Harry Kambwiri Matecheta
Harry Kambwiri Matecheta | |
|---|---|
 Matecheta, c. 1925 | |
| Born | 1870 Nguludi, Chiradzulu District, Nyasaland |
| Died | July 13, 1962 (aged 91–92) |
| Other name | Reverend Harry |
| Occupations | clergy and historian |
| Known for | Malawi’s first African Presbyterian Minister |
Harry Kambwiri Matecheta, also known as Reverend Harry (1870 – 1962) was a Nyasaland minister in Blantyre- the first African clergy and moderator in Malawi.
Biography
Matecheta was a Yao from Nguludi in Che Lopsa’s village in Chiradzulu District. He first encountered Christianity at the age of six during a journey made by Henry Henderson and Bokwito from Cape Maclear to the Shire Highlands in 1876. The expedition aimed to identify a suitable mission site on behalf of the Church of Scotland. The site they selected later became Blantyre, named after David Livingstone's birthplace. Livingstone had previously travelled through the same region in the late 1850s.[1]
In 1884, Matecheta enrolled at Bemvu Primary School[2] at Blantyre Mission, completing up to Standard 4 before becoming a teacher at the same institution. He later received training in printing. He was baptized on December 29, 1889. Alongside John Macrae Chipuliko, Mungo Murray Chisuse, Thomas Mpeni, James Gray Kamlinje, James Auldearn Mwembe, and John Gray Kufa, Matecheta was ordained a deacon on 4 November 1894.[3] These seven men were selected by Blantyre Mission superintendent David Clement Scott to form a group of deacons, marking an early stage in his programme to develop indigenous leadership within the African church.[4]
In Bandawe during the 1920s, Mamie Martin organised classes for girls at a time when many families prioritised the education of their sons. Her husband, Jack Martin, was among the more progressives figures of the periodd.[5] She was particularly impressed in 1924 after hearing Matecheta speak.[6] "Reverend Harry" later became the first African ordained minister in Malawi.[7]
Contemporary Presbytery of Blantyre records refer to Matecheta in a paternalistic manner as “Rev. Harry” rather than by his surname. He served at Mulanje Mission, Ntcheu, Blantyre, and other surrounding congregations for 46 years. In May 1933, he received a certificate of recognition for his service as a member of the district council and district school committee from King George V.[8]
Matecheta died on 13 July 1962. He was buried at the Bemvu Church of the Church of Central Africa Presbyterian cemetery, one of the mission stations to which he had contributed significantly.[9]
In 1951, an English translation of Matecheta's book was published.[10] The work was republished in 2017.[8]
In 2020, the CCAP Blantyre Synod held a commemorative service at Bemvu, marking 110 years since the beginning of his service. The event was attended by Joyce Banda on behalf of the president.[2]
Personal life
Matecheta married and had children, but they died due to malaria.
References
This article includes text from the Dictionary of African Christian Biography which uses a Creative Commons cc-by-sa license.
- ↑ Ross, Andrew C. (1996). Blantyre Mission and the Making of Modern Malawi. Christian Literature Association in Malawi. ISBN 978-99908-16-02-0.
- 1 2 "Joyce Banda attends CCAP Blantyre Synod centenary: Calls for unity, hard work". www.nyasatimes.com. 2020-11-09. Retrieved 2026-06-24.
- ↑ Khoza, Armstrong Elliot (2002). Memorial History of Mulanje Mission: Church of Central Africa Presbyterian in Malawi. E + V Publications. ISBN 978-99908-915-0-8.
- ↑ Kenneth R. Ross, "Vernacular Translation in Christian Mission: The Case of David Clement Scott and the Blantyre Mission 1888-1898," in Gospel Ferment in Malawi: Theological Essays (Gweru: Mambo Press, 1995)
- ↑ Reid, Isobel (2024-06-03). Myth and reality of the missionary family: Livingstonia Mission 1921 - 1928. African Books Collective. ISBN 978-99960-60-95-3.
- ↑ Ross, Kenneth (2024-01-23). Ross: Malawi's First Presbyterian Ministers: Vocation and Identity in a Racialized Context. African Books Collective. ISBN 978-99960-66-11-5.
- ↑ Thokozani, Chilembwe (1870–1962). "Matecheta, Harry Kambwiri". Dictionary of African Christian Biography. Retrieved 2026-06-22.
- 1 2 Parsons, Janet W. (2017-04-01). "Harry Kambwiri Matecheta. Blantyre Mission: Stories of Its Beginning, edited by Thokozani Chilembwe and Todd Statham". Studies in World Christianity. 23 (1): 91–92. doi:10.3366/swc.2017.0173. ISSN 1354-9901.
- ↑ Emily T. Ngwira, “The Life and Times of Harry Kambwiri Matecheta 1870-1962,” (Unpublished History Seminar Paper, Chancellor College, University of Malawi, 1973)
- ↑ https://www.amazon.co.uk/Blantyre-Mission-Stories-its-Beginning/dp/9996066584