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Madeline was born on the 29th
June 1911 in Maymyo, Burma, the eldest, and only daughter, of seven
children. She was educated at church schools in Burma and India.
On her father’s retirement
from the Indian army in 1932 the family settled in England. Shortly
afterwards Madeline qualified as a secretary and in 1936 met John (Jack)
Robertson. They were married on the 5th December of that year at
Barkingside, Essex.
They had three children, Jean,
Tony and Alan. During the Second World War, Madeline worked in the
Admiralty. Then in 1946 the family emigrated to Northern Rhodesia, now
Zambia, Jack having obtained a company transfer to the Roan Selection Trust
copper mine at Mufulira.
Within a short period of their
arrival in the Copper Belt, Madeline and Jack identified themselves with the
hopes and aspirations of the African population and in 1950 they hosted a
meeting at their home at which they were introduced to a young teacher named
Kenneth Kaunda.
And so it was that the future
Zambian President came to know Madeline well, phoning her on the eve of
Independence to ask if she would be one of his nominated Members of
Parliament.
Madeline Robertson gave great
public service to the people of Zambia and was supported by Jack in
everything she did. She was the only person to be re-nominated to
Parliament and to serve a second term of five years – a great tribute to her
popularity and integrity.
Madeline was a champion of the
ordinary people and fought many a battle in Parliament on their behalf,
often incurring the wrath of Ministers who had other priorities. She was
always fearless in the defence of what she believed was right. Her spirit
and courage in defending the rights of women and children were a source of
great admiration to everyone who knew her.
Whilst serving on the
Executive of the Zambian Association of Women's Institutes, Madeline was
responsible for the Scholarship Scheme which enabled girls to go on to
further education. She was also the Area vice-president for the East, West
and Central African Region of the Associated Country Women of the World.
She retired from parliament in 1973 when Zambia became a one-party state,
leaving for England in 1982 after her husband’s death. Madeline’s long
association with the Africa she loved continued until her death in 1994,
having spent every winter there with her children and grandchildren.
Musikili Primary School,
Mazabuka
Through her friendship with
Diana Garner, Madeline closely followed the establishment of Musikili
Primary School – on one memorable occasion inspecting building progress by
cycling around the site. Madeline did not live to see the school completed,
but she did anticipate the excellent facilities for some 160 multi-racial
pupils, and the impressively high standard of education that they were to
receive.
Madeline’s friends felt that
her contribution to progress in Zambia should not be forgotten and so this
trust in her memory was created.
Every year the Trustees, on
the recommendation of the school’s headmaster, make an Endeavour Award to a
pupil of Musikili Primary School in memory of Madeline Robertson. This
award is given for exemplary scholastic endeavour, reflecting the challenges
met by Madeline in her lifetime and her many achievements.
Madeline Robertson Trust,
Registered with UK Charity Commissioners, reg no 1046452.
Trustees, Mr
Anthony Hugh Wootton Purkiss, Mrs Christine Dorothy Martin, Mr Alan Gordon
Robertson, Mrs Eirlys Park, Mr Peter Owen Park, Mrs Sharlene Nadene Whitty.
To make a donation,
contact:
Mrs E Park, 45 Highsett, Cambridge, CB2 1NZ, UK
Mrs C Martin, Hagiar Kim Farm,
P O Box 670157, Mazabuka, Zambia |
