Morning Mirror 28 - 29th October 2002 |
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THE WARTHOG EXPRESS A "Special" steam train is being run by the Friends of the Bulawayo Railway Museum in conjunction with the NRZ Historical Committee and the NRZ to Khami and back on Sunday 24th November to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the opening of the Railway Museum. The train will depart from the Railway Museum at 10.00 and is estimated to return about 2 hours later. Tickets are priced at $700 and $300 for children up to 12 years of age which includes entrance to the Museum. Tickets are on sale at the Railway Museum, the Bulawayo Library - 8th Ave/Fort St., Personality Cleaners opposite the Main Post Office and LABELlab - 14th Ave next to Plaza Hotel. On returning to the Museum soft drinks can be purchased and braai fires will be available otherwise patrons should cater for themselves. Security parking is being organised at the Museum. Give the family a treat - reserve your seat. Book early as seats are limited. JULIET RICKWOOD
As the Eclipse fever bites I hope you plan to experience the Eclipse on 4 December 2002. Phil Whitehead has procured a copy of a very informative book produced for the occasion this year and well worth the Z$1,000 . Should you want a copy please contact Phil directly and he will ensure you have one. As usual stocks are limited. Phil Whitehead
GOD SPEED TO THE SURVIVORS OF HORSESHOE BLOCK The survivors in Horseshoe gathered for the last time on Thursday 10th October 2002 to bid farewell to a wonderful era and the building itself. We have donated the premises to the Salvation Army to turn into a vocational training centre/Aids orphanage, so at least it will be used for a good cause and not just looted, vandalized and ultimately destroyed in the name of "land reform". Bridgie and I decided to drive the scenic route to the club that afternoon - The trip in common with all of Zimbabwe at present was depressing in itself. The country's roadside now stands in stark testimony to how in a few short months the country's clock has been turned back 60 years as the "agrarian revolution" reduces organized agriculture to subsistence peasanthood. At this time of the year in the past one would pass gangs of workers busy in neatly planted irrigated tobacco lands, bumper wheat crops ready for harvest and vast hectares of prepared fields as farmers readied and anticipated the imminent rains. Today the landscape has been totally burned, there is massive deforestation, coupled with wanton destruction of infrastructure, fencing and roadwork's. Idle centre pivots hanging over barren and burnt grass stand as grotesque monuments to an uncomprehendable evil scorched earth policy aimed at crushing dissenting opinion. We both decided that this was indeed Satan's Landscape. We drive past Pete's bare irrigation lands and then through Des's place and saw how the settlers have locked the gates to the citrus orchards and are watching a once thriving orchard wilt in the hot afternoon sun The drip irrigation and pumps are all still in place, but silent, as a reminder of the 30,000 cartons of export citrus that was potentially in blossom in July. Mike & Barbara's usual active shed complex looks desolate and sad. The hundreds of baboons and monkeys that used to gather in the front paddocks foraging for left over maize from the cattle feed troughs are nowhere to be seen - Perhaps even they have emigrated! I catch a glimpse of Rory and Margi's magnificent home and reminisce about teenage parties, fun, hospitality and my best friend John. Moving on to Andy and Jo's place is gut wrenching. Look carefully through the long grass and untended shed area and you just might be able to see the pride, love and tender care that was a hallmark of this once vibrant set up. Reputed to be the largest curing system in the world, these buildings are silent dilapidating monuments to a country in tailspin. The orchards are hard to believe - No irrigation for over a year has reduced this oasis of over 20 000 trees to defoliating bare trunks - these trees will surely not survive till the rains? Further on we stumble upon what appears to be a wheat crop. Yes, the stand is there, but it seems to have been on deficit irrigation since germination. A hungary disgusted looking quelia bird stands head and shoulders above the grain, probably pondering migration too. Past Alex & Cheryl's we note the mushrooming huts and a broken tractor, but still no real land prep. We pass more of the same as we drive - Decades of blood, sweat and tears disappearing in the smoky haze. As we drive into the club, Bridgie remarks about what a hive of activity Wednesday afternoons were - Maids scuttling after boisterous little toddlers in the car park, laughter and exertion on four tennis courts, the smell of fresh cake, the solitude of the library and of course the congeniality, warmth and friendship emanating from the "best bar in Zimbabwe" The ever present Paul serving drinks whilst one could enjoy the spectacular view that was occasionally interrupted by inept cricketers (of late only - no disrespect to the mighty Ervine Arnott teams of the 70's and 80's) or the dust bowl of the distant Polo crosse fields. There are just a few vehicles parked this afternoon. We joined the others, (John, Robby, Mal, Dave, Mike, Bobby & Barbie, Craig & Erica, Geoff and Robin) as they listen in rapt attention to our intrepid leader (Jacko) as he chronicles the latest disaster and chaos. Nobody seems to care anymore (What, another eviction? Yawn) but the humour and jest remains. A full hall, at FA meetings where farming issues were discussed, seems a distant memory I look fondly at the stage - remembering an era when learning my lines for the latest Panto was my biggest concern. Nick & Mary's flame lily's are still up on the wall as are reminders of LipSync's, bioscope and badminton. It was in this hall that Andy (MIC) informed us that we had lost the war. It was here that we determined to embrace the new Zimbabwe, but not in our wildest dreams did we imagine back then that we would survive a further 22 years! Twenty two wonderfully, happy, prosperous and precious years. (We have so much to be thankful for.) The tea is still just as good and after a team photo outside, we return to discuss the dissolution of the club and it's assets. The Salvation Army will take over on a lock stock and barrel basis after we have removed all the sentimental and valuable items. The pillage begins as we start distributing silver ware, pictures and momentos. The silver cups speak out with history as we read out names of old Horseshoe families engraved forever (Anderson, Thorn, Kerr. Pascall, Mundell, Dixon, Cross, Bruford to name but a few) Spontaneity takes over and a splendid thrash develops. We are joined by Phee, Dave & Phoebe, (their last night in the district) John & Elise as well as Erica's mother and sister. Jacko stakes his claim for the wagon wheel by, as tradition demands, hanging himself upside down from it, drinks a beer and very nearly electrocutes himself! That revolting vision of Nick doing the same in his Kenyan skirt and no undies springs into my mind! I look into the pit, remembering when it was transformed into a swimming pool, look at the till and am reminded that it survived a Bowen onslaught. The Kitchen, usually buzzing with activity and delicious smells, where probably the best and cheapest meals in Zimbabwe were regularly supplied, now cooks it's last meal - Colin dutifully prepares the last of the steak and it is served on the bar counter complimented only with the last remaining sherbets and crunchies. As the "Caught half way between a cave and a credit card" mentality grips, we guzzle the hooch in a vain attempt to reduce what eventually has to be carted away in our vehicles. Wyrley has his shirt off! An incredible sight which is matched only by his fingertips - Custer's last hand! The revelry is spontaneous, sincere and heartwarming, but there is an underlying sense of the surreal. Has it really come to this? A far cry from the first of the farewells when we wished Simon and Wendy Godspeed. We have stayed, gone the distance, been blessed. At midnight ish we bid Paul a fond farewell (Thankfully he will be employed by S/Army) and Dave, being the oldest born and bred Horseshoeite ceremoniously switches off the lights. As we weave our way out of the car park for the last time, memories flood my mind - Cricket matches, Polocrosse tournaments, Pete & Carries wedding, Nevs Guy Fawkes, the 50th, New Years of note, the eclipse, auctions, friends, friends and more friends. The visitor book in the bar reminds me of a Saturday afternoon in 1981, when I walked into the bar and for the first time laid eyes on a beautiful girl who would 16 months later become my wife. Every corner of that building speaks of community spirit, fun and good times. Yes, it's over, but what a privilege to have enjoyed the ride - to have played, laughed and wept with such a special community of people. CD
by Erma Bombeck (Written after she found out she was dying from cancer.) I would have gone to bed when I was sick instead of pretending the earth would go into a holding pattern if I weren't there for the day. I would have burned the pink candle sculpted like a rose before it melted in storage. I would have talked less and listened more. I would have invited friends over to dinner even if the carpet was stained, or the sofa faded. I would have eaten the popcorn in the 'good' living room and worried much less about the dirt when someone wanted to light a fire in the fireplace. I would have taken the time to listen to my grandfather ramble about his youth. I would have shared more of the responsibility carried by my husband. I would never have insisted the car windows be rolled up on a summer day because my hair had just been teased and sprayed. I would have sat on the lawn with my children and not worried about grass stains. I would have cried and laughed less while watching television and more while watching life. I would never have bought anything just because it was practical, wouldn't show soil, or was guaranteed to last a lifetime. Instead of wishing away nine months of pregnancy, I'd have cherished every moment and realized that the wonderment growing inside me was the only chance in life to assist God in a miracle. When my kids kissed me impetuously, I would never have said, "Later. Now go get washed up for dinner." There would have been more "I love you's." More "I'm sorrys." But mostly, given another shot at life, I would seize every minute... look at it and really see it .. live it ... and never give it back. Stop sweating the small stuff. Don't worry about who doesn't like you, who has more, or who's doing what. Instead, let's cherish the relationships we have with those who do love us. Let's think about what God HAS blessed us with. And what we are doing each day to promote ourselves mentally, physically, emotionally, as well as spiritually. Life is too short to let it pass you by. We only have one shot at this and then it's gone.
Age 3: She looks at herself and sees a Queen. Age 8: She looks at herself and sees Cinderella. Age 15: She looks at herself and sees an Ugly Sister (Mom I can't go to school looking like this!) tall, too straight/too curly"- but decides she's going out anyway. Age 30: She looks at herself and sees "too fat/ / too thin, too short /too tall, too straight/ too curly" - but decides she doesn't have time to fix it, so she's going out anyway. Age 40: She looks at herself and sees "too fat /too thin, too short/ too tall but goes out anyway. Age 50: She looks at herself and sees "I am" and goes wherever she wants to go. Age 60: She looks at herself and reminds herself of all the people who can't even see themselves in the mirror anymore. Goes out and conquers the world. Age 70: She looks at herself & sees wisdom, laughter and ability, goes out and enjoys life. Age 80: Doesn't bother to look. Just puts on a purple hat and goes out to have fun with the world. Send this on to all the women you are grateful to have as friends. Maybe we should all grab that purple hat earlier.
Zimbabwe - Plea for Our Country I am an ordinary Zimbabwean and I feel compelled to write to my compatriots, not tomorrow nor the next day but now !! I came to this beautiful country in the late '70's from a farming family in Australia to find a land of real hope, one that was happy and prosperous despite the conditions that prevailed at the time. It was everything I had dreamed of and it wasn't long before I made a life long commitment. That commitment is reinforced by events today. What really impressed me, after I had arrived with a pack on my back, walking over Beit Bridge, was the quality of it's people of all races, their spirit, enterprise, work ethic, moral values and respect for their fellow countrymen and the rule of law. It's beauty startled me, it's sporting courage and proud tradition amazed me and I fell in love with the country I now proudly call my home. The red ball sunsets, the cry of a fish eagle, vistas of kopje, msasa in spring, the mopani veld all evoke emotion every time I experience them. I am overwhelmed by what has been built in little over a hundred years . I swell with pride when we, almost incredibly, perform at the highest level on the world stage, be it the Chelsea Flower Show, Cricket, Ballroom Dancing, Athletics, Tennis, Tobacco, Football, Engineering, Textiles...I could go on forever. I know and believe that Zimbabwe will prosper and re-establish it's rightful position as the jewel of Africa, if not the world. It is up to us to determine when that will happen. That is, all of us. Remember, it is not our country that is to blame but simply the situation that we have all allowed, in one way or another, to develop to the point where we find ourselves today. Don't judge Zimbabwe unfairly ! Judge it as it should be and will be when it is healed and back to good health (As you would your friend) providing everything that you would ever want in terms of quality of life and expectation. Zimbabwe has served us all so well and it is simply a Rolls Royce being driven by a bunch of irresponsible, unlicensed thugs. It is up to us to be winners and not losers and strive for what is ours. We will overcome our problems and realize the true extent to which our country will benefit us all. The prize it too great to give up. We are at the edge now and must keep pushing and the monument to evil will topple into the abyss below where it belongs crushed never to arise again. To stop now would mean giving away everything that we hold dear, giving up an exciting future to be built on solid values where hard work, honesty and fighting spirit is rewarded. To stop now would be tantamount to stripping the honour from those before who fought for this country in so many different ways. It would dishonour those that have died recently in the quest to secure a future filled with aspirations that we all share - a future that will penalize those that do wrong and protect those who uphold the system. We must accept the challenge to succeed in what we feel so deeply about. Don't give up on your country now! Don't make hasty judgments at a time of absolute abnormality. It is not the time to make a decision about one's future when thought is clouded by emotion and negative thinking. Don't make a mistake that you will regret. There will be a resolution. Bring it forward by making a stand for yourself and those less able than you are - the elderly, the uneducated and exploited, the poor, those brutalized by lawlessness, the children who are our future. Don't abandoned your responsibilities. We can and WILL win !! Zimbabwe has a rich and proud heritage. We are renowned for our fighting spirit. Don't forsake it ! We must respect those that have built our land, some of whom remain as senior citizens dependent on the commitment of subsequent generations. What are needed now are people of courage and determination, people who uphold real principles for which they are prepared to fight. This is not an endless vision but one that is clearly set ahead of us in the not too distant future. We must dig deep and be resolute in our determination to win and gladly accept the prize that awaits us. The prize that is each one of us secure in the knowledge that the country we love will be expressing openly the values, ideals and standards we uphold in every aspect of life. There is light at the end of the tunnel and it is up to each and every one of us to choose whether that light will beam strongly. We have a choice to determine if that light is there or not and we have to believe it is if we are to win this struggle, the most critical episode in our country's history. Neither I, nor my family, are going anywhere. I belong and, like others, must solve the problems that we all helped create, largely through apathy and lack of principle when it came to standing up for what is right and condemning what was wrong. That's history. It is the future that counts now and it is up to us, not "the others" to do our bit. Don't relent, don't concede, don't wilt under pressure. We will win this battle, a battle of wills, together. Simon Spooner
"THE BULAWAYO SHELTER, HOME FOR THE DESTITUTE, ARE HOLDING THEIR CHRISTMAS PARTY FOR THE RESIDENTS ON THE 11TH DECEMBER 2002 AND WOULD APPRECIATE ANY NEW OR NOT SO NEW GIFTS FOR THEIR CHRISTMAS PRESENTS. BISCUITS/SWEETS/KNITTING NEEDLES/WOOL/SOAPS/HAND CREAMS ARE A FEW SUGGESTIONS. PLEASE LEAVE GIFTS AT THE OFFICES OF C. GAUCHE (ATTENTION MR. M. THOMPSON) ROBERT MUGABE WAY, BULAWAYO OR PHONE SUE DAVIES - WORK 64829 OR HOME ANS. MACHINE 281497, AND SHE WILL ARRANGE TO COLLECT" THANK YOU ONCE AGAIN IN ADVANCE, TO THE RESIDENTS OF BULAWAYO FOR YOUR EVER GENEROUS SUPPORT TO THE SHELTER".
It was recently calculated that the cost of raising a child from birth to 18 amounted to four and a half million Zimbabwe dollars for a middle income family. Talk about shock! That doesn't even touch Varsity or College tuition! But at our rate of exchange that isn't so bad if you break it down. It translates into two hundred and fifty thousand a year, twenty thousand dollars a month, five thousand dollars a week. That's a mere 700 dollars a day! Just over a 30 dollars an hour. Still, you might think the best financial advice says don't have children if you want to be "rich." It is just the opposite. What do you get for your 30 dollars an hour. First, middle, and last! Glimpses of God every day. Giggles under the covers every night. More love than your heart can hold. Butterfly kisses and Velcro hugs. Endless wonder over rocks, ants, clouds, and warm cookies. A hand to hold, usually covered with jam. A partner for blowing bubbles, flying kites, building sandcastles, and skipping down the sidewalk in the pouring rain. Someone to laugh yourself silly with no matter what the boss said or how your stocks performed that day. For thirty dollars a day you never have to grow up. You get to finger-paint, carve pumpkins, play hide-and-seek, catch lightning, bugs, and never stop believing in Father Christmas. You have an excuse to keep reading the Adventures of Piglet and Pooh, Watching Saturday morning cartoons, going to Disney movies, and wishing on stars. You get to frame rainbows, hearts, and flowers under refrigerator magnets and collect spray painted noodle wreaths for Christmas, hand prints set in clay for Mother's Day, and cards with backward letters for Father's Day. For thirty dollars a day there is no greater bang for your dollar. You get to be a hero just for retrieving a Frisbee off the garage roof, taking the training wheels off the bike, removing a splinter, filling a paddling pool, and coaching a football/rugby/cricket team that never wins but always gets treated to ice cream regardless. You get a front row seat to history to witness the first step, first word, first bra, first date, and first time behind the wheel. You get to be immortal. You get another branch added to your family tree, and if you're lucky, a long list of limbs in your obituary called grandchildren. You get an education in psychology, nursing, criminal justice, communications, and human sexuality that no college can match. In the eyes of a child, you rank right up there with God. You have all the power to heal a boo-boo, scare away the monsters under the bed, patch a broken heart, police a slumber party, ground them forever, and love them without limits, so one day they will, like you, love without counting the cost. ENJOY YOUR KIDS. THE TEMPORARY INSANITY IS WORTH IT ALL!
WANTED - old clothes, old toys, old books, old furniture, old TVs, old radios etc. We are in contact with many destitute or needy folk and children like St Francis Home ABILITIES, Rhodes Jubilee Cottages, and many others who could do with them. Contact Margaret Kriel - Magskriel@mac.com or Malcolm Ross - 64305 Cricket Memorabilia - contact Derek Townshend - dobbo@mweb.co.zw FOR SALE - Ian Freeth is offering a variety of fresh vegetable packs from about $1,300 per pack, he also supplies eggs please contact him on 023 782 164 or 023 782 318 or Jackie on 79583 LIFTS WANTED - for couple to Pietermaritzburg leaving Bulawayo 18th December returning between Xmas and New Year - will pay for fuel - contact Malcolm Ross - mross@mweb.co.zw GENERAL INFO - Photographic and tented safaris and weekend leisure/pleasure holidays and magical catered or self catering weekends at Shumba Shava in the Matopos etc only 50 kms from Bulawayo -. Contact Dennis Paul - zwzindele@ecoweb.co.zw EMPLOYMENT OFFERED - Carpenter - for permanent work in cane furniture factory in Colleen Bourne area.- contact Sasha - farvic@mweb.co.zw or Malcolm Ross - mross@mweb.co.zw Todd's Hotel - vacancy for retired couple contact - small salary but full accommodation and board - contact - Gary - West Nic - 016 610 FLAT TO RENT IN YORKSHIRE U.K. I know of a lovely flat available for rent in Bridlington/East Yorkshire/UK. It has 2 bedrooms and is on the third floor of a well-serviced building with a lift. The flat has a beautiful sea view of the marina and the rent is GBP340 plus levy which is approx GBP12. e mail Lindy Neser lcneser@mweb.co.zw Afrikaans Lesson Wanted Conversation lessons in Afrikaans wanted by mature couple - telephone 091241073. House wanted to rent in the Northern suburbs. Reliable, careful tenant requires secure 4 Bedroomed house with 2 domestics quarters or 3 bedroomed house with cottage. Optional extras - child-proof swimming pool & tennis court. Please phone Marina Smit 240096 or 011 419 341 GOOD HOME WANTED One maltese/cross yorkie 3 year old male, to a loving home. Light golden colour, very affectionate. He loves to go in the car and he loves to play ball, answers to the name Troy. We will be unable to take him to our town-house. Tel Audrey 255728. A Simple Good Deed October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and The Breast Cancer site is having trouble getting enough people to click on it daily to meet their quota of donating at least one free mammogram a day to an underprivileged woman. It takes less than a minute to go to their site and click on "donating a mammogram" for free (pink window in the middle). This doesn't cost you a thing. Their corporate sponsors/advertisers use the number of daily visits to donate mammograms in exchange for advertising. Here's the web site! www.thebreastcancersite.com EXPERIENCED GARDENER WANTED Mature, Single Malawian/Zambian Male, experienced in all aspects of gardening, i.e, compost, seedling and planting of veggie patch, pruning of plants, fruit trees etc. (No Pool) No accommodation initially, but should the person come recommended and has had years of service with a contactable family re reference the accommodation side could possibly be worked out. Contact Lynne Slatter E MAIL roblynne@mweb.co.zw DOMESTIC EMPLOYEEE WANTED
THANKS TO THE GENEROUS NOMADS SW RADIO REQUEST I heard Jill speaking on SWRadio from UK - she is part
of an Organisation who finds jobs for people who are prepared to work
inland in OZ. The programme was rather late (for me) and as I was in
bed, I tried to make a mental note of her email address but cannot now
remember. Do you perhaps know it? If so could you forward it to me
please. Vehicle wanted. I am looking for a 4x4 Toyota or Nissan pick up or preferably a Twincab. Gerry Whitehead. E-mail: whitro@zol.co.zw Cell: 091 660 665
Our deepest Sympathy to the families of the following GEOFF KLUCKOW **** SEYMOUR PRETORIUS **** COLIN SHAW
Congratulations to Fred and Maureen Jocks who became proud Grandparents on 2nd October. Dennis & Thelma had a little boy, Sandro Xavier , in Faro, Portugal.
“To sin by silence, when they should protest, makes cowards of men and women." Have a good day - "IT BELONGS TO YOU" - yesterday is past and tomorrow the unknown. "Victory belongs to those that believe in it most and believe in it longest"
The rope |
