Zambian History Through Postage Stamps

The Evolution of Cooperatives in Northern Rhodesia

The first cooperative in Northern Rhodesia was established in 1914 by European settler farmers, marking the beginning of organized cooperative farming in the region.

Initially, these cooperatives were restricted to Europeans, limiting African participation in this collaborative economic model.

However, the landscape began to change in the 1940s as African communities started to form their own cooperatives, driven by the growing need for collective economic opportunities.

By 1947, the Zambian government was compelled to address this issue through legislative reform. The introduction of an Ordinance allowed Africans to establish their own cooperatives, thus integrating them into the cooperative movement and promoting greater inclusivity and economic development in the region.

This shift was a significant step toward economic empowerment and equality, paving the way for broader participation in cooperative ventures across Northern Rhodesia.

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