A gentlemen’s coup 38. Paralysis and stagnation 39. A rude awakening 40. Taking stock Epilogue Appendix: The mining agreements Select bibliography Index

About the Author :
Andrew Sardanis was born and educated in colonial Cyprus, worked as a journalist and moved to Northern Rhodesia in 1950. He participated in the independence movement of Zambia and played a major role in the first Administration of the country. After a business career that took him to almost all the sub-Saharan countries he now takes care of the Chaminuka Nature and Wildlife Reserve, near Lusaka, Zambia.