DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.70004#0187
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building houses, iron from a nearby ore deposit was smelted using traditional
methods to make axes, hoes, nails and other things. Electricity was generated
locally. To supply food to the mission station, which included a health centre,
leprosarium, orphanage, schools and a printery, about 100 tons of cassava (the
staple food of Northwestern Zambia) were needed annually (SNELSON 1974,
75). It was bought from local farmers, so that the mission was a major local
economic stimulus. Suckling strongly identified himself with the local popu-
lation and his programme was successful in the beginning: there were far less
emigrants to the urban areas from Balovale than from other districts, and many
people were enabled to create a livelihood for themselves in their home district.
A conflict arose between Suckling and his colleagues and supporters in Eng-
land who accused him of neglecting the foremost mission task of evangeliza-
tion, although his ideas accorded fully with the goals of the CMML pioneer
F. S. Arnot (see above pp. 112 - 113). Financial support was withdrawn,
loans which Suckling had raised for the different projects were reclaimed, and
he became deeply indebted. One reason for the partial failure of the pro-
gramme was that Suckling’s dream was progressive but unrealistic. Moreover,
the Government hindered rather than supported it:
“The central BSAC government/business enterprise did not just
want tax money; it desired men to migrate to the towns. It did
not expect development in this district” (WlLKIN 1983, 263).
After the loan problem was resolved the programme continued on a more
modest scale in the thirties and forties. Chitokoloki also became the most
important educational centre in North-Western Province, including a teach-
ers’ training college. This had long term effects: in Who is Who in Zambia
(MLENGA 1968), 19 personalities are mentioned who were at one time pupils
at Chitokoloki, the highest number of all mission schools (see above, Table 12).
While the CMML mission generally put little emphasis on education, the Chi-
tokoloki programme being exceptional, it has gained a very good reputation
with its medical work. Walter Fisher, in particular, established at Kalene Hill
in the north-western corner of Zambia one of the best medical centres in the
country which not only serves Mwinilunga District but adjacent areas of Zaire
and Angola as well. The special emphasis on medical work is very much due
to Fisher’s personality, and accounts for the fact that the province is today
the best served with medical facilities (see above, Chapter VI).
7. Fifth Case Study: Jehovah’s Witnesses in Serenje District
As outlined above (Section III.6.a) the Jehovah’s Witnesses are the second
biggest religious grouping in Zambia. They are thus a strong community not
building houses, iron from a nearby ore deposit was smelted using traditional
methods to make axes, hoes, nails and other things. Electricity was generated
locally. To supply food to the mission station, which included a health centre,
leprosarium, orphanage, schools and a printery, about 100 tons of cassava (the
staple food of Northwestern Zambia) were needed annually (SNELSON 1974,
75). It was bought from local farmers, so that the mission was a major local
economic stimulus. Suckling strongly identified himself with the local popu-
lation and his programme was successful in the beginning: there were far less
emigrants to the urban areas from Balovale than from other districts, and many
people were enabled to create a livelihood for themselves in their home district.
A conflict arose between Suckling and his colleagues and supporters in Eng-
land who accused him of neglecting the foremost mission task of evangeliza-
tion, although his ideas accorded fully with the goals of the CMML pioneer
F. S. Arnot (see above pp. 112 - 113). Financial support was withdrawn,
loans which Suckling had raised for the different projects were reclaimed, and
he became deeply indebted. One reason for the partial failure of the pro-
gramme was that Suckling’s dream was progressive but unrealistic. Moreover,
the Government hindered rather than supported it:
“The central BSAC government/business enterprise did not just
want tax money; it desired men to migrate to the towns. It did
not expect development in this district” (WlLKIN 1983, 263).
After the loan problem was resolved the programme continued on a more
modest scale in the thirties and forties. Chitokoloki also became the most
important educational centre in North-Western Province, including a teach-
ers’ training college. This had long term effects: in Who is Who in Zambia
(MLENGA 1968), 19 personalities are mentioned who were at one time pupils
at Chitokoloki, the highest number of all mission schools (see above, Table 12).
While the CMML mission generally put little emphasis on education, the Chi-
tokoloki programme being exceptional, it has gained a very good reputation
with its medical work. Walter Fisher, in particular, established at Kalene Hill
in the north-western corner of Zambia one of the best medical centres in the
country which not only serves Mwinilunga District but adjacent areas of Zaire
and Angola as well. The special emphasis on medical work is very much due
to Fisher’s personality, and accounts for the fact that the province is today
the best served with medical facilities (see above, Chapter VI).
7. Fifth Case Study: Jehovah’s Witnesses in Serenje District
As outlined above (Section III.6.a) the Jehovah’s Witnesses are the second
biggest religious grouping in Zambia. They are thus a strong community not