Towards a True Christian Manliness

A History of The Boys' Brigade Zimbabwe

by Colin Swinton


Formats

Softcover
£13.49
Hardcover
£22.99
Softcover
£13.49

Book Details

Language : English
Publication Date : 04/02/2011

Format : Softcover
Dimensions : 6x9
Page Count : 332
ISBN : 9781452001555
Format : Hardcover
Dimensions : 6x9
Page Count : 332
ISBN : 9781452001562

About the Book

The Boys' Brigade arrived in Southern Rhodesia in 1948, with initial efforts being very localised. Momentum increased with the influx of post war immigrants from Britain and South Africa. By the early 1970s The Boys' Brigade Rhodesia was at its strongest numerically, but the civil war years preceding independence in 1980, decimated the organisation in the rural areas, especially in Victoria province where it was at its strongest. The following years were particularly hard for The Boys' Brigade but, by the late 1980s, membership was on the increase again. The current political and economic situation has severely affected the organisation's ability to continue as it had in the past and the future of uniformed youth work in Zimbabwe remains unknown.

The achievements of The Boys' Brigade are recorded in this book, which has been meticulously researched, in consultation with many past and present members. The history book is a formal record of events which took place, including detailed appendices of every known Company, all the Queen's Badge and Founder's Badge awards and includes a photo gallery of past office bearers.


About the Author

Colin Swinton's interest in The Boys' Brigade in Zimbabwe began as a Boy in the Junior Section of the 16th Harare (Hatfield Presbyterian) Company, following in the footsteps of his father, who had joined the 1st Salisbury (Presbyterian) Company as a Boy in the 1950s.

Colin passed through the ranks of the Brigade and even had a stint as Brigade Zimbabwean national Secretary.

A tendency to collect historical items led to a collection of BB badges from around the world. Eventually, other items, including uniform and documents, were added and an archive of material about the organisation in Zimbabwe was born.

Colin's collection was combined with material assembled by others some years earlier and, in anticipation of the 40th birthday of the Brigade in Southern Rhodesia/Zimbabwe in 1988, a start was made at recording the history of the BB in that country.

Much meticulous research was needed throughout the ups and downs of life in that troubled country and now, more than 20 years later, the results of Colin's ongoing research are available in a very readable, well illustrated and interesting book.