Morning Mirror 41 - 5th March 2003 |
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The Things People Place in Fuel Queues ! In the fuel queues in the "Good Old Days" one could place a 44 gallon drum or an old tyre to keep one's place in the fuel queue !! However today these choice items are much too valuable so one has to improvise ! Bricks and rocks are no longer any good. FQ's require the 'real' stuff. The Hillcrest queue regularly has the odd kitchen chair, tall ladder with sign hung on it, the lime green mini with the sign in the window that reads -- 'this mini is three cars long' (cheek), but possibly the most innovative is the broken toilet pan and seat near MacDonald's on Matopos Rd. It has become quite a crowd drawer. But I had to stop on Burnside road the other day when I
spotted a baby's pram tucked in between a couple of 4 by 4's. Alas no baby
inside! (Thanks to Ronit) If you have any fun FQ stories please
share them with us.....
STELLA MARY COULSON, who lived most of her life in Esigodini and was well known by many throughout Matabeleland, passed away peacefully on 3rd March.. Stella was born in Bulawayo in 1918 and was the daughter of John Parke Richardson, who arrived in Matabeleland in the late 1890’s. and Beatrice Meikle sister of Tom, of the well known Meikle family. During her life Stella worked tirelessly to improve the lives of all with whom she came in contact. She was a committed member of the Federation of African Women’s Clubs in the south of Zimbabwe for many years and spent much time helping rural women improve their lives through the FAWC, from Esigodini to Beitbridge. As a farmer in the Esigodini district she become involved in the WI and local rural councils and was a Councillor on the Bulawayo/Esigodini Rural Council for many years. Her involvement with the Womens’ Institute of Essexvale/Esigodini spanned over fifty years. She was also a faithful member of St Mary’s Church in Esigodini for over 60 years; providing flowers from her loved garden through all seasons, and a staunch organiser of the monthly Morning Markets in the Heany Hall, which helped fund the Church. She was awarded the Melvin Jones Award, a Lion’s International Award in recognition of her community service. She will be deeply missed by all her family, and friends. THOUGHTS OF STELLA This late afternoon's sky was totally amazing - a thousand different, wonderful cloud formations over this peaceful valley; light diffused, clear, hidden, as if to bless the day Mum went home to heaven. And I got to thinking how fortunate we were to have such a wonderful mother through our various childhoods. This day is a good day to remember good times and celebrate Stella Mary Richardson/Fynn/Coulson. To have had a home like the old Homestead - which grew like a mushroom whenever an extra bed was needed - somehow one bathroom and one loo accommodated everyone. When folk arrived out of the blue needing dinner - somehow one roast chicken often fed eight people, and oh wow, remember Dube's lemon meringue and chocolate cake! Remember how Mum always put lavender in cupboards when folk and we came to stay - there was always fresh arrangements of flowers in the old lounge, dining room and our bedrooms. And Mum always was there to welcome us when we came home for the holidays - lovely and smiling. Remember how often we were unceremoniously evicted from "our" bedrooms, to accommodate guests - it was par for the course in the old Homestead. How she managed to write to all of us through the years; make a fuss of us on our birthdays; make sure we had decent clothes; welcome less fortunate children into our home; read us the classics at night when we had our beds on the old back verandah. How she made sure we went to Sunday school with Miss Bell and Mrs Welby. And the Rev. Lancaster used to pitch up in his old black vintage car and have breakfast after Sunday morning church. How she loved doing the flowers for St. Mary's, and attending church there down all the years in the valley. And the Rhodes and Founders camps in the Lumene Valley - singing all the old camp songs on the way there; sleeping in newly cut hay; nights by the camp fire, with old Cookie Zeederburg playing his harmonica (tiny piano accordion), and the Watsons in their tea cosy hats on those freezing Matabele nights. Remember the long drops that were stuck out in the bush, a very scary trip by torch light there and back. And Dube cooking up a storm for around 40 of us! We had such a wonderful childhood. Do you remember the time Mum had to take the widow who lived in "Prune's" house old stove into town for repair. And she had to appear before the Water Court! Things were horribly rushed, so she tore into court, into the witness box and swore to tell the truth - with a coal black palm of her hand! And how she always helped the poor and hungry in the valley, if she could. How she loved making jams and marmalades, and always had Dube or Smart cook your favourite cake when you came home. I remember, after my scooter accident, encased in plaster, having the outside room at the old Homestead. I had the early mornings to myself watching the dawn rise over the far blue/purple hills, and gold sunlight filter through the ancient firs up the drive, and hear the dawn chorus of the birds. And Mum watched over me, gave me bedbaths, and encouraged me through having to learn to walk again, and ever Arthur backing her up, always gentle, always working so hard on the farm. Do you remember how she would every Christmas and Easter, put flowers on every grave in the old cemetery. And in the arranging of the flowers, tell us a little history of the valley. That was special, for each of us. Remember Christmas Carols in the Heany Hall, or at Glenalla up the road. Mrs. Smart used to play the piano at Glenalla, and all the valley children were given candles, and Essexvale would be filled with Hark the Herald Angels Sing, sounding out clear on a Matabele star studded night in December when we were growing up. Then, there was something about Christmas at the Homestead, which was utterly magical and wonderful. Weeks before, Mum and Dube would be tremendously busy, mixing and cooking Christmas cakes, Christmas puds, and mince pies - the latter always despatched by the score to friends in the Valley and in Bulawayo. The huge dining room began to groan under the decorations - I remember wondering just how many Christmases that particular corner of the pressed ceiling had had streamers stuck into it "just a little to the right, Di " "Yes, Mum". The gigantic firs which became Christmas trees, those special, ancient, sparkly stars, and glass baubles, and hundreds of items which had a special place on every tree, every Christmas. And the Christmas music would be played on the old gramophone. And the long table set up on Christmas Eve, actually a whole lot of tables lengthwise down the dining room. We must have had often more than 20 seated for those traditional, heart-warming, body-filling, eternally loving, family Christmas dinners. We will always remember those. Being boys, you will probably not, except Alastair, remember much about the Morning Markets at the Heany Hall. And my job, whether I liked, or not, was to ice the cakes for the market, recall the many groans when Mum called me from a book "Di, time to ice the cakes". Oh, those precious, happy, times. Thank you, Mum. And you never heard the happiness in her singing or saw the rushing around the old Homestead just before "the boys" came home from Falcon College! Making sure your very favourite food was prepared, by Dube, and everything polished and ready for you, dear brothers. What of the time she braved the 5th Brigade in the Matopos, to attend old Dube's funeral! When one thinks of the utter slaughter of the Matabele there, the fact that she got in and out after curfew is a total miracle. In fact, Mum's life was full of total miracles! Like the time she was switching off the night irrigation to the lands around Richardson's Kop, and the old truck started running down a slope towards the river, and she sat for hours, foot on the brake, tooting the hooter, until someone came to help. Remember the times Mum was hundreds of miles from home - with one companion, taking her love and concern to the African women in the F.A.W.C. I remember her story about the time she met a Club way down in the Gwanda area, under a Big Tree - that's all they had. And they cooked scones on a bit of iron over hot coals. Each woman brought something, one had to bring Bicarbonate of Soda. The scones looked as scones should look; Mum thought she should just check up on the ingredients, before they were eaten. Lo and behold, the bicarb was washing soda. Another miracle to chalk up on our memory list! This is a special letter for us. For us to celebrate having a Mum like her; if possible to lift up the torch that she laid down, and carry on in the way she would like us to. Mum would not have wished to continue living as you have told me she was. Thank you Alastair and Stewart for being there for her; for loving her and caring for her in these last weeks. I reckon the Lord will say to Mum "Well done, thou good and faithful servant" and she will receive a crown or two from the Lord she loved so much. God bless and keep each of you. All my love, GIRLS` COLLEGE UNIFORMS FOR SALE Two blazers; one size `6` and the other size 34". Both are as new and have hardly been worn. Winter uniforms -shirts and virtually new trousers. Will fit girls in approximately Form One and Form Two. Please telephone 282474 HOUSE FOR SALE - FAMONA Corner stand, large plot, 3 bedrooms, fireplace, sliding gate, completely walled, wrought iron enclosed verandah, brick under tile, wooden floors throughout. Pleasant garden. This home has character! Could also be very suitable for a business premises due to it's proximity to town and industrial sites. All offers are considered, but obviously REAL money is what we are after! Phone for the tour...... Sharon 011 403 681/882351(w)/882573(h) HOUSEHOLD GOODS FOR SALE The usual sort of things up for grabs! Since we aren't leaving just yet, you can "book" items, and pay in April - phone for details and prices. Phone Sharon 011 403 681/882351(w)/882573(h) LIFT WANTED Lift needed to Joburg for weekend only or a short period of 2 to 3 days to do business Please contact Heather Vosloo Cell No 011 208 107: 75961/5 Ext 25 CRAFTS AND HOBBIES FAIR The Rotary Anns of Bulawayo South will be holding a - CRAFTS AND HOBBIES FAIR at CHURCH OF THE ASCENSION, KENT ROAD, HILLSIDE, on SATURDAY, 22nd MARCH from 10.00 am. to 4.00 pm. There will be a floral art demonstration at 2.30 pm. Others will be demonstrating the crafts of weaving, papermaking, leatherwork, etc. Teas and soft drinks available. Crafts for sale. PLEASE SUPPORT ROTARY CHARITIES - ENTRY BY DONATION. IFYOU WISH TO PARTICIPATE, PLEASE PHONE 244034. HOUSE FOR RENT Famona - 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, borehole, swimming
pool, outside office, garage. Available immediately. Bradfield Semi For Sale 3 bedrooms, single story neat semi in Bradfield for sale
- email Wanted. 6 voltFlasher unit for indicator lights. Phone 230350 GARDENER Does anyone know of a gardener who could work for three days a week? I am on Cecil Avenue, near the Hillcrest Shopping Centre and I need someone just to maintain the garden. Normal casual rates will apply, but no accommodation is available. Tel. No: 245304 FLAT OR COTTAGE NEEDED URGENTLY Many people have had the pleasure of meeting Dumi Abu, now of Speciss College, previously with Girls' College and Dumi needs a cottage or flat to rent urgently. Telephone cell -091 389 855 Mr Dumi Abu WANTED. We need an answer/fax machine in good working order to buy urgently. Please contact Barbara autoexbyo@gatorzw.com or phone 473548 business. LIFT TO JOBURG OFFERED Lift offered to J'Burg mid March share fuel. contact Di Sankey 091 360 241 or 242733 evenings Young retired couple urgently need a small to medium
house to rent from the 12th March 2003. GOOD NEWS BARBARA AND FRED DARE NOW COMFORTABLY HOUSED SOMEWHERE SAFE !! BOOKS ON ALOES A friend of mine who has left the country has left me a
large box full of aloe books, please could you get me in touch with someone who may be
interested in aloe's, it would be a shame to throw them out if someone
who is an aloe fundi would enjoy them, or a society. Wear black on 18 April We are a few Zimbabweans who are deeply saddened and angered by what has happened, and is still happening to our beloved country Zimbabwe. We are campaigning for people to show their disapproval of what is happening. We are asking all Zimbabweans at home and abroad to wear black on 18 April as a sign of mourning for the death of democracy in Zimbabwe. We are asking everyone who reads this letter to spread the message. Zimbabwean Patriots WANTED - in Fish Hoek (or nearby) self-contained
2-bedroomed, accommodation for ONE WEEK only, April 23-29. Any
suggestions to: A Twenty something, blue eyed male, desperately seeking
cottage to rent, preferably in Hillside / Morningside / Burnside, or surrounding areas. WANTED HOUSE TO BUY IN BULAWAYO Shane and I are looking to buy a house in Bulawayo. (We
will not be living in it). We are looking for something with 3 or 4
bedrooms, a secure wall, a swimming pool and possibly staff
quarters. Lucrative offer to be made. BEWARE LAKE HI JACKING An armed robbery took place at 0830 on Monday Feb 17th on a houseboat moored at Gache-Gache, Lake Kariba. The men in the party had gone off in the tender to do some fishing, and 4 women and the 2 man crew were left on board. 3 armed men came on board from the land and at gun point and knife point proceeded to rob the boat. The crew were made to lie down. One woman had a gun at her head and another woman was threatened with a knife. All their clothes, food, cellphones, radios, and cameras were stolen. The police and army reacted when the crew was able to radio for help. This is a very serious incident and the victims are all severely traumatised. One of the women is an Australian tourist. One suspect has been arrested. On another note I would like to share with you what I read in a newspaper last week. At the end of a letter to the paper, the writer had written that " Zimbabwe is losing the will to function" - I thought that was so sad. It reminded me of a huge ship at sea, unable to function and beginning to sink: It finally turns turtle. Love all round SMALL HOUSE OR COTTAGE NEEDED An elderly couple (late sixties) have been displaced from their farm manager job due to the current state of affairs. They are currently living with the kids and grand kids which is not ideal. Does anyone know of a small house or alternatively a cottage which would be suitable for an elderly couple bearing in mind security is somewhat important. A second option would be if anyone knows of a house with garden cottage. The old folk know of someone who would be interested in renting the main house, thus giving them the opportunity of renting the cottage. Please contact Lyn on 230601 or 230956 bus. 230070 home 011630989 cell.
Congratulations to Heath Streak and the Boys, we wish
you luck in Bloem this weekend. Well done indeed to Noel peck and staff
for a fabulous wicket.
SADLY OVER THE NEXT FEW MONTHS WE MUST SAY FAREWELL TO THE FOLLOWING VERY PRECIOUS MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY
What with all the sadness and trauma going on in the world at the moment It is worth reflecting on the death of a very important person which almost went unnoticed last week. Larry La Prise, the man who wrote "The Hokey Cokey" died peacefully at the age of 93. The most traumatic part for his family was getting him into the coffin. They put his left leg in, and then the trouble
started...
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