Conclusion

Abstract

When the Queen Mother formally opened the dam in May 1960, she rhetorically reconciled black and white, nature and technology, history and the present, wartime allies and enemies. Summarising the many facets of the projection surface the scheme had become, she recounted:

[M]uch more than electricity will flow from this spot. I trust that it will help in the development and the wise use of the great natural resources of this land and that, by raising the standard of living of the people — especially of the African people — it will bring untold blessings to you, to your children, and your children’s children […]

[S]ome displacements have been inevitable, and my sympathy goes out to all those who have lost their homes. [The Tonga] have had to move to new land, where I trust they will prosper. I am happy to know that 2 million acres have been allocated to their use and that new schools and hospitals are already tending to their minds and bodies. […]

The greatest of French and British designers and Italian engineers, with experts from all countries […] have laboured in friendly competition and loyal friendship. Their efforts were made possible by the work of thousands of Africans, who came from villages far and wide and easily and successfully adapted themselves to tasks beyond their previous imagination and experience.¹ This great army of workers, brought together from many countries and different races to collaborate in creating at Kariba a Dam, a Power Station and a Lake, have together faced hazards and discomforts and now share the satisfaction of success. […]

I hope and believe that the co-operation which was possible here is not the least of the blessings to flow from the Kariba Dam. I pray with all my heart that it may be the symbol of a new and wider understanding throughout the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland and this mighty continent of Africa.²