Andrew Sardanis
Andrew Sardanis | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | Andrew Sotiris Sardanis[1] 13 March 1931 |
| Died | 28 February 2021 (aged 89) |
| Occupations |
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| Years active | 1950–2021 |
| Notable credits |
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| Awards |  Order of the Eagle |
Andrew Sotiris Sardanis (Greek: Ανδρέας Σωτήρης Σαρδάνης; 13 March 1931 – 28 February 2021) was a notable journalist and businessman of Cypriot-Zambian origin.[3] He gained recognition for his involvement in Zambia's independence liberation movement and played a significant role in the formation of Zambia's first administration.[2] Sardanis also implemented various economic policies in Zambia between 1965 and 1970.[4][5]
Sardanis held prominent positions in the Zambian government, including serving as the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of State Participation and Chairman of the Industrial Development Corporation.[6] He was widely recognized for his contributions towards the economic development of Zambia.[7][8]
In recognition of his service, Sardanis was awarded Zambia's highest civil decoration, the Order of the Eagle of Zambia, by President Edgar Lungu in 2019.
Early life
[edit]Andrew was born in colonial Cyprus and migrated to Northern Rhodesia (now Zambia) in October 1950, when he was 19, as part of a group of migrants displaced by the end of World War II.[9] He spent most of his early life working for his brother in law in a transport company which operated between the Copperbelt and North-Western Province.[4] In his mid-twenties he owned and operated North-Western Trading. By 1957 he had started Mwaiseni stores. He was one of the few white settlers to have actively supported the black liberation movement[10] and he trained. Advanced Zambians in his own business, treating them as partners and fellow shareholders and also provided a group of shops that allowed Zambians to transact normally. As a firm anti-colonialist he joined UNIP and in the 1962 elections, he stood as UNIP candidate for Kabompo.[11] He became a passionate freedom fighter and was strongly involved in the independence movement.[12]
Business
[edit]In 1984 he formed Meridien International Bank Limited (MIBL) in the Bahamas. In 1991, MIBL purchased a network of 11 banks from the French liquidator of Banque Internationale pour l'Afrique Occidentale (BIAO).[13] Registered in Luxembourg, Meridien BIAO was 74% owned by MIBL, which had a banking licence in the Bahamas. The African Development Bank held a 10% stake and the West African Development Bank (BOAD) had a 16% holding. It was capitalised at about $100m.[14] The group reported a net profit of $3.26m in 1993, the last year for which audited figures are available, but after currency translations its reserves declined by $15.2m in that year.
MIBL is owned by Meridien Corporation, which is in turn owned by ITM International, a Luxembourg-registered private company controlled by the Sardanis family trust.[15]
Death
[edit]Andrew died on 28 February 2021, at CFB Hospital in Lusaka.[2] He was 89.[3][14]
Publications
[edit]- Zambia: The First 50 Years (2014)[16]
- A venture in Africa (2007)
- Africa: Another Side of the Coin: Northern Rhodesia's Final Years and Zambia's Nationhood (2003)[4]
References
[edit]- ^ "Andrew's Memorial". www.mykeeper.com. Retrieved 29 March 2021.
- ^ a b c "CHAMINUKA OWNER ANDREW SARDANIS DIES ~". 28 February 2021. Retrieved 29 March 2021.
- ^ a b "An important figure in Zambia's history, Andrew Sardanis, passed away". Orthodox Times. 1 March 2021. Retrieved 30 March 2021.
- ^ a b c Herbert, Eugenia W. (2004), Review of Sardanis, Andrew, Africa: Another Side of the Coin: Northern Rhodesia's Final Years and Zambia's Nationhood, H-SAfrica, H-Review, retrieved 30 March 2021
- ^ "What a friend I had in Sardanis – KK – The Mast Online". Archived from the original on 9 May 2021. Retrieved 30 March 2021.
- ^ "Kaunda Assumes Control Of Zambian Industries". The New York Times. 30 January 1970. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 1 April 2021.
- ^ "Zambia : President Lungu honours 8 Zambians for their distinguished service to the nation". LusakaTimes.com. 25 October 2019. Retrieved 29 March 2021.
- ^ "COMPANY NEWS – OCTOBER 2019". Buying Property in Zambia. 29 October 2019. Retrieved 29 March 2021.
- ^ Chibesakunda, Lombe (11 March 2021). "The Amazing Life and Legacy of Andrew Sardanis". Financial Insights. Retrieved 1 April 2021.
- ^ "Industrial Development Corporation of Zambia Ltd. – Rhodesian Study Circle". Retrieved 30 March 2021.
- ^ "Andrew Sardanis gave his life to Zambia, and Zambia its soul to him". Zambia: News Diggers!. 7 March 2021. Retrieved 30 March 2021.
- ^ Sardanis, Andrew (2003). Africa : Another side of the coin : Northern Rhodesia's final years and Zambia's nationhood / Andrew Sardanis. London: London : I.B. Tauris.
- ^ Sardanis, Andrew (2003). Aventure in Africa. University of Zambia library: London : I.B. Tauris.
- ^ a b "Zambia : Andrew Sardanis gave his life to Zambia, and Zambia its soul to him". LusakaTimes.com. 8 March 2021. Retrieved 29 March 2021.
- ^ "Meridien collapse – the inside story. – Free Online Library". www.thefreelibrary.com. Retrieved 24 May 2021.
- ^ "Book Review: Zambia: The First 50 Years by Andrew Sardanis". LSE Review of Books. 31 January 2015. Retrieved 30 March 2021.
