Sir Evelyn Dennison Hone, a seasoned colonial administrator who had previously served in Tanganyika, Seychelles, Palestine, British Honduras, and Aden, was appointed Governor of Northern Rhodesia in April 1959. His tenure, which lasted until October 1964, coincided with the colony’s turbulent transition from British rule to independence as the Republic of Zambia. Hone’s administration was defined by constitutional reform, political negotiation, and the peaceful transfer of power to African leadership.
Upon taking office, Hone inherited a colony marked by growing nationalist agitation and deepening divisions between settler interests and African aspirations. The Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland, established in 1953, had intensified political tensions, particularly in Northern Rhodesia’s Copperbelt, where African trade unions and nationalist movements were gaining strength. Hone quickly recognised the need for dialogue and began engaging with African leaders, most notably Kenneth Kaunda, whose United National Independence Party (UNIP) was emerging as the dominant political force.
Hone’s governorship was notable for its pragmatism and restraint. Rather than suppress nationalist demands, he facilitated constitutional negotiations that expanded African representation. The 1962 elections introduced a more inclusive Legislative Council, and by 1964, Hone was overseeing the final stages of constitutional transition. His working relationship with Kaunda was unusually cooperative for a colonial governor, and he played a key role in ensuring that the handover of power was orderly and peaceful. This contrasted sharply with the violent transitions seen in other parts of Africa during the same period.
Economically, Hone’s administration continued to manage the colony’s copper-driven economy, which remained central to British strategic interests. However, his focus shifted increasingly towards preparing the civil service and administrative structures for African leadership. Training programmes were expanded, and efforts were made to localise key government functions. Hone also worked to reassure European settlers and business interests, emphasising stability and continuity during the transition.
By the time Northern Rhodesia became independent as Zambia on 24 October 1964, Hone had earned the respect of both colonial officials and African nationalists. He formally handed power to President Kenneth Kaunda and retired from colonial service shortly thereafter. His legacy was commemorated in the naming of Evelyn Hone College in Lusaka, a symbol of his role in guiding the colony through its final chapter. Hone’s governorship was not marked by dramatic confrontation, but by quiet diplomacy and administrative competence, which helped ensure that Zambia’s birth was peaceful and politically legitimate.
Picture: Sir Evelyn Hone inspecting a Guard of Honour at Mufulira Rugby Club.
