Old Kasenga, Zambia

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• I am Mboozi Central Muvuma, new Head Teacher at Kasenga Girls Secondary School. In the handover notes from the outgoing Head I found out that the school was started by Primitive Methodist Missionaries way back in the early 1900. As a teacher of History I wanted to know more. That’s how I stumbled upon these revealing historical facts. I’m therefore appealing to the descendants of the founding fathers of this place that may wish to be in touch with us to freely contact us using my personal details as the school hasn’t got website nor email address yet. My line is +260977335260. It works for what’s app as well. Email address is cm6012@gmail.com

  By Central Muvuma Mboozi (11/03/2024)

• Edwin Smith’s father was also a missionary in Africa but born in Holme, Huntingdonshire, England. He was Rev. John Smith (1876-1957). Edwin’s mother was Fanny Elizabeth Jeary (1852-1934) who came from a family of butchers in Martham, Norfolk. I have a website about the history of Martham and will be adding details about Fanny, John & Edwin in June 2023. See it at http://www.marthamnorfolk.co.uk. If you have any amendments to my text I would be pleased to receive them. Peter Dawson. 12.5.2023.

  By Peter Dawson (12/05/2023)

• My comment to Ian Matthews (08/07/2017)
  Hi Ian Matthews
  Finally I found in the book Africa Calling of John W. Gerrard on page 169 that the picture you referred to shows the grave of Kathleen Delaney.
  Johannes van der Weijden
  PS I just published the book: ¨Journeys in the Land of the Ila Speaking People¨ which contains this picture.

  By Johannes van der Weijden (30/05/2020)

• It is now 5 years later when I started this page. In the meantime a board for the Ila Museum is founded und it is our wish to turn the old Boma in a Museum and cultural centre. I have composed a book on the area around Namwala with many references to the Missionaries of the Primitive Methodist Church.
  The book lives of the pictures I have collected. If you have some, I would very interested in adding them to my book.

  By Johannes van der Weijden (04/12/2019)

• Hi Johannes,

  I am the great grand daughter of Edwin Smith. I was fascinated to come across your photos of Nanzela and Kasenga And to see how much of Nanzela has survived. Is there really nothing left at ? Africa has played a big role in my family’s life although we are all UK based now. I was very touched to see Thabo’s grave.My grand mother, Matsadisio, who was born in the mission house at Nanzela, left me Thabo’s christening mug, which is on my bookshelf now.

  Your work at the school looks very impressive and worthwhile .

  best wishes,

  Gilly

  By Gilly Howard-Jones (05/08/2017)

• At the moment I am in Namwala and am not sure whether I got this information verbally or whether it was written. I remember they told me it was the grave of doctor Cathrine but it could have been Kathleen.

  I come back to you

  Johannes

  By Johannes van der Weijden (11/07/2017)

• Hello Johannes

  My partners Aunt was named Kathleen Delainey. She worked as a nurse at Kasenga Mission from 1938 to 1940. She died and was buried at Kasenga on 6th October 1940. You have a picture of a grave in front of a tree, the picture labelled as the grave of Dr Catherine. I am wondering if this is the same person as they have similar first name. I also have a photo of the grave when Kathleen was buried and it looks very similar to the one here.

  Can you tell me how the grave has been identified, maybe the name Dr Catherine has just been passed down by word of mouth as is not quite correct.

  Thanks for any help.

  Ian

  By Ian Matthews (08/07/2017)

• Hi Simon

  I have received a mail of your brother Jim with a number of beautiful photos of Old Kasenga. I read the book about your grandfather, written by your uncle (or father?). I am trying to collect material for a cultural centre in Namwala and think that the Primitive Methodist Mission is a important part of (with people like Harry Mwaanga Nkumbula and Robinson Nabulyato who got their education by PMM).

  By Johannes van der Weijden (16/12/2014)

• Hi Johannes,

  Thank you for starting this page.  My grandfather Dr Herbert S (Bert) Gerrard and his wife Doris succeeded Edwin Smith at Kasenga as a medical missionary and they were there between 1915 – 1929.  My uncle and mother were born there.  We have some of Bert’s photos from that period, letters home and Doris’s recorded memories.  I will attempt to add these to this site and create a page for Dr Gerrard.

  By Simon Potter (14/12/2014)