Collection of Kenneth Mackenzie (1920-1971)

The Kenneth Mackenzie Collection contains material relating to Central Africa, 1958-64, and to Rhodesia, 1965-70. There is material on South Africa particularly on apartheid, the Springbok tour, and arms for South Africa; Congo; race relations; colour and citizenship; the United Nations; the UK; and, Sweden and other countries. There are newspaper cuttings and also pamphlets, the latter on African independence, the Church, Sweden, the rule of law, politics, immigration, Rhodesia, South Africa, and international agencies. In addition, there five printed books: grammars, vocabularies, and dictionaries of African languages.

Kenneth Mackenzie was born in Strathpeffer, Ross-shire, on 29 June 1920. He was educated at Fodderty Primary School, 1926-32, and at Dingwall Academy, 1932-37. He then went to Aberdeen University where he graduated M.A. in 1940. Mackenzie then took theological training in the Free Church College, Edinburgh, 1940-42, and at New College, 1942-44. On 20 April 1944 he was licensed by the Presbytery of Edinburgh, and ordained as a missionary by the same Presbytery on 24 April 1945. He first served in Mlanje, Malawi (then Nyasaland), 1946-47 and then at Zomba, 1947-48, learning the essentials of the languages there. Then he served in Lubwa, Zambia (then Northern Rhodesia), 1948-50, and at Chitambo, 1952-54, where he tackled more language study and a study of the different cultures of the region. Prior to service at Chitambo he served in the Foreign Mission Offices in Edinburgh, 1950-52. Mackenzie regarded his mission as one of making the people of Scotland, and especially the Church of Scotland, aware of the facts in the Central African situation at a time of great and critical political change for the continent. He also played a prominent part in the transference of mission schools to Government, and in the discussions leading to Church union. During this period he persuaded the Northern Rhodesian Christian Council of the need for urgent action on the proposals for a Central African Federation and of the need for firmer safeguards for African interests. Indeed, through his work for he became the confidant of African leaders who were planning for independence. Mackenzie returned to Scotland in 1956 for family reasons, resigning from his service with the Foreign Mission Committee in Blantyre. He was seconded to the staff of St. Colm's College, Edinburgh, on 31 August 1957, and remained there until 1968 when he was inducted to the charge of Restalrig. He was Minister of Restalrig Parish Church, 1968-71. Mackenzie died in Edinburgh on 17 February 1971.

Contact the repository for details

Handlist, H64