Guide - Principal Towns
Principal Towns
ABERCORN
Altitude: 5,400 feet. Population: 186 Europeans (May, 1951).
The small township of Abercorn is situated on a high plateau some twenty miles from the southern extremity of Lake Tanganyika. Thanks to its altitude and a relatively high annual rainfall, Abercorn enjoys a cooler climate than most towns in Northern Rhodesia. The climatic conditions and richness of the soil combine to produce excellent crops of fruit, vegetables and flowers. Coffee is grown in the area and its production was once Abercorn's principal industry. Rice is grown on the shores of Lake Tanganyika and some cattle ranching is carried on.
Abercorn has its own separate European and African hospitals and a primary school for European children.
A sports club and golf course are situated on the shores of Lake Chila, a ten-square-mile stretch of water in the township area. Lake Chila is completely free from bilharzia and there are no crocodiles, so that swimming, angling and yachting are popular sports with residents and visitors. An official camping area has been laid out in pleasant surroundings overlooking the lake.
The proximity of Lake Tanganyika is an additional attraction to the town. On its shores is the small township of Mpulungu, where there are two rest houses and fishing is a popular sport. Mpulungu is the southern terminus of a lake steamer service operated by East African Railways and Harbours. Until recently, when the steamship was withdrawn from the service for refitting, calls were made at Mpulungu every third week.
The most spectacular of Abercorn's scenic attractions is the Kalambo Falls which has a drop of 704 feet.
Hotel: Abercorn Arms.
Cinema: Mobile Cinema Unit visits periodically.
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BROKEN HILL
Altitude: 3,879 feet. Population: 3,326 Europeans (May, 1951).
Broken Hill is an important mining town and railway centre on the line from the south to the Belgian Congo. It is one of the oldest established townships in Northern Rhodesia.
The Broken Hill Mine, operated by the Rhodesia Broken Hill Development Company, produces lead, vanadium and zinc.
There are two schools in Broken Hill, one of which provides education for European children up to matriculation standard, and four churches. The new Government hospital is the finest in the Territory.
Apart from its mining, Broken Hill supports several secondary industries, including milling, soap manufacture and motor body building. Maize, tobacco and stock farming are carried on in the neighbourhood. Sports facilities are good and include a nine-hole golf course.
Banks: Standard Bank of South Africa; Barclays Bank (D.C. & 0.).
Cinema: Mine Club.
Estate Agent: H. T. Shacklock, P.O. Box 82, Broken Hill.
CHINGOLA
Altitude: 4,331 feet. Population: 2,740 Europeans (May, 1951).
Chingola, with its adjacent mine township of Nchanga, is the youngest of the four big Copperbelt towns, but by no means the least progressive. Fine modern buildings are being built on land which only fifteen years ago was covered with virgin bush. There are two schools and two hospitals but at present only one church.
Chingola's principal industry is, of course, copper mining, carried on by the Nchanga Consolidated Mines Limited, which commenced operations in 1937. Golf is played on a fine 18-hole championship course.
Hotel: Nchanga.
Banks: Standard Bank of South Africa; Barclays Bank (D.C. & O.).
Cinema: Twentieth-Century.
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CHISAMBA
Altitude: 3,800 feet. Population: 398 Europeans (May, 1951).
Chisamba is little more than a village, but by virtue of its fertile surroundings, it has become quite an important agricultural centre. Situated midway between Lusaka and Broken Hill, the European- population of this farming area go in for maize and tobacco crops. Beef and dairy cattle do well, and poultry is an important sideline.
Cinema: Mobile Cinema Unit visits periodically.
CHOMA
Altitude: 4,307 feet. Population: 261 Europeans (May, 1951).
On the main railway line and the Great North Road, 123 miles from Livingstone, Choma is chiefly an agricultural centre, the most important crops being tobacco and maize. A certain amount of cattle farming is also carried on. There are tin deposits in the neighbourhood which are not mined on a very large scale at present. The Beit School for Girls is located in Choma. The Railway Recreation Club and a nine-hole golf course provide sporting facilities.
Hotel: Choma.
Banks: Standard Bank of South Africa; Barclays Bank (D.C. & 0.).
Cinema: Mobile Cinema Unit visits periodically.
FORT JAMESON
Altitude: 3,756 feet. Population: 874 Europeans (May, 1951).
Originally laid out in 1898 as the capital of North-Eastern Rhodesia, Fort Jameson is one of the oldest townships in the Territory. It is situated on the border of Nyasaland and is therefore one of Rhodesia's chief ports of entry.
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Fort Jameson is the commercial centre for the richest tobacco-growing area in Northern Rhodesia. There are schools for European, African and Coloured children and two hospitals. The town itself has probably the most attractive setting of any in Northern Rhodesia. It is the nearest urban area to the Luangwa Valley, home of practically every species of Central African game, so that its future as a tourist centre of some importance is assured.
Hotels: Rangeley's; Knowle's.
Bank: Barclays Bank (D.C. & 0.).
Cinema: Victoria Memorial Institute.
FORT ROSEBERY
Altitude: 3,830 feet. Population: 118 Europeans (May, 1951).
An important Government station in the Western Province, Fort Rosebery is the clearing house for the fishing industry of Lake Bangweulu and the Luapula River. From Fort Rosebery the fish is taken by road to its consumers on the Copperbelt. Fort Rosebery is at the junction of three roads leading into the Belgian Congo and, in that respect, is a border post.
Hotel: There is no hotel in Fort Rosebery but there is a Rest House.
Cinema: Mobile Cinema Unit visits periodically.
KALOMO
Altitude: 4,500 feet. Population: 50 Europeans (May, 1951).
Administrative capital of North-Western Rhodesia until 1905, Kalomo is the centre of an important farming and ranching area on the railway line to the north.
There are stores, a post office, a sports club and an hotel in the township, and an airfield for emergency landings.
Tobacco is the principal crop but there are a number of farmers who undertake mixed farming and stock-raising quite successfully.
Hotel: Kalomo.
Cinema: Mobile Cinema Unit visits periodically.
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KASAMA
Altitude: 4,360 feet. Population: 210 Europeans (May 1951).
For a town so far from the line-of-rail, Kasama has made considerable progress in the past few years. It is situated on the top of a small escarpment and commands a striking view of the surrounding country. The climate is bracing in the winter months and pleasantly warm in summer. Its air communications are better than those of any other rural town, for its airport is one of the four biggest in the Territory.
There is a small school for European children and a European hospital. Kasama has a well-equipped club situated in pleasant surroundings with a golf course, tennis and squash courts and playing fields. It is the nearest town to the Chishimba Falls.
Hotel: Lua Lua.
Cinema: Kasama Club.
KAWAMBWA
Altitude: 4,400 feet. Population: 95 Europeans (May, 1951).
A small township has grown up about the Government station of Kawambwa, headquarters of the district of the same name. Kawambwa has a few stores, a tennis court and a small golf course. Ground-nut farming is carried on in the district, rice, cassava, palm oil and bananas being cultivated on a small scale. Kawambwa is the distributing centre for the African fisheries on Lake Mweru.
Hotel: There is no hotel at Kawambwa but there is a Rest House.
Cinema: Mobile Cinema Unit visits periodically.
KITWE
Altitude: 4,112 feet. Population: 5,233 Europeans (May, 1951).
Kitwe and the adjacent mining township of Nkana together form the largest centre of European population in Northern Rhodesia. The twin township is forty miles north of Ndola.
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The Nkana Mine, biggest of the four Northern Rhodesia copper mines, is owned by the Rhokana Corporation. The mine has its own cinema and recreation club with a magnificent swimming pool and grass playing fields which are the envy of every other town in the Territory. There are also an eighteen-hole golf course, tennis courts, bowling greens, a polo club, an aero club and a social club. The Kafue River is close by and provides excellent fishing and boating.
Educational institutions include a Government school, a Convent school and a kindergarten. There are separate hospitals for Europeans and Africans and six churches.
Hotel: Nkana.
Banks: Standard Bank of South Africa; Barclays Bank (D.C. & 0.).
Cinemas: Astra; Rhokana.
Estate Agents: Central African Trust and Investment Corporation, P.O. Box 150, Kitwe.
LIVINGSTONE
Altitude: 2,997 feet. Population: 2,317 Europeans (May, 1951)
Until 1935 Livingstone was the capital of Northern Rhodesia. Lying in the extreme south of the border between Northern and Southern Rhodesia, it is a town of considerable commercial and industrial importance to the Territory. It is the oldest municipality in Northern Rhodesia.
Named after David Livingstone, the missionary-explorer, who discovered the Victoria Falls, Livingstone is only seven miles distant from this magnificent natural spectacle. It is on the main railway line from South Africa to the Belgian Congo, lies astride the most direct transcontinental road route from north to south and has what is recognised as the biggest airport in Africa at present.
Livingstone is the home of the Zambesi Sawmills, whose products constitute one of Northern Rhodesia's most important industry after mining. Other industries include, hardboard, textiles, heavy engineering, blanket manufacture, flour milling and cold storage. Livingstone is also the headquarters of the Northern Rhodesia Tobacco Co-operative Society.
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There are two European schools and five churches. Municipal buses operate between Livingstone and the Victoria Falls, and to the airport, and there are several local services.
One of Livingstone's main attractions is the Rhodes-Livingstone Museum, the finest of its kind in Central Africa. Another popular attraction is the 300-acre game park on the Victoria Falls road.
The climate varies considerably over the different seasons. It is pleasantly cool during the winter months of April to July, warms up in August and is hot during October and early November when the advent of the rains has a cooling effect.
Sporting facilities include a large and popular boat club, which holds annual regattas, an eighteen-hole golf course, three recreation clubs, two bowling greens and a swimming bath.
Hotels: Fairmount; North-Western; Airport Chalets;
Bon Accord; Windsor.
Banks: Standard Bank of South Africa; Barclays Bank (D.C. & O.).
Cinema: Capitol.
LUANSHYA
Altitude: 4,055 feet. Population: 4,687 Europeans (May, 1951).
Luanshya, like the three other Copperbelt towns, has its adjacent mining township in which the employees of the Roan Antelope Mine are housed. It is twenty-three miles from Ndola and connected by road and railway. It is attractively laid out and has excellent sporting facilities. Its swimming pool is the finest in Northern Rhodesia.
There are two schools, two well-equipped hospitals and four churches. Apart from copper mining, Luanshya supports a small plumbing industry and a sheet-metal works.
Hotel: Luanshya.
Banks: Standard Bank of South Africa; Barclays Bank (D.C. & 0.).
Cinema: Mine Club.
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Golf Tournament at Luanshya
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LUSAKA
Altitude: 4,198 feet. Population: 4,668 Europeans (May, 1951).
Since 1935 Lusaka has been the capital of Northern Rhodesia. It is centrally situated as far as the southern, more populated, regions of the Territory are concerned and is on the main railway line to the north and the main trans-African road route.
Lusaka has two large Government schools and a Convent school. All three have their own boarding establishments. A fine European hospital is situated in pleasant surroundings. There are eight churches in Lusaka. Apart from its primary importance as the seat of the Government and residence of the Governor, Lusaka is in the midst of excellent farming land. It has therefore become an agricultural centre of some importance and is the headquarters of the Livestock Association of Northern Rhodesia, the Agriculture Development Society, and the Co-operative Creameries of Northern Rhodesia. Maize is extensively grown and both beef and dairy cattle thrive. Tobacco is grown in relatively small quantities. The annual Northern Rhodesian Agricultural Show is one of the events of the season.
Lusaka's industries include the biggest mill in the Territory, two clothing factories, a creamery, a brickworks, a mineral water factory and a lime factory. Less than ten miles from Lusaka is also an important cement works.
Recreational facilities at the Lusaka Gymkhana Club include golf, tennis, squash, cricket and billiards. Horse riding is popular and there is also a local flying club.
The Lusaka airport is one of the most important in the Territory and did, in fact, handle more aircraft in 1951 than Livingstone.
Hotels: Lusaka; Grand; Dew Drop Inn; Ridgeway (under construction).
Banks: Standard Bank of South Africa; Barclays Bank (D.C. & 0.).
Cinema: Carlton.
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Estate Agents:
Doughty and Doughty, Ltd., P.O. Box 276, Lusaka;
W. Cobbett-Tribe, P.O. Box 33, Lusaka;
Morris, James and Co. Ltd., P.O. Box 283, Lusaka;
S. W. Basson, P.O. Box 353, Lusaka;
N.R. Board of Executors and Trust Co., P.O. Box 58, Lusaka.
MAZABUKA
Altitude: 3,442 feet. Population: 326 Europeans (May, 1951).
One of Northern Rhodesia's foremost agricultural centres, Mazabuka is eighty-one miles from Lusaka and situated on main rail and road routes to the north.
The town has a primary school for boys and girls, a European clinic and good recreational facilities.
Cattle ranching is the principal farming activity and maize, wheat and tobacco are grown. There is good hunting to be had in the open country not far from the town, and fishing in the Kafue River attracts anglers.
Hotel: Mazabuka.
Bank: Standard Bank of South Africa.
Cinema: Mobile Cinema Unit visits periodically.
MONGU
Altitude: 3,512 feet. Population: 134 Europeans (May, 1951).
Administrative headquarters of the Barotse Province, Mongu is all but cut off from the rest of Northern Rhodesia, except by air, for five months in the year owing to the flooding of the great Barotse Plain. The Zambezi River, sixteen miles away, derives much of its tremendous volume of water from these vast plains.
Despite its inaccessibility, Mongu is a pleasant township, well-equipped with recreational facilities, including a golf course and a swimming bath. It has its own social club, cinema performances and a European cottage hospital.
Hotel: There is no hotel in Mongu, but there is a Rest House.
Cinema: Mobile Cinema Unit visits periodically.
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MONZE
Altitude: 3,704 feet. Population: 102 Europeans (May, 1951).
Monze is a small farming township on the main through route to the north. Beef and dairy cattle are farmed as well as maize. The Monze Club provides sporting facilities. The Monze Hotel is one of the best between Livingstone and Lusaka.
Thirty miles from the township is Lochinvar Estate, a cattle ranch on which large herds of game can be seen. Shooting is prohibited on the estate.
Hotel: Monze.
Cinema: Mobile Cinema Unit visits periodically.
MPIKA
Altitude: 5,200 feet. Population: 47 Europeans (May, 1951).
Little more than an hotel and a store, Mpika owes its importance to its situation at the junction of the trunk route to East Africa and the road to Abercorn and Lake Tanganyika. It is 283 miles from the railway line—Kapiri Mposhi being the nearest station-236 miles from Abercorn and 240 from Tunduma, on the Tanganyika border.
Hotel: Crested Crane.
Cinema: Mobile Cinema Unit visits periodically.
MUFULIRA
Altitude: 4,227 feet. Population: 3,722 Europeans (May, 1951).
Mufulira is the fourth Copperbelt town and is situated forty-eight miles from Ndola. The Mufulira Copper Mines, Ltd., one of the largest producing mines in Northern Rhodesia, employs most of the town's population.
The town has a Government school for boys and girls, a mine hospital and five churches. Mufulira, in common with the other copper towns, provides excellent sporting amenities. The Kafue River, with good fishing and boating, is only eleven miles away.
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Hotel: Mufulira.
Banks: Standard Bank of South Africa; Barclays Bank (D.C. & 0.).
Cinema: Mine Club.
NDOLA
Altitude: 4,087 feet. Population: 2,958 Europeans (May, 1951).
Ndola is the commercial and distributing centre for the Copperbelt, and as such is one of the most important towns in the Territory. It is the northern-most terminal station on the Rhodesia Railways' system, 520 rail miles north of Livingstone and 169 miles south of Elisabethville in the Belgian Congo.
The climate is agreeable and the mean annual rainfall of forty-eight inches is one of the highest in Northern Rhodesia. Ndola is the second of the two municipalities. It is laid out on modern lines but has retained its tree-lined thoroughfares.
Education is offered at two schools, while there is a large Government hospital and a clinic. Ndola has four churches.
Industrially, Ndola is the most advanced of all the towns in Northern Rhodesia, with sawmilling, joinery and furniture factories, an oil and soap industry, an oxygen and acetylene company, a large brewery, a mineral water and a sweet factory and a ferro-concrete industry. Lime burning, vulcanising and brick-making are other industrial activities.
Ndola's airport is amongst the most important in Northern Rhodesia, and the town's proximity to the Belgian Congo has made it an important port of entry for travellers by rail, road and air.
Sporting facilities include rugby, soccer, cricket and hockey, a golf club, a flying club, tennis and table tennis clubs, a youth club and a swimming bath.
Hotels: Rutland; Rhodes; Railway; Annesley; Ndola;
Haddon Hall (Private).
Banks: Standard Bank of South Africa; Barclays Bank (D.C. & 0.).
Cinema: Bijou.
Estate Agents: H. Charles Smith & Co. Ltd., P.O. Box 202, Ndola.
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