Background
Eshmael M Lam Bo was born on November 5, 1932, at Belingwe, 15 miles south of Shabani in Matabeleland.
Eshmael M Lam Bo was born on November 5, 1932, at Belingwe, 15 miles south of Shabani in Matabeleland.
Educated at Belingwe Primary School, then had secondary schooling at Natal, South Africa from 1949 to 1952. After private study with a correspondence course he won a scholarship to the University College of Salisbury in 1963, where he studied politics and economics.
As student leader he got a grant to the United States of America from July to September 1965. Following student trouble he was arrested on November 16, 1965, and kept in prison until February 1966. When riots broke out, a warrant for his arrest was issued on July 26, 1966. He stayed in hiding in the university and escaped via Botswana, Zambia and Kenya to arrive in London on August 27, 1966.
A scholarship to Colorado University, USA, enabled him to gain his Master of Arts degree in international relations in March 1968. For the next nine months, as a research officer of the United Nations Committee of 24, he studied economic sanctions. Returning to London, he went to Brunei University, Uxbridge for studies in administration from 1968 to 1970. He then took a job with the London borough of Bromley as an administrative assistant.
As chairman of ZAPU’s research committee he has kept in touch with Nkomo and other detained leaders. Two books established him as a respected analyst: in 1971 “Rhodesia: the British Dilemma” and in 1972 “Rhodesia: The Struggle for a Birthright”. He helped create the African National Council as a means of having the Home-Smith proposed settlement of November 1971 rejected and he was adviser to Bishop Muzorewa, ANC chairman, in his talks with the British Foreign Secretary in London in May 1972. He moved to Nairobi in January 1973 but continued as ANC representative in Europe, visiting London from time to time.
Teacher, writer, broadcaster, he has been one of the important link men between imprisoned nationalists and the outside world for bringing diplomatic pressure to the Rhodesian problem. Earnest, realistic political agent destined for high office.