He was a renowned freedom fighter in Nyasaland and co-founder of the first political party in 1944 called the Nyasaland African Congress. The MK 100 note bears his face.
His name was James Sangala the first . He was also a prominent figure in football administration.
In 1938, together with the District Commissioner for Blantyre IC Ramsey, James Sangala the first founded the first football league in the country called the Shire Highlands African Football League.
His own son G'bray Sangala was one of the best players in this league before he tragically died of serious petrol fire injuries at Ndirande Filling Station when his father’s truck caught fire in 1950s.
This was a huge loss not only to the Sangala’s family but to the league and the sports fraternity at large.
In 1949, James Sangala the first was the team manager of the national squad that traveled to play in Beira (Mozambique) against two clubs namely: Grupo Desportivo Rebenta Fogo on Saturday the 18 June 1949 and Beira Pick Up Select XI on Sunday the 19 June 1949.
The Flames lost both matches: 4-2 to Grupo Desportivo Rebenta Fogo and 2-1 to Beira Pick Up Select XI.
According to some records, this was the first national squad under the Nyasaland African Football Association (NAFA). This first squad under NAFA consisted of players from the Shire Highlands African Football League.
His other son James Sangala the second also played in the league co-founded by his father James Sangala the first. He also played for the Flames. He featured in the match against Ghana in which Flames lost 12-0 in Blantyre on 15 October 1962.
The grandsons to James Sangala the first are James Sangala the third and George Sangala. They both played for the country's top league side Wanderers as defenders.
James Sangala the third was part of the Flames squad that participated in the AFCON of 2010 in Angola.
James Sangala the third like his grandfather James Sangala the first, shifted into soccer administration after retiring from active football in the field.
Like his grandfather, James Sangala the third recently served as Team Manager for the national team side the Flames under Coach Meke Mwase. He is currently working as Technical Support Manager at the Football Association of Malawi (FAM).
Currently, we are watching closely James Sangala the fourth. He is a toddler now.
Will he emerge as a key player for the top league in the country and the Flames like his father James Sangala the third, his uncle George Sangala, his grandfathers James Sangala the second, and Moses Sangala?
In the photos below are James Sangala the first (on a banknote), James Sangala the second (pointed on a group photo), and James Sangala the third (in a Flames jersey).
#Lost History Foundation
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