Overview

What hope is there for Africa? Since the heady and hopeful days of decolonisation, the story seems to be one of unrelenting disaster - revolution; brutal military dictatorship; ethnic conflict and even genocide; civil war; state-threatening corruption; economic failure; and, in places, the complete breakdown of state and society. And all has been compounded by natural disasters - drought, famine and the scourge of AIDS. But there is another, less reported, story of Africa; throwing off the colonial past, embracing modernity, learning fast, gaining in pride and self-confidence and embracing the crucial management function; all this in the context of fruitful collaboration with Europe and American business and, increasingly, with the rising Asian economic superpowers. Jonathan Lawley paints a vivid and convincing picture of solid political, social and economic progress. ""Beyond the Malachite Hills"" is a remarkable testament to his long-lasting and profound involvement with this often misunderstood continent.

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9781848850491

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Reviews

What a wonderful book! Every now and then one comes across a truly special memoir, and Beyond the Malachite Hills deserves to become a classic of its genre: a poignant, evocative, nostalgic account of a remarkable career that was dominated by Africa. But it is much, much more than this - it is a chronicle of Europe's involvement with the continent, seen through the eyes of a man who never failed to appreciate the privileged vantage point his colour afforded him.Much of Jonathan Lawley's time abroad was spent in central Africa, including Zimbabwe, the country for which he has the most affection. Its tragic collapse dominates the last chapters of this fine and sensitive book.Rich with insight and written with passion - and with an edge of anger and sadness at opportunities wasted and potential squandered - Beyond the Malachite Hill should be read by every diplomat setting off on an Africa posting, not to mention well-meaning aid workers and gap-year students. Michael Holman, Africa editor, Financial Times, 1984 - 2002.

Author Information

Jonathan Lawley runs the Southern African Business Forum where he combines his unique experience of the British Colonial Service, decolonisation and business in modern Africa. He was born in India in the North-West Frontier Province where his father was in the Indian Engineering Service. After school and university in what was then called Southern Rhodesia, South Africa and Cambridge he joined the British Colonial Service in Northern Rhodesia and served in pre-independence Zambia. He has lived and worked throughout Africa, including in the Congo, Zimbabwe and Namibia.

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