Lloyd Gideon Nkoloma (1944–2003)

Lloyd Nkoloma, who was Curator of the National Botanic Gardens of Malawi, died in the late hours of Monday night February 17, 2003, of a sudden asthmatic attack.

Lloyd was born on March 15, 1944 in the Namitambo area, Chiradzulu District in Southern Malawi. He attended the Dedza Secondary School from 1959 to 1962 where he successfully completed his Cambridge Overseas Certificate. Later that year he joined the Ministry of Agriculture where he worked as a Laboratory Technician (1962–1975). Lloyd obtained a certificate in Laboratory Techniques from the Malawi Polytechnic, a constituent college of the University of Malawi, in 1970. Later he was a Field Research Officer responsible for Horticulture (1981–1984). In 1984, he obtained a Diploma in Horticulture from Egerton College in Kenya. Lloyd lectured at the Natural Resources College in Lilongwe, Malawi (1984–1990) where he also headed the Horticulture Department before joining the National Herbarium and Botanic Gardens in 1990 as Senior Assistant Curator.
Lloyd was one of the first people employed by NHBG shortly after it was formed as an independent institution. He will be remembered professionally for his contribution to the development of Zomba, Lilongwe, and Mzuzu Botanic Gardens. His vast reservoir and wealth of professional experience drawn from many years of service and training is an irreplaceable loss to the National Herbarium and Botanic Gardens of Malawi.

His wife, Margaret and four children, George, Andrew, Victoria and Mayamiko, and five grandchildren, Mphatso, Natasha, Sally, Merlissa and Yankho will miss him. Lloyd had the spirit of a father, grandfather, uncle, and friend to many employees at NHBG. Those who have known Lloyd will testify to his cheer and appreciation for friends and exchange of knowledge. As a Christian, he was generous, humorous and a dedicated colleague, friend and companion.
Lloyd was buried in the Municipality of Zomba Cemetery on Wednesday February 19, 2003. We feel with the family, relatives, and friends for the loss of our dear colleague and friend.

—by Augustin Charles Chikuni

Lloyd and I shared our birthdays in March and were always very close. He was a wonderful person for whom I had a great deal of admiration and respect. It is a great loss for the botanical gardens in Malawi and the botanical garden community in the southern African region

—Christopher Willis

I am very sorry to hear of Lloyd’s passing—he was a good friend and colleague. I pray that you at Zomba will know the presence of the Lord at this time, and especially that Lloyd's family will experience God’s peace. Please extend my regards and condolences to Lloyd’s family and to his colleagues.

—John Roff

I was very sad to receive the news of the passing of our friend Lloyd. He will always be remembered for his gentle ways and his spirit of co-operation, as well as his friendly outlook on life.

—Chris Dalzell

We are very shocked to hear about the premature death of Mr Lloyd G. Nkoloma. What a great loss to his family, the NHBG, and Malawi. As we all know, Mr Nkoloma was among the first sons of Malawi to contribute to the development of our National Botanic Gardens in Malawi where his horticultural skills helped to shape the landscape of our botanic gardens. Malawi will miss him greatly and we join his family, NHBG, and friends in mourning his death.

—James H. Seyani