Kenneth Mackenzie

Kenneth Mackenzie (29 June 1920 – 17 February 1971) was a minister of the Church of Scotland, who served as a foreign missionary in Central Africa, and was later a founder of the anti-apartheid movement within Scotland.

Biography Kenneth Mackenzie was born on 29 June 1920 in Strathpeffer, Ross-shire. He attended Fodderty Primary School (1926–32) and Dingwall Academy (1932–37). In 1940 he graduated with an MA from Aberdeen University. He began studying for the ministry at Edinburgh's Free Church College (1940–42) before transferring to the Church of Scotland's New College, Edinburgh from which he graduated in 1944. In April 1944, he was licensed as a minister of the Church of Scotland. He was ordained, by the Presbytery of Edinburgh, on 24 April 1945. Margaret was part of the famous Torrance family within the Church of Scotland.

On 31 August 1957, he was seconded to St Colm's College in Edinburgh as a tutor, where he remained for over a decade. In 1968, he was called to the congregation of Old Restalrig Parish Church where he served as a parish minister until his death, after a short illness, on 17 February 1971, age 50. His widow, Margaret, lived until aged 86 in 2004. Together, they had a daughter, Fiona.

During his last years in Scotland, he played a major part in organising resistance to the Central African Federation, campaigning across churches, trade unions and political parties, particularly through the Scottish Council for African Questions. He was also one of the founders of the anti-apartheid movement on Scotland, particularly though the Scottish Anti-apartheid Association, writing letters and numerous articles on the situation in Africa. He also served as secretary to the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland's committee on Central Africa, which was convened by Lord MacLeod of Fuinary.

His collected papers are held in the Library of Edinburgh University.