6 January 1968

Dear Makhudu

Been talking to Martin Kaunda about you. When he learned you were available, he contacted St Marks Sec. School in Mapanza South of here. He's on the school committee. At the same time Humphrey Langa (Todd's brother) was leaving after his 3 years’ contract to Lusaka to lecture in an adult education college here. So they want a principal in his place. They asked for information from me. I gave them as good an account of your capabilities as I could. They say they'll cable you. I presume they will follow up with a letter spelling out the rest. Just thought I should fill you in on my interpretation of the situation to help you decide. It's a boy's boarding school; 400 strong, 19 on staff. You'd also teach ‘a little’. It's 40 miles from the biggest town – Choma where shopping's done. There's a school truck; you'd need to finance whole cost of a car yourself (no advance). Electricity is generated locally – works till 10 pm. Water good. There's a craft school that needs a woman teacher and administrator attached to the school. The nearest girls’ secondary school at Choma – reputed to be good. Primary schools exist at Mapanza. You'd need to work in collaboration with the existing chaplain.

I don't know the state or condition of your religious beliefs. I told them so. I know I couldn't work in a missionary school or religiously oriented one. But it might be the stepping stone if you can last the 3 years to a larger town and state school. Lusaka is not by any means an exciting town. It's dead-dead culturally. It is only nominally a town. I gather the Copperbelt is much livelier. The house provided (before I forget) is 3 bed-roomed. I'm told some part of a veranda can be converted into an extra bedroom. There is a boarding master so you wouldn't need to muck around with greasy dining room table and garbage for the piggery.

Haven't seen Victor or rather I have but he is silent about his side of the enquiries about a school.