The University Of Zambia and the Liberation of Southern Africa, 1966–90

This article examines the role of the University of Zambia (UNZA) in relation to the liberation of southern Africa, and seeks to cast light on Zambia's often ambivalent role. A contradiction emerged between the Zambian government's support for liberation abroad and its intolerance of criticism at home. The university came to be seen as a centre of opposition and was often a place of conflict. I seek to answer a number of questions. What was the role of exiled academics and intellectuals, such as Jack Simons, Ben Magubane, Ezekiel Mphahlele, Lewis Nkosi and Fay Chung, at the university in the first two decades of its existence? Why did issues relating to the liberation struggle become points of conflict in the major crises of 1971 and 1976? What was the role of the founders of the Chikwakwa Theatre – and the exponents of ‘theatre for development’, John Reed, Michael Etherton and Fay Chung – in the radicalisation of the student body? What role did UNZA staff such as Simons, Magubane and Chung play in the life of the liberation movements to which they belonged? What was the role of UNZA in the training of students who went on to play important roles in liberation movements and in government on their return to their home countries? What were the links, from an UNZA perspective, between the liberation struggles waged by exile groups based in Zambia and the demand for democracy in Zambia itself?