John Laband, AZWHS President

It is with great sadness that I have to report to members that our Society President, Professor John Laband ,died unexpectedly from a massive heart attack on Tuesday at his home in Greyton, Northern Cape,. John had a long and distinguished academic career, starting out as a Rhodes Scholar at Cambridge University, then as a history lecturer with the University of Natal, where he attained his Professorship, then as Professor Emeritus of Wilfred Laurier University in Canada.

He was a long time friend of the Society and regularly contributed to all Society activities.

He was an original recipient of the Society Gold Medal for service to the Zulu People – flying in to London from Canada specially to receive his award.

Our most recent discussions related to the missing medals of Hamilton-Browne, a subject keenly pursued by John; much to his surprise we traced the medals to a Kent collector – much to John’s astonishment – and satisfaction.

In the field of Zulu studies he cannot be replaced and we will greatly miss him.

He was 78, and leaves his wife, Fen, and two children, Zoe and Felix.