North Road hosts the 'Sunshine Girls'

Blodwyn Jones, North Laine resident

The Sunshine Girls talking to the then President of Zambia, Kenneth Kaunda, in 1969

Some of the Sunshine Girls at their 30 years reunion in Shropshire, August 1998

The Sunshine Girls together again for their 40th anniversary in North Laine, October 2009

October 2009 reunion

By Blodwyn Jones, North Laine resident

The Sunshine Girls came to North Road for their 40th anniversary reunion on 29th October 2009.

Who are the Sunshine Girls?

Around 1969 these girls went to Zambia from various counties in the UK. They were recruited by the Crown Agents to the government to work and live in Zambia as part of what was, in those far off days, called Third World Aid. Crown Agents is still involved worldwide in its commitment to global development and growth.

What did they do in Zambia?

The girls were employed as stenographers (stenogs) and, as well as importing into Zambia from their home towns disco and soul age music and fashion of the 60s and 70s, they worked as shorthand typists, secretaries and personal assistants to government ministers and commissioners.  They were also recruited to work on the newly computerised electoral role.

Photos

On this page you can see a photo of some of the Sunshine Girls who worked on the electoral role talking with then president, Kenneth Kaunda, in 1969.  Some of the women is this photo were in Brighton on 29th October 2009 along with other Sunshine Girls who worked in various government departments in Zambia.  Many of them remember and some worked for Zambia's current president, Rupiah Banda.

Where do they live now?

The women who came to Brighton hailed from Eastbourne and Lanark and Angus in Scotland, Ipswich, Birmingham, Aldershot and Colchester, Harlow and Nazeing in Essex, Wimbledon and Chiswick in London, Banbury and Rome.

[Previously published in the North Laine Runner, No 200, September/October 2009]