By Conleith Selenje
In July 1962 a high-powered delegation comprising Dunduzu Chisiza Snr(Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Finance), James Cameron(Minister of Works and Transport), and Mikeka Mkandawire(Minister without Portfolio) had an audience with Kamuzu.It was an audience to complain of the conduct of Kanyama Chiume(Minister of Education).
The complaint was that Kanyama Chiume was interfering very much in the works of the other Cabinet Ministers and this was bringing division within the Cabinet and the entire party at the highest level.
The discussion plunged into a bitter argument between Kamuzu and Dunduzu Chisiza. Dunduzu was not intimidated by Kamuzu’s choleric manner at arguments. He was known for open expression of mind, ideas and truth.
By the same July 1962, Dunduzu Chisiza displayed his brilliance in Economics. He organized a World-Class Conference. It was tagged, The Economic Development Symposium’ and it was to discuss ‘Problems of Economic Development in Nyasaland and Africa.’He was the architect behind framing the content of the 10-day Symposium which was held from the 18th to the 28th of July,1962 in Blantyre. The symposium was attended by 25 foreign experts in economics from around the world.
The attendees and their respective institutions were:
1.Dr K.N. Raj-Delhi School of Economics
2.Dr V.K.R.V.-Institute of Economic Growth
3.Dr E. Staley- Stanford Research Institute
4.Dr. R.E. Baldwin- University of California
5.Dr. H.B. Chenery- A.I.D.
6.Dr W.O. Jones-Stanford University.
7.The Executive Secretary for the E.C.A.- Economic Commission For Africa
9.Dr. B.F. Hoselita-University of Chicago.
10.Dr F. Harbison-Princeton University
11.Dr. T. Gaardlund-Stockholm School of Economics
12.Mr P.G.H. Hopkins-Fircoft College
13.Dr. A.J.Brown- Leeds University
14.Dr. K.B. Berill- St Catherine College
15.Dr. E.P. Jackson-St Anthony’s College
16.Dr. Walker-Economic Research Institute
17.Mr A.N. Galsworthy-Colonial Office
18.Dr H.W. Singer-United Nations Organisation
19.Dr. Higgins-University of Texas
20.Dr. B. Lewis- Ford Foundation
21.Dr. N. Kaldor-Cambridge University
22.Dr R.R. Rhomberg- The I.M.F
23.Dr. Wilbrandt- Berlin University
24.Dr.A.M. Kamarck-World Bank(I.B.R.D.)
25.Walt Whitman Rostow-Columbia University (a top class World Expert in Economic Development)
The symposium was sponsored by the Ford Foundation.
Feedback: c.selenje@historyofmalawi.com.
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