A Video from the Huntley Film Collection
The Huntley Film Archive Collection is a private UK library of documentary film dating back to 1895 and contains varied footage from the United Kingdom and the rest of the world. There are over 80,000 titles.
This archive includes, among others, footage from Northern Rhodesia(now Zambia), Southern Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) and Nyasaland (now Malawi).
This short clip shows scenes around Kitwe Town Centre in the 1960s. These include the Main Post Office, Edinburgh Hotel, Kitwe Little Theatre, Piano House and OK Bazaar.
Do you have memories, photos or video of Kitwe you would like to share? We want to hear from you. Get in touch with us.
On going through a deceased family members things, I have come across 5 postcards depicting various views of the town of Kitwe. These postcards are in black and white and in mint condition. Looking at the cars (very few) I am guessing this is in the 50’s . Can someone tell me when the OK Bazaar was opened in Kitwe? And the war memorial in one of the pictures – which war was this commemorating? I would love to know the background to these pictures. Louise
Hi Louise,
It would seem as though OK Bazaar was opened around 1959 – 1960, according to the comments made by Lorraine Holloway on Mufuliral.com:
“I remember in 1960 July streams of refugees came thru to Kitwe from the Congo and the OK Bazaars which was fairly new at the time just opened their doors so anyone could help themselves free of charge to baby clothes food and whatever was needed many of these people spent months with families in their homes . This was a great gesture from the OK.”
The inscription on the War Memorial reads:
On the West Face: “In memory of all those who died during the two World Wars. Nkana-Kitwe”
On the East Face: The Northern Rhodesia Regiment insignia with the inscription: “NRR”
On the South Face: An inscription of RAF wings with the letters “RAF”
On the North Face: The Royal Navy insignia with the letters “RN”