MISSIONARIES AND MISSION WORK IN MALAWI

The early missionaries in Malawi were the Scottish who first opened a mission station in Blantyre. The antique mission church is protected under the laws of antiquity and is a spectacular site: The medieval Scottish architecture in the warm heart of Africa. The antique church and the surroundings are a great scene for a medieval like background. It revives the memories and stories of the great missionaries, the great adventures across the oceans to civilize, evangelize, educate and modernise African ancestors, that’s laying a foundation for a modern day society. It happened and it can’t be denied.

BANDAWE

From Blantyre, another mission station was opened at Bandawe, Nkhata Bay district, northern Malawi. However, the conditions could still more not allow the flourishing of the mission station. Bandawe is one of the slave trade spots where the slave trader Jumbe operated; and this place being at a lower altitude, mosquito infestation were a hurdle to daily survival of the white missionaries. A better place had to be sought!

THE GREAT LIVINGSTONIA MISSION

The third Scottish mission to Malawi was opened at Khondowe plateau, Rumphi district, northern Malawi. This became the most flourishing, most developed mission station under the leadership of Dr. Robert Laws. Khondowe plateau was ideal in many respects: Cold weather which hampered survival of plasmodium, hence no malaria. The native settlers, the tumbukas, were peaceful, friendly, welcoming and ready for new insights from the white strangers.

Some notable figures that received education at the Overtone institute, Khondowe include: Dr. Hastings Kamuzu Banda, the first president of the republic of Malawi, the father of Dr. Kenneth Kaunda, the first president of the republic of Zambia, Yesaya Zelenji Mwase, one of early native missionaries. Some developments at Livingstonia mission, Khondowe included the first hydro-power station, the first tap water. And today some of the artefacts still standing include: The Scottish style antique mission church, Dr. Robert Law’s stone house, David Gordon Memorial hospital, among others.

One of the early dreams of Malawi government was to build the university of Malawi on the plateau, the decision which was later shifted to Zomba.

However, the church managed to open the University of Livingstonia (Unilia). At the time of writing the article, the house of Dr. Robert Laws which served as an Archive, a Museum and a Lodge for tourists, had been reduced to a students’ hostel for the University of Livingstonia (Unilia). It’s unfortunate that university management would make such a degrading move for one of the valuable national treasures! Save national monuments is our pledge.

BRIEF FACTS ABOUT RUMPHI

• The first tap water in Malawi was installed in Rumphi district at the mission by the missionaries.
• The first hydro-power plant and electricity was mounted in Rumphi by the missionaries.
• The father to the first president of the republic of Zambia attended high school; and also studied theology at Overtoun Institute, Khondowe, Rumphi.
• The largest national park (Nyika) is in Rumphi.
• It’s the native home of the father of democracy late Thom Chakufwa Chihana.
• Rumphi has the highest life expectancy in Malawi.
• Rumphi has the highest literacy rate in Malawi.