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The beginnings of the Stevenage Kadoma Link
In 1985/86, the idea of linking with a developing country was mentioned at a Civic Service.
It was suggested that, as a New Town, Stevenage might understand some of the problems in
newly independent countries.
It was decided that a Commonwealth country, where English was the "official" language, would
be best suited to link with. Connie Rees had links with Zimbabwe from before Independence and
after going through diplomatic channels, three towns were suggested.
The then Chief Executive for the Council, Stephen Catchpole, and John Bentley who is still
Head of Community Services, went to visit the three towns. They decided that Kadoma had most in
common with Stevenage i.e. an industrial base but surrounded by a rural area. Also at that time,
Kadoma and Stevenage had only ONE set of traffic lights (robots) each!
It took 3 years to get this far and many people in Stevenage had taken part in discussing what
form our link should take. Cllr. Hilda Lawrence chaired the committee that was set up with various
sub-committees covering different aspects. Joyce Ransley and Leslie Rose were key members who continued
working for the link for many years.
In 1989, the World Methodist Conference was held in Harare and Will Sheaf from Stevenage was invited
as a lay representative. He and his wife Mary had been involved in setting up the processes for the
link so asked if they could visit Kadoma while they were in Zimbabwe. Mary Sheaf then organised a
Kadoma Kaleidoscope weekend in 1989 to introduce our town to Kadoma before the link became official.
We had had visits from the Mayor of Kadoma, Alderman Kidia, and two officers. Finally in August 1989
a civic delegation from Stevenage went to Kadoma for the signing of the Declaration of Friendship.
The delegation consisted of the Mayor, Hilda Lawrence, the Leader of the Council, Brian Hall, the Chief
Executive, Howard Miller and opposition representative, Pat Akhurst.
We met such warmth and friendship there that it set the tone for our link especially when Kadoma
agreed that it was for the Community as well and not just a civic connection. We have tried to share
the good and bad times with one another from the beginning and this has been one of our strengths.
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