Dr. Thandika Mkandawire and I crossed intellectual path with each other at University of Stockholm (Stockholms Universitet) in Sweden in
the early 1970s. He was always passionate about Africa's genuine development and unity. However, he had a mischievous smile as I sometimes
teased him about his country (Malawi) having the dubious distinction of giving Africa one of its early post-colonial Presidents for Life (Kamuzu
Banda). "A.B., my brother, always remember that your Ashanti King gave Banda his whisk after the Osagyefo's 1965 expensive OAU conference in
Ghana, which became his symbol of authority back home," Thandika often responded with a serious look. He was referring to the hisoric fact that
the late Asantehene, Otumfuo Nana Sir Osei Tutu Agyeman Prempeh II, KBE, (1892-1970) gave the white whisk at his Manhyia Palace to the late
President Banda after he attended the OAU conference in Ghana and, later, paid a visit to Kumasi, where he lived and practised Medicine on Banda
Hill in colonial Gold Coast (now Ghana) before returning to Nyansaland (now Malawi) to become its first indigenous post-colonial dictator.
Also, I always remember Thandika briefly lecturing Sam Nujoma of Namibia at a Stockholm social gathering. "Brother Nujoma, you certainly deserve
to head post-colonial Namibia. But please spare Africa of another dictatorship, if you see what is happening in my own country, Malawi." A true and
hard-working scholar, Thandika deserves his rest. May he rest in perfect peace!
A.B. Assensoh.
Sent: Friday, March 27, 2020 6:13 PM
To: dialogue; Yoruba Affairs
Subject: [External] Re: USA Africa Dialogue Series - Obituary: Thandika Mkandawire
The great scholar has moved on, to the great beyond. This is the third death I will be announcing in the last 48 hours.
More later.
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