Rhodesia Association for the Prevention of Tuberculosis (RAPT)

Rhodesia Association for the Prevention of Tuberculosis (RAPT)

 

The origin of the Rhodesia Association for the Prevention of Tuberculosis (RAPT ) was due to the spontaneous emergence of a public conscience in several parts of Southern Rhodesia.

In Bulawayo the interest in the social and welfare aspects of tuberculosis began some years earlier, when the British Red Cross Society concerned itself with the problem as it affects the community. Around 1952 a special committee from the British Red Cross Society in Bulawayo planned to make a more concerted attack on the whole problem. This eventually led to the formation of the Rhodesia Association for the Prevention of Tuberculosis (RAPT).

In 1955, the British Red Cross Society released an issue of labels where part of the proceeds was donated to the Rhodesian Association for the Prevention of Tuberculosis. The cost of the production was borne by Rotary. The first R.A.P.T. seal was released in 1956 and was available throughout Rhodesia & Nyasaland.

Branches of the Association existed in Bulawayo, Blantyre/ Limbe (Nyasaland), Gatooma, Gwelo, Shabani, Salisbury and Umtali. Each was autonomous but with a common aim.

In 1980, with the country’s independence, the name was changed to Rehabilitation and Prevention of Tuberculosis.

Cinderellas

RAPT, being a voluntary organisation, relied entirely on the public for its income, the main sources being contributions from the various lotteries and the annual Christmas seals campaign.

• 1956 – Christmas Greetings
• 1957 – Kind Thoughts at Christmas
• 1958 – Greetings
• 1959 – Christmas Greetings
• 1960 – Christmas Greetings
• 1961 – African Animals
• 1962 – African Birds
• 1963 – African Flowers
• 1964 – African Tribal Dress
• 1965 – Butterflies of Central Africa
• 1965 – Butterflies of Central Africa (Malawi)
• 1966 – Small Mammals of Rhodesia
• 1967 – Aspects of Rhodesian Life
• 1968 – Minerals of Rhodesia
• 1969 – Insects of Rhodesian Veld
• 1970 – Aspects of Rhodesian Farming
• 1971 – Rhodesian Wildflowers
• 1972 – Rhodesian Birds
• 1973 – Waterfolk
• 1974 – Aloes and Succulents
• 1975 – Trees of Rhodesia
• 1976 – Places of Interest in Rhodesia
• 1977 – Animals of Rhodesia
• 1978 – Snakes & Lizards of Rhodesia
• 1979 – Silver Jubilee

References

• Journal of the Rhodesian Study Circle No.145
• Rhodesia Association for the Prevention of Tuberculosis – Helen Laird

Contributor

• Terry Cowlard
• Terrence Devine
• James Gavin