My father, John Hammond's all too prophetic words have, sadly, come to pass - to the anguish and pain of black and white Zimbabweans. I have included some of his thoughts in the exerpts contained on this website. I found my visit to Zimbabwe a complex mix - the goodwill, respect and love between the races, the never say die spirit, the normality of one's day to day life... against the horrors of what was happening elsewhere.

It was heartening to catch up with Dad's old boys and girls and see what fine people they are today. Sadly so many have found they have had to leave the country in the present circumstances - as leaders of Zimbabwe's business, legal and professional circles and less involved in politics. They gave such hope for the future but now, one wonders if they will return.

Particularly heartwarming was to meet the now elderly men, and the wives of men, who were among the first black teachers in Rhodesia and who worked with my father at Tjolotjo and Mzingwane.

EXCERPTS CRITS AND LETTERS AUTHOR ORDERS CONTACTS

It was a dream start...

to the launch of Beloved African in March 2000 when, at the Adelaide Festival’s Writers’ week in South Australia, hundreds of Australians literally climbed over tables to buy the few copies we had!

It has been a fascinating journey since - primarily because I believed I was writing largely for a small, but targeted audience - those who had once lived in Rhodesia or Zimbabwe. This has, wonderfully, proved to be very wrong!

Beloved African has been released at a heartbreaking time for Zimbabwe and when I was there in late March 2000, nobody could have predicted what was to follow. The overwhelming sentiment from the many letters I have received has been "thank goodness this objective history has been written - in such a way, that you cannot put it down"

Synopsis

Beloved African is a story of a great and enduring love, of pioneering adventure in the early days of Rhodesia, of its builders, educators, history, triumphs and troubles. The story is written by Jill Baker and draws on her mother Nancy Hammond’s precise memory for detail, on hundreds of letters written and lovingly preserved since the early 1900’s and on a series of tape recordings with John, the Beloved African, 18 months before his death in South Australia in 1996.

John Hammond was one of Rhodesia’s great educators- beloved by black and white alike. The extraordinary role he played is woven against a backdoor of increasing tension...as he strode the political and educational stages, fighting for the extra time he needed to educate his schoolboys and girls to the point where they would be in a position to lead the new Zimbabwe with wisdom and integrity.

The agonies of what subsequently occurred and the effect it had on him as well as, through it all, the wonderful story of this almost fairy-tale love affair, are described with candour and clarity. The book gives a not always popular view of what life was like to those who were determined to try and make it work but whose efforts were so often thwarted by political duplicity

A new soft cover edition of Beloved African is to be released in the UK in March 2009. It will be available through major bookstores in England or direct from the publishers. There will also be copies available through bookstores in South Africa and Australia.

Internet orders can be made internationally through this website (SEE BELOW) or through Amazon.

Publishers: Roper Penberthy Publishing Ltd www.roperpenberthy.co.uk

 

 

Editions available :

The second edition of Beloved African will be released in the United Kingdom in March 2009, with copies available through major bookstores in South Africa, Australia and Canada.

Although the first edition (hard cover - printed in South Africa; soft cover - printed in Australia) is sold out, there are a few first edition hardcover copies available through this website.

 

 

 

Getting hold of a copy

The most consistent method of getting hold of a copy of Beloved African at the moment is to use the newly introduced PayPal feature under ORDER on this website. This has been constructed to send payments for the book and postage, in Australian dollars, but it will also let you know the rough equivalent in your local currency. This facility is a secure site with a section which will allow you to let me know what inscription you would like in the book. I try to ensure that all books purchased through this website are signed and despatched immediately.

Another internet alternative is the use of Amazon.com or Amazon.co.uk

Beloved African has sold consistently well internationally and is about to have another reprint done. I am sad to feel there are still many ex-Zimbabweans (as well as those still in Zimbabwe) who have been unable to get a copy as yet.