The Needful

All major cities in Africa have at least one international school and they are prominent in the lives of transient diplomats, other expatriates, and, increasingly, of the local middle classes. They throw up multiple challenges as different cultures interact, not always easily or willingly.


The International School of Ndwalowe, in the imaginary African country of Awanza, is just emerging from bankruptcy. Charged with this responsibility, indeed daunted by it, is Peter Corby, British, in his first headship and in Africa for the first time.


He must deal with recalcitrant teachers, unreasonable parents, intractable students, and a sometimes-frustrating Board of Directors in this affectionate tale often inspired by the author’s own experiences.


"Superbly evoked are the entertaining characters found in many an international school worldwide, in the emotively described context of a fictional country in southern Africa. Peter Mackenzie draws on his broad and varied experiences in many countries, but especially in Africa which he clearly loves. The result is a lively page-turner full of insights and plenty of fun – a reader's delight.” Harry Deelman, International school veteran


Peter MacKenzie was born in the UK in 1956 but has spent more than half his life living and working overseas in Switzerland, Germany, Japan, India, Tanzania and Namibia. He has visited more than fifty international schools, worked in six, been the Head of three, and has sat on the board of one. He has been a member of the board of the Association of International Schools in Africa, was for three years the President of the Japan Council of International Schools, and has worked for the International Baccalaureate. The international school world is one for which feels a great deal of affection and gratitude but also sometimes a measure of exasperation and frustration. Over twenty years, Peter has published articles and book reviews in popular and peer-reviewed journals. The Needful is his first work of fiction.