The following is a history of Round Table in Central Africa based on the records of the ARTCA Handbook, as written by James Winters, from Selebi-Phikwe, Botswana, in May of 1996.
The original Handbook can be found here: RT — Artca Handbook 1996
Origins of Round Table in Central Africa
It was in April 1952 that Robbie Fisher Robson and Cammie Freer met in Salisbury to discuss the possible formation of Round Table. Robbie had been a member of Portsmouth and Southsea Round Table No. 2 (R.T.B.I) (RTBI 2 Portsmouth & Southsea) since 1946 and it was some time later that these two, with others, decided to establish the first Round Table in Salisbury.
Founding of Salisbury Round Table No. 1
On 17th November of that year at the Norfolk Hotel in Salisbury, an acting Council of the first Salisbury Round Table was formed, and amongst other things, those present agreed that the Inaugural Meeting of Salisbury Round Table would be held on the 10th December 1951; that they would be affiliated with R.T.B.I.; that the Table would be named Salisbury Round Table No. 1 of the Association of Round Tables in Central Africa, and that subscriptions would be two pounds and two shillings per annum, with an entry fee of 10s 6d for all members. At the Inaugural meeting, Robbie was elected Chairman, and the evening was graced with the attendance and main address by J. R. B. Dendy Young, Q.C. M.P. So it was on the 10th December 1952 that the Round Table Movement was launched in Southern Rhodesia.
Early Expansion in Southern Rhodesia
It was not long before Robbie Robson and Cammie Freer set their sights on extending to other centres in Southern Rhodesia and fortuitously, it was discovered that another ex-member of Portsmouth and Southsea Round Table No. 2 was living in Gwelo. Derek Barnes had set about laying the groundwork for the formation of Round Table in that centre and, with their assistance, launched the inauguration of another Table on 18th April 1953. Prior to this, however, the first informal meeting of Bulawayo Round Table No. 3 took place on 30th March 1953.
Formation of A.R.T.C.A.
Even before their own Inaugural Dinner, Gwelo Tablers traveled to Bulawayo, 102 miles away, to attend the first informal meeting of that Table. In April 1953, a Table in Umtali was being formed. On 6th July 1953, the first meeting of the Umtali Round Table was held. Bulawayo No. 3 held its Inaugural Meeting on 16th May 1953. By May 1953, barely five months after Salisbury No. 1, three Tables existed. On 13th June 1953, at the Round Table International AGM in Brussels, it was agreed that its President should attend the Charter Meeting of Salisbury No. 1 and be present at the planned formation of a national association. Hubert Pratt, RTI President, came to Africa and on 8th August 1953, Salisbury No. 1 was chartered. The next day, the first ARTCA Conference was held and Robbie Robson was elected as the first President.
Adoption of the Zimbabwe Bird Badge
Initially, Tablers used the RTBI badge, but a proposal to incorporate the Zimbabwe Bird was accepted. In July 1954, ARTCA adopted a new badge design featuring a white Zimbabwe Bird on a green background.
Continued Expansion: Late 1953–1954
Extension efforts continued. Gwelo No. 2 helped establish Que Que; Rusape Table was formed in October 1953 due to Eric Bennett’s efforts. David Smith, founder of ARTSA, had previously tried to start a Table in Southern Rhodesia in 1950. Salisbury No. 1 received its Charter Certificate on 31st October 1953. Charter Dinners for Gwelo and Bulawayo followed.
The First A.R.T.C.A. Convention
The first AGM of Salisbury No. 1 in August 1953 proposed a Chair of Race Relations at the University of Rhodesia. It took ten years to establish and was formally accepted in 1963. The first ARTCA Convention was held in Umtali from 10–12 July 1954, where Cammie Freer was appointed President.
Growth in Northern Rhodesia
Extension reached Northern Rhodesia. Lusaka’s Table was inaugurated in August 1954. Kitwe and Ndola followed. Hubert Pratt presided over multiple inaugurations. By the end of 1954, ARTCA had 6 chartered Tables in Southern Rhodesia and 3 in Northern Rhodesia.
Key Milestones of 1955
Lusaka and Kitwe received Charters. A proposal for a Ladies Circle arose but did not gain traction in ARTCA. The Convention Cup (Featherstone Trophy) was introduced. Bulawayo extended to Livingstone.
Extension into New Regions (1956–1958)
Tables were formed in Fort Victoria, Marandellas, Mufulira, Broken Hill, Chingola, Gatooma, and Sinoia. Life Honorary Memberships were granted to Robbie Robson and Cammie Freer. Chilanga Table was formed but later dissolved.
Recognizing Founders and Legacy Projects
In 1961, following changes to Round Table International, ARTCA was allowed to grant Life Honorary Membership. The Pelides Rose Bowl was introduced for the best Table newsletter.
The Pelides Rose Bowl and Historical Documentation
A.R.T.C.A. began compiling its history, initially a 10-year project which became a 25-year record. Discussions on establishing an area system began.
Extension and Challenges (1959–1960)
Bulawayo extended to Gwanda. Sinoia requested ARTCA remain a European social club, which was rejected. ARTCA adopted multiracial membership. Sinoia Table was dissolved. Blantyre-Limbe Table was formed in Nyasaland.
A.R.T.C.A. Becomes Truly Multinational
Tables were formed in Shabani, Kalulushi, Lowveld, Gaborone (Botswana), Usutu (Swaziland), Beira, Lourenco Marques (Mozambique), Mbabane (Swaziland), and Lilongwe (Malawi). Chililabombwe (Zambia) also formed.
Continued Growth Through the 1960s–1970s
New Tables formed in Wankie, Hartley, Chipinga, Bulawayo, Salisbury, Karoi, Mangula, Bindura, Victoria Falls, Maseru (Lesotho), Lusaka, Manzini, Francistown, Mongu, and others. Many eventually became inactive.
Slowing Pace and Final Expansion (1980s–1990s)
The 1980s saw slower expansion with Tables in Orapa, Jwaneng (Botswana), Maputo (Mozambique), and a second Table in Gaborone. Zimbabwean Tables underwent name changes post-independence in 1980.
The Area System
The Area system was introduced in 1969 and formalized in 1971. There was no particular geographical grouping in order to avoid a certain amount of parochialism. Zambia left ARTCA in 1974, forming its own Association. Thus the areas within ARTCA looked like this:
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- Area 1- Two Tables within Bulawayo and Tables in the west and south of Zimbabwe.
- Area 3 — Two tables within Harare, Tables in the east of Zimbabwe and in Malawi.
- Area 4 — The remaining two Tables in Harare and Tables to the north of Salisbury.
- Area 6 — Tables within Swaziland and Mozambique.
- Area 8 — Tables in Botswana.