Hand made framed commemorative plaque of Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother's 1953 visit to Nyasaland (Malawi)

The inscription also appears to be handwritten most probably by a school child of the UMCA Matope school where it was made. The written side reads:

“Nyasaland. Her Majesty The Queen Mother. We are very pleased indeed to see you and your company. Your coming to Nyasaland has a remark of history that will never be forgotten. You are the first person who has visited Nyasaland from the Royal Family, and we are specially proud of it. We have the hope that more people from the Royal Family will be able to come in the future and visit us. As we are small children, we have therefore prepared this smallest present for you. Lastly we wish you good success in your daily careers. U.M.C.A Matope I.Pr.School”

This side is decorated by simple childlike drawings of the Union Jack flag and a crest depicting a roaring leopard in profile, standing on a brown hill with a red sunset/sunrise in the background. The edges are decorated with yellow and green twirling lines. The piece is behind a glass. The reverse shows a painted scene of a large building with a flag flying overhead. In the foreground are mounted guards on horses and a black Ford motorcar as well as some other cars. The picture is attached to the wooden frame with a resin that has yellowed over time.

The plaque was made for the first royal visit to Nyasaland in 1957 just a few years before it became independent Malawi in 1964 when the country subsequently joined the Commonwealth. It was made as a gift for the visit of Queen Elizabeth the Queen mother who from 1936 until the death of her husband King George VI in 1952, she was Queen of the United Kingdom and the Dominions and was also the last empress of India before the Act of Indian Independence in 1947. During her visit she opened the University of Rhodesia (today Zimbabwe) and Nyasaland of which she became President and to open the National Gallery of Rhodesia.

The fact that this plaque came from a UMCA school is significant in that 1957 also marked the UMCA’s centenary where the Queen mother also visited the memorial to David Livingstone who originally made the case for starting the organisation and whom she mentioned in a speech which was translated into Chinyanja language by Mr. Ntele:

"When I was in Rhodesia in 1947, I had the pleasure of meeting six Chiefs from Nyasaland, some of whom I am glad to see here again today…Nyasaland first came to the notice of my country through that gallant explorer and most respected missionary, David Livingstone.” [1]

The royal tour was organised to promote good will and continue ties between Britain and African nations.

Here is another excerpt from the Queen Mother’s speech in which she speaks of Nyasaland’s progress. Notice how in doing so she links this progress to “our Territories in Africa” under British rule:

"Here, in Nyasaland, great advances are being made. In the short time that I have been in your country, I have seen many signs of progress and there are numerous opportunities for industrial development, made possible by the increasing skills of your people and the growing markets for goods of all kinds… great strides are being made in education, and your country is sharing fully in the ever-broadening progress which marks the development of all our Territories in Africa today.” [1]

In the afternoon of the same day the Queen Mother presented new Colours to the 1st (Nyasaland) Battalion of the King's African Rifles at the Zomba Club grounds. Here is a description of the ceremony:

“Her Majesty arrived at 2.30 p.m., wearing a white dress and hat, and having met the Chief of General Staff, Central Africa Command, Major General S. Garlake, and Lt. Col. W. D. Lewis, Honorary Colonel of the 1st and 2nd (Nyasaland) Battalions, King's African Rifles, took the Royal Salute while the National Anthem was played. Her Majesty then inspected the immaculate front rank of the Battalion, pausing several times to speak to soldiers. "Your Colours have been consecrated as a symbol of your loyalty and service and I know they will never be unfurled save in the course of justice, righteousness and truth.”” [1]

Hence, this handmade commemorative plaque made by school children is evidence of a major period of the drive for African independence and transition of Britain’s empire into the modern Commonwealth. It also tells us more about the KAR.