Where Arnst beat Barry in 1910.

Subsequent and Coming Regattas on the ZAMBEZI

The Rhodesian and Central African Annual, 1954

History tells us that rowing was the first sport to the early settlers turned their attention. It was not surprising therefore, that Livingstone decided to stage, as its contribution to the Centenary of the birth of Cecil John Rhodes in 1953, a regatta of hitherto unattempted dimensions, Furthermore, and due to the unparalleled success of this event, another regatta is to lake place next year when the centenary of the discovery of the Victoria Falls by the missionary-explorer, David Livingstone, is celebrated by the town which bears his name.

The first regatta was held on the Zambezi in June, 1905,within two months of the completion of the Victoria Falls bridge, which brought the first railway train to Northern Rhodesia. The British South Africa Company soon became alive to the possibilities of the Zambezi as a watercourse for boat racing. The government and the Municipality of Livingstone are equally consious of its value as a medium for publicity. A celebrations committee formed in May, 1954, to propound suggestions, lost no time in setting the wheels in motion which will result in another regatta that it is expected will be as good, if not better, than the highly successful and popular one of 1953.

Records show that Mr. Otto Beit presented the Zambezi challenge Cup in 1905 for the main event. The cost of organising the day's sport was £380. A public meeting was held two years later in October, 1907, for the purpose of forming a boat club. The Livingstone Boat Club then came into existence. The title was changed the following year to the ”Zambezi Boat,” and the club look over the assets of other existing clubs at Kafue and Kalomo, also the North-Western Rowing Association. A brick-built clubhouse, three racing fours, two light pair outriggers and two Thames wherries were provided. Later, in 1908. a light railway was constructed from Livingstone to the boat house to provide easy access to the river.

The next regatta was held in 1909. but the first international of this type was planned for 1910 at the request of the B.S.A. Company, who were seeking world-wide publicity for Rhodesia and the Victoria Falls. The regatta did not take place, but in its place a World’s Sculling Championship for a purse of £1,000 was held between Richard Arnst. of New Zealand, the reigning champion, and Ernest Barry of England.

Arnst retained his title in a magnificent race which was rowed on August 8^th, 1910. The Beit Cup race, rowed on the same day. was won by the East London Boating Association.

Disaster came in December, 1912, when a hurricane wrecked the boathouse and destroyed the racing fours. The Club membership dropped to 40. Two years later a further misfortune cast its spell on the club when a further storm wrecked a large number of pleasure craft owned by members. At the end of the First World War the club had almost ceased to exist, but the strenuous efforts of a committee resulted in money being raised to buy new craft. Two new fours were purchased in 1930. Membership rose to 175.

Again the hand of fate struck the Club. A youngster bathing in the swimming enclosure on this part of the Zambezi was drowned. The Territorial capital was moved to Lusaka. Depression hit Livingstone. By 1938 the membership again dropped to 40. and then came the Second World War.

Peace brought a resurgence of interest. The small nucleus of remaining members worked hard. In 1947 the first regatta for 14 years took place. In 1948 Witwatersrand University sent up a crew which, though too good for the local club, did much to popularise rowing in Livingstone.

And now to the most recent event, the 1953 Rhodes Centenary Regatta. Two hundred competitors from universities, rowing clubs, speedboat clubs from South Africa, Southern Rhodesia and Northern Rhodesia, assembled at Livingstone.

Each day saw large numbers of spectators eagerly gather to follow each event and to shout encouragement to the crews. The Regatta lasted three days, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, July 23rd, 24th and 25th.His Excellency the Governor of of Northern Rhodesia, Sir Gilbert Rennie (now High Commissioner for the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland in London) was an enthusiastic spectator.

FOOTBALL

CHIPOLOPOLO: A POLITICAL AND SOCIAL HISTORY OF FOOTBALL (SOCCER) IN ZAMBIA, 1940s – 1994

By Decius Chipande