Michael Mataka is notable in making history as the first native African to become commissioner of the Zambian police.[1] He also had a featured role in George Marshall directed film Duel in the Jungle.[2][3]
Michael Mataka
Other names
Mikaeli Mataka
Police career
Country
Northern Rhodesia, Zambia
Allegiance
Zambia
Service years
1950s to 1970
Rank
Assistant Inspector, Grade 1 (1960) Commissioner of Police (1965)
Mataka joined the Northern Rhodesia police force in 1941 as a constable. Later he became senior instructor at the training depot.[4][5] In 1952, he was an Inspector with the Northern Rhodesia Police Force.[6] Also at age 39, he was the first African to be promoted to the rank of Assistant Inspector, Grade 1.[7] On November 1, 1965, it was announced in Lusaka that Mataka was to be appointed as the first Zambian Commissioner of Police. He has replaced the previous commissioner, British born Lawson Hicks.[8]
In 1969, he was still Police Commissioner.[9] In 1970, following a traffic accident from which he received serious physical injuries, he was retired on medical grounds.[10] In 1975, 1977, he was on the Kitui Liquor licensing Board.[11][12]
Post police careeredit
In 1975, 1977, he was on the Kitui Liquor licensing Board.[13][14] He was also a diplomat in Angola and Egypt.[15]
Duel in the Jungleedit
In 1954, Mataka appeared in Duel in the Jungle, a film that starred Jeanne Crain, Dana Andrews, David Farrar and Patrick Barr.[16] In the film which was shot in Africa, he played the guide Vincent.[17][18] Mataka was praised by director George Marshall for his performance in the film and described as priceless.[19] His role in the film was quite prominent.[20] Marshall was looking for a man to man to play the role of Vincent and when he went to the police station to discuss some issues, he saw Mataka who at the time was a 32-year-old inspector. Mataka filled the requirements of having the impressive appearance and high intelligence. He was what Marshall needed for the film. He was borrowed from the force for three months to work in the film. Mataka was invaluable to Marshall and helped as second assistant director. He helped with the local dialects that were spoken by the extras and he knew the conditions locally, and he couldn't have got anywhere without his help in directing the native extras. Marshall said he was the best second assistant director he ever had.[21] Mataka was offered a contract but after the film, he returned to police work in Livingstone saying that he preferred police work to acting.[22][23]
Referencesedit
^The history of the Northern Rhodesia Police by T. B. Wright (Colonel.) Page 257
^The Age April 22, 1965 Television Programmes Saturday ABV-2 8.50 Screenplay
^Journo Do Brasil Jan 2, 1976 Pagina 7 Televisão, Os Films de Hoje, Duelo na Selva
^Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Wednesday September 29, 1954 Page 8 The Jungle's Around Them
^New York Times Duel in the Jungle (1954) The Screen in Review; ' Duel in the Jungle' Has Debut at Paramount H. H. T.
^The Afro American July 3, 1954 Page 7 Priceless African
^American Film Institute Catalogue of feature films
^Courier Magazine Section November 20, 1954 Page 2. African Talent Proves Priceless By George Marshall, Noted Director
^The history of the Northern Rhodesia Police by T. B. Wright (Colonel.) Page 257
^Courier Magazine Section November 20, 1954 Page 2. African Talent Proves Priceless By George Marshall, Noted Director
May 03, 2024
michael, mataka, notable, making, history, first, native, african, become, commissioner, zambian, police, also, featured, role, george, marshall, directed, film, duel, jungle, other, namesmikaeli, matakapolice, careercountrynorthern, rhodesia, zambiaallegiance. Michael Mataka is notable in making history as the first native African to become commissioner of the Zambian police 1 He also had a featured role in George Marshall directed film Duel in the Jungle 2 3 Michael MatakaOther namesMikaeli MatakaPolice careerCountryNorthern Rhodesia ZambiaAllegianceZambiaService years1950s to 1970RankAssistant Inspector Grade 1 1960 Commissioner of Police 1965 AwardsColonial Police MedalOther workDiplomat Contents 1 Police career 2 Post police career 3 Duel in the Jungle 4 ReferencesPolice career editMataka joined the Northern Rhodesia police force in 1941 as a constable Later he became senior instructor at the training depot 4 5 In 1952 he was an Inspector with the Northern Rhodesia Police Force 6 Also at age 39 he was the first African to be promoted to the rank of Assistant Inspector Grade 1 7 On November 1 1965 it was announced in Lusaka that Mataka was to be appointed as the first Zambian Commissioner of Police He has replaced the previous commissioner British born Lawson Hicks 8 In 1969 he was still Police Commissioner 9 In 1970 following a traffic accident from which he received serious physical injuries he was retired on medical grounds 10 In 1975 1977 he was on the Kitui Liquor licensing Board 11 12 Post police career editIn 1975 1977 he was on the Kitui Liquor licensing Board 13 14 He was also a diplomat in Angola and Egypt 15 Duel in the Jungle editIn 1954 Mataka appeared in Duel in the Jungle a film that starred Jeanne Crain Dana Andrews David Farrar and Patrick Barr 16 In the film which was shot in Africa he played the guide Vincent 17 18 Mataka was praised by director George Marshall for his performance in the film and described as priceless 19 His role in the film was quite prominent 20 Marshall was looking for a man to man to play the role of Vincent and when he went to the police station to discuss some issues he saw Mataka who at the time was a 32 year old inspector Mataka filled the requirements of having the impressive appearance and high intelligence He was what Marshall needed for the film He was borrowed from the force for three months to work in the film Mataka was invaluable to Marshall and helped as second assistant director He helped with the local dialects that were spoken by the extras and he knew the conditions locally and he couldn t have got anywhere without his help in directing the native extras Marshall said he was the best second assistant director he ever had 21 Mataka was offered a contract but after the film he returned to police work in Livingstone saying that he preferred police work to acting 22 23 References edit The history of the Northern Rhodesia Police by T B Wright Colonel Page 257 The Age April 22 1965 Television Programmes Saturday ABV 2 8 50 Screenplay Screen World Vol 6 1955 Page 93 Africa Police Journal Vol 1 No 4 Page 26 The history of the Northern Rhodesia Police by T B Wright Colonel Page 256 SUPPLEMENT TO THE LONDON GAZETTE 5 JUNE 1952 3042 COLONIAL EMPIRE For Meritorious Service Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland Newsletter Federal Information Department Government of Rhodesia and Nyasaland 1960 428 Africa Research Bulletin Blackwell 1965 Schenectady Gazette Feb 11 1969 Page 22 Jehovah s Witnesses Protest in Zambia History and Reformation of Zambia Police Service By Francis Xavier Musonda 1 The Kenya Gazette 7 February 1975 127 The Kenya Gazette 13 May 1977 504 The Kenya Gazette 7 February 1975 127 The Kenya Gazette 13 May 1977 504 Sub Saharan Africa Report 2201 2207 98 Journo Do Brasil Jan 2 1976 Pagina 7 Televisao Os Films de Hoje Duelo na Selva Pittsburgh Post Gazette Wednesday September 29 1954 Page 8 The Jungle s Around Them New York Times Duel in the Jungle 1954 The Screen in Review Duel in the Jungle Has Debut at Paramount H H T The Afro American July 3 1954 Page 7 Priceless African American Film Institute Catalogue of feature films Courier Magazine Section November 20 1954 Page 2 African Talent Proves Priceless By George Marshall Noted Director The history of the Northern Rhodesia Police by T B Wright Colonel Page 257 Courier Magazine Section November 20 1954 Page 2 African Talent Proves Priceless By George Marshall Noted Director Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Michael Mataka amp oldid 1192629298, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,