Northern Rhodesians Worldwide
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Message Board
Bridget,
I am very pleased to read of your ex-Zimbabwe friends success in their farming at Mkushi and of the imminent visit of the President. I endorse your "All I can say is well done Micky and Stephen Marffy - welcome to Zambia!!"
We hear very little about President Mwanawasa; all I have heard on the positive side is: an emphasis on the agriculture economy and his efforts to eradicate high level corruption within Government. It seems the second issue is met mostly with silence or incredulity and an expectation that he will feather his own nest in due course. At least he seems to be willing to publicly applaud successful farming enterprises even when they are "white Farmers" from Zim.
On my last visit to Zambia, last year, I met a few ex-Zim farmers who were on the same road as your friends leasing farms just north of Kabwe. They were apparently experienced and competent farmers full of hope for a new beginning in Zambia and I heard there were quite a few, 100 and more, Zim farmers doing the same. They were generally welcome though there was the odd disquiet that some were overconfident (arrogant) or not cognisant of there status as vistors. A lower profile for some would be advised. Overall though it was viewed as a very positive development.
On Levy Mwanawasa I can add a very personal comment, albeit over 25 years out of date. I knew him as a client in the mid 70's when he was fresh out of Zambia law school. It is a fact that I was invited to and attended his wedding party in 1977: I have lost touch and my most recent efforts to contact him - before his election - were unsuccessful. All I can say is that his stance on corruption does not surprise me in the least. He was, and I expect still is, a man driven by the desire to do the right thing, to see justice done, to be fair and to see his country progress. Of course he does have an almost impossible challenge to face but I believe he would do his very best. What else can you ask of the man? I wish him good luck. By the way, like most on this board I love Zambia and despite my short residence I still feel at home whenever I am lucky enough to visit,
PS I hope to visit again later this year.
PPS. If it is appropiate your friends are welcome to mention my name and to offer my good wishes to Levy on his visit - my emphasis on APPROPRIATE. I have no wish to intrude. But I would like to be reminded to him if there was a chance. He represented me in a (succesful) Personal accident damages case following an injury I suffered at Broken Hill mine.
Jack Wardell [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Scotland, United Kingdom
Monday, May 31, 2004 at 23:17:28 (UTC)
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I have in my possession a "Safe pass" given by the Lumpa Church in Chinsali to one of their deacons in l960, it explained that Lemshina Mulenga was an authorised member of the church, and should be given safe passage. My late father Peter (Leszyk) Rybicki was in the Zambian rifles, and a while ago I posted some extracts of his letters back from the "frontline", when he was on a tour of duty to put down the "Lumpa Uprising", on KK's direct orders. He took the bloodstained "safe pass" from under the dead body of its owner, (who might not have agreed with the description of KK as exactly a benign leader.......On a happier note, I was at Lusaka Convent for many years with Cheswa Kaunda, a round, cuddly sort of girl, and in the shortages of the seventies, Cheswa was a fantastic source of the best Swiss chocolate, and other unheard of treats, and invitations to birthday parties at State House were like gold dust. I can only remember being invited to one, and spent my time gawping at the chandeliers, and the gold bathroom fittings, (we had gekkos as bathroom accessories, and nasty, shiny hard brown OPW chimbuzi paper), State House's loos, I'm pleased to report, had proper, soft, pink chimbuzi roll!
Tina - you are a gem, and also a voice of reason and hope in the wilderness, and when one sees, first hand, physical marks of torture (several of the Zimbabweans that I know here were detained at Mugabes pleasure), the hypocrisy of those who support Mugabe, and those who say nothing at all is quite sickening.
Ciao, Megs
Meg Rybicki (formerly Margaret) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Mullanyduff, Co Leitrim, Ireland
Monday, May 31, 2004 at 23:00:16 (UTC)
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I'm writing to let you know that sadly that DESMOND BURNS SENIOR passed away on Friday. He will be missed by all his family and friends. All our love goes to his wife Daphne, his sons Des & Kerry, and his daughter Pat and their families.
Glenda Freeland (née Fenwick) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Dorking, United Kingdom
Monday, May 31, 2004 at 21:29:21 (UTC)
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Mwinzenge
Zambia had some extreme times under Kaunda in the mid 70's. I don't think Simon Kapwepwe would have agreed with you from house arrest that Kaunda was all that benign. Don't you think that the blessing Zambia has always carried is that the peoples have historically had a pretty very laid back and moderate approach compared to surrounding countries. When they get excitable it hasn't historically lasted long. I really don't know much about Botswana but the ambience there seems to have similarities to one who is looking at face value with almost non-existant background reading. I do agree that the official policy of minimizing tribalism, however unevenly applied, had some good influences.
Zimbabwe - is what happens when greedy concienceless leaders are allowed to rape a country and its people as they will. I do accuse the African governments that remain in support of the Mugabe regime of thereby abetting crimes against humanity. I do applaud the West African governments that have taken a stand against the regime and such support openly and said it is time African governments were accountable for the welfare of all their people and moved squarely into real democracy.
Tina Magee (née Wallace) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Texas, United States
Monday, May 31, 2004 at 21:20:33 (UTC)
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Craig , Glen should have been a teacher, as he loves correcting people. To tell you the truth I could not read your writing.(some of it ) Sorry to the folks who's name I spelt wrong. But what the heck EH !
Glen , Boetie I thought you knew of the get together. Any way you always asleep when I phone. ( )-: )
Chris Drake
Quesnel
Christopher Drake [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Quesnel, British Columbia, Canada
Monday, May 31, 2004 at 21:16:41 (UTC)
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Tembo:
Zambia has been very lucky and blessed with decent leadership. Kaunda and his early leadership should be given the credit. They set the positive tone for all of us future citizens in 1964 inspite all the obstacles, provocations, problems and temptations they faced. That Kaunda staid the course of maintaining a non-racial and non-tribal peaceful country, and did not succumb to greed, repression, brutal racism and tribalism are what separates great statesmen from pretenders of all types in the world; not just in Africa but in all societies even in Europe and the West going back to the 1500s.
What a load of codswallop. KK wrecked the economy, and was an out and out racist, summarily deporting whites, and denying Zambia born whites their right to citizenship. In other countries, KK's kind of leadership would have eventually caught up with him and he would have had to answer to the people of his own country for the country's demise. He ought to be put on trial for starving the nation.
You really do need to check out the facts before bashing your keyboard in this manner.
Chris Tamm [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Hilo, Hawaii, United States
Monday, May 31, 2004 at 20:13:16 (UTC)
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Thanks for your heart-warming and uplifting story about your friends. The story is more uplifting for me as I have just finished reading: Martin Meredith’s “Our Votes, Our Guns: Robert Mugabe and the Tragedy of Zimbabwe,” 2003. The story of Mugabe and Zimbabwe is a human tragedy for all who live in that country. Independent of this book, I have always known that bad things have continued to happen there since the 1980s. Although I approach all books with healthy skepticism, the human rights abuses, politically motivated killings, corruption, and repression in Zimbabwe that I have been aware of and those that I have just read about in the book are wrong. Although settlers may have grabbed land from indigenous Africans in European wars of greed and pacification in the1890s, I am not sure what Mugabe has done over the last 10 years and continues to do is going to create a multi-racial country where every Zimbabwean will feel safe including his dominant majority Shona and Zanu-PF. Evil always has a tendency to come back and haunt you who ever you are. Fighting evil with evil has never been a lasting solution. Brutal racism and tribalism should never be celebrated as good policies for uplifting the human soul or creating lasting peace in any society no matter who practices it and the justification for the racism or tribalism. The only poisonous fruits these twin evil practices bear are lasting fear, suspicion, hatred and often genocide. Just look at the Hutus and the Tutsis. Did apartheid last but only about 50 years? But now look at the terrible legacies these evils have brought on humans?
Zambia has been very lucky and blessed with decent leadership. Kaunda and his early leadership should be given the credit. They set the positive tone for all of us future citizens in 1964 inspite all the obstacles, provocations, problems and temptations they faced. That Kaunda staid the course of maintaining a non-racial and non-tribal peaceful country, and did not succumb to greed, repression, brutal racism and tribalism are what separates great statesmen from pretenders of all types in the world; not just in Africa but in all societies even in Europe and the West going back to the 1500s.
Many years ago, after I had been away from Zambia for too long, I landed at Lusaka international airport. I was so happy that after I took my first step off the plane, I actually knelt down and kissed the ground to the mixed amazement and applause of the Zambians. So if we enjoy the country, lets cherish and protect it. Shhhh!! Don’t tell too may people about it though.
Mwizenge Tembo [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Virginia, United States
Monday, May 31, 2004 at 19:31:52 (UTC)
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Glen
Hi there, Thanks for your kind words re my photography and I'm so glad that you have a print of 'Nurse Janet.' That was one of eight prints I exhibited in the 1962 NR Salon of Photography. I must see if I can locate the prints and possibly Arthur might oblige! Must also get Janet's permission to air it on the GNR. The 1964 vintage Hasselblad kit that I bought new for 250 pounds in Zambia is still working but I had the three lenses and camera body overhauled a year back and it cost twice the original price of the whole set! I plan to do a lot of still photography starting tomorrow! Pity our paths didn't cross on your last trip to SA - when is your next visit??? Go well my friend.
Arthur
In amongst the Rhokana Reviews you have so carefully scanned is an article I wrote which featured many photographs of the carefree University of Cape Town students who hailed from Nkana/Kitwe. One shows a slim Glen Drake smoking a pipe. Please do me a favour and put it on the board - I'm sure Glen hasn't seen it for a while! That should be another 'Aaargh'
moment for you Glen.
Cheers
David Gray [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
South Africa
Monday, May 31, 2004 at 19:30:06 (UTC)
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Craig - my Boet would think there's something wrong with me if I didn't have a dig at him. Don't worry though, you know him, he won't hesitate to put me in my place the at the very first opportunity that presents itself. He might be 3 years older than me but ask him and he'll tell you; I win all my fights by at least a hundred yards!
Glen Drake [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
California, United States
Monday, May 31, 2004 at 18:41:16 (UTC)
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Glen,
Don't be too hard on Chris about his spelling. A couple of those errors I'm sure can be attributed to my handwriting, as I jotted down the names in his notebook.
Debbie,
Sorry to hear that you haven't found your camera yet. Hope it turns up.
Craig Hartnett [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Monday, May 31, 2004 at 17:49:13 (UTC)
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Craig and all at the Vancouver Valeta, Verve...whatever!
It was great to finally meet everyone. I had a fabulous time and I think we were all very entertained by the "colourful" Mr. Dielissen....a wild and crazy, fun guy! We didn't get too wet on the way back to the hotel, as Kelvin and I stopped for coffee and dessert at Earl's! then we proceeded to take a "Black Top" cab back to the hotel.....sorry to say that I am STILL searching for my camera! Haven't lost all hope yet, but nearly......
Debbie Stewart [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Kamloops, British Columbia, Canada
Monday, May 31, 2004 at 17:01:46 (UTC)
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Bob,
The drivel you are receiving is called "unsolicited commercial e-mail", UCE for short and more commonly known as "spam". The ones you are receiving are for a drug called Cialis (which word they have disguised to attempt to avoid detection by spam filters by spelling it "Ci@lis"), which is a drug in the same class as Viagra.
If you haven't received spam before, welcome to it. Get used to it, as your e-mail address will now be passed around from spammer to spammer and you will get more and more until you're lucky if one in a hundred messages you download are actually personal messages for you that you want to read. Eventually, like many people, you'll have no alternative but to change your e-mail address and start all over again.
Craig Hartnett [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Monday, May 31, 2004 at 16:40:02 (UTC)
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Brother Dear - if you'd given me sufficient notice that you were driving all the way down to Van to attend the FFF (Frog 'n Firkin Festivities) I would have made arrangement to fly up. Hey, I could have brought you a new Lazyboy or something that you'll put to good use after June 26th. !
Glad you all had a good time and that you didn't have too much to drink and that you managed to get the names list right. NOT!
Tsk, tsk, tsk . . . . . early "old timers" methinks.
Glen Drake [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
California, United States
Monday, May 31, 2004 at 16:37:10 (UTC)
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Does anyone remember a fella by the name of Colin Cox? I've been trying to locate him for the longest but am getting nowhere He lived on a farm outside of Lusaka; had several brothers; was well known by people; mother worked for Farmer's coop. Colin was a mechanic and handled snakes at the Agricultural Show in Lusaka. I'm sure someone out there must know of his location today. Please let me know if you do. I'd really appreciate it so much.
Helen D'Cruz [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Temecula, California, United States
Monday, May 31, 2004 at 15:22:25 (UTC)
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Hi all,
I have just returned from a very enjoyable weekend in Oxfordshire where we used to live and had dinner with an old friend who runs a stud farm there. He's an ex-Rhodesian and I thought I would share with you his family's uplifting story.
Denes father went to Rhodesia over 60 years ago from Hungary and married an English girl. They bought some land north of Salisbury and started farming, working long and hard - had several ... children and turned the seemingly barren land into a very succesful tobacco farm. A compulsory purchase order was placed on it in the 80's by the Zimbanwean president but they continued to farm there, (the sons taking on the day to day farming as their parents were no of retirement age), for many years. Denes decided to leave in the mid 80's and come back to the UK with his English wife as they wanted to start a family and she was more comfortable doing that in her home country. He arrived in the UK in his mid 30's and completely retrained from tobacco farmer to horse stud manager, and now manages a very sucessful stud in Oxfordshire. Two of his other brothers also came to the UK and have settled as an accountant and dentist.
However another two brothers remained in Zim with his parents on the family farm and eventually 2 years ago the land and house was taken from them and they were forced to leave. The very elderly parents went back to Hungary and the two brothers ventured up north into Zambia. They bought, (or rather leased) a piece of land in Mkushi which was virtually just 7ft high elephant grass and began the unimaginable task of clearing it, building houses and barns on it and then farming it! This work was similar to that of their parents 60 years previously in Rhodesia!
Now two years later they have had the highest - or one of the highest tobacco yeilds of the country! The President of Zambia is going to visit as he wants to see for himself the work they have done and use them as an example to other farmers!
Fantastic!!! How easy it would have been for them to give up two years ago - come to the UK and hope that they could find something. Instead they have conquered a new frontier and are helping to build Zambia's economy!! My friend Denes and his family are going out to Zambia for three weeks at the end of July. He has never been before and is so excited he's just like a little kid. He is so proud of his little brothers and cannot wait to see their acheivement.
All I can say is well done Micky and Stephen Marffy - welcome to Zambia!!
Bridget
Bridget Billany [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Blackburn, Lancashire, England
Monday, May 31, 2004 at 15:22:12 (UTC)
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Thank you Fifi, Stephen and Jack..........much apreciated AND they all work too........peace at last !!!
Helen ...... .....on one of the wildlife sites I visit .......there on the message board was congratulations to one of the members for running and finishing the Ottawa marathon also....her name is Chili........so to both Noreen and Chili well done.!!!..........such a small world especially when there were 23000 people running
Ali
Ali Key [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Perth, Australia
Monday, May 31, 2004 at 14:26:35 (UTC)
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The GNR has many computer fundi's. Is there any explanation for the mindless drivel my junk mail has been receiving for the last few weeks. It is short nonsensical stories of gibberish including often the word Ci@lis. I delete without reading but what is the purpose of sending this stuff out? Does this rubbish surface world wide? At least the Nigerians offer me $millions.
Bob Gillies [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Springs, Gauteng, South Africa
Monday, May 31, 2004 at 14:05:33 (UTC)
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Ali,
The MSN Pop Up Guard is working very well for me. Down load the MSN Toolbar from their website and the Pop Up Guard is one of the features on "Toolbar Options" on the Toolbar.
Steve Haslam
Stephen Haslam [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Napanee, Ontario, Canada
Monday, May 31, 2004 at 12:38:35 (UTC)
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Hi Craig and all the Ferkin Folk....
Sorry - I did mean to wish you well on your get-together - got distracted (as usual) but in a very nice way!
Glad you had fun! Looking forward to the photos...
Sue Coughlan (née Forde) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Perth, WA, Australia
Monday, May 31, 2004 at 08:47:40 (UTC)
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Uh... Chris,
Thanks for posting the list, but there was no Carol Hartnett there. To the best of my knowledge my mother was at work on Saturday evening! I was the only Hartnett there. :)
Good to meet you and glad you got back to Quesnel safe and sound.
Craig Hartnett [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Monday, May 31, 2004 at 01:51:50 (UTC)
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The Frog and Firken get to= gether saw the following members have a few beer's and a real good chat.
Pieter Oielissen,Geof and Norma Gogle,Craige and Carol Harnett,Debbie and Kevin Stretch,Glenys Chaplin,Carol Storie.Count me here thats makes 11 and one from South of the boarder and wanted to be un named .???.
It was great meeting up with all of you and sharing all of the past. We even knew some of the same people back them.
Sorry I am late with the list as I had a 8 hour drive home and back to FRED here.
Chris Drake
Quesnel.
Christopher Drake [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Quesnel, British Columbia, Canada
Monday, May 31, 2004 at 01:38:26 (UTC)
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Fantastic Noreen. Wonder if we have any other ex Lusaka Convent girls doing marathons? Pat and Pam Christie (as they were) are both pretty athletic. Tell us all about your marathon when you can.
Tina Magee (née Wallace) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Texas, United States
Monday, May 31, 2004 at 01:21:54 (UTC)
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Way to go, Noreen! You did well at the Ottawa Marathon this morning! I'm proud to be related to you, my dear sister.
Helen D'Cruz [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Temecula, California, United States
Sunday, May 30, 2004 at 21:58:46 (UTC)
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David - I wish you well in your retirement but something tells me you'll be doing as just as much as you ever were - hopefully that will include your photography, an art at which you have excelled. One of most precious photographs I own - you know, one of those that one looks at wistfully and says to oneself,
"If only I knew then what I know now."
- is of Janet T., my first heart-throb. She had left school and was in second year at Groote Schuur. The Photograph shows her standing in her nurse uniform, nurse's cape, intricately folded little white cloth cap, et al, on the steps of the UCT Hall. It is a definitive black and white picture and the moment in time you captured seems to sum up so much of my youth.
So from the bottom of my heart, I thank you.
So my friend, please continue put those Hasselblads to good use and leave behind more "A-a-a-a-g-h man, those were somer lekker days!"
Glen Drake [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
California, United States
Sunday, May 30, 2004 at 15:00:18 (UTC)
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Retirement
Hi folk,
Just a short line to let you know that I finally made it to retirement age (65) and from the 1st of June will be a gentleman of leisure for a short while until I set up as a consulting engineer in order to keep the grey matter more or less intact! Thanks to those who phoned and e-mailed me yesterday. My listed e-mail address is in the process of being updated so please don't use my @nra address after tomorrow - in any case I have been experiencing major problems with the disappearance of incoming mail on the firm's computer following the recent spate of viruses. The firm's IT guru seems to have perfected the elimination of legitimate incoming mail but seems unable to stem the tide of spam. If I haven't replied to any of your messages it means that they vanished so please use my home address.
It seems like only yesterday that I signed on at Rhokana as a graduate apprentice but that is 44 years ago. The time has flown. With a bit of luck I will be given some projects to handle as a consultant but first I need a bit of a rest. It will be great not having to set the alarm clock for 4 am in order to be in time for 6 am flights. This step into the unknown is a great challenge but I love challenges.
Cheers
David Gray [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
South Africa
Sunday, May 30, 2004 at 13:25:03 (UTC)
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Ali,
POP UP Killer ! You should not need a dedicated killer as you can block them in Internet Explorer
In internet explorer click on tools,then internet options,then on security,then on sites and put in the home address of your most annoying popup sites
eg. www.????????.com and then press add.
That should block them from each site that you enter.
Jack Wardell [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Scotland, United Kingdom
Sunday, May 30, 2004 at 12:12:02 (UTC)
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Glen, you are so perceptive, the only points you left out (thinking of my ex) were that the bear should have been wearing designer shades, sported a (small) gold medallion, a (large) diamond pinky ring, and had an uncle who was an arms dealer in Lagos, apart from that, spot on! Oh, and what do you get when you cross a Polack with a bear, sorry, a Lebanese? The answer, the most beautiful l4 year old daughter who is an absolute gem, blessed with long, dark (curly, oh my God, watch your car keys) hair, a beautiful face, who is a grade A student, recently crowned under l5's canoeing champion of Connaught, and loves surfing, fishing and horseriding, and isnt too interested in boys yet! Thank you for bearing with me, and actually, the bear and the rabbit joke made me laugh out loud this morning in sunny old Ireland, Ciao, Megs
Meg Rybicki (formerly Margaret) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Mullanyduff, Co Leitrim, Ireland
Sunday, May 30, 2004 at 11:24:16 (UTC)
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Ian Singer
I oftened travelled with my uncle from Mufulira to Lake Mweru to buy fish for sale in African Mine Township.
He owned a Commer flatbed truck that we would load with
sawdust from the mine carpentershop & stack blocks of ice purchased from the mine iceplant (tickey a block!) underneath the sawdust.
A tarpaulin was laid over the sawdust for me to sit & sleep on.
My main function was to keep a lookout for & shoot enough fresh meat for the pot.
Some of the meat was also used as payment to roadside villagers for their assistance during the long journey.
I recall that we would usually arrive at quite a wide river pontoon crossing in the dark early hours of the morning.
This cable pulled pontoon required manaul labour to
operate & on arrival at the riverbank my uncle would holler
into the darkness. Very soon most of the nearby village population would emerge from the dark shlateen to drag the laden pontoon across black river.
The name of the river escapes me - I'm sure you will remember Ian!
Our route From Mufulira was across Chembe ferry, through Kawambwa to the lakeshore.
Bill Hunt [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Widenham, Natal, South Africa
Sunday, May 30, 2004 at 10:31:08 (UTC)
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The Vancouver Valeta, a.k.a. the Vancouver Verve
Have just returned from an excellent evening with more than a dozen people at the Vancouver Valeta. Chris Drake has the full list of names on paper (with the exception of the nice lady from Seattle who likes her anonymity!) and I hope he will post it when he gets back to Quesnel. Unfortunately there were no digital cameras there, so we are going to have to hope that one day the film pictures are scanned and make their way onto the site, but that won't happen for a while because they were taken by Glynnis (hope I spelled that correctly) who is here on holiday from South Africa.
Heather, I finally met Ron Sayer, but he disappeared before I had much of a chance to talk to him. Ron, I hope to see you again sometime. Peter, it was good to meet you finally and learn from your many years of wisdom. Debbie, it was good to meet you and Kelvin too; hope you managed to find your camera and didn't get too wet on the way back to your hotel. Geoff and Norma -- it was good to see you again. Hope to make it down to Blaine in July, if I'm not on the other side of the Pacific by then. Chris -- glad you could make it down all the way from Quesnel and were able to bring your friends too. Carol -- I didn't catch your last name unfortunately, and I also didn't see the papers that you were passing around. Were they related to NR/Zambia?
Having said that Chris would post the list, I think I just did. However, it's quite possible I missed someone or spelled their name wrong, so I'm sure Chris will be happy to correct me. :)
Thanks to all those who turned out. I enjoyed meeting all of you.
Craig Hartnett [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Sunday, May 30, 2004 at 07:48:04 (UTC)
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does anyone know of a good popup killer........free if possible..I am going mad with them
Ali
Ali Key [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Perth, Australia
Sunday, May 30, 2004 at 07:21:09 (UTC)
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Hi all
I would like to share these two quotations I found with you..............
"In their innocence and wisdom, in their connection to the earth and its most ancient rhythms, animals show us a way back to a home they have never left."
'if you silence your conscience for long enough, it stops speaking to you."
Ali Key [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Perth, Australia
Sunday, May 30, 2004 at 03:57:25 (UTC)
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Megs - I don't have any Polack jokes but I do have one . . . . . . . . . . . .
Remember when you were delivering that baby of yours, well, . . . . . read on . . . . . . . . . .
Seems that there was an rabbit in a jungle and he bumped into bear and knocked him down.
"I'm sorry," said the rabbit, "please forgive me. Seems like this happens to me all the time. I'm blind you see."
"No need to apologize," said the bear, "I'm also blind and it happens to me all the time as well."
"Oh well," said the rabbit, "then you know exactly how it feels to be blind. I've been blind all my life and the worse thing about being blind is that I don't even know what kind of animal I am."
"What a coincidence," said the bear, "I have exactly the same problem, I don't know what kind of animal I am either! I tell you what", he continued, "I'll feel you and tell you what kind of animal you are if you agree to do the same for me, O.K.?"
"What a great idea," replied the rabbit, " go for it."
The bear reached forward and said, "Well, you've this small, wet kinda round nose; soft fur all over your head; two big long funny protruding top teeth; big floppy ears; short stupid little furry front arms; soft fur all over your body; big powerful hind legs and a soft round fluffy tail. You're a . . . . . . . you’re a . . . . . . . . YOU'RE A BUNNY RABBIT!"
"I'm a bunny rabbit! GREAT!," said the excited rabbit, "bunny rabbits are cute. Every likes bunny rabbits - I'm so glad that I'm a bunny rabbit!"
"O.K., O.K., c'mon its your turn now - you have to figure out what I am." said the bear impatiently.
"Well, let's see . . . " said the rabbit as he reached forward, "h-m-m-m-m-m . . . . you've got thick coarse hair on your head; hair growing out of your ears; hair on your face; big nose - not so much hair, wait a bit - hair growing out of your nostrils; strong, powerful hairy shoulders and short stocky hairy arms, and o-o-o-oh, yucky long fingernails; lotsa hair on your chest; lotsa, lotsa hair on your back; short stocky powerful hairy legs; you're a . . . . . you're a . . . . . . YOU'RE A LEBANESE!"
Glen Drake [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
California, United States
Sunday, May 30, 2004 at 02:21:02 (UTC)
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The real reason that Scotsmen wear Kilts, is so that the sheep don't hear the zippers.
Ken Fernie [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Irvine, California, United States
Sunday, May 30, 2004 at 00:33:48 (UTC)
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AYUB, the moral of the story is obviously this, the more you know about s**t, the curlier your hair must be, and if you have curly hair, you are obviously a car-thief, so we have to conclude that Glen Drake stole the Hearse! What he wanted a dead body for is something we'd rather not think about, ok Glen, I,m waiting for the Polack jibes!
Megs (with regretably straight hair)
Meg Rybicki (formerly Margaret) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Mullanyduff, Co Leitrim, Ireland
Saturday, May 29, 2004 at 23:50:46 (UTC)
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Glen,
Scotsmen wear kilts so that we can take that little bit longer with our pints,and we do not have dance about at the trough or tree to get our zips down.
Buy the way how are the critters in California are they still safe on the streets or is that just a roumer.
Pappy Papier [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Glasgow, United Kingdom
Saturday, May 29, 2004 at 21:07:07 (UTC)
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Dear Ali six people shared 22 million smackers tonight but I am afraid I was not one of them so your finger excercises will have to wait a while sorry love Johnny.x
Johnny [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Scarborough, United Kingdom
Saturday, May 29, 2004 at 20:51:00 (UTC)
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Glen,
It will probably take you years to figure that moral out! Moral is "never judge a person's intellect by the colour of his skin or the curls in his locks..to do that could drop you in big S..t! " .You seem to have a habit of twisting things.
Last week in Oldham, near Manchester, someone stole a Hearse with a body in it! It was found abandoned 30 miles away. Probably better to have the milk nicked na? ..now what would this idiot have done with a Hearse?? .
Ayub Ismail Zumla [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Manchester, United Kingdom
Saturday, May 29, 2004 at 20:20:10 (UTC)
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Marge and Steve de Lange
Happy 40th Wedding Anniversary to you both. I will be thinking of you tomorrow and hope you enjoy your 'Special' day.
Maybe next year I'll get over to see you and then we can celebrate.
Your old friend
Babs
Barbara Hey (née Brock) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Nottinghamshire, United Kingdom
Saturday, May 29, 2004 at 19:43:25 (UTC)
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Ayub - you clever devil you!
You end your story about what you witnessed in Hyde Park all those years ago with the sentence . . . . . . . .
"Now theres a moral in that . . . "
You've had me sitting here for ages trying to figure out what the moral is. Since you always rise to the bait, is it . . . . . .
"The more curls you have in your hair, the more you know about shit and the less you know about geography." ?
Now before I get massacred let me tell you (even at my age) I have very curly hair so I TOTALLY REJECT THAT MORAL.
Glen Drake [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
California, United States
Saturday, May 29, 2004 at 19:13:16 (UTC)
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Ian Singer - I need your help since I see you are living in Scotland.
Is there any truth in the Australian rumor that Scots men wear kilts 'cause the sheep can hear a zip opening from a mile away?
Glen Drake [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
California, United States
Saturday, May 29, 2004 at 16:57:32 (UTC)
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David
Yes! You're right! Interesting eh? There are references to bees nests all over the internet - the references are, I mean.
Tina Magee (née Wallace) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Texas, United States
Saturday, May 29, 2004 at 16:42:43 (UTC)
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Rob
Very interesting link. (It's about roundabout play pumps in S.A.)
Tapping the energy of children at play more than 200 "play pumps" have been installed near village primary schools throughout South Africa. As the kids play their roundabout is working a pump generating upward of 1,400 liters of water an hour. There are plans to build over 300 more.
It's the brainchild of "Roundabout Outdoor" (a South African company?) Anyway they got the Government and donation organizations involved.
Tina Magee (née Wallace) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Texas, United States
Saturday, May 29, 2004 at 16:34:18 (UTC)
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Dear Artist Ali
You must stop dipping your fingers in the Marula cream when typing.
I also read that article about the Hippo’s red sweat containing antibiotic and sunscreen. When I was building the Mfuwe lodge in Luangwa Park I used to see the hippos laying in the shallow lagoons all day. I used to feel sorry for them because I thought that red colour was sunburn. Now they want to collect the Hippo sweat in large quantities. Not a job that I would like to volunteer for!
Ayub
Here in RSA the government departments are quite capable of running up their telephone bills without any help. Whenever one visits a government department here you will find the civil servant ever engaged in obviously personal conversations, while their customers are kept waiting. I usually lean over the counter and press the button to cut the phone off (in my usual diplomatic way). Another good way to get attention quickly is to use a referee’s whistle, tootling vigorously. Sometimes it backfires and I get evicted instead of being served!
In RSA the skibengus actual get into the telephone manholes and physically cut into the lines. I think they attach something like a base station there so that the mukulu skibengu (big boss crook) can sell calls from his cell phone, which connects wirelessly to the base unit. The manhole guy will sit there for several hours and then remove his equipment and duck to the next manhole mostly before Telkom and the cops arrive. We have a TV (telly in UK English) program called ‘Carte Blanche’ that showed the cops catching some of them red-handed. Our skibengus are very clever. They can even steal the milk out from your tea!
Doug Grewar [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Vryheid, Natal, South Africa
Saturday, May 29, 2004 at 16:08:47 (UTC)
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Sunday, May 30, 2004 is the Ottawa Marathon and I wish Noreen D'Cruz the best of luck! I'm so very proud of you, Noreen. Way to go #3690!!
Helen D'Cruz [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Temecula, California, United States
Saturday, May 29, 2004 at 15:38:53 (UTC)
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Tina.
Like yourself, my initial thought was that bees live in hives but on reflection I checked the dictionary and the definition of hives is "a structure for housing a colony of bees. In the wild unless the locals have constructed a hive, I would say that nest is correct as in wasps nest, hornets nest, ants nest, enough said.
David Hoyle [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Muscat, Oman
Saturday, May 29, 2004 at 15:29:22 (UTC)
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When I win the estimated uk lottery tonight now £25.000000 and I arrive on your door step tommorow I will let your fingers do some excercises on me to solve all your problems Love Johnny.
Johnny [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Scarborough, United Kingdom
Saturday, May 29, 2004 at 14:26:15 (UTC)
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Johnny.....
not my spelling , tis my fingers, they sometimes trip over themselves
Ali
Ali Key [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Perth, Australia
Saturday, May 29, 2004 at 09:28:57 (UTC)
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My dear Alix, Artist extrodinary, regarding titles I note it would never be Teacher Of English.
I musch rather have the title "Artist"........
Your would be lover Johnny.x
Johnny [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Scarborough, United Kingdom
Saturday, May 29, 2004 at 09:16:37 (UTC)
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Hi to All especially Dave, somewhere in Holland,
We seem to have missed the anniversary of David Livingstones demise 1st May.
I am in the throughs of reading a precis of his, DL's , life and trials in Southern & Central Afica. What a MAN!!
There seems to be a lot of snide remarks on the board at present which I find very upsetting when most have very fond memory's of central africa, Zambia, in particular. I must confess that once I notice this mode I tend to skip the message.
To those who keep this site working a hearty thank you
Gordon & Irene Dixon (née Wilson) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Perth, Western Australia, Australia
Saturday, May 29, 2004 at 09:04:01 (UTC)
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Tina
I loved your posting...and whilst reading this morning's paper I found a little article." Sick of Sunburn - no sweat.
Ever seen a sunburnt hippo?
Japanese researchers have identified the ingredients of hippo "sweat" that could be used to develop sunscreens and antibiotics.
The research team at Kyoto Pharmaceutical University fount the oily secreation over the hippo's hide was the red pigment hipposudoric acid and an orange one, norhippo-sudoric acid.
They believe the two substances act as sunblocks, with the red particularly effective as an antibiotic."
Glenn
Hey it was many many years ago I was in the banking sector...........didn't know that branded me for life (giggles)........I musch rather have the title "Artist"........
Ali
Ali Key [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Perth, Australia
Saturday, May 29, 2004 at 06:25:53 (UTC)
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Um, seen any nesting bees sitting broodily on their eggs recently? For "nests" in message below please read "hives".
Tina Magee (née Wallace) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Texas, United States
Saturday, May 29, 2004 at 01:02:34 (UTC)
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Some animal facts....
Honeyguides
We know they will lead Bushmen to honey. Did you know honeyguides and honey badgers have the same relationship? A honeyguide alerts the honey badger by calling, swooping and displaying. The alerted animal then follows the bird growling answers to its calls until the nest is reached.
At the nest the honey badger squirts out a scent that stuns or kills the bees and digs out the honey. When he leaves, the bird eats the remaining dead bees, grubs and pieces of honeycomb.
Genets
These are more closely related to mongooses and raccoons than cats but will nonetheless arch their backs and groom themselves like a cat, purr, hiss and meow. But they make an uncatlike "churring" sound when upset.
Hippos
Have you ever heard that "hippos sweat blood"? Having no sweat glands they have unique glands that produce a viscous red fluid, but not blood. The hippo relies on water or mud to keep it cool, and the red fluid may help, but it is often produced in adrenalin-filled situations as well.
Lots more - at this neat site: http://www.awf.org/
Look at the options above the picture and click on wildlives.
Ayub: I thought your first post to Glenn on "isms" put it really well.
Oh and anyone who wants to post - this is a pretty welcoming site to post on for anyone without a chip on their shoulder. There are great pictures to see and stories to hear and share and often no dung in sight.
Tina Magee (née Wallace) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Texas, United States
Friday, May 28, 2004 at 23:54:11 (UTC)
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A question of race
After being in labour with my first child for more than 36 hours, I was pleased to see no less than 3 midwives and a very pleasant Sudanese doctor converging at my bedside, (I thought that they might have at last believed me that I was ready to die), anxiously waiting in the wings was the estranged father of my child, (a Lebanese gentleman, banned from my bedside,) my best friend and childhood friend from Lusaka, Corrence Mwalisuku, and my big brother Anton, (who despite his worthy legal and union background looks like a nightclub bouncer!), expecting sympathy, and perhaps a brow wipe, I was totally taken aback when one of the midwives said, "Please tell us, we are all dying to know, which one is the father?" My answer was short, and expletive free, I managed to snarl, "Wait and see"! Alicia was born soon after weighing a jolly 9lbs loz, and I swore never again! (That was before I settled in Leitrim and along came four more, all born between 45 minutes and 3 hours of arriving at the hospital, far more civilized!)
I absolutely loved the JFDI advice. I have recently set up my own industrial cleaning business, and I feel a little adrift sometimes (I lack the killer instinct) but will be re-reading the posting as it made alot of sense!
Ciao, Megs
Meg Rybicki (formerly Margaret) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Mullanyduff, Co Leitrim, Ireland
Friday, May 28, 2004 at 23:04:39 (UTC)
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Peter
Abso-*&%*@-lutely LOVE IT! !!!! (Sorry, couldn't resist that format). Great post. Ta muchly.
Tina Magee (née Wallace) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Texas, United States
Friday, May 28, 2004 at 21:53:39 (UTC)
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Hi All
nrzam.org.uk has been updated.
Added two articles from Brian Barratt, 'Whip-hand
at Government House' and 'The 'Mcleod-burst' and
after' (May 1961), to Miscellaneous/ Central
African Examiner.
Regards Ian
Ian Singer [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Livingston, West Lothian, Scotland
Friday, May 28, 2004 at 21:41:40 (UTC)
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Doug,
This is a common problem that exists all over the World. And it has very little to do with lines being hijacked! Its the telephone Operators who are involved.They phone you and put you through to numbers anywhere in the World. They then charge the bill to a Government organization. It used to happen a lot in Kenya, Zambia,Tanzania....and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs would get charged and no one would notice it! Its more difficult now as the systems are getting computerised. A friend of mine in Manchester received an NTL (Cable) bill for £965!! He has been with them for 5 years and his bill has never exceeded £30 in a month. And the bill shows calls to Hong Kong, Singapore,India...and he doesn't know anyone in these countries! Will keep you posted as to how he gets on and what NTL has to say about it!
Ayub Ismail Zumla [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Manchester, United Kingdom
Friday, May 28, 2004 at 21:24:44 (UTC)
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My telephone has been cutting off each evening for the last week. Telkom finally seems to have fixed it. They tell me that Telkom is down R17 million in Vryheid alone through crooks hijacking lines and renting them out for people to phone overseas, mainly to the middle east and Pakistan. I can't wait to see this months bill.
Last weekend South African police force arrested a van niekerk for being intoxicated while driving a donkey cart. He was most indignant saying the donkeys were sober and they knew the way home.
Doug Grewar [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Vryheid, Natal, South Africa
Friday, May 28, 2004 at 21:07:05 (UTC)
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Glen....
You know perfectly what I mean!!
I haven't been to Hyde Park for years. Funnily enough the last time I went there was in 1985 and sadly the issue of Race reared its ugly face on that day. This very eloquent West Indian chap of Indian origin, stood on his soap box, was talking about the Brixton riots when this White man started heckling him with the most vile form of racist language anyone can imagine...at the same time taunting him with the concept of superiority. The man on the soap box calmly asked him if would answer a few questions ..to which this racist replied he would. This was the sequence:
1) "If you saw an Elephant in the jungle and saw a pile of dung next to it who would you assume would have been responsible for it being there?" The man replied "the Elephant"....."Correct" he said.
2) "If you saw a dog in the garden with the same mess next to it...."The man replied "the Dog"...correct.
3) Same question... with a cat...answer..cat...correct.
4) " Now tell me in which Continent is the Sahara desert?"...the racist replied.."Africa"...Correct
5) "In which country is the province of Kutch?"..All went quiet....no answer came.
The man on the soap box calmly looked at him and in the most measured and amicable way...looked at him and said
"You know son..you know more about shit then you know about geography.... and am I to assume that since your hair has some curls in them.. your mother must have tasted something different somewhere along the way"!!!
Now there is a moral in that ...
Ayub Ismail Zumla [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Manchester, United Kingdom
Friday, May 28, 2004 at 20:57:35 (UTC)
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Ayub - you're not suggesting we get rid of Hyde Park too? Or are you ?
Glen Drake [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
California, United States
Friday, May 28, 2004 at 19:21:19 (UTC)
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Glen
No problem about making one's feelings count on the board or for that matter anywhere else. So long as one refrains from using racist jibes. Isms such as Racism and Anti-Semitism are the worst forms of human oppression. Anyone who still harbours these attitudes and who tries to portray them should not be given a platform anywhere. That is my opinion and it is an opinion shared by the vast majority of civilised people in this World. To make racist jibes and innuendos at someone simply because he happens to be of a different colour or a follower of a particular religion is not on. Humans will never learn. What Hitler did to the Jews in the forties was meant to be a lesson for all of us. Unfortunately the ghastly system carried on in our part of the world. Therefore we, more than most, should accept that it was a dispicable system and should vie away from trying to "rekindle" it under the guise of free speech. All Governments botch up economies. Ours here does it on a daily basis. Have you heard anyone use the colour of Blair's skin when criticising him? So lets keep race out of healthy debates. It won't be long before a Black person becomes the President of the USA. Are we then going to criticise his policies by suggesting his colour will have something to do with it?. During the rule of KK in Zambia let us not forget that his closest political and economic adivsors were not indeginous Zambians! Try looking up who they were...you will be surprised! We should all be sick and tired of all forms of racism....be it Black or White. Lets bury it. Critcise someone if you want to..but please leave race out of it!
Ayub Ismail Zumla [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Manchester, United Kingdom
Friday, May 28, 2004 at 19:15:11 (UTC)
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Ayub Z recollects:
A few monts ago I asked a ex-boarding school friend of mine why he never went to Zambia to experience the splendour of its nature and wildlife. The answer he gave me then was "Ayub, I have never been asked to go there"!
Big Snip
Well yes, but I have great faith in travel agents/bucket shops etc. in doing the inviting. They whet one's appetite for a particular region which a potential touron will investigate further, and then make a decision whether or not to go there. It is true that one never sees trips/packages to Zambia (Heather's recent fine efforts in Cape Town notwithstanding)
. Guess the Zambian Ministry of Tourism must share the bulk of the blame.
Take a tip from one who knows - hokoyo blaming the GRZ for anything negative here!!
Chris Tamm [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Hilo, Hawaii, United States
Friday, May 28, 2004 at 19:03:55 (UTC)
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Glen D,
You are the one.
Mazwita
Chris Tamm [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Hilo, Hawaii, United States
Friday, May 28, 2004 at 18:47:54 (UTC)
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Chris - one would have thought by now you would have figured out why, given during any particular period, the active contributors are few in number. Perhaps some of us have become nervous. We're not reflecting on what we are now. We are products of our past and our experiences in the environment of Northern Rhodesia, now known as Zambia, and we naturally carry with us not only the fond memories, but unfortunately, some of the experiences we acquired as we traveled through that land - damn, we even remember the common language we spoke to those you weren't schooled in English or Afrikaans.
In exactly the same way that I am choosing my words carefully in writing this, I get back to the point about some of us being nervous, not only about what we say, but how we say it. It is sorta like being on a tight-rope isn't it? Say something some one else doesn't like and you'll get a spate of members suggesting you get banned. Many of the members who suggest that another be banned, or accuse another of being prejudiced by writing the truth as they see it are the ones with the real prejudice.
So Chris, here is the way it is. Be prepared to pay the price, as I no doubt will have to by speaking my mind and submitting this without reviewing it and cooling off. Be politically correct, O.K. So now it's my turn to sit back and have a bunch of members shoot barbs at me cause I'm telling it the way I see it. They may even say "Well, if you don't like it . . . . "
But hey, I love the to-and-fro, I love the conflicts and I love the controversy stirred up by any/all contributors. Mainly, I love the common thread that we all have - that we lived in Zambia and that if we were back there we'd all be mouthing off at each other anyway, politics, religion, economics, tourism, beer, chicks, . . . . . .
Still wondering why . . . . . . . ?
Glen Drake [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
California, United States
Friday, May 28, 2004 at 18:23:58 (UTC)
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Tourism in Zambia...
A few monts ago I asked a ex-boarding school friend of mine why he never went to Zambia to experience the splendour of its nature and wildlife. The answer he gave me then was "Ayub, I have never been asked to go there"! So I managed to persuade him to come to Zambia later this year with me. He agreed. Sadly, he passed away early this month whilst filming in his beloved Amazon with his beloved Jaguars. The friend and ex school mate was World-renowned Wildlife Film Maker, Producer, Author..Nick Gordon. His achievemnts can be seen by writing his name in Google. Moral of the story is..if you do not invite potential promoters of your industry..it will never thrive! Nick always told me that some of his programmes resulted in a rise in tourists to countries featured in that programme. Guess the Zambian Ministry of Tourism must share the bulk of the blame.
Ayub Ismail Zumla [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Manchester, United Kingdom
Friday, May 28, 2004 at 18:16:41 (UTC)
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Jane Todd enquires/writes/wonders/ponders:
Why does Chris Tamm always start a posting with ' so and so says, or writes, or wonders'?
Is it because all the readers of the GNR either forget previous postings, or ignore these postings?
Top of the morning Jane. No real reason other than to stick to a specific topic/issue raised by that person, and avoid moving goal posts when discussing a given issue, and to avoid scrolling back and forth to see what exactly someone said earlier.
Glad to note that the recent to/fro's have brought a few lurkers out of the closet. There are 1542 members here, but only a dozen or less contributors. I wonder why that is so?
Chris Tamm [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Hilo, Hawaii, United States
Friday, May 28, 2004 at 17:34:24 (UTC)
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Ali Key asks whether or not Chris Tamm's superior knowledge of Zambia would allow him to return there and GRZ a helping hand. The answer of course is a resounding YES! I think it would be a great idea for him to stop over in Dallas, on his way there and join up with Mubita Nawa. What a team! Geez- think of the combo. Marketing, banking, religion all in one dynamic duo!
Hey Chris - why is it that you, Ali and Mubita all have a banking background? You're not all members of the "Skebenga" tribe . . . . . are you?
Glen Drake [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
California, United States
Friday, May 28, 2004 at 16:56:36 (UTC)
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Keith
I think BTW = by the way!
Debbie Stewart [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Kamloops, British Columbia, Canada
Friday, May 28, 2004 at 16:51:29 (UTC)
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I have been reading the comments about mass tourism and how this would help Zambia. It might, but I would not like hordes of tourists to descend on places like the Luangwa Valley where the attraction for me is that it is beautiful, renote and has relatively few people to spoil its nature. Regarding the high airfares that are paid to reach Zambia. Surely this is because, for whatever reason, we live so far away. Maybe this is part of the attraction.
David Livingstone, on reaching the Muchinga Escarpment at the end of 1866 wrote, " I shall make this beautiful land better known, which is an essential part of the process by which it will become the'pleasant haunts of men'". Thank goodness he was not successful.
Mike Wilson [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Dawlish, Devon, United Kingdom
Friday, May 28, 2004 at 13:18:42 (UTC)
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Hi Keith,
You have just saved my sanity, I thought I was going mad and worse, had lost all intelligent conversation ablities. I had no idea what all the .. BTW etc.. etc and all the other strange words were, but decided to just shutup otherwise I would look like a total idiot.
Have a good weekend
Madeleine
Madeleine Luckin (née Bekker) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Johannesburg, South Africa
Friday, May 28, 2004 at 13:05:48 (UTC)
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Well Hello there all you gnr's this fine friday afternoon.
I was just reading Linda email about the Horizon Magazine and all the parties and dances that we used to have.
I know that the Rugby club used ask me to make the curry on a sunday after the game. I used agree to do this only if I was supplied with the onions, we they were in short supply.
All the sundowners and dances were a main part of your life, any excuse and we were all there. When there was no dances we used to go to Lou Andersons Blue Room in the Mine club. He was a very clever md he would give you a menu card (not that you could get the half of the stuff on there) he would then tell you about the house specials. His best one was the chicken in pineapple. He would manager to get about 6 pineables on the Market he would scoop out the filling and use that as the base for your meal. Mind you you had to wait until the last table had finished with the shell of the pineapple so that it could be filled up and under the grill for the next order!!!
I shall now go back to lurking as I have been for the last couple of months, I still check the site everyday to see what is going on or who is new to the members. Have a lovely weekend all. I sure intend to. We are off to the pub at 5.30 which has a lovely view of the Maas and we can sit there and drink cherry beer and wine till our little hearts are content.
Bye for now
Wilma Wall
Maastricht.
Wilma Wall (née Henry) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Almelo, Netherlands
Friday, May 28, 2004 at 12:52:00 (UTC)
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Northerners…
The woes of Zambia….
I realised a long time that many people in this world blame most their problems on others rather than taking “ownership” and doing something about it. It is amazing the whining I have heard and where the blame was assigned rather than facing up to the fact that change starts with yourself.
This blaming of others is really popular within governments. So about fifteen years ago I developed a one hour presentation called “The Principles of JFDI”. JFDI stands for Just F#$%ng Do IT. I have done well over 100 presentations to both government and private organizations and one as recent as last Wednesday to 175 University Administrators.
Here is a summary – although it has an IT slant to it, it is applicable to life in general!!!
The principles of JFDI
What is JFDI?
JFDI is about all the “gems” I learned from listening to others, traveling the world and working in the Information Technology business since 1964…
JFDI is all about work ethic and attitude:
• Have a “can-do” positive attitude
• Emphasize initiative, action and resolution
• Make a difference – add value to what you do
• Show leadership and take ownership of the job you do
• Always strive for excellence
• Actively contribute to your job, not just show up
• Work smart AND hard but have fun
• Be pro-active not re-active
• Be accountable for the things you do – show character
• Encourage free and open communication
• Foster positive relationships - network with everyone
• Give credit when credit is due
• You are responsible for managing your own morale
• Be an optimist – learn to laugh at yourself
• Enthusiasm works AND is contagious
• Go the extra mile and give the extra smile
What are some of the components of JFDI?
• Always use common sense
• Be creative, innovative and take risks
• 80/20 rule – most times you can forge ahead with 80% of the information you have
• Don’t stand in the way - be a solution provider
• Focus on the results not effort required
• Take small steps - crawl, walk then run
• Have a strong sense of urgency
• Yet… patience is a virtue
• Do not be afraid to ask – there are no stupid questions
• Accept responsibility – do not blame others
Wow your Customers!
• Interact with your customer face to face rather than by phone or e-mail
• Always provide “no finger point” support
• Show respect and empathize with your customers
• Be a great listener – listen intently and don’t interrupt
• Be polite, be sweet AND be professional
• Involve your customer in the solution process
• Think win/win
• Keep the deadlines and commitments you make
• Ask if there is anything else you can do
• When in an office, pop by customers and ask if everything is ok or if they need anything
• Go the extra mile, it will pay back handsomely
Teamwork and JFDI:
• Work together as a team with colleagues, managers, clients, consultants and vendors alike
• Share your expertise with the team, help others succeed
• Use the knowledge of your team members, ask for help
• Pick up the ball is someone drops it
• Appreciate cultural diversity
Have JFDI meetings:
• No long meetings - rather have five minute “action” meetings
• Do not hold a $1,000 meeting to solve a $100 problem
Some examples of JFDI:
• KISS - keep it short and simple
• Use one pagers in point format whenever possible
• Respond quickly to e-mails and voice mails, even to acknowledge
• Change your voice mail daily – Today is ****, You have reached the voicemail of….
• Use your out of office e-mail message attendant
• Form JFDI groups with other colleagues, departments and companies
JFDI to do’s:
• Preach the gospel of the “Joys of JFDI”
• Do not micro manage - let people do their job
• Update your own skills and knowledge regularly
• Find a mentor to teach you skills you do not have
• Be a mentor to others
• Always be prompt and on-time – meet your deadlines
• Rise above office politics
JFDI Do not's:
• Do not do everything at once – set priorities, take small steps
• You cannot do everything yourself – learn to delegate and ask for help
• It is ok to say no for now but not to forget
• Don’t put things off
Quickies that pay off:
• Do a 5 minute desk clean-up before you go home
• Allow a daily uninterrupted 30 minutes for planning, reading and creative thinking
• Keep a journal
Adapt:
• Expect constantly shifting priorities – that is the reality of life
• Learn to improvise, modify or do it differently
• Be realistic
Be prepared to fail:
• Admit the mistakes, control the damage, fix it and capitalize on it
• Most great ideas come from lessons learned
• Celebrate your blunders
And…. just remember:
• Work at it - Anyone can be a JFDI’r
Peter Dielissen [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada
Friday, May 28, 2004 at 10:35:39 (UTC)
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Here is something unusual with an African flavour:
http://www.roundabout.co.za/main_the_playpump.htm
Rob.
Robert Worrill [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Christchurch, New Zealand
Friday, May 28, 2004 at 08:27:44 (UTC)
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Sorting through my mother's things after she died, I came across some old "Horizon" mags and had to laugh when I checked the 1959 January Diary for Chibuluma/Kalulushi. Goes something like this:
Sat 3 Social and dance at Mine Club
Sun 4 Sundowner dance at Mine Club. Braai and dancing to records at Moth Club
Sat 10 Cricket match between the Old Crocks & the youngsters. Social an dance at Mine Club
Sun 11 Local league tennis. Sundowner dance at Mine Club
Sat 17 Social and dance a Mine Club
Sun 18 Local league tennis. Sundowner dance at Mine Club
Thur 22 Meeting of the Buffs at Moths Club
Sat 24 Mine Club social dance
Sun 25 Local league tennis. Mine Club sundowner dance. Moths Club braaI and dance
Sat 31 Mine Club social dance
Did our parents do anything else other than have sundowners, braai and dance the weekends away?
Linda Moult [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Kyalami, Johannesburg, South Africa
Friday, May 28, 2004 at 08:12:12 (UTC)
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Another one, Mazungu (not to be confused with Mabubgu) = white person. More hits on that in google than all the others.
Keith Binns [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Perth, Australia
Friday, May 28, 2004 at 06:21:01 (UTC)
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Talking in tongues:
"Mabungu" : OK, Google took me to a site where mabungu is caterpillar in Swahili or burial place in Zimbabwe.
"Skebenga" : Google again revealed that this is Zulu for rascal.
GRZ = Govt of Republic of Zambia
LUN = airport code for Lusaka
but
I'm still trying to solve BTW
Keith Binns [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Perth, Australia
Friday, May 28, 2004 at 06:17:27 (UTC)
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Why does Chris Tamm always start a posting with ' so and so says, or writes, or wonders'?
Is it because all the readers of the GNR either forget previous postings, or ignore these postings?
Jane Todd (née Zwanenburg, formerly Bye, Kelly) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Shatti Al Qurm, Muscat, Oman
Friday, May 28, 2004 at 05:11:14 (UTC)
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Hi all,
when there are people who constantly point out the woes of Zambia.whether it be the state of the economy or tourism etc.. I feel the need to give positive imput and yes there are a lot of positives about Zambia ..just some people seem to have the same arguments over and over again...Chris, I wasn't being sarcastic just pointing out a fact there are too many people in this world who take a step back instead of forward..for goodness sake Zambia needs to be helped not damned
.....
Ali Key [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Perth, Australia
Friday, May 28, 2004 at 02:55:21 (UTC)
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"Sarcasm n. a bitter sneer, a satirical comment remark in scorn or contempt." (Source: Chambers 20th Century Dictionary). I don't think it can be said with real accuracy that Ali was being sarcastic. It was more along the lines of a suggestion to go and heal the land instead of complaining about it. Anyway, talking of forms of wit, surely the nadir would be a complete absence of wit. Why not show us yours? Why not make us laugh, Chris, add some happiness, without putting anyone or anything down. Go on then.
Tina Magee (née Wallace) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Texas, United States
Friday, May 28, 2004 at 02:48:31 (UTC)
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Ali K wonders:
Chris Tamm
with your good Knowledge of the Zambian economy have you ever thought about returning there to give the GRZ a helping hand..........
Have you ever heard that sarcasm is the lowest form of wit?
BTW, if you wish to become more knowledgeable on the state of the economy in Zambia, let me know. I shall be glad to assist you. There is a ton of stuff on the web.
Can I assume that that is the end of a reasonable discussion regarding the potential for tourism in Zambia?
Chris Tamm [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Hilo, Hawaii, United States
Friday, May 28, 2004 at 02:17:40 (UTC)
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Chris Tamm
with your good Knowledge of the Zambian economy have you ever thought about returning there to give the GRZ a helping hand..........
Ali Key [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Perth, Australia
Friday, May 28, 2004 at 01:48:16 (UTC)
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Jack W,
Thanks for the input Jack. Hardly sounds like mass tourism to me?
How very sad though
Chris Tamm [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Hilo, Hawaii, United States
Thursday, May 27, 2004 at 23:25:52 (UTC)
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Just for the record on Africa tourism my recent experience is that Kenya tourism is in crisis and has been for a couple of years.
We had a week in Kenya in March this year when we were treated quite royally although we did the whole trip on Airmiles and Hotel points. We spent fours nights at Salt Lick Safari Lodge and I met the manager who told me that there had been no charter flights into Mombasa from UK for over a year- since BA initially suspended flights into Kenya. Although scheduled flights resumed charters did not. Salt lick which once was a premium resort was almost deserted; with 2 lodges running at less than 10% occupancy they were forced to shut down Taita Hills lodge. With 200 beds available at Salt Lick, 3 of 4 nights maxed at about 10 people. On one night we had about 50 with one nighters from Mombasa.
For the record Salt Lick was brilliant: Elephant right under our noses under the stilts; plenty of lion and cubs, and our Game driver, Dennis, found us a cheetah on a kill.
I cant wait to visit Luangwa again- have only been there once, in 1972 when I was lucky enough to see a couple of Rhino. Sad that they are no longer there.
One short anecdote of that luangwa trip. The Lodge manager was in dispair as his refidgeration plant was broken down and he could not get a service guy out from Lusaka quick enough. All the frozen food was at risk never mind the beer. As an engineer - though not a skilled craftsman - I asked if I could have a look. It was just broken drive belts and he had spares. Snag was there were no tools !! However I managed to effect repairs with a hammer and a screwdriver and I was on free drink till he realised how much I could consume!!!
Jack Wardell [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Scotland, United Kingdom
Thursday, May 27, 2004 at 22:20:41 (UTC)
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All this superior twaddle about how Zambian's economic woes were caused entirely by the Zambians themselves, is getting quite boring.
Can anyone tell me if chewing gum is still made in Zambia from Mabungus?
Bill Hunt [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Widenham, Natal, South Africa
Thursday, May 27, 2004 at 19:49:34 (UTC)
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CK waffles on:
"Airfares from the UK are cheap, but I was thinking of a previous posting where it was mentioned that flying from Johannesburg to Lusaka is 3 to 4 times as expensive as flying to Capetown. "
Yes, that is true, so who exactly should be doing the "discounting"? That earlier posting talked about foreign airlines, but it is really the locals who are the skebengas.
Mass tourism would be along the lines for example, of travel packages to the Kenyan coast from Europe, or the Caribbean from the U.S.
I am truly not familiar with mass tourism to the Kenyan Coast? Such packages are not well advertised. Packages to Africa are mostly to South Africa and Botswana, and Egypt of course. But even calling that mass tourism would be a stretch.
"Obviously the Zambian government does not have the funds and should not be involved in the business of building and operating hotels to cater for the increased numbers of tourists, etc, but could promote and give tax incentives to private investors to build and run them. The aim is to increase the tourist volume and benefit from the effects of tourist spending."
You conveniently forget one primary issue. The tourist infrastructure was well on the way to being developed in Zambia, but was brought to it's knees, along with the rest of the country, by the GRZ. You are right though, the GRZ should merely encourage and facilitate tourism, but get right out of the way of the private sector. The truth is though, that they have demonstrated no inclination to do so.
Chris Tamm [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Hilo, Hawaii, United States
Thursday, May 27, 2004 at 17:34:27 (UTC)
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Just to let all those at the GNR, and those who knew her, that Merle Moult died last Thursday, 20th May in hospital in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. Merle was a prominent figure in the badminton and tennis world in Zambia in the 1960's and 70's and used to live in Kalulushi. She worked at the Chibuluma research library. She was 79 years old when she died.
Linda Moult [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Kyalami, Johannesburg, South Africa
Thursday, May 27, 2004 at 09:01:21 (UTC)
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What a coincidence after reading "The West Australian" newspaper here this morning with a supplement on tourism in Africa and then finding all the chat on the GNR board overnight on holidaying in Zambia. If I remember I will try to post some of the details tomorrow on this site. However, and as usual, I don't think Zambia got a mention. It is always Zimbabwe and Botswana that get promoted and, along with South Africa, the countries that most people here in Oz would associate with safaris and holidays in southern Africa. Apparently the Victoria Falls Hotel (Zimbabwe side) has its one hundredth birthday in the first week of June and there are all sorts of celebrations planned.
Keith Binns [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Perth, Australia
Thursday, May 27, 2004 at 05:59:34 (UTC)
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Re: Tourism and airfares
Airfares from the UK are cheap, but I was thinking of a previous posting where it was mentioned that flying from Johannesburg to Lusaka is 3 to 4 times as expensive as flying to Capetown. Mass tourism would be along the lines for example, of travel packages to the Kenyan coast from Europe, or the Caribbean from the U.S. Obviously the Zambian government does not have the funds and should not be involved in the business of building and operating hotels to cater for the increased numbers of tourists, etc, but could promote and give tax incentives to private investors to build and run them. The aim is to increase the tourist volume and benefit from the effects of tourist spending.
Chandru Krishna [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Rockville, Maryland, United States
Thursday, May 27, 2004 at 05:28:36 (UTC)
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Ali, you really need to stop moving the goalposts. If you choose to live in Perth, and choose to vacation in Zambia, you will have to pay more. But let me tell you, in just a flash, I looked up cheaplights.com.uk and found dozens of flights from Perth to LHR starting at GBP497 (roundtrip of course), and dozens of flights from LHR to LUN starting at GBP398. If you lived in Sydney, you would be better off again for the LHR leg of the trip.
And backpackers are only a part of the equation.
We had a quiet day here, can you tell?
Chris Tamm [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Hilo, Hawaii, United States
Thursday, May 27, 2004 at 03:31:14 (UTC)
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Tourism is where the mighty dollar is , no matter what , how or where people will come to see the attractions.....I remember backpacking and staying in hostels with the bare necessities in New Zealand...and believe it or not...... people prefered to rough it !!!!
I and many others would love to get to Zambia BUT to get there from Perth you are looking at $3000 and that is before looking at finding a bed to sleep on...
Ali Key [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Perth, Australia
Thursday, May 27, 2004 at 02:45:34 (UTC)
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Chandru Krishna writes:
Would mass tourism work for Zambia and lower air fares through higher volumes of passengers? Should there be more promotions and discounting?
I don't know which newspapers you read, but if you were to pick up a copy of the New York Times (Sunday edition), or pick up your phone and call a bucket shop in the US or UK, you will find any number of really cheap fares to Africa, including Lusaka.
Your words are really quite hollow - what does mass tourism really mean? How many beds are there in Lusaka, the Belt, and Livingstone for the masses to stay at? And how much do the masses have to pay for accommodation and activities? In convertable currency?
The problem is not with the air fares. The problem is that most tourists are quite fussy and expect value for their hard earned dollars. If they perceive better value in other countries, they will flock there in droves. If Zambia really wants loads of tourists, they need to work on the tourist infrastrucure first.
Chris Tamm [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Hilo, Hawaii, United States
Thursday, May 27, 2004 at 02:15:34 (UTC)
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Ag ja well no fine Meg (have no idea how one would say that in Eire??)
I really DO understand Mr Patel's plight, and the problem is not his fault. The GRZ wants/needs/demands indeed, loans from the IMF which they are prepared to make, but with certain conditions. It is the terms and conditions that the GRZ (and many here on the GNR) object to, because it makes it far more difficult for the GRZ to default, and then beg for loan forgiveness (as they used to do with monotonous regularity.) The IMF have finally begun to respond to taxpayers complaints. A loan is a loan, just like Mr Patel needed to borrow from local banks. When he failed, he would have had to declare bankruptcy to the chargrin of the lending bank, and if the bank did that often enough, then they too would have filed for bankruptcy. The GRZ merely wishes to be held to a different standard - they borrow like crazy, squander the money, demand forgiveness, and then do the same trick all over again. The IMF has been far too liberal all these decades and the kites are finally losing their wind and are beginning to tumble. Not a moment too soon.
Just as an example, the sugar industry in Hawaii which was king for the past 150 years, has fallen. Why? Cheaper imported sugar from places like South America and Asia where labor costs are substantially lower. The cane fields and mills are gone, thousands of people out of work. The company(s) assets liquidated, and guess what - most of those people are back at work in the same lands, but now growing other products that are in demand and require the climatic conditions that Hawaii offers. Are they better off? You bet - at least most of them. They had zero government support other than temporary dole payments. The lesson? Perhaps Mr Patel should shut down his textile mills and manufacture something else for which there is a demand. And the GRZ should cease wanting their cake and then eat it as well as also too!
And just in case the usual suspects are preparing to come down on me like a ton of bricks again, these comments/observations/opinions have nought to do with race/creed/color. They are based on simple conservative economic principles which I learned the foundations of growing up in places where all of us came from, and then studied and practiced/implemented in later life.
Chris Tamm [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Hilo, Hawaii, United States
Thursday, May 27, 2004 at 01:00:34 (UTC)
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Aagh! I feel that I have had a bite taken out of me by a marabundu ant! Here goes Chris Tamm (hell, why couldnt you have taken me up on the Size of the OPW's chimbuzi paper or something trivial instead!)
Cast-off uk clothes make Zambia poor by Nick Mathiason
Sury Patel used to run Swarp one of the countrys biggest clothing manufacturers. In its heyday he employed more than 200 people, rproducing 2400 shirts a day. Today he employs 20, and instead of finely tailored shirts he has been reduced to churning out cloth which sells for a pittance. It seems far fetched that the destruction of Patels enterprise is caused by charity, but economic reforms forced on Zambia by the Wrld Bank and IMF gave the country a stark choice, privatise and open up industry to overseas competition or lose international aid. In recent years the IMFs free market doctrimne has lifted restrictions onimports. In a bizarre spinoff, the Zambian textile industry has seen a glut of imported 2nd hand clothes which uk chrities cannot sell. This has in effect killed Zambiea clothing manufacturing base. We used to have 77 factories says Patel, but from supplying retailers with 3500 tons of clothing annually, we are down toless than 500. in l99l there were l40 textile manufacturers , in 2002 just 8. World bank and imf imposed trade leberalisation has forced Zambia to replace real jobs and livelihoods with charity.Privately, World Bank officials admit that its dogmatic approach to developing countries crises has gone too far. It says iit now wants to give them more ownership over economic policies.
Chandra, mass tourism could work, one only seems to read about travel to Zambia in the Sunday papers, and all the tours and holidays come with a massive price of £3500 for ten days. I wish we could read some articles about the beauty of the country, its stunning geography, and its wealth of culture, but we get grim statistics about aids and poverty, of course these exist, and if the country could get an injection of forex through increased tourism, this would cause a ripple effect of the benefits trickling down to the people who most need it. We expats should all make a concerted effort to convince our globetrotting pals to head for Zambia, I realise that for those people at the bottom of the heap the salaula - "to rummage in a pile", clothes are a godsend, and as a mother of five ever growing children, I do huge amounts of "salaulaing" myself in charity shops and jumble sales to clothe the offspring, and myself. Sorry if Ive bored anyone, but I thought the article overall gave food for thought. Thank you for replying Chris, as you have never before commented on any of my trivial ramblings, I feel somewhat honored!
Meg Rybicki (formerly Margaret) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Mullanyduff, Co Leitrim, Ireland
Wednesday, May 26, 2004 at 23:53:30 (UTC)
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I don't know if the Exchange Control Act is still in force.
The old (?) Sec. 23 only allowed a limited amount of funds to be remitted. It should also be noted, that this was in force since 1961. It was pushed by the Mines ( as was the term "Expatriate"), in the hope of stemming an exodus of experienced personnel. All things cannot be blamed on the Zambian Government.
Ken Fernie [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Irvine, California, United States
Wednesday, May 26, 2004 at 22:34:50 (UTC)
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Re: Textiles and other issues
Obviously most of the local population does not have the purchasing power to support the local textile and garment industry. The key for their survival is to focus on selling to where the demand is, i.e. exporting to developed countries. Here is an example of Lesotho which has increased its clothing exports from $140 million to $400 million over the past 3 years:
http://www.busrep.co.za/index.php?fSectionId=&fArticleId=2000941
Admittedly the industry is highly competitive and will become even more so in 2005 when quotas are expected to be lifted in the U.S. and Chinese exports are expected to swamp the market.
The key for economic survival in Zambia is to focus on industries which have a comparative advantage i.e. products which are cheaper or higher quality or in unique demand in the global competitive economy. Also the business environment has to be conducive for business to take place and the government should be constantly and actively soliciting investors. An example would be the displaced Zimbabwean farmers who have the skills and expertise in running successful farms (there are already some in Zambia, but there should be more). Mining looks promising with the higher copper prices and a skilled mining labour force available locally. And of course, we have tourism which has good potential. Would mass tourism work for Zambia and lower air fares through higher volumes of passengers? Should there be more promotions and discounting?
Chandru Krishna [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Rockville, Maryland, United States
Wednesday, May 26, 2004 at 22:21:05 (UTC)
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Glen,
That's why I said,"Thank God for Grandkids - I love you dearly, now go back to your Mother".
Ken Fernie (soon to be a Great-Grandad}
Ken Fernie [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Irvine, California, United States
Wednesday, May 26, 2004 at 21:55:04 (UTC)
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Looking for Athol Raws
The message below is posted on behalf of Lindsay Hayter. Please contact Lindsay directly if you can help. Thanks.
Does anyone remember ATHOL RAWS or his mother ESTHER RAWS who lived in Salisbury around 1966? Athol would now be about 55 and Esther would be late 70's. He had lived with my grandmother in the UK as a small boy and came back to UK in 1966 with his friend Bruce before doing national service. All contact was lost soon after that. Any news would be welcome or suggestions of where I can look for him.
Contact Lindsay Hayter at lindsayh@absamail.co.za.
Craig Hartnett [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Wednesday, May 26, 2004 at 19:25:50 (UTC)
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Elias had asked me to post this quite a while back.
Sorry it took so long Elias!
Finlay Bisset's contribution to the British Empire!
Just prior to Zambia's independence, the Americans
were actively promoting new trade links between the
'about to emerge' vast African Market & Uncle Sam.
An active role player in this frenetic campaign was one
Senator Mennen Williams, widely known as "Soapy"
because of his investments in the Personal Hygiene
& Laundry products manufacturing Industry.
Many of Zambia's established businessmen viewed these
activities as attempts to oust them from their country
of birth & livelihoods in Zambia, & were very suspicious
of visits to Zambia by any of these trade 'interlopers'.
It came to pass that Soapy arrived at Lusaka airport
amid much fanfare & interest by both local & overseas
press, & Finlay Bisset was at the forefront of
the throng of bodies at the arrivals hall.
Soapy, seemingly very impressed with the reception,
walked towards Finlay with outstretched hand & was duly
flattened by a smack in the chops from Finlay for his
efforts!
Finlay was one of the aggrieved Northern Rhodesian
businessmen.
An assault charge was laid by Soapy. The incident was
reported worldwide & very soon Finlay receivd a deluge
of cash donations from Americans for his legal defence.
It seemed that Soapy was not even popular in his own
country!!
Bill Hunt [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Widenham, Natal, South Africa
Wednesday, May 26, 2004 at 18:27:01 (UTC)
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Most of us are probably not considering having more kids, HOWEVER, for those of you who haven't had any and who may be entertaing the thought of doing so . . . . . . . . . . .
HOW TO KNOW WHETHER OR NOT YOU ARE READY TO HAVE KIDS:
MESS TEST
Smear peanut butter on the leather seats and door trims of your concours standard Mercedes. Place a fish stick down the gap in the back seat and leave it there all summer.
TOY TEST
Obtain a 55 gallon box of Legos (or you may substitute roofing tacks). Have a friend spread them all over the garage. Put on a blindfold. Try to walk to the bench or kitchen. Do not scream because this would wake a child at night.
GROCERY STORE TEST
Borrow one or two small animals (goats are best) and take them with you as you shop for a new car at the local MB dealer. Always keep them in sight and pay for anything they eat or damage.
DRESSING TEST
Obtain one large, unhappy, live octopus. Stuff into a small net bag making sure that all the arms stay inside.
FEEDING TEST
Obtain a large plastic milk jug. Fill halfway with water. Suspend from the ceiling with a cord. Start the jug swinging.Try to insert spoonfuls of soggy cereal into the mouth of the jug, while pretending to be an airplane. Now dump the contents of the jug on the floor.
NIGHT TEST
Prepare by obtaining a small cloth bag and fill it with 8-12 pounds of sand. Soak it thoroughly in water. At 3:00p.m.begin to waltz and hum with the bag until 9:00p.m. Lay down your bag and set your alarm for 10:00p.m.Get up, pick up your bag, and sing every song you have ever heard. Make up about a dozen more and sing these too until 4:00a.m. Set alarm for 5:00a.m. Get up and make breakfast. Keep this up for 5 years.
Look cheerful.
INGENUITY TEST
Take an egg carton. Using a pair of scissors and pot of paint, turn it into an alligator. Now take a toilet paper tube and turn it into an attractive Christmas candle. Use only scotch tape and a piece of foil. Last, take a milk carton, a ping-pong ball, and an empty box of Cocoa Puffs. Make an exact replica of the Gull wing.
AUTOMOBILE TEST
Forget the SLK and buy an old 300TD station wagon. Buy a chocolate ice cream cone and put it in the glove compartment. Leave it there. Get a dime. Stick it into the Becker cassette player. Take a family size package of chocolate chip cookies. Mash them into the back seat. Run a garden rake along both sides of the car. There, perfect.
PHYSICAL TEST (Women)
Obtain a large bean bag chair and attach it to the front of your clothes. Leave it there for 9 months. Now remove 10 of the beans. And try not to notice your closet full of clothes. You won't be wearing them for a while.
PHYSICAL TEST (Men)
Go to the nearest drug store. Set your wallet on the counter. Ask the clerk to help himself. Now proceed to the nearest food store. Go to the head office and arrange for your paycheck to be directly deposited to the store. Purchase a newspaper. Go home and read it quietly for the last time.
FINAL ASSIGNMENT
Find a couple who already have a small child. Lecture them on how they can improve their discipline, patience, tolerance,toilet training and child's table manners. Suggest many ways they can improve. Emphasize to them that they should never allow their children to run wild. Enjoy this experience. It will be the last time you will have all the answers.
Glen Drake [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
California, United States
Wednesday, May 26, 2004 at 17:34:11 (UTC)
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Ian,
Did you know that Michael Jordan was cut from his high school basketball team? Never give up just because someone else says you will never make it.
PS What position did you play on the rugby team.. grin.
Linda Hayes (née Dore) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Austin, Texas, United States
Wednesday, May 26, 2004 at 03:44:59 (UTC)
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Meg writes:
In last Sunday's Observer newspaper there was a very interesting article on how imported 2nd hand clothing is ruining the new textile industry in Zambia, I have kept the article and would happily photocopy and post to anyone who cant find it on the net, it made a few very valid points, ie, that the clothes exported from the UK to Zambia are the dregs of the 2nd hand clothes industry, they are donated by the general public, who all think that they are doing a wonderful charitable thing, but in reality they are ruining peoples livelihoods.
Perhaps so Meg, but as a donor in UK, you appear damned if you do and damned if you don't. Surely you must recognise that the solution to the problem lies in Zambia? Why do they allow the importation of second hand worthless goods? Another slant for you - are the Zambian textiles mills that useless that people prefer to wonder around in worthless rags rather than support local industry?
BTW, what are the "very valid points" in the Observer article? and did the author have any suggestions?
There is a problem here, and each time the source of the problem is thrown at the feet of the developed world. Personally, I do not accept that premise.
Chris Tamm [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Hilo, Hawaii, United States
Wednesday, May 26, 2004 at 02:38:51 (UTC)
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Re Football celebrities
During my Broken Hill schooldays (1952-56) Tom Finney
visited the school to give coaching lessons to those
kids interested in improving their game.
Some time during the session, he called me over,asked my name, and said, Ian, if I were you, I would think about taking up the game of rugby or
cricket instead of football.
Was I deflated.
Ian Beckford
Queensland
australia
Ian Beckford [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Tin Can Bay, Queensland, Australia
Wednesday, May 26, 2004 at 01:40:45 (UTC)
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Re: Textile industry in Zambia
In last Sunday's Observer newspaper there was a very interesting article on how imported 2nd hand clothing is ruining the new textile industry in Zambia, I have kept the article and would happily photocopy and post to anyone who cant find it on the net, it made a few very valid points, ie, that the clothes exported from the UK to Zambia are the dregs of the 2nd hand clothes industry, they are donated by the general public, who all think that they are doing a wonderful charitable thing, but in reality they are ruining peoples livelihoods.
Re: Chimbuzi paper - my mom had a friend in the OPW in Lusaka in the 70's, so the Rybicki household had to use brown, shiny paper which repelled rather than soaked up moisture, it also came out of small cardboard containers, and each sheet was about 10cm x 10cm, so if one had an emergency, (after eating delicacies at Lusaka Showgrounds bought from the "Stop me and buy one" man), one would have to scrinkle wodges of the nasty chimbuzi paper for a good 5 minutes to have any sort of result.
Ciao, Megs
Meg Rybicki (formerly Margaret) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Mullanyduff, Co Leitrim, Ireland
Tuesday, May 25, 2004 at 22:55:28 (UTC)
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Tina
I wish.......just lazing in the sun...changing my colours with my moods.(hang on I do that now.....giggles) that would be the life....sigh....pshhhhst
Ali
Ali Key [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Perth, Australia
Tuesday, May 25, 2004 at 09:56:17 (UTC)
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David Hoyle:
Funny you should mention that about toilet rolls back in the old days. I have to confess that I was as upset at the waste as I was with what they did, and yes... it stems back to the days in Zambia where 168 rolls of toilet paper would indeed have been a luxury to any of us. When I tried to talk to my kids about the "internal" stuff I was feeling at the waste and how we all struggled to get essential commodities like that at one time in our lives, I was met with blank stares and a "get a life" attitude. Things really are different for our kids than they were for us. I could have financed a trip to the USA on the earnings from 168 rolls of chimbuzi paper in those days!!
Linda Hayes (née Dore) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Austin, Texas, United States
Tuesday, May 25, 2004 at 03:41:23 (UTC)
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Ali
You've been drawing too many chameleons. I think you're turning into one!!!!
Chandru
There were more flying ants in Ndola than Lusaka because Air Traffic Control would vector them away from the busy air traffic patterns around Lusaka International Airport ;-) "Foxtrot-AlphaNovemberTango, you are cleared to land in the woodpile at Ndola Airport." Actually who knows the real reason. Quite interesting thinking through the possibilities.
Keith
Oh boy. You are really warming to your subject now.
Tina Magee (née Wallace) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Texas, United States
Tuesday, May 25, 2004 at 03:34:24 (UTC)
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Keith:
Depends on whether you are the snake or the human...
Alexander Fullers' book, "Scribbling the Cat" was reviewed in People magazine last week and it got a 4 star rating.
Linda Hayes (née Dore) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Austin, Texas, United States
Tuesday, May 25, 2004 at 03:29:40 (UTC)
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I saw part of a news report on TV last night - missed the introduction though. I think it was US soldiers getting field training for bush survival. They cut the heads off snakes and then held the body of the snake to their mouths and drank the blood and other fluids. Apparently it's full of protein and other good stuff and can make the difference between living and dying. The snakes they showed on the footage were large cobras over a metre long.
Keith Binns [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Perth, Australia
Tuesday, May 25, 2004 at 02:41:03 (UTC)
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I forgot to mention that the cicadas coming out now are "17 year" cicadas, i.e. they only come out of the ground every 17 years. They are expected to be gone by the end of June. I also remember the flying ants in Zambia, although there seemed to be more of them in Ndola than in Lusaka (maybe the weather was more tropical there?)
Chandru Krishna [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Rockville, Maryland, United States
Tuesday, May 25, 2004 at 01:39:14 (UTC)
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hehehehe ........all this about cicadas and grasshoppers etc......(nah not making me hungry) .but..over here on the great red anthill of the world one only has to open ones mouth and you get a free meal......pshtst..."those damn flies again".........
Ali Key [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Perth, Australia
Tuesday, May 25, 2004 at 00:05:06 (UTC)
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I've had the strangest sensation all day - little needle jabs all over my body. I think it's some of those on the GNR with sensitive stomachs putting pins in my effigy.
The main thing that stands out from the rugby cicada story and the stories of Bertie and John is that boys really are a different species. Girls, these are the boys we kissed and dreamed of kissing.....cicada breath....yum! But they are still great stories. Also isn't it good to be at the top of the food chain where no-one can crunch you down or make you fly headless.
Yes, now I remember flying ants being popped into tubs of hot water by gleeful families under the trees.
Mwizenge one thing that just stands out about you is your enthusiasm and love of learning. You just bubble over with enthusiasm and joy for your subject matter. It is good to be made to see matters from a traditional angle. It makes for a good stretching of the mind even though I suspect I will never get over my own traditions enough to sample such. I always loved watching geckos and even wolf spiders catch gourmet leggy snacks.
We used to eat raw sweet potatoes skin and all direct from the Zambian markets as kids - What? Wash them first? Why?
I ate without ill effect in Andean markets and put that down to having developed a cast iron stomach in Zambia. In Andean markets there are cages of dear icckle long-haired guinea pigs. These are on the menu there. I did eat guinea pig in Cusco. It was pleasant enough. Luckily my kids never kept guinea pigs so I didn't, years later, have to endure the huge shocked eyes and the reproachful: "You ate Squeaky's grandmother???????"
Tina Magee (née Wallace) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Texas, United States
Monday, May 24, 2004 at 23:54:53 (UTC)
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Yes, the cicadas are certainly making a stir in the Washington area. Millions of them emerged from the ground about a week ago and now are creating an unbelievable cacophony (somewhat like a science fiction movie sound). About the size of a bumble bee and with 4 red eyes but harmless, although yesterday one flew into a car drivers face and she drove into a fire hydrant causing major flooding.
The long term outlook for copper and other industrial metals appears good due primarily to the voracious appetite of China's huge and fast growing economy, see link for more details:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A43765-2004May20.html
Here is a slightly dated link on Zambia's copper reserves:
http://www.mbendi.co.za/indy/ming/cppr/af/za/p0005.htm
If mining is a highly mechanized activity, it can only provide limited job opportunities, hence other areas such as tourism or manufacturing may be more promising. It reminded me of a program I watched about Mauritius yesterday, sugarcane was the major industry in 1970, however it was unable to absorb the large numbers of unemployed. One of the government leaders visiting his relative in Taiwan noticed the large number of factories producing items for export. So he visited Hong Kong and offered garment manufacturers incentives to set up operations in Mauritius, and thus the Mauritius miracle was born. Conditions need to be favorable for manufacturers otherwise we have the following result:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/from_our_own_correspondent/3735989.stm
Maybe the African Growth and Opportunity Act passed by the American Congress might help.
Here is a potential source of tourists for Zambia in future
years, Heather, you may need to brush up on your chopstick skills:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A47275-2004May22.html
Chandru Krishna [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Rockville, Maryland, United States
Monday, May 24, 2004 at 22:47:17 (UTC)
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David Hoyle
Bathroom! you were lucky.
Mike Fancourt [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Leeds,Yorkshire, United Kingdom
Monday, May 24, 2004 at 22:07:13 (UTC)
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I remember Bertie eating roaches,but then he was a bit of a roach himself.I worked for John Whyle when he started the village,but we did not have such delecacies at that time,but having known John it would not suprise me if he went down that line,
Pappy Papier [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Glasgow, United Kingdom
Monday, May 24, 2004 at 21:25:05 (UTC)
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Cicadas are delicious. They are best when you put them in a pan on medium heat. Dry roast them slowly until they are brown and crunchy. You can salt them and add pepper as needed. They are best eaten with hot fresh nshima. One radio commentator here said that his dogs are eating the cicadas. Why waste this rare delicacy on a dog? Grab them from his mouth and give him some dog food from the store. If you want to find out more about most of the well-known Zambian insect delicacies see: Mwizenge S. Tembo, “Delicious Insects: Seasonal Delicacies in the Diet of Rural Zambians”, in The World & I Magazine, October 1993. My family and I had a rare occasion when millions of Shongonono (green grasshoppers) came out every night in Dec/January 1989 when we lived in Handsworth Coat in Lusaka. They congregated at the streetlight in front of our house every night. Children and adults from the neighborhood brought large buckets. My kids and I joined in collecting them every night. When I dry-fried them the following day, the aroma was that of frying eggs and better. You guess it, I ate them with nshima.
Mice are also widely eaten in Eastern Province and urban areas. You can read the exciting story of how this tasty Zambian cuisine or delicacy gets to the dinner table and the customs surrounding the delicacy in: Mwizenge S. Tembo, Tasty Mice: The Significance of Mice in the Diet of Zambia’s Tumbuka People”, in The World & I Magazine, November 1992. Wonderful pictures of boys with their day’s hunt are in the most recent article: Mwizenge S. Tembo, “Winning Together: Games and Toys in Traditional Zambia: Part Three,” in The World & I Magazine, June 1999. www.worldandi.com
When you are in Lusaka, don’t waste your time looking for these delicacies at the “European” or “middle class market” in the Lusaka City Center. For these delicacies, you have to go to Luburma or Soweto Markets. Cifu (ofals) was probably the most difficult to buy at Soweto as the demand for it is as fierce as the one for fillets and T-bone steak. If you are a vegetarian and you are into exotic delicious vegetables beyond the common tomato and cabbage, you will find them at these markets.
Mwizenge Tembo [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Virginia, United States
Monday, May 24, 2004 at 20:29:11 (UTC)
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NR collectable:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=29223&item=6900397730&rd=1#ebayphotohosting
Peter Dielissen [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada
Monday, May 24, 2004 at 18:01:15 (UTC)
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Ndola collectible:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=20246&item=2246517393&rd=1#ebayphotohosting
Peter Dielissen [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada
Monday, May 24, 2004 at 17:59:04 (UTC)
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Broken Hill collector item:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=255&item=3913561228&rd=1
Peter Dielissen [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada
Monday, May 24, 2004 at 17:55:44 (UTC)
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Talk about protein, I don't remember anyone I knew eating crickets but I do remember Bertie Rumor eating cockroaches ughh. If I remeber correctly, John Wylie also used to have indiginous delecacies at his nursery in Kitwe. Does anyone remember?
Gill Setzkorn [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Co. Down, Northern Ireland
Monday, May 24, 2004 at 17:21:00 (UTC)
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Linda Hayes,
In equating your latest posting to "My remember days",
in Kabwe 1973, 168 Double Thick rolls of chimbuzi paper would have cost a King's ransom in any of the local stores. Don't know if you ever saw Monty Python's Flying Circus but quote, "We used to dream of having two spare rolls of any sort of paper toilet rolls in our bathrooms". In fact, I think 168 single ply rolls would have still been worth nearly a fortune.
This was at about the time that Kabwe (Zambia?) also ran out of potatoes and unless you had a direct line to David Murdock (Kabwe farmer) the order of the day was rice, not chips, I remember his son going to a fancy dress at the Venus Theatre with potatoes hanging off him and a placard stating "The Most Wanted Man in Kabwe".
David Hoyle [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Muscat, Oman
Monday, May 24, 2004 at 17:10:51 (UTC)
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Protein and sources.
Perhaps eating raw cicada does provide a good source protein but no doubt someone other than myself will also remember the rainy season delight of locals collecting flying ants underneath the street lights when their wings fell off. The ant's bodies which were fried in oil, were I understand, an excellent source of protein.
On a related food subject, I remember the first time I went to Broken Hill Mine Market to audit stall holder receipts against stalls in use and I came across rows and rows of boiled mice. They were all laid out head to toe, all facing the same way with furry coats still wet from the boiling. A high source of protein so I am told but not good to look at first thing in the morning, especially after a few Castles the night before.
The other thing I remember about locally available food was buying mealies about 2 foot long and equally massive tomatoes (both were beautiful tasting) on the right hand side of the road coming into Kabwe about a mile before turning right into the Mine. It wasn't until about 3 months later when I was doing an audit inspection at the Mine Sewage Plant that I saw this food being grown in the raw "semi-treated" run off water.
I didn't get cholera but never ate oversized mealies or massive tomatoes again.
David Hoyle [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Muscat, Oman
Monday, May 24, 2004 at 16:32:19 (UTC)
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MUBITA NAWA
Thanks for your kind thoughts. Some of my friends were at your Dallas conference last year and one of them is sending me your book, ''Why Not''. Keep up the good work.
''What then shall we say to these things?................For I am persuaded................''.
Anona Balloch [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
United Kingdom
Monday, May 24, 2004 at 14:10:55 (UTC)
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Tina Magee,
I don't remember the cicadas as a source of food per se but I do remember them being eaten as more of a party trick by some of the "tougher" guys at Nchanga Rugby Club. Maybe it was to scare the opposition but it didn't do much to settle the stomachs of more squeamish people like me before a big match - or even a small one!
The cicada would be held between thumb and forefinger with its wings held tightly against its body. The head would then be placed against the jumper until the cicada took a bite and latched on. Then the body would be jerked sharply downwards leaving the head on the jumper. The body would either be eaten or thrown in the air to fly around until it died. Pretty gruesome really. Also the perpetrator would have to wait a couple of hours before he could enjoy his first beer to wash it down.
Keith Binns [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Perth, Australia
Monday, May 24, 2004 at 04:37:12 (UTC)
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Heather,
Thanks for the pictures of Kafue. They remind me of my last trip there about five years ago when I spent a few days on Jan and Willie Botha's game farm near the Italian(?) rocks. Nothing beats the river and those sunsets, especially around a braai and a couple of cold Mosi's. The fishing and game viewing on their farm was superb and a good time was had by all. They spent a lot of time and money improving the place and sorted out most of their poaching problems. So much so that a herd of elephant became a permanent fixture near their lodge/camp on the river.
We had some red ants coming through the camp on the second night, and you can't believe how fast one can vacate a campsite at two o'clock in the morning ! Beats China anyday.
Is there any truth in the rumour that the Botha's have sold their farm ?
Regards
Chris Conrad (formerly Van Tonder) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Cheng du, Sichuan Province, China
Monday, May 24, 2004 at 03:19:02 (UTC)
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LUSAKA CONVENT GIRLS AND BOYS (AND INTERESTED OTHERS)
This is specially directed at those ex Convent types who are not members of the Lusaka Convent MSN group.
One of our ex-teachers has a hugely worthwhile humanitarian African project we can support with spare change!!! So those of you who have the odd tickey jingling around please email me.
Anyone else interested please email me too.
Tina Magee (née Wallace) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Texas, United States
Monday, May 24, 2004 at 03:01:33 (UTC)
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Good Grief!
"For National Geographic News
Updated May 18, 2004"
Now some groups in the U.S. are snacking on emerging cicadas!!!! "They're high in protein, low in fat, no carbs," said Gene Kritsky, a biologist and cicada expert at the College of Mount St. Joseph in Cincinnati, Ohio. "They're quite nutritious, a good set of vitamins with an asparagus like flavour. Roasted they have a nutty flavour."
So the accompanying wine: red or white? The bartenders at the Georgetown Ritz-Carlton hotel in Washington, D.C., say neither.
This month, patrons can order a "cicada cocktail." It's made from chilled Grey Goose orange vodka, fresh pineapple juice with a touch of Blue Curacao, shaken not stirred, and served straight up in a martini glass.
I'll have my cocktail not as an accompaniment but INSTEAD!
And the Georgetown Ritz Carlton, Washington?! I've always been afraid some of the decisions handed out in the House of Representatives were a bit buggy!
Anyone know of them being a food source in Zambia?
Tina Magee (née Wallace) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Texas, United States
Monday, May 24, 2004 at 01:51:56 (UTC)
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Hi, everyone,
"From our own correspondent" on BBC Radio 4 on Friday had an interesting article from Zambia.
You can get a transcript, or listen to it, at http://news.bbc.co.uk
It reinforces many of the things previously said on the GNR.
Rachel
Rachel Mounsey [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Leeds, United Kingdom
Sunday, May 23, 2004 at 16:24:29 (UTC)
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Poor Linda
Not much you can do about a couple of determined girls on a roll. Such a bum rap! Sad that even at 13 some lasses will try to take a fella to the cleaners.
Tina Magee (née Wallace) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Texas, United States
Sunday, May 23, 2004 at 15:45:35 (UTC)
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Hilton thanks for the tip, Johnny.
Johnny [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Scarborough, United Kingdom
Sunday, May 23, 2004 at 14:52:19 (UTC)
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Dear Heather thank you for that last batch of wonderful pics on the Kafue, they were like an injection without a needle to an old man who spent most of his spare time mooching up and down the river, and no one ever told me if you move your cursor on the pic you can transfer it into your files with one click on the e mail symbol that pops up, thanks again Honey. Johnny.x
Johnny [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Scarborough, United Kingdom
Sunday, May 23, 2004 at 08:08:31 (UTC)
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Aptly following on from the posting below, today's math question is:
"How many rolls of double thick chimbuzi paper does it take to cover 4 trees in the Hayes' front yard?"
Answer: 168! Grrrr...
Hell hath no fury as a 13yr old girl's advances spurned by my 13yr old son. Yesterday, she and a friend asked Tim to add up a bunch of numbers. Being the math whiz that he is, he added them up in his head and proudly gave them the answer. 168. Shortly after that, a mate tells him that the girl and her friend have 168 rolls of chimbuzi paper and "someone's gonna get it!"
Picture, if you will, white tails of chimbuzi paper, totally covering every inch of my 20 foot oaks, hanging down and flowing in the breeze, too high to reach and get out completely, accompanied by chimbuzi paper in the trees from next door that innocently happened to be hanging over my property, and to round off this delightful sight, chimbuzi paper gently blowing down the street in all directions.
Where's my 2x4!!!
Linda Hayes (née Dore) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Austin, Texas, United States
Saturday, May 22, 2004 at 21:01:48 (UTC)
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Gordon Garlick – During the 60's Congo crisis my Battalion, 3RRR, was sent to patrol the border.
We were dumped in the Bundu along the Great West Road near Solwezi & told to establish a base.
No.1 priority of course was to dig long drop latrines. (The Battalion was full of it!)
My Company, Mufulira D, being an ingenious, lateral thinking, lazy bunch of buggers soon managed to locate & lay claim to an abandoned mineral exploration sample pit.
It was of more than adequate depth & after installing a couple of debarked tree trunks across the pit to form a comfortable throne, we opened the facility, satisfied that it would more than cope with what could be a long stay.
After about two weeks we received the good news that the Congo emergency had abated & we would be shipping out the following morning.
The Battalion was issued with a large quantity of beer to celebrate the tidings & that, with typical Copperbelt gusto, we did.
We pooled our dry rations – tins of bully, baked beans, Vienna sausages, spaghetti & meatballs, curry powder, rice & dog biscuits, all into a Mega Stew Pot.
My brother Ron, after the meal & after polishing off his issue of beer as well as that of his entire platoon's abstaining members, felt an urgent need to visit the Chimbuzi.
He made his unsteady way in the darkness to the appointed place, straddled the chasm, manoeuvred into a comfortable position & concentrated on the business at hand.
In the midst of this critical process, a centipede, who happened to share one of the logs, crawled onto Ron's bare leg.
During his frantic attempts to get of the creepy crawly Ron lost his seating & plunged into the abyss.
He somehow managed to avoid ending up in the 2 weeks accumulation of mire that lay at the bottom of the pit by wedging himself with his body, arms & legs against the sticky sidewalls of the excavation.
The latrine was some distance from where the partying was, so Ron's pleas for assistance went unheard.
It came to pass, after what seemed an age, that someone else had to answer nature's call & Ron was able to attract this person's attention, thereby preventing more woe being heaped upon his head!
Some very unwilling volunteers eventually hauled Ron out.
As he bitterly complained later: "It's on an occasion like this that one finds out who one's true friends are!"
Water was a scarce commodity in this area of bundu & Ron had to cleanse himself as best he could with the limited quantity of water from jerry cans & the Company water tanker.
The trip back to the Kitwe showgrounds next morning in the back of a Bedford truck was very lonely for Ron.
His companions insisted that he sat alone at the tailgate in the breeze to dissipate the terrible pong!
Gordon, my question is: did your Dad dig those pits around the Kansanshi area?
If So, Ron who has since passed on, will be looking for your Dad in that big Coppermine in the Sky!
Best regards
Bill Hunt [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Widenham, Natal, South Africa
Saturday, May 22, 2004 at 17:03:45 (UTC)
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Ken - I'll take you up on your suggestion and post something for those who wish to compare Ebonics to Southern Africa's "lingua franca". Here goes . . . . . . . .
A burglary is a jook, a woof's a crook
Mobb Deep already explained the meanin' of shook
If you caught a felony, you caught a F
If you got killed, you got left
A burglary is a jook, a woof's a crook
Mobb Deep already explained the meanin' of shook
If you caught a felony, you caught a F
If you got killed, you got left
If you got the dragon, you got bad breath
If you 730, that mean you crazy
Hit me on the hip means page me
Angel dust is sherm, if you got AIDS, you got the germ
If a chick gave you a disease, then you got burned
Max mean to relax, guns and pistols is gats
Condoms is hats, critters is cracks
The food you eat is your grub
A victim's a mark
A sweat box is a small club, your tick is your heart
Your apartment is your pad
Your old man is your dad
The studio is the lab and heated is mad
I know you like the way I'm freakin' it
I talk with slang and I'ma never stop speakin' it
"(The above is (was) the LATE Big L at his finest hour.)"
Glen Drake [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
California, United States
Saturday, May 22, 2004 at 14:08:37 (UTC)
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George Tokarczyk, Eddy Stern, Sharon Tooth, Thakorbhai Desai
Best wishes on your birthday
Northerners
Early this week I spent a few days in the Kafue Game Park. Herewith a selection of photos, in no particular order, and not many game photos as I did not have much time for game viewing during the day.
Now to a quick catch up the message board and then to put the June Lowdown together.
Heather Chalcraft (née Bender) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Lusaka, Zambia
Saturday, May 22, 2004 at 13:15:25 (UTC)
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Mubita - Thank you for your well intended wishes for continuing good health. Your prayer has been answered, by me anyway, I'm especially motivated to respond to your posting.
Firstly, if I can quote Cosby and you can quote Shakespere(sic!) we're off to a good start.
Secondly, I covered your web site and found a few things you may wish to consider. Spend a few moments reviewing the spelling. I completely agree, "content" has more value - but your readers expect more. Your posting on GNR, 3 spelling errors in a span of 78 words is, well, sloppy. Of course, there are spelling mistakes on your website, so, be more resposible(sic!) and show visitors to the site that you're the proffessional(sic!) commensurate with your excellent educational background.
Thirdly, you have further motivated me to explore your marketing background and qualifications - and hence, try to fathom your motivation in your recent posting - after all, as a member of a bulletin board, I am unaccustomed to being included in receiving prayers from anyone, but thank you. Careful note was taken of the fact that your first job was with a bank in Zambia. Then it would appear that you attended a theological university in Dallas to further your education in Business Admin. You then extend your qualifications in marketing in the UK and then you set up a website for yourself in a religious theme selling "Books, VHS, Audio, CD, DVD" and your bookings for motivational speaking. Of course all the items mentioned in the latter sentence are in some way or another related to religion one would expect. Not so? Well, from the graphics on your site where a silhouette of you similar to the photo of you with your arms outstretched replaces the 'T' in Mubita . . . . . . sort of like Jesus on the cross hey? But! That's marketing!!!! Damn! I wish I'd thought of that! Pity there's no 'T' in my name.
Fourthly - while people may differ in their opinions about my postings on this board, you will find out that I am very protective of anyone bothers to contribute to it and what they have to say. Even as my erstwhile (assuming my posting immediately follows his) colleague Ken Fernie would say, AND HE SPEAKS LATIN NO LESS - "Et tu, Mubita" !
Glen Drake [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
California, United States
Saturday, May 22, 2004 at 12:02:52 (UTC)
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Et tu, Mubita.
Ken Fernie [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Irvine, California, United States
Saturday, May 22, 2004 at 01:35:12 (UTC)
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Glen,
Being a local California boy, you might want to enlighten the others about EBONICS (whatever the hell that's supposed to be). It was pushed for inclusion as a "Language" into the school curriculum, and, happily enough, got nowhere.
So A axed ma Af-Am next-doh kid, "whe's yo Mama n' Pappa hey?"
Ken Fernie [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Irvine, California, United States
Saturday, May 22, 2004 at 01:21:49 (UTC)
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Hello,
I hope everyone is well. Just wanted to share a thought that has been building in my mind. Most of us have desires and wishes, plans and ambitions; but how do we get where we need to go?
William Shakespere once said, 'Where desire doth bear, the heart must rule and the mind obey.'
To become what we want to be is to be what we desire. The pusuit of ones destiny is the begining of ones happiness.
I pray that all of you stay well and motivated.
Mubita Nawa [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Dallas, Texas, United States
Saturday, May 22, 2004 at 01:14:44 (UTC)
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Washington area tv viewers, I watched "Capturing the Killer Croc" a couple of nights ago. It is about Gustave the 60 year old crocodile in the Burundi / Lake Tanganyika area that is estimated to have killed 200 people over its lifetime. It will be rebroadcast on PBS's WETA 26 channel on Saturday, May 22 at 5.00 pm.
Currently, I have started reading "Scribbling the Cat" by Alexandra Fuller, the surroundings described bring back a lot of memories of Zambia.
Chandru Krishna [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Rockville, Maryland, United States
Friday, May 21, 2004 at 19:13:48 (UTC)
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Mwizenge, Ayub, Chris and Johnny and the rest of us who enjoy thought provoking postings regarding the "lingua franca" of South Africa and it's neighbours to the north.
I know I said some time back that I would "move on" but couldn't help myself when I read this today . . . . . . . . . . . .
The Washington Post
May 21, 2004
Bill Cosby was anything but politically correct in his remarks at a Constitution Hall bash in Washington commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Brown vs. Board of Education decision. To everyone's astonishment, laughter and applause, Cosby mocked everything from urban fashion to black spending and speaking habits.
"Ladies and gentlemen, the lower economic people are not holding up their end in this deal," he said Monday night. "These people are not parenting. They are buying things for kids - $500 sneakers for what?
"And they won't spend $200 for 'Hooked on Phonics.' ...
"They're standing on the corner and they can't speak English," he said. "I can't even talk the way these people talk: 'Why you ain't.' 'Where you is.' ... And I blamed the kid until I heard the mother talk. And then I heard the father talk. ... Everybody knows it's important to speak English except these knuckleheads. ... You can't be a doctor with that kind of crap coming out of your mouth!"
When Cosby finally concluded, Howard University President H. Patrick Swygert, NAACP President Kweisi Mfume and NAACP legal defense fund head Theodore Shaw came to the podium looking stone-faced. Shaw told the crowd that most people on welfare are not African-American, and many of the problems his organization has addressed in the black community were not self-inflicted.
Glen Drake [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
California, United States
Friday, May 21, 2004 at 16:52:01 (UTC)
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The West Ham youth Side visit to Zambia was in fact in 1969 I was a teacher at that time in Kansenji Seciondary School in Ndola and was very involved in that particular tour together with colleague Ewart Crowther the Goal Keeper was Bonetti younger brother of the then more famous Peter, cant recall his chritian name, sorry, Captain was Pat Holland, he went on to star in West ham first team for several years, Manager was John Lyle with the team was the illustrious Wally St Pier a Scout of note for many years, it was a wonderfull tour we all had great fun, one of their star performers was Trevor Brooking, Peter Carey the notable half back now lives and has for some years in Pintown, Natal South Africa.
Hope this helps those interested, thanks for the memories,
Frank Yoxall.
Frank Yoxall [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Woking, Surrey, England, United Kingdom
Friday, May 21, 2004 at 13:30:27 (UTC)
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David Hoyle,
I agree with Jack - there being two different visits by a WestHam side.
I remember in the '67/68 game the WestHam Junior goal-keeper's name was Grotier. With that you may be able to date the game.
Regards
Mark Sturgeon [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Johannesburg, South Africa
Friday, May 21, 2004 at 07:00:54 (UTC)
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Vancouver Valeta, aka the Vancouver Pub Night
Please note that the information for this event can be found in previous posts on this message board, and is also conveniently located on the GNR events page. Although the location where this will be held has a similar name to the original location where we planned to go, it is not the same place, it has not burnt down (as of a couple of days ago anyway), and is still in business.
Looking forward to seeing some of you there.
Tom Armor looking for Hans Noak
The following message is posted on behalf of Tom Armor:
"Tom Armor, of the USA, is trying to find any information about Hans Noak who lived in Lusaka in the late 1960's through much of the 1970's or longer. Last news was that he had moved to UK in early 1980's (?). He did management and organizational consulting work. His wife's name might have been Joan?? I understand they divorced with rancor from a short conversation on the phone in UK I had with her in late 1970's/early 1980's? Hans would be in his 80's if he is still with us. Any information can be sent to me at tarmor@aol.com. Thanks."
Please contact Tom directly at tarmor@aol.com if you can help him. Thanks.
Craig Hartnett [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Friday, May 21, 2004 at 02:33:31 (UTC)
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David,
Based on Mark's profile details you will see it is pretty certain it was 2 different visits by West Ham: 68 & probably 71.
The ground for the 71 match is definitely Kabwe United which was just right of the Lusaka road heading south.
I certainly remember the Angertine Puma visit, probably around 1973. I took a good hour of cine film of the match at Kabwe. I think I gave it to BHMRFC but if I come across it I will let you know. The Famous Hugo Porta even made the trip though it was towards the end of his illustrious career.
Jack Wardell [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Scotland, United Kingdom
Thursday, May 20, 2004 at 17:30:52 (UTC)
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Mark Stugeon/Jack Wardel,
As an outsider I open this to either of you for your comments.
Although I didn't arrive in Kabwe until late 1970, I definitely remember going to watch a football match with West Ham Youth/Junior? team but for me the earliest this could have been was 1971.
I am not really into football but I did think it was Kabwe they played against and the football ground was a little down the road South from Kabwe towards Lusaka. The question is, did West Ham Juniors play in 1968/9 and then return a few years later to play again?
I met Reg Taylor in Kabwe (1972?), when he stayed with Billy and Brenda Pitt (my ex in Laws) on his way to Malawi where he was taking the position of coach to the National Malawi Football Team.
On leave in UK in 1974 I was privileged to watch both Reg's sons Tommy + ??? play First Dision Football for West Ham when they beat Middlesbrough at home and I was given the signed football for my son David. Hope he still has it, must ask him one day!!
Jack, do you remember the Argentinian Rugby Team visiting Zambia and coming to Broken Hill to show us how to do it? I think it was the year that we had to make the decision whether or not to move up into the First Division as our scores were more like cricket than rugby scores.
David Hoyle [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Muscat, Oman
Thursday, May 20, 2004 at 16:26:51 (UTC)
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Jack and Ayub, Jackie Sewell was quite a celeb in Lusaka in 1965 or so as, just after Independance we had a professional imported football player in town! His wife Lulu ( dishy as Zsa Zsa) was a regular visitor to Holdsworths Chemist where I worked, as she got all her class cosmetics there. She always waited in Paddy Murphy's office (the pharmacist) with the door closed while we made up the order,as they were probably discussing discounts (I was only 16, what would I think otherwise)
Bob Gillies [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Springs, Gauteng, South Africa
Thursday, May 20, 2004 at 15:54:14 (UTC)
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Keith,
All I can say is that this book moved me as well as reminding me of the good, the bad and the ugly of living in Rhodesia and Zambia in the 60's and 70's. Linda was born in Gwelo in 1951. Her parents split up when she was 8. When she was 14 in 1965 she move with her younger brothers, her father and his new wife to Lusaka where her father thought a mixed race marriage might be tolerated better. At seventeen she started a turbulent marriage with Mike Louw which ended when he was killed in a car smash at the Kafue bridge in 1971. But the real darkness was back in Gwelo.
It is a true story. Quote from the cover "The raw and powerful journey that Linda takes with her psychiatrist Robin Royston to discover what lies at the heart of her depression will leave you breathless. The secrets in her African childhood and adolescence are buried so deep that to reveal them may destroy her completely. Nothing is what it seems, no-one is above suspicion. Together Linda and Robin race to unravel the clues, before it is too late."
Though not a regular reader I read all 445 pages in less than 24 hours !! A compulsive read.
Jack Wardell [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Scotland, United Kingdom
Thursday, May 20, 2004 at 10:30:16 (UTC)
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Doug Waybush
Working your way up to the top of "Coca Cola" would understandably prematurely age you a year or two.
Incidentally can't we all wish you a happy birthday for some time this month? (He'll mention his age all right, he just hasn't put his birthday in his profile).
Tina Magee (née Wallace) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Texas, United States
Thursday, May 20, 2004 at 07:58:47 (UTC)
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Jack Wardell
After reading your recommendation of the book "Out of the Dark" by Linda Caine I decided to see what my second most visited web site, Amazon.com, said about it. There are currently no professional reviews on the site, but there were three reviews by readers, all of whom gave it the maximum 5 stars rating. There were no references to Zambia in those reviews. One reader (male) said that he was in tears reading one of the early chapters in her story about her depression. Sounds like a great book and I look forward to reading it myself. I try to write a critique of the books I read and post them on the Amazon site as the exercise makes you focus and concentrate more. I find that the readers' reviews are often a truer reflection of the books, if slightly less polished, than those written by the pros.
Keith Binns [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Perth, Australia
Thursday, May 20, 2004 at 02:48:24 (UTC)
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Aah the vanity of middle age ..... Nev Isdell who was a bloody good lock forward for Rennie , and is the new head of Coca Cola , now says he's 60 but posted " born in 1947" on GNR !! Too much caffeine I guess....
Doug Waybush [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Maryland, USA, and London, England
Thursday, May 20, 2004 at 00:54:47 (UTC)
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Charles,
I knew of Topsy Robertson but I never realy knew him. I was a new kid on the block during my short soccer career. I did play against the Warriers in a 2-1 defeat but I dont think Topsy was playing that day. I still remember a brief moment of missed glory when I took the ball off the Warriers (and Zambia) centre half - he was just a bit too overconfident playing around the edge of the box. My snap shot passed just the wrong side of the right hand post. To draw with the mighty Warriers would have been a Result!
PS. self interest was my interest in BH Observers in 67-74 to see if I get a mention in any football, rugby or golf reports.
Jack Wardell [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Scotland, United Kingdom
Wednesday, May 19, 2004 at 12:49:40 (UTC)
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Jack,
Did you know 'Topsy' Robertson?
Ironically, I received an email from a friend a few weeks ago informing me Topsy had passed on in Feb 2003. He was a well recognised player, in Kabwe, in the mid 60's.
Regards
Charles Cartmill [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Stellenridge, Cape Town, South Africa
Wednesday, May 19, 2004 at 12:33:00 (UTC)
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Ayub,
You test my memory. Of course I know of Jackie Sewell who played for Sheffield Wednesday in the 50's - pretty famous. I did play against City of Lusaka a couple of times and I vaguely think that it could be the same Jackie though he would have been about 40 by that time. Still a youngster compared to Stan Mathews who made coaching visits to Zambia around that time.
Separate unrelated subject:
I have just read a book "Out of the Dark" by Linda Caine recently released in paperback. I expect some members will know her as Linda Houston-Brown or Linda Louw who was born in Gwelo and lived in Lusaka from '65 - 73. It is a compulsive read "The most shocking story of self discovery since "A Child called it".
A must read for anyone from that era in Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Jack Wardell [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Scotland, United Kingdom
Wednesday, May 19, 2004 at 12:08:28 (UTC)
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Jack
Was there not a Jackie Sewell who played for City of Lusaka?
Ayub Ismail Zumla [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Manchester, United Kingdom
Wednesday, May 19, 2004 at 11:44:26 (UTC)
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Mark,
Sorry for a PS. Just noticed you referred to the Kabwe Warriers (Zambia Railways). I had assumed you meant Kabwe United who were the team associated with the ZBHD mine.
Sven and Peter both played with United. For the record I was a little black haired guy with a beard who was known to the supporters as "Mandevu". (spelling!)
Jack Wardell [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Scotland, United Kingdom
Wednesday, May 19, 2004 at 09:35:18 (UTC)
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Mark,
I do not recall the match and I guess I missed it as I was away for the month of April in 68 - back in the UK to get married.
When I got back, one of the young West Ham players, Tommy Taylor, son of one of Kabwe United's coaches, Reg Taylor, stayed on through the summer and turned out for us as centre half in a few games. He went on to play for West Ham and England !!
We had two other Mzungu's who played form time to time in these years. I was just the only one that day at Mufulira Blackpool.
Sven Samuelson was a young graduate Engineer (same as me) from Norway. He played mid field and was an unmistakeable blond scandinavian. Tragically Sven died as a young man around late 1969 rom a brain tumor.
The other was Peter Chape (best guess at spelling). He was a big strapping lad from Sunderland who played left fullback. I think he was a teacher
Jack Wardell [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Scotland, United Kingdom
Wednesday, May 19, 2004 at 09:26:52 (UTC)
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Jack Wardell
I remember watching a game with my Dad, between Kabwe Warriors and a WestHam United junior side in Kabwe. The year was 1967 or 68.
There was one mazungu playing for Kabwe - I presume it was you. I seem to remember Kabwe winning the game 3-1 and the spectators going absolutely wild about the victory.
Regards
Mark Sturgeon [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Johannesburg, South Africa
Wednesday, May 19, 2004 at 07:21:20 (UTC)
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Heather
Thanks for showing concern for Zambia. The requests you have put forward show real concern and must be applauded. We all can do our bit even if we live outside Zambia.
Unfortunately, Zambia's problems are profound and manifold. The infrastructure is devoid of a strong Manufacturing base. It seems that much of the country's goods and services have a strong South African influence. This is where the inherent problem lies. Foreign investors and Foreign companies seldom have the interests of the host country at heart. As such the current increasing dominance of South African Business on the Zambian Economy spells disaster for the country's long-term future. For Zambia to achieve any form of Economic success..not only does the country need a local Manufacturing base but it needs to turn her attention to Agriculture. Unfortunately, ever since Independence, very little concerted effort has been put into this vital sector. This problem has been compounded by the mass migration of the population from the rural to the urban areas. Zambia needs to learn from a country like India. By concentrating on the Agricultural sector through the Green Revolution, the Indian Economy underwent a drastic turnaround...from being a major importer of food (and reliance on food aid in times of droughts ), India has now become self-sufficient in food products and is now fast becoming a major exporter. The success of the Green Revolution in the Punjab has had spin-off effects on the other sectors of the Economy. Today the country attracts foreign investment and many companies based in the West are moving their plants to India. India still has massive corruption..but still is economically strong. Corruption will be part and parcel of any Economy! Zambia's dependence on Copper has resulted in a lopsided Economy and the sooner attention is paid to the Agricultural Sector the better her economic shape will be in the future. As to what form of policies are needed...State farms, Co-operatives have all been tried and have failed dismally. So that lives us with Commercial farming. How to attract investment in this sector is the 6 million dollar question? One can make a sensible plan..but it may take a thesis to do it! There is no other way out!
Issues of Debt do have a negative effect on a country's Economy. Debt servicing in itself absorbs a significant share of a country's resources. Western countries have to do their bit to help countries like Zambia ...but then do they want to..or wish to ...?
We can do our own bit! Yes I will spend my pounds in Zambia and do what Heather suggests.......how can I not do my bit for a country where I spent the best years of my life!
Ayub Ismail Zumla [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Manchester, United Kingdom
Tuesday, May 18, 2004 at 19:38:32 (UTC)
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For Tolans,
I have a few copies of the Black Lechwe magazine (Zambia Wild Life Conservation Mag) in the early seventies. As well as several individual reports on trips to Luangwa at that time I note a couple of articles which may be of specific interest to you.
* Zambia's Fossil Heritage by A R Drysdale, Director of Geological Survey of Zambia and J Utting a member of his staff.
* Landscapes of the past - an overview of Zambia's Geology including a Geological map and a few references to Luangwa.
There is also an interesting article on The Black Rhinoceros in Zambia - a repro of an article form "Oryx vol 10 no 3 Dec 1969.
If these are of interest I will be happy to try to get copies to you - scan or photocopy.
Jack Wardell [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Scotland, United Kingdom
Tuesday, May 18, 2004 at 19:33:41 (UTC)
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And also a bridge and route to Windhoek?
Jane Todd (née Zwanenburg, formerly Bye, Kelly) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Shatti Al Qurm, Muscat, Oman
Tuesday, May 18, 2004 at 14:34:46 (UTC)
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Heather
Thanks as always for your recent update on the state of the nation. I agree with your opinions and your positiveness is always refreshing.
Perhaps you can confirm and clarify strong rumours I am hearing that, following the recent rise in the price of copper, and changes in ownership of various mines:
(1) The Copperbelt is abuzz with visiting international investment bankers,
(2) Flights to Ndola from Jhb have doubled to handle increased business demand,
(3) That a large new mine is being opened at Solwezi,
(4) That a big, cross-border mining development at Sakania is on the cards.
Sounds pretty good. Any truth in it?
Kind regards,
Geoff
Geoff Paynter [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
Tuesday, May 18, 2004 at 09:24:27 (UTC)
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Ditto
Jane Todd (née Zwanenburg, formerly Bye, Kelly) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Shatti Al Qurm, Muscat, Oman
Tuesday, May 18, 2004 at 08:50:07 (UTC)
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thanks Craig
Ali Key [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Perth, Australia
Tuesday, May 18, 2004 at 03:44:50 (UTC)
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Jane,
Maurice's Web site is at www.lakesafari.com. The Lowdown is at www.lowdown.co.zm and it's up and running. In fact, both sites are hosted on the same servers as the GNR, so if the GNR is working then the Lowdown (and Lake Safari) should be too. That said, there are occasional problems with dot-zm domains, and that could be the cause.
Ali,
Neville is a member.
Craig Hartnett [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Monday, May 17, 2004 at 19:24:32 (UTC)
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AYUB do you mean Bruce Skeels? I grew up with his kids in Lusaka, he was certainly the sports master at Kamwala for many years, and was a soccer ace, also a brilliant painter, sculptor, fisherman! He if it is he, still lives part of the year in Lusaka, and his daughters live in Kitwe and Lusaka respectively.
Trip down memory lane time, rooting through my collection of "Vinyl" I came upon a wonderful album by the Golden Star Quartet, comprising Ronald Chello, AcksonMungalaba, Garban Mwenda, Manda Kapompo, who sang religious songs in beautiful harmonies. The sleeve notes are great, just an extract:
"Ackson is tall, slender and humbly moustached, Central Province born, and has a bass voice of quality.
I wonder what a proud moustache would look like, anyway, I listened to it again, and it is really rather good, the harmonies are superb, humble moustaches or otherwize!
Ciao, Megs
Meg Rybicki (formerly Margaret) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Mullanyduff, Co Leitrim, Ireland
Monday, May 17, 2004 at 16:20:06 (UTC)
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Does anyone out there remember Guy Hodder from Muf?
He had a brother by the name of Graham I think. If so, pls let me have Guy's contact details.
Neil Ashton
neil.a@mweb.co.za
Neil Ashton [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Centurion, Pretoria, South Africa
Monday, May 17, 2004 at 12:46:25 (UTC)
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Can anyone help me with an e-mail address for Dennis Bolton? The last I was in contact with him, he was in Lusaka.
Neil Ashton [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Centurion, Pretoria, South Africa
Monday, May 17, 2004 at 12:22:50 (UTC)
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Hi all.
Whilst reading today's paper there was a little article......"Replacing the president of the little firm "Coca Cola" is E. Neville Isdell a 60 year old Irish national who worked with Coke between 1966 and 2001,Starting in Zambia and ending up as CEO of one of their biggest bottlers".......
Tina....HMMMM very true, i like it
ciao
Ali
Ali Key [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Perth, Australia
Monday, May 17, 2004 at 11:39:19 (UTC)
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Jack
I have made contact recently with an ex-Sports master of ours at Kamwala Secondary School who played for City Of Lusaka in the late sixties and in 1970. Prior to coming to Zambia he had played for Cardiff City. Perhaps you may have met him..his name is Bruce Barnes..any recollection?
Ayub Ismail Zumla [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Manchester, United Kingdom
Monday, May 17, 2004 at 11:36:46 (UTC)
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I still never drive with shoes on. Have forgotten how many times I have left the house with no shoes and depending where I was heading to, either went bare foot or drove back home to collect them! When my mother had to buy my brother his first pair of shoes in UK the sales lady, assuming he had been born with deformed feet and was unable to walk properly in shoes uttered' poor boy'.
Heather,
I have been looking without much success for web or email for Morris Diamond. Could you perhaps help. He told me to find him under lakes safaris siavonga??
Sorry, cannot get you on your lowdown site.
Jane Todd (née Zwanenburg, formerly Bye, Kelly) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Shatti Al Qurm, Muscat, Oman
Monday, May 17, 2004 at 09:21:15 (UTC)
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Heather Chalcraft,
Thanks for the interesting update on rural life in Zambia 30 or so years on. I'd be interested to know what the remaining life of the copper reserves is and how seriously Zambia is taking tourism as an "infinite" resource. The price of copper was about £1,000 per tonne back then and I don't think it has increased very much since. The price then was driven by the Vietnam war and the huge demand on copper for military armaments.
Keith Binns [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Perth, Australia
Monday, May 17, 2004 at 08:40:05 (UTC)
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Just went to a birthday party held by dear friends, an artist and her fiance who is a golfer and yachtsman. He was turning 55. We sang this for them and then I gave it to them framed. I include it here to give most of us an empathetic giggle. See you kids under 50 in a year or two. You will recognize the song this is based on pretty easily.........
NOW I’M FIFTY-FIVE
Here is my birthday here are my friends
Many years have gone.
Turn out all the lights or else we're gonna bake
We'll see by the candles on my birthday cake.
They invented "Scrabble" when I was a kid.
Still I shuck and jive!
Will you still need me?
Will you still feed me
Now I'm 55?
Swing a mean golf club, set a mean sail
Mix a healthy gin.
Baby I can do more than you'd ever ask...
Leap tall buildings and multi-task!
Don't trust anybody under forty-nine
They can barely legally drive.
Will you still need me?
Will you still feed me
Now I'm fifty-five?
Sunday mornings nestled close
We'll watch the sun come up
On all our travels to exotic lands.
You'll be older too.
If you like the rough sketch I've made,
I could stay with you!
Get out your canvas, color my lines
Paint me in your view.
Don't give me the brush off
Or turpentine.
Paint us a castle way up on cloud nine.
Finger tip brushes, colored with love
Make me come alive!
Will you still need me?
Will you still feed me
Now I'm fifty-five?
© Tina Magee 2004
Tina Magee (née Wallace) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Texas, United States
Monday, May 17, 2004 at 03:51:22 (UTC)
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Meg
You had better hope your brother doesn't read this message board. If he does I suggest that you don't accept any invitations to dine at his place. He might revenge.
Reminds me of the roadkill squashed frog that the Nchanga apprentices braai'd at a company party and put into a bun. It was meant to be a dirty trick on one of their fellow appies but the instructor strolled by and seeing the "burger" picked it up, and to the delighted horror of the appies, ate it all. For years after that his arrival anywhere was greeting by a chorus of croaking.
I have told that story before but thought it was worth repeating for our newer members.
Doug Grewar [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Vryheid, Natal, South Africa
Sunday, May 16, 2004 at 18:05:40 (UTC)
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"Lost Boys of Sudan," a documentary film about some of the thousands of boys fleeing the civil war in Sudan and their experiences after arriving in the U.S. as refugees, premiers this weekend in some U.S. movie theaters. It also will be screened on PBS television this Fall. Here are some links for more information:
http://www.suntimes.com/output/movies/wkp-news-lostboys14.html
http://www.lostboysfilm.com/
Chandru Krishna [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Rockville, Maryland, United States
Sunday, May 16, 2004 at 17:38:19 (UTC)
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Jack,
My dad was a keen soocer supporter in those days, but too old to play. About magic muthi - I don't know if you know Gary Bailey who used to be goalie for Man United about 15 years back, well, he's a good blond African lad who swears he used to take his padlock along to important games in the UK and 'lock' his goals because when playing soccer here in SA the club's witchdoctor ordered it. Apparently when his goals were locked - he never let in a goal! So maybe there's more to the magic than meets the eye!
Jill
Jill Aplin [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
South Africa
Sunday, May 16, 2004 at 06:49:27 (UTC)
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Congratulations to SA on winning the Soccer World Cup for 2010. Are there any other former Zambia soccer players out there. I had a short career in 67 & 68 with Kabwe United. We were not that good; though we supported much of the Zambia first division in these years we did avoid relegation. Highlight for me was a hat-trick (3 goals) against Kalulushi Modern Stars in a 4-3 win in the 1968 Zambia FA cup. The death knell for me was a match I played at Mufulira Blackpool which was abandoned after a pitch invation by most of the local township; a riot by all accounts. I no longer felt I could take my young English bride to watch the away matches when I appeared to be the only msungu in the stadium. To be fair nobody bothered me in the “riot” though the team bus windows did not survive the journey out of the township.
I had a season of Rugby as captain of Kabwe (BHMine RFC) in 1969 before an injury at work on Kabwe Mine ended my rugby and soccer careers.
Another short anecdote concerned the influence of “magic” in soccer. With Kabwe I was often required to put medicine inside my football boot – a few leaves or the odd twig! Nonsense (of course !!!) but wo betide me if I did not comply and we got st*ffed. You soon ignored the discomfort. Oh happy days.
Jack Wardell [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Scotland, United Kingdom
Saturday, May 15, 2004 at 23:56:48 (UTC)
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Hello everyone,
What a wonderful day we have had in Johannesburg - hooters haven't stopped since we heard that South Africa "won" the bid for the World Cup in 2010. After watching the result on television, Shelly and I went to our local supermarket (peeped the hooter all the way, shouting to all and sundry that we'd won) where we joined everyone in the car park, hugging, crying and dancing, in total unity.
The domino effect that this will have in SA and the surrounding countries is mind boggling.
We went to see The Bats last night - who remembers Shabby Little Hut? For all of you in SA, if they get to your city/town - don't miss them - they are so very professional and Eddie Eksteen (if it's possible) is funnier than ever. Wonder how many of you saw them, with me, at the Harry Margolus Hall in 1969???????
I bumped into a friend of mine from Cape Town last week who I hadn't seen for 25 years - he lives in Durban now and came to dinner this evening. We had a wonderful braai out at the pool, watching the sun go down. He and my husband have listened to our entire Shadows collection and are now onto Gene Pitney. Don't you just love these nostalgic evenings? Must go and join them.
I'm so happy to be living in SA!!!!
Good night!
Elspeth Lloyd (née Robertson) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Blairgowrie, Johannesburg, South Africa
Saturday, May 15, 2004 at 18:37:29 (UTC)
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This one is not for those of delicate disposition, or the squeamish!
I did the barefoot thing as a child, so much so, that in the so called Zambian winter, when I was forced into takkies by my mom, the soles of my feet would shed in practically one piece, (with a good bit of picking on my part), and one such piece once ended up in a siblings' sandwich, (after a bout of prolonged bullying by said sibling!). He didnt notice anything amiss with his chicken sandwich, I felt vindicated, and only the GNR bought back the memory. I spent a huge amount of time horseriding, barefoot, and still bear the scars of a horse taking off back to the stables and galloping through a thorn thicket, my feet were cut to shreds! The only downside is that my feet look older than the rest of me! The kids have inherited the barefoot gene, mainly because they never know where their shoes are, but none of them wear shoes unless we are actually going somewhere. Ciao, Megs
Meg Rybicki (formerly Margaret) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Mullanyduff, Co Leitrim, Ireland
Saturday, May 15, 2004 at 16:06:46 (UTC)
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Happy Anniversary Rob!
Linda Hayes (née Dore) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Austin, Texas, United States
Saturday, May 15, 2004 at 14:34:49 (UTC)
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I have just been watching on TV the Royal Wedding in Copenhagen of Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark to our own (ie Australian) Mary Elizabeth Donaldson of Tasmania.
It is exactly 40 years today (15th May) since Karen and I were wed, and it will be 39 years in July since we moved to Zambia for our stint on the Copperbelt.
How time flies! Now I am retired and we are in the throes of selling up house again and moving to the bundu - Mallacoota Inlet near Gabo Island, just south of Eden. to be precise - next month.
Robert Allan [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Melbourne, Australia
Saturday, May 15, 2004 at 14:21:24 (UTC)
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Jill
Seconded! Everybody in South Africa is celebrating, even me, and I don't even like soccer.
Chris
It is true that many prices in Africa are a rip-off. Here in South African many of the big hotels base their tariffs on the dollar or the pound. In most cases this still represents good value for money for the tourists but it is bad news for us Seth Afrikens. However by shopping around we can still find smaller establishments that are still reasonable.
There have been several cases of tourists being ripped off by prices in restaurants especialy in Cape Town. These have been condemned by the tourism minister and all the tourist promotion associations but are the exception rather than the rule.
Most of the private game reserves are only for the multi- millionaires, but most of the South African Parks board reserves are quite reasonable. You can even stay in towns near to the Parks and make day tours for about $10 for a carload of people.
Another bad thing is that it costs 3 or 4 times as much to fly Joburg to Lusaka as compared to Joburg to Capetown although there is not a big diffence in mileage. Hopefully as traffic increases more airlines will compete and fares will drop.
As for corruption, Lesotho, in a David versus Goliath fight, has taken court action against many of the giant multi-national dam building companies and won. These companies obtained contracts in the the World Bank funded Lesotho Highlands water supply scheme by bribery. They have been fined multi-millions and the Basutho people who received bribes have been given lengthy jail terms. So there are some bright lights.
Now we are waiting to see what will happen to our vice-president Jacob Zuma who is rumoured to have received some kick backs on the masive arms deal.
Don't forget the USA and Europe are no slouches when it comes to corruption. They are just more sophisticated in concealing it. Just ask anyone who has tried to build something in Italy without paying the mafia to expedite the various permits.
By the way, they say Rome wasn't built in a day! That was because I was not General Foreman on that job.
Give my regards to Godess Pele in Kiluwea.
Doug Grewar [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Vryheid, Natal, South Africa
Saturday, May 15, 2004 at 13:45:09 (UTC)
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Hi All,
Open the champagne - South Africa has won the bid to hold the Soccer World Cup in 2010!
I am celebrating barefoot and in my chitenge with my SA flag scarf on my head! Kalusha Bwalya was one of the world class African soccer stars who supported SA's bid. Viva Afrika!
Jilly
Jill Aplin [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
South Africa
Saturday, May 15, 2004 at 11:13:32 (UTC)
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hehehehe.bare footedness......I remember a certain child in the middle of winter taking her shoes off on a very frosty day and used those same feet to go "skating on ice" poor deprived child.......this same child now nearly an "old woman" dreams of shuffling her feet in the "zambian dust" ...........oh and I remember Linda Hayes telling me "the one thing that got to her was seeing women in Western Australia bare foot in supermarkets "
Ali Key [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Perth, Australia
Saturday, May 15, 2004 at 10:30:52 (UTC)
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Heather
Yes, I remember well going barefoot whilst growing up in South Africa and Rhodesia (and also as an adult in Zambia -when possible). We wore shoes to School on weekdays and to Sunday School on Sunday's, only because we had to. In fact on the way home from School, especially in the rainy season, they were off before we got home just so that we could splash through the puddles. Keith's comments remind me of an incident that happened to a friend of mine from Zambia. On a trip to the UK she took her children to a park, where they immediatly took off their shoes and ran off to play, she sat on a bench watching them and had a quite cigarette. A short while later a lady came rushing up to her and said "Are those your children" when my fried replied to the affirmative she went on "I think you're disgusting, sitting there smoking when your children have no shoes" - just shows every picture does not necessarily tell the story you read into it.
Gill Setzkorn [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Co. Down, Northern Ireland
Saturday, May 15, 2004 at 08:38:56 (UTC)
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Heather poses various questions:
The question is what are we going to do about it and whilst those of us who live in Africa deal with this every day, there is much that people outside of Africa can do as well:
- visit Africa and spend your tourist-dollars here,
I observed before the Lark, that many tourist spots will only accept US Dollars, and that prices seemed rather high. A friend of mine here recently went on safari in Zambia and Tanzania and while enjoyed it immensly, he felt financially raped. While I am the first one to adopt the principle "what the market can bear", I do also believe that one has to start in the basement. If you want an example, take a look at the Dominican Republic. That will become a major destination in the next 10 years or so, but for now, they are cracking every barrel to convince the average folk to come a take a look at their country and spend very little money. It's a bit like disarmament - someone has to go first.
- encourage your friends to visit here and spend their tourist-dollars here,
We would like to do that all the time, but in the eyes of many, Africa is hamstrung by corruption and poverty. And read the above response as well
- lobby your airlines to make air fares to Africa more affordable instead of these routes subsidising the North American routes
One can fly to numerous destinations in Africa for less money than many other places on the planet. Take a look at the Sunday New York Times travel section.
- lobby your governments to stop the subsidies that put African exports at a disadvantage,
No no Heather, that is YOUR job.
- lobby your governments to stop the aid that is thrown at this continent and used to build white elephants or things which are designed for the western world or where local conditions have not been taken into account (e.g. an irrigation scheme in the Feira area which was based on a silt-carrying river which dries up every year and US$ 2 million later, all that they are able to irrigate is 20 hectares; grain sheds built throughout the country with a 20 tonne snowloading, snow-ploughs to one African country for use at their airports),
Here again Heather, you are blaming the G8 for poor performance in Africa. Africans need to clean their own house first. We both know that loans/grants are perpetually thrown into the toilet, but in a liberal world such as we find ourselves in nowadays, G8 are more inclined to lend/give/donate than not. (Here I would totally agree with you, but for entirely different reasons)
- stop the loans which are keeping Africa in perpetual poverty and yes, where possible write off the loans that have been giving in the knowledge that many of those loans were used for the white elephants that I refer to and also for consultancy, advice etc by western consultants (keeping their people employed) that was based on western conditions and for the purchase of obsolete equipment (keeping their factories in business),
This is a full on liberal position - "stop loans which keep Africa in perpetual poverty". Africa suffers because of Africa - not because of some loan which is requested by Africa in the first place. Have you ever seen a World Bank Loan Officer wondering through Africa forcing dollars down their throat? And hell no, why should the G8 write off such loans? A loan is a loan, a grant is a grant. There is no free lunch.
- send back to these countries the money that has been hidden away in foreign bank accounts by the leaders
That is putting the cart before the horse. Why not ask the G8 to freeze the bank accounts until such time as Africa places it's own house in order? Are you seriously suggesting that e.g. Mugabe's millions should be returned to him?
- employ locals to do the work that foreign consultants and aid agencies are doing here because they have the local knowledge and can make things work. They also have an interest in making things work rather than just in the money and being 'two-year' tourists who drive around in smart vehicles and visit all parts of the country at their employer's expense
But that is YOUR job. Africa invites in these consultants. Why don't YOU close the border to them and tell them they are not wanted?
- stop the export of second-hand and reject clothing to Africa - it is killing our textile industries
Sheesh Heather, in any commercial transaction, there are buyers and sellers. Again, why don't YOU raise tariffs to make it more difficult?
Sorry to once again sound contrary folks. But such statements cannot just pass us by.
Chris Tamm [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Hilo, Hawaii, United States
Friday, May 14, 2004 at 18:18:16 (UTC)
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With respect to the book Eats, Shoots & Leaves by Lynne Truss.
National public Radio have a recording of an interview that she gave earlier this month on their web site.
Its at:
http://www.npr.org/features/feature.php?wfId=1843961
Regards
John Pringle [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Atlanta, Georgia, United States
Friday, May 14, 2004 at 16:12:55 (UTC)
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Ken,
The book is "How Europe Underdeveloped Africa" by Walter Rodney. The first edition in 1972 was published simultaneously by Tanzania Publishing House and Bogle-Louverture Publications in London. The 1982 edition was by Howard University Press. I once saw Walter Rodney at Michigan State decades ago before his politcal-related killing in his native country of Guyana in 1980. He died so young and was such a brilliant and articulate academic. His work and that of Gunnder Frank created a paraigm shift in the discourse of 3rd world developemt.
Mwizenge Tembo [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Virginia, United States
Friday, May 14, 2004 at 14:12:20 (UTC)
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Heather,
I once read an extremely interesting book entitled,"How the West Under-developed Africa". Can't remember the author, but it certainly gave me lots of food for thought.
Ken Fernie [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Irvine, California, United States
Friday, May 14, 2004 at 13:51:38 (UTC)
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Geraint Lewis, Cathy Durrbaum, Catherine Strang, Valerie Gardner
Best wishes on your birthday
Keith Binns
In the very deep rural areas of Zambia, very little has changed, but there have been some changes for the better.
For example there have been many schools built (I chose not to take photos of them), there are tarmac roads (again, I chose not to take/post photos of them as I have plenty and many have been posted on this message board), clinics have been built, boreholes have been sunk. The dirt road which I was driving on, although not an all-weather road, is a shortcut from Sinazongwe through to Maamba. The main road is an all-weather road and most of it is tarmac.
I don't see anything wrong with the child on the bike being barefoot - I kick my shoes off as soon as I can and my daughter only wears shoes when she is forced to. Perhaps because you didn't grow up in Africa, you have forgotten that all children here (poverty-stricken or not) go around without shoes. One must be careful not to try to impose one's way of thinking on people who have a different culture, different traditions and different values.
What I am trying to say is that whilst there are many things that have not been done and things are in a mess, not everything is bad - there are some good things that have happened. And the reasons for the bad should not all be laid at the door of the African people.
I am reading a very interesting book at the moment by a Dutch historian, Roel Van Der Veen called 'What Went Wrong With Africa'. This puts it all into perspective, including the meddling of the western and communist world during the Cold War years and the continued adverse long-term effects that donor aid, American and European subsidies, globalisation etc is having on African development.
The question is what are we going to do about it and whilst those of us who live in Africa deal with this every day, there is much that people outside of Africa can do as well:
- visit Africa and spend your tourist-dollars here,
- encourage your friends to visit here and spend their tourist-dollars here,
- lobby your airlines to make air fares to Africa more affordable instead of these routes subsidising the North American routes
- lobby your governments to stop the subsidies that put African exports at a disadvantage,
- lobby your governments to stop the aid that is thrown at this continent and used to build white elephants or things which are designed for the western world or where local conditions have not been taken into account (e.g. an irrigation scheme in the Feira area which was based on a silt-carrying river which dries up every year and US$ 2 million later, all that they are able to irrigate is 20 hectares; grain sheds built throughout the country with a 20 tonne snowloading, snow-ploughs to one African country for use at their airports),
- stop the loans which are keeping Africa in perpetual poverty and yes, where possible write off the loans that have been giving in the knowledge that many of those loans were used for the white elephants that I refer to and also for consultancy, advice etc by western consultants (keeping their people employed) that was based on western conditions and for the purchase of obsolete equipment (keeping their factories in business),
- send back to these countries the money that has been hidden away in foreign bank accounts by the leaders
- employ locals to do the work that foreign consultants and aid agencies are doing here because they have the local knowledge and can make things work. They also have an interest in making things work rather than just in the money and being 'two-year' tourists who drive around in smart vehicles and visit all parts of the country at their employer's expense
- stop the export of second-hand and reject clothing to Africa - it is killing our textile industries
Also remember that many of the leaders who over the years have filled their own pockets with the money from these loans were put in power and kept in power by the western world so as to protect the western world's interest in African minerals etc.
I could go on.
Yes, the one croc did have a bleeding tooth, but those crocs are not baby crocs, they are 8, 9 foot or more monsters and it was feeding time at the breeding ponds at the Zongwe Croc Farm - that's how I got so close to them (Ali) and I was safely seated on a vehicle. The crocs do snap at each other and on one visit I witnessed a male croc take a female croc because she did not let go of the piece of meat that he wanted. When I saw the ease and speed with which she was picked up in his mouth and pulled into the water never to be seen again, reminded me that humans have no chance at all against these reptiles. They do, apparently, have crocs that turn cannibal from time to time and these crocs have to be culled when it happens.
Certain parts of Lusaka could be mistaken for the city of 30 years ago, but other parts have changed considerably (again, not necessarily for the better)
Mwizenge
The photo of the girl with the building behind her was taken in Sinazeze which is a bustling little town. I usually stop on my way through to buy something, anything there - perhaps something from the market like some vegetables or a towel or something like that. I do this as I travel around the country - to try to put some money, however small, into their local economy. There is also a young man, Kemist, who is buying the reject croc skins from the croc farm, tanning them and manufacturing shoes, belts, handbags, wallets etc for sale to the local people and also back to the croc farm so that they can sell them on to visitors. I have helped him to get some spare parts for one of his sewing machines and am now trying to get some money together to give him a loan to buy another machine which he needs to improve the quality of his products. There is a fair amount of development going on in the area in the tourism sector and this benefits Sinazeze etc as the operators buy much of their produce from the people in Sinazeze and the surrounding area. It has also meant employment for people from the Gwembe Valley, many of whom had no prospects at all of a job. They have had to do a lot of training, as these people, although they went to school, have no skills at all. In fact, last time I was down there, one of the things that I was doing was teaching two people who work for the Houseboat Company some new dishes.
You might be interested to know that people in the Sinazongwe and Siansowa area are now restocking the islands in the lake with game - exactly the opposite of what was done 40-odd years ago.
Meg
Sadly, Ada Warner passed away a number of years ago. I can't remember exactly when, but she was fit and healthy up to the end, still working and her death was very sudden and unexpected.
I, too, have the book Eats Shoots and Leaves, having bought it a couple of weeks ago but haven't had time to read more than the first three or four pages.
Heather Chalcraft (née Bender) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Lusaka, Zambia
Friday, May 14, 2004 at 07:27:09 (UTC)
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Meg,
On the recommendation of a friend, I bought Eats, Shoots and Leaves: The Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuation (Amazon US and Amazon UK) a couple of weeks ago, although I haven't read it yet. It does look interesting though.
Craig Hartnett [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Friday, May 14, 2004 at 05:34:02 (UTC)
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HEATHER, my mom is anxious to know what happened to Ada Warner, they were very good friends, going back years, and mom had seriously considered Ada's offer for mom to take over the plastics factory, but after a nasty breakin in Woodlands, (mom was saved by our dogs Sabina and Bella who attempted to eat the intruders), she got really nervous, and made her decision to leave Zambia in '77. Ironically, when we lived in Kent, mom's house got broken into 6 times, and anything of value taken. Has anyone read Eats Shoots and Leaves, the book on punctuation? My punctuation is terrible, and I still fight apostrophes. Feel free to send me a copy! Ciao, Megs
Meg Rybicki (formerly Margaret) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Mullanyduff, Co Leitrim, Ireland
Thursday, May 13, 2004 at 23:56:25 (UTC)
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The Tolans
I checked your web cite and I am very grateful that you are doing such great work. Unfortunately I can’t help you with the material you are looking for. Contact the geological society in Lusaka or the Geography Dept. at the University of Zambia. I was thrilled to learn that you are teaching wildlife education to local children. I think this is the best strategy to save and conserve animals to day in the Luangwa Valley. Our plans in the Zambia Knowledge Bank (ZANOBA) .www.bridgewater.edu/ZANOBA have been to organize bus trips for rural school children to visit the Luangwa game park. You probably are already aware of Delia and Mark Owens who did some wonderful work in Luangwa in animal conservation for many sometimes-difficult years. They describe this in their book: “The Eye of the Elephant”. I was first exposed to the majesty of the animals in the valley in1959 when my father was teaching at Chasela among the Bisa people in Chief Mwanya. The animals were walking everywhere all the way to Kamoto and beyond towards the then Fort Jameson now Chipata. I have been to the game park many times over the years and simply love it. I was supposed to come with some college students there this past January but the trip failed. My dream has been to find some money and organize bus trips of school children from Lundazi, Chipata, and Isoka to visit the game park just for one day. If the animals enchant the children, they will want to work to conserve the animals when they grow up.
I last visited the game park in 2000 and stayed at the Wild Life Conservation Camp with my two children. We had such a memorable time and my children had great stories and material for writing essays back at school. We had also just visited my home village and staid in my hut which my brother had built for us. Convey my greetings to Pat Miles and her husband who are a wonderful people. Our pick up truck broke down and they helped us a lot.
Mwizenge Tembo [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Virginia, United States
Thursday, May 13, 2004 at 19:24:03 (UTC)
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I had a very romantic image about the Gwembe Valley since I first encountered Elizabeth Colson’s work which she had done in the 1950s. Some of her articles were published in the then Rhodes-Livingston Institute. I had heard so much about the Gwembe Valley. The opportunity to fulfill my romantic dreams came in September 1988 when I spent almost a week in the Gwembe Valley. I was stationed at Munyumbwe. I have never forgotten the quiet dark nights and the bright twinkling stars filling the sky from horizon to horizon. I ate delicious fish with nshima at Chipepo Harbour. I was researching into Tonga traditional names. My sister and her husband live in Sinazeze where they are fishmongers. My sister used to bring large bundles of fire dried Kariba fish to sell in Lusaka. That dried fish had such a unique flavor apparently from the smoke of a special tree whose wood they use for fire- drying the fish. For the last 10 years, I have used in my college classes, a one-hour Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) video of the building of the Kariba Dam. From the series “Nature”, the program includes long forgotten footage of the drive to save some of the animals that were stranded on the islands as the water on the dam rose. These included impalas, monkeys, an advaark, leopards, lions, rhinos, kudus. Some of the footage is very funny. My class and I always laugh.
Mwizenge Tembo [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Virginia, United States
Thursday, May 13, 2004 at 18:29:21 (UTC)
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All.
Just to prove that Johny's not the only person that has access to a few bad jokes.
Patient goes to surgery and says, Doctor, I have a strawberry coming out of my b#tt#m. Doctor takes a look and says, Oh yes you have, I'll give you some cream for that.
With apologies, but this was voted number 1 joke for Australia in 2003.
Arthur, after all the abuse I suffered after submitting my photograph of the massive 4½lb bream I caught, I have to admit I prefer the Boabab tree.
David Hoyle [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Muscat, Oman
Thursday, May 13, 2004 at 16:48:41 (UTC)
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I was born in livingstone in 1954 and lived there until 1968 when I left with my parents to Rhodesia. I went to Livingstone Primary School. I lived in Fairway St. and later in Stanely Ave. My parents, Peggy Monks and Eric Monks lived Livingstone from 1945 to 1968. My father worked for the Zambezi Sawmills and my mother was a bookkeeper for the Northern Rhodesian Railways. I have two brothers, Norman and Lionel who you may remember as they were teenagers growing up in Livingstone during the ducktail years. They both went to Hillcrest High. If you can remember us, please make contact as I would like to talk about the old times. If anyone knows what happened to the Wade family-Lesley, Jenny and Gary as well as the Skinner family, Carol and the Nichole family,Beryl, Gail and Bruce please let me know as I would love to get in touch with them. And any one else!
richard Monks
Richard Monks [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Mahalapye, Botswana
Thursday, May 13, 2004 at 14:10:01 (UTC)
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Craig, Arthur and Heather - your quick and courteous response is much appreciated and has allayed the fears I may have had regarding censorship.
Per your advice I will approach Dave Cooper personally, as I did last year, and see if he responds.
Glen Drake [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
California, United States
Thursday, May 13, 2004 at 13:13:31 (UTC)
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Glen,
Your final supposition is correct. For personal reasons that we (the GNR management) are not at liberty to discuss, either publicly or privately, Dave decided some time ago to end his active participation on the GNR -- hence the fact that his recent message here was posted on his behalf by Arthur. In that vein he made a request at the time, and unfortunately we inadvertently breached our commitment to honour his request by posting information of a personal nature pertaining to him. He reminded us of our commitment (as he does still read the board occasionally) and as a result we decided to remove the birthday greeting and the reference to his parents. He did not "pull rank". We have taken similar action in the past when asked to address items of a personal nature so, although this is an extraordinary action, it's not the first time it has taken place. We apologise if you were initially offended but we trust that we have laid your concerns about censorship to rest. Should you wish to take this matter up with Dave, we respectfully ask that you do so privately.
Craig, Arthur and Heather
Craig Hartnett [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Thursday, May 13, 2004 at 07:28:09 (UTC)
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Heather,
Loved your photos from the Gwembe Valley. They could have been taken from an old album of 50 years past but sadly are very recent with poverty still evident. The barefoot child on a bike, the women carrying heavy bundles on their heads, the house in ruins, the poor goatherds (correct word?) and not a sign of any tarmac.
I loooked on the net for more information about the Gwembe valley and came across the following:
Impacts of the Construction of Lake Kariba on Gwembe Tonga People
1. Introduction/Background
The community of the Zambezi Valley were affected by the construction of the Kariba Dam (1954 – 1959) by the Federal Government of Rhodesia and Nyasaland.
The construction of this dam created a large lake (260km long and an average of 30km wide) which displaced thousands of people (55.000) who were living on both sides of the Zambezi river with their livestock. These people were the Tonga who had lived peacefully in this unexplored valley for many thousands of years.
Prior to the construction of the dam, consultations on the Northern Rhodesia side were carried out through the Native Authority (Chiefs were members) at district level. These discussions were initiated in 1951 and the decision to construct the dam was reached in 1954.
During the discussions, the affected communities did not approve the construction of the dam because they knew they would have to move to higher ground and leave behind their fertile land for cropping and grazing: and burial sites for their ancestors. Since the colonial government was merely informing them, it went ahead with the construction of the dam.
Many promises were made to the displaced people such as: compensation for displaced people- infrastructure improvement (all weather road network, good drinking water facilities, clinics, animal health facilities) schools – primary and secondary.
Infrastructure improvement (all weather road network, good drinking water facilities, clinics, animal health facilities) provision of:
Schools – primary and secondary
Establishment of irrigation schemes
Electrification
Improve conditions of traditional rulers
Creation of a special fund for the Gwembe/ Tonga people which was supposed to be disbursed through the concerned district councils.
Forty years down the Gwembe Tonga people are still waiting for these promises to materialise although trickles of these have been attempted by the current government.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
It seems that the people were badly let down.
The crocs and Baoab trees are timeless and those photos could almost have been taken in the Northern Territory here - they were so similar to ones Diane and I took 2 years ago in Kakadu National Park. Looked like one of the baby crocs had a bleeding tooth or maybe he'd just had a good feed.
Back to the present. How does Lusaka look nowadays? Hopefully it couldn't be mistaken for the city of 30 years ago.
Keith Binns [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Perth, Australia
Thursday, May 13, 2004 at 06:31:17 (UTC)
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Myself, like i think many other roaders thought that Daavid was quietly recovering from his last operation as there was a long period of silence from him, it transpires that he was suffering to much from the effects of a party which I must admit I was sorry to have missed after his brief description of it, and if he decides to throw another similar one I hope I can can be included on the guest list. Johnny.
Johnny [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Scarborough, United Kingdom
Thursday, May 13, 2004 at 04:52:00 (UTC)
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Gill - sorry - see that you're referencing "Dennis" and not Des - my mistake.
Glen Drake [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
California, United States
Wednesday, May 12, 2004 at 20:16:27 (UTC)
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Gill - send me an email and I'll reply with Des Galloti's email address and you can ask him for Di's info.
Glen Drake [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
California, United States
Wednesday, May 12, 2004 at 20:12:41 (UTC)
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To Skatie Fourie via Heather
I noticed on the message about the 'Copperbelt Reunion' Skatie mentioned Dennis Galloti - I don't know Dennis himself but I know his sister Diana very well and would be grateful if Skatie would ask Dennis to ask Di to email me so we could re-kindle an old friendship.
Many thanks
Gill Setzkorn (née McConnell) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Comber, Co. Down, Northern Ireland
Wednesday, May 12, 2004 at 19:57:54 (UTC)
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I saw the request for help from Giles Foden. He's the kind of person who should be given honorary membership, if there is such a position. People may enjoy his book on the siege of Ladysmith, and he had the rotten luck to have finsihed a novel on Al-Qada a few weeks before the World Trade Centre bombing. Both were good reads.
Peter Bromwich [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Valderrobres, Teruel, Spain
Wednesday, May 12, 2004 at 19:57:11 (UTC)
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Arthur – I sincerely hope I am wrong in stating that the GNR bulletin board does not truly reflect the contributions of it’s members.
The founder of this site says this month that :
“You all seem to know how to handle things, and you all will make the right decisions with the site. The people who maintain this site are a gift from the gods on Mount Olympus... they are thus divinely empowered and only the right decisions can be made. Thank you Craig, Arthur and Heather.” (Sunday, May 02, 2004)
Why is it that the greeting and photograph, that YOU posted, sent in by me from Dave Cooper’s parents, no longer appears in this month’s postings?
If, for whatever reason a contribution is removed by you (and you refer to yourself as the “Site Moderator” in the last sentence of your contribution Sunday, May 02, 2004 at 12:02:31) common decency would say that you would at least advise the contributor as to the reason/s.
I am sure there is a very good reason, and in fairness, I would ask that you post that reason on this board so that any future contributor would be assured of being similarly advised when being censored.
If, as may be the case, Mr. Dave Cooper asked you to remove the greeting and photograph from his parents, no explanation is needed except that you did so by his request.
Glen Drake [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
California, United States
Wednesday, May 12, 2004 at 18:13:38 (UTC)
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My wife and I are teaching wildlife education, at our purpose built wildlfe education centre, to local schoolchildren in the Mfuwe area.
Please see our website www.chipembele.org for further details.
IN ADDITION, we are very interested in the following subjects, and would be happy if any GNR member could assist us with information in the following areas:
1. Fossils in the Luangwa Valley or elsewhere in Zambia
2. Stone tools in the Luangwa Valley or elsewhere in Zambia
3. Pottery in the Luangwa Valley or elsewhere in Zambia
4. Geology of the Luangwa Valley
5. Out of print maps of the Luangwa Valley
6. Out of print books on the Luangwa Valley
Many thanks, Steve TOLAN
Stephen Tolan [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Mfuwe, Zambia
Wednesday, May 12, 2004 at 17:50:36 (UTC)
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Thanks for the Birthday greetings almost a week ago! I had a great party in Spain with approximately 100 Germans! We were all there for the Spanish Formula One Grand Prix - naturally! - and we were not disappointed! Commiserations to non Ferrari supporters! Ha! Ha! oops!
Dawie die Amsterdammer!
Belated Birthday Greetings to you! What a great party you had!! I am going to Monaco next week and will be remembering you with great fondness as always!
Charlie
I am still working on the BH map I promise - just a bit distracted at the moment!
love to all xx
Jacqui Milward (née Lackenby) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
London, England
Wednesday, May 12, 2004 at 17:00:44 (UTC)
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WENDY HODDER
Was waiting to see if anyone else put a note up as I don't have a lot of details - but sad to report the very sudden death of Wendy Hodder 12 days ago. She was the eldest daughter of Ben and Joan Hodder, (ex-Muf), and sister of Graham, Guy and Mandy.
Details are sketchy but I understand she died very suddenly and hadn't been ill before hand. Joan, Guy and Mandy flew over to the UK from South Africa and are here until after the funeral.
I'm sure everyone that knew the Hodders will join me in sending their deepest sympaties to the family.
Bridget
Bridget Billany [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Blackburn, Lancashire, England
Wednesday, May 12, 2004 at 16:52:46 (UTC)
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Ali you would not think them as lovely if you had one hanging off your left TTOE
Johnny [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Scarborough, United Kingdom
Wednesday, May 12, 2004 at 15:02:33 (UTC)
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Heather..how did you get so close......what lovely creatures.......
ali
Ali Key [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Perth, Australia
Wednesday, May 12, 2004 at 13:00:11 (UTC)
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Sorry - made a mistake in one of the links to a photo - this will be corrected as soon as Craig has time.
Heather Chalcraft (née Bender) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Lusaka, Zambia
Wednesday, May 12, 2004 at 08:10:12 (UTC)
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Brian Townsend, Sue Mans, Tom Guthrie,Mark Behrens
Best wishes on your birthday
Muf-ites
Finally, I am getting around to scanning the copies of the Mufulira Magazines that were kindly given to my by John Costopoulos Some of the magazines are still in safekeeping in Durban with my aunt and when next I catch someone going down to Durban, they will be brought back for me.
But in the meantime, here are three photographs to whet your appetites:
and a big thank you is due to John for thinking of us rather than turfing the magazines out when he was moving house.
He May Be Vintage But He Is Also A VIP
Vintage Peter Dielissen recently received the 2004 Fredericton IT Hero award
Well done Peter !
Gwembe Valley
Over the last few months I have had to make a number of trips down to the Gwembe Valley (Sinazongwe/Siansowa/Maamba area) and have finally got around to preparing some of the photos that I have taken.
This is a very dry, arid area which comes alive during the rains and this year they had quite heavy rains, much heavier than usual. But already, just a few weeks after we had the last shower, some of the rivers are dry. This riverbed has a road crossing through it and six weeks ago was impassable. The course of the river is also changing continuously (and the road through it)
The rest are just general photos of the area, the bush and the people and a whole lot of crocodile photos that I have taken at the crocodile farm, for those who, like me, are fascinated by these reptiles.
Heather Chalcraft (née Bender) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Lusaka, Zambia
Wednesday, May 12, 2004 at 08:03:10 (UTC)
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Morning campers I sent this to most of my friends but decided it was good enough to share with all of you.
Darling " whispered a frail little husband from his chair. " Im sick, would you please phone the vet ?" " A vet ??? Why do you want a vet and not a medical doctor ?" asked his wife .
The husband replied. "Because i work like a horse, live like a dog and i have to sleep with a cow ".
Johnny [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Scarborough, United Kingdom
Wednesday, May 12, 2004 at 06:02:46 (UTC)
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Heather please send me a dummy EM all your mail is being returned from Lowdown, Johnny.
Johnny [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Scarborough, United Kingdom
Tuesday, May 11, 2004 at 19:45:01 (UTC)
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Philip
I still have my copper beer mug and the dents on my head.
Nicky Kontou [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Livingston, Scotland, United Kingdom
Tuesday, May 11, 2004 at 18:18:20 (UTC)
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Peter
The use of vintage was not unintentional.
Heather Chalcraft (née Bender) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Lusaka, Zambia
Tuesday, May 11, 2004 at 15:31:05 (UTC)
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Peter,
Sometime ago you asked me about the reference to "vintage". I take no responsibility for that, as it was Heather who first (on this board anyway) used that term with reference to you as she struggled to find a lot of words beginning with "V" to go with "Vancouver". I was simply re-posting her message.
Marilyn
Your work computer or a proxy server between it and the GNR must have the image of Arthur cached. If you try holding the "Shift" key while clicking the reload/refresh button on your browser that might fix the problem. Otherwise you can just continue to "enjoy" Arthur's mug. :)
The following message is posted on behalf of a non-member. Please contact this person if you have the information he seeks, not me. Thanks.
Dear Great North Roadsters,
I am an author researching John R Lee, a big-game hunter who was involved with a British naval expedition to Lake Tanganyika during World War I, led by Commander GB Spicer-Simson. I don't know whether he was one of the Plumtree/Mangwe Lees (brother of Hans?) and was wondering if you might be able to help me.
With thanks,
Giles Foden
giles.foden@guardian.co.uk
Craig Hartnett [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Tuesday, May 11, 2004 at 15:11:32 (UTC)
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POSTED ON BEHALF OF SKATIE FOURIE
Copperbelt Reunion
29 May 2004
Simon's Town
Dear Friends,
We trust every one is still fit,fat and fabulous. It's not quite a year since our last get-together.
We had so many apologies from our last reunion and a special request to bring this next one forward and it does make sense, so I have done my home work - there is NO RUGBY on the 29th May
Dennis Galloti and I have a super venue. We have booked the Roaring Forties Floating Restaurant, C.S. Cable Restorer(Museum Ship) which is anchored in Simon's Town. If you have not been aboard you will love it.
At last year's reunion all the proceeds went to the Flame Lily Foundation for the relief of our ex Zimbabwe pensioners. We appeal to those who can not make it to 'bond' again as only we Copperbelters can for this much needed cause.
Booking is essential for the Cable Restorer as they will be hosting us for lunch. Their menus are fabulous and the servings are substantial. They offer full cash bar facilities ('Umchawla') at competitive prices. We are looking at a price per head of approximately R85 for a three course meal.
SEATS ARE LIMITED SO DO NOT DELAY WITH YOUR BOOKING (Bala manje).
This is open to your close friends and relatives if you wish to bring them along.
Lets show them real hospitality from the Sun Day Province. Catch you later and take care.
Skatie Fourie
Noordhoek
Tel/Fax 021 785 5620 or email Heather through the contact facility below
Venomous Vancouver Vipers Valeta for Vocal Vultures
in honour of Vintage Peter Dielissen's Visit to Vancouver
If you are in the Vicinity of Vibrant Vancouver, stop Vegetating, get Vertical, Vociferous, Vibrant and into your Vehicle on
Saturday 29 May 2004 at 6 pm
and Venture over to
The Frog and Firkin
1941 West Broadway, Vancouver
(a block and a half west of Burrard Street)
Tel: +1-604-734-3418
a Volcanic, Vibrating Venue
Look around for Craig wearing his GNR cap and his pink (to match the text) flip flops/Bata tropicals/thongs or as they are now known
'Patapatas'
Heather Chalcraft (née Bender) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Lusaka, Zambia
Tuesday, May 11, 2004 at 11:03:39 (UTC)
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Philip,
Lovely story about your metal work teacher. Clive remembers him well! I'll try the 'doll' thing with someone I'm having a problem with. I live in hope that it will work.
Craig/Arthur
What's going on? I open up the GNR at home and I see a tree where Arthur was previously, proudly displaying the catch of the day and when I open up at work the tree's gone and Arthur's there. Should I change from white wine to Pepsi at night? Perhaps I have a more update system at home?
Marilyn
Marilyn Noall (née Shooter) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Perth, Western Australia, Australia
Tuesday, May 11, 2004 at 06:04:25 (UTC)
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Dave Cree, Robert Hunter
Best wishes on your birthday
Heather Chalcraft (née Bender) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Lusaka, Zambia
Tuesday, May 11, 2004 at 06:03:33 (UTC)
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Doug,
Sounds more like Ted Kennedy's favorite: "I'll drive off that bridge, when I come to it!".
Ken Fernie [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Irvine, California, United States
Monday, May 10, 2004 at 23:20:05 (UTC)
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More Growing Up In Nkana /Kitwe
During my year as a Form 2 pupil at Kitwe Boys High School we had to do metal work as a subject. Now I must admit that I did enjoy the subject as I have always enjoyed working with my hands. Today I still use some of the skills I learnt in those classes so I guess that all was not wasted.
I remember with great clarity the motor car chassis that was parked on the veranda outside the metalwork class. For those of you who can not remember I will refresh your memories. The chassis in particular included the engine, gearbox and diff. These were all cut open so that one could see all the working parts inside. There must be some of you out there who must remember the history of this masterpiece or were involved with it's construction. I spent most of my time before class totally fascinated by the mechanics of the internal combustion engine, gearbox and diff. The diff I must admit completely confused me at the time.
The first project that we had to do was make a keyhole plate out of brass plate. This was not as simple as it sounds as it involved all the basic metalwork skills which one would have to use later on other projects, these included some of the following. Marking off, hacksawing, drilling and filing. If these were not up to standard you were given another piece of brass and would have to start over. By the end of the year we were all making the most beautiful beer tankards out of beaten copper which were silver plated. (Sadly mine has been lost over the years with all the moves one makes in their lives.)
The other evening I was having a conversation with a friend of mine and the subject of playing "glassy glassy" came up. Some of you out there will remember as group sitting around a horizontal mirror with the alphabet placed around the edge. The room being dark with lighted candles and everyone with a finger on an inverted glass trying to call up the spirit world to get answers to questions asked. ( I always believed that someone in the group moved the glass.) Well the conversation brought back a story to my mind and I had to get it on the board before I forget it.
At the time of my year at metalwork the teacher was Mr. Watkins (If I remember correctly) Now believe that he was a bit of a sadist because he always appeared to get pleasure out of physically abusing his pupils when they messed up. One of his favourites was to knuckle you on your head. ( I think he had knuckles made of steel.) and to youngsters unaccustomed to tools it was easy to make mistakes. I remember my mate Bob Hardy messing up in one class and Mr. Watkins grabbing him in a headlock, rapping him on the head with his knuckles and then taking a piece of coloured chalk and printing the letters " MT " on his forehead. ( This I came across again when I started my apprenticeship, all the empty gas bottles were marked in the same way.)I think most of the boys enjoyed metalwork but hated the teacher.
At one of our evenings while calling up the spooks someone brought up the subject of Voodoo dolls and that maybe we should send Mr. Watkins one. The guys all had some favourite place where they were going to stick a pin. I was given the task of making the doll as I was quite a boffin with my mothers sewing machine. In the next couple of days I had the doll ready complete with a face of Mr. Watkins cut from a school magazine attached. At a board meeting of the conspirators, pins were pushed into places which I will leave to your imagination.The doll was then laid in a velvet lined cardboard coffin which was then put into another cardboard box and wrapped up in brown paper with a label addressed to Mr. Watkins. Winkie Walker volunteered to put the parcel on the counter by the typists office at the entrance to Mr. Livingston's office.
The next few days were filled with apprehension while we waited for our next metalwork class. ( I think we were worried that the curse might work.) The next class finally arrived and I think we were all scared of the repercussions in that he might take out the joke on all his pupils, but to our surprise Mr. Watkins had turned a new leaf and he became one of the most pleasant teachers I ever had the pleasure learning under, I think that he may have got the message that he was not very popular with his pupils. I don't know if he ever went back to his old ways as I only did metalwork for that one year.
Cheers
Philip Pain [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Eshowe, Kwazulu Natal, South Africa
Monday, May 10, 2004 at 19:12:58 (UTC)
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Doug,
That's the 'tIger' - if anyone's bored, and have nothing better to do, they can do a little research of him and let us know why he said 'The Tiger's back!"
Doug,
I concur.
Regards
Charles Cartmill [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Stellenridge, Cape Town, South Africa
Monday, May 10, 2004 at 18:06:34 (UTC)
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Charles
We have Amichand Rajbansi "The Bengal Tiger" other wise known as the 'Rajah'.
He is a politician of long standing who has flip flopped positions many times. He reputedly once said, "I will double-cross that bridge when I come to it".
He is now the leader of his own 1-man party which only has any importance because it, plus a few other mini-parties hold the balance of power between the Zulu Inkatha Freedom party and the ANC. They have fallen in with the ANC which now for the first time rules KwaZulu Natal.
So the Bengal Tiger continues to ponce around with his ridiculous and very obvious wig perched precariously on his fat head.
Doug Grewar [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Vryheid, Natal, South Africa
Monday, May 10, 2004 at 17:38:49 (UTC)
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Hi, I see some debate on Chilapalapa and Fanagalo. We learnt this in Bulawayo in 1957 as kids and I still have the small red Fanagalo Dictionary we bought then.. My brother and I used it all the time in the bush as we moved around Zambia on the railways, to communicate with the picannins we played and hunted with and their parents. My brother in law was taught it in Witbank in SA in the early 80's, when he started his appyship on the mines there. I was quite surprised and he explained with so much migrant labour of different languages they needed a simple common language to communicate quickly underground to all workers especially in emergencies. So he attended Fanagalo classes. In 1973 my brother Ross, and I , Alan Cree and Gary Duckenfield had a mini reunion in Scotland and made quite a racket, so much the police were called for some reason (?) by the neighbors, so we all broke into Fanagalo when being questioned. We knew what we were saying between us but the cops didn't and eventually gave up wondering what country we came from and gave up trying to talk to us. My old gardner is from somewhere up north and he speaks to me in a mixture of afrikaans and fanagalo and we get along fine. Fanagalo is still one of my favourite languages, and I have taught quite a few ex mine employees to do power tool repairs using it, as their english and my afrikaans were, at that time not getting through well enough! Kubani ena bulali Cocky Lobin is still sung from time to time and bwisha futi lo Havard Mk!! is well known in our circle, courtesy of an old Wrex Tarr tape.
Bob Gillies [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Springs, Gauteng, South Africa
Monday, May 10, 2004 at 15:59:48 (UTC)
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Wedding and Tygers
A big thank you to all who posted or telephoned good wishes for Catherine's and Paul's wedding last Saturday. The weather was warm and sunny - fantastic seeing that it is late Autumn/ early Winter! The service took place in the All Saints Church, a thatched historic monument that was built a long time back when the area was still called Pampoenkraal (Pumpkin Kraal). It was later named Durban and renamed Durbanville to avoid confusion when Durban Natal was established.
We were only 28 minutes late so the guests had to listen to the whole of Vivaldi's 'Four Seasons' before I escorted Catherine down the aisle. The service went without hitch and the reception was held at Eureka on the slopes of the Tygerberg Hills. I sort of remembered what I had to say in my speech, the food was excellent and everyone claims to have enjoyed it tremendously. The younger set 'decorated' the getaway car and the happy couple rattled off dragging a number of empty Appletizer tins behind while a large yellow balloon attached to the exhaust steadily increased in size and finally burst wirh a satisfyingly loud bang. It was a wonderful wedding!
The Tygerberg Hills were named in the time of Van Riebeeck. The hills are covered with patches of foliage which, in Summer, look similar to the spots of a leopard. The early Dutch knew all about tigers from the Dutch East India Company but they weren't too sure about leopards so the got a bit mixed up and that is why we live in the shadow of the Tygerberg Hills and Shop at the Tyger Valley shopping centre!
Oh! and one last snippet of information, I found five copies of Mary Maxwell's book "The Land of the Long Grass" in a small bargain book shop in the Tyger Valley centre called, surprise, surprise - Tygervalley Books! This book has been discussed before on the GNR and is a very good read especially at just under R60 a copy, or US$ 10 or GBP 5! So for any GNR members in the Cape Town area, do yourselves a favour and venture behind the boerewors curtain and buy a copy of this book.
Cheers
David Gray [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
South Africa
Monday, May 10, 2004 at 15:27:02 (UTC)
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John Beringer, Brian Bedford-Shaw
Best wishes on your birthday
Heather Chalcraft (née Bender) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Lusaka, Zambia
Monday, May 10, 2004 at 14:52:30 (UTC)
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Nicky & Johnny,
Sorry about that. I shouldn't have been nitpicking - after all, the 'mena' is also different to what I recall - mina, wena, thina, nina, yena, bona, yona...etc.
Doug Grewar,
Haven't you got a tiger in Natal? A politician?
Regards
Charles Cartmill [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Stellenridge, Cape Town, South Africa
Monday, May 10, 2004 at 08:43:59 (UTC)
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Linda Hayes
My email system has been down since last week and no idea when it will be fixed, could be today or next week! Will contact you as soon as I'm back on line.
Sandra Hooper (née Marsh) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Perth, Western Australia, Australia
Monday, May 10, 2004 at 04:12:01 (UTC)
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Lions and Tigers
The responses to my question about tigers has really fascinated me. Thanks everyone. But I am most fascinated by the photo that has been posted.
Sandra Hooper:
If you can read this, I am not receiving any emails from you, so I am assuming your system is having problems?
Linda Hayes (née Dore) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Austin, Texas, United States
Monday, May 10, 2004 at 03:43:05 (UTC)
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Much discussion on Tigers in Africa, so let's not forget those in-between.
"A Liger is the result of breeding a male lion with a female tiger. It has stripes and spots. The spots are inherited from the lion parent even though adult lions do not appear to be spotted.
A cat born to a tiger father and a lion mother is known as a Tigon."
Definitions : compliments of www.sierrasafarizoo
Glen Drake
The attached photo may remind some of the GNR members about the building of the Kapiri Mposhi to Dar es Salaam Railway by the Chinese.
I think I took this photo in 1970 on one of my many drives down to Kariba or Salisbury before the border was closed. I had only recently bought a TV to watch the Munich Olympics so that puts a time line on it. The railway opening ceremony must have been after the games in late 1972 and was shown on Zambian TV. KK waved his white hanky as he made his speech and he said “Whilst Cecil Rhodes only ever dreamed of a railway from Cape Town to Cairo, Zambia and Tanzania have actually lived the dream by building a railway line from Kapiri Mposhi to Dar es Salaam.” One up to independent Zambia (my words!) I saw on the www today that the railway line now offers a regular tourist transit route between the two towns. As a sideline to the above, the sign uses three languages. One is English and one is Chinese but what is the third? Chikabanga maybe?
Keith Binns
Hi Arthur,
In 1953 the Nkana-Kitwe Choral Society staged "The Arcadians" in the Rhokana Cinema.
Here are some photos of that production.
The man in the boiler suit is John Longman who later became Mayor of Kitwe.
Regards,
Mike Wilson
Hello Arthur
Here's a 'personalised' photo I got when I met 'KK' in around 1970.
Though part's missing (acid, I think) it clearly shows his handwriting; I scanned this from the original I still have. It's a PNG file.
Cheers for now
Alister Watson
Lusaka 1950-2001
Rugby, UK
David Gray
Dave you posed a question on last months message board regarding how far did the Great North Road actually go, sorry I have not had much time to reply until now.
If you take a look on the After Livingstone page of the GNR there is an article from the Horizon magazine, September 1966 donated to the GNR by Ian Singer, from the NRZAM website.
It goes into lengthy detail about the history of the GNR (I should know it took me days to transcribe it). According to the article the road never made it all the way to Cairo.
Hope your daughters wedding day went off well and you had a brilliant day. My good wished to the bride and groom and to all your families.
Bob & Karen Allan
Just in case I'm not back on the GNR before the 14th, here's raising a glass or two for your 40th.
My congratulations to you both
Arthur
Jacqui
Belated Happy Birthday babe.
Mr Green
Join the long queue outside the Headmasters office.
Arthur Steevens [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Stockport, United Kingdom
Sunday, May 09, 2004 at 19:42:22 (UTC)
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Charles
Johnny is right in saying sava for afraid and not saba. At least that's how we all said it on the copperbelt.
Nicky Kontou [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Livingston, Scotland, United Kingdom
Sunday, May 09, 2004 at 19:24:18 (UTC)
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Linda,
as I've just discovered, much to my embarrassment, GNR bulletin board doesn't accept imbedded HTML commands . If you are interested in further "Liger" info, please visit www.sierrasafarizoo.com/animals/liger.htm
Glen Drake [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
California, United States
Sunday, May 09, 2004 at 19:21:20 (UTC)
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Linda,
Since 'Li" is common to both words, namely Linda and Liger . . . .how about Liger and confusing the hell out of everyone !
“A Liger is the result of breeding a male lion with a female tiger. It has stripes and spots. The spots are inherited from the lion parent even though adult lions do not appear to be spotted.
A cat born to a tiger father and a lion mother is known as a Tigon.”
Definitions : compliments of
PS : I've sent Arthur a pic of one and if he has time he'll post it on the board.
Glen Drake [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
California, United States
Sunday, May 09, 2004 at 19:06:55 (UTC)
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Linda Hayes
Don't put too much money on it!
How about the Zulu name "Dabula'nyama". It will be transparent to speakers of many other African dialects as meaning "the tearer, or ripper, of flesh". Peter Morris just might get on board and correct my spelling or come up with a more apt title!
Regards
Charles Cartmill [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Stellenridge, Cape Town, South Africa
Sunday, May 09, 2004 at 18:58:48 (UTC)
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Hi everyone,
Happy Mother's Day to all you mothers out there. I had Shelly when I was just about to turn 41!!! She's now 10 going on 13!!!! Help!!!!!!!.
I was told by my "meno" gynae last week, that I had lost 5% bone mass in one year!!!! He prescribed a very low dosage HRT tablet and said it's fine for five years and I should see a change in my bone mass within weeks. Went onto the internet and the pill diagnosed was mentioned quite "favourably".
Horror of horrors - we've just had a programme on HRT on Carte Blanche!!!!! Did anyone else in SA see it and should I throw my brand new tablets down the toilet?????
Maeve, Linda, Jacqui - how are you all coping or is it just me that's going to look like Quasimodo in a few years time!!!!!!
Sorry if I've bored all you men out there, but as most of the 1965 King George V1 Form 1 females on the GNR site are in the same boat - and it's mothers day - thought you wouldn't mind me asking????
Girls ?
Elspeth Lloyd (née Robertson) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Blairgowrie, Johannesburg, South Africa
Sunday, May 09, 2004 at 18:51:55 (UTC)
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Does anyone know who Mrs Eileen Rose Young is? On internet wanderings I found she got the MBE in 2000 for services to health care in Zambia.
Tina Magee (née Wallace) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Texas, United States
Sunday, May 09, 2004 at 15:42:07 (UTC)
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Thanks for the acknowledgement, Ayub,
To close that subject, I can't be too far off the mark if I say that "Chui' is a Masai word for leopard.
Johnny,
It's time you put your feet back on African soil. You're almost correct - 'saba' or 'esaba' for 'fear' - not 'sava'. See what happens when you don't have a chance to practise?
regards
Charles Cartmill [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Stellenridge, Cape Town, South Africa
Sunday, May 09, 2004 at 12:44:07 (UTC)
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John,
The other person in the photo with Peter and Andrej is John Forrester.
Regards Bill
Billy Laing [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Stevenage, United Kingdom
Sunday, May 09, 2004 at 09:56:05 (UTC)
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Sorry this is late for some Mothers' Days. Just a nice quote:
My mother had a great deal of trouble with me, but I think she enjoyed it.
- Mark Twain
Tina Magee (née Wallace) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Texas, United States
Sunday, May 09, 2004 at 07:32:06 (UTC)
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My dear Linda why would I call you a man eater? you never made any attempt to eat me, as for a word describing frightened in my language it would be,
Mena Sava Steric (I Am Very Afraid) Love Johnny.
Johnny [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Scarborough, United Kingdom
Sunday, May 09, 2004 at 07:26:41 (UTC)
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For those having trouble accessing the Post articles, if you click on the PBS link, then click on "Zambia's Debt," the article links are listed at the bottom under "Sources", try clicking on them.
Chandru Krishna [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Rockville, Maryland, United States
Sunday, May 09, 2004 at 02:10:03 (UTC)
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Today, I managed to catch on PBS television the last half of T-Shirt Travels, a film about Zambia and the sale of western second hand clothing there (I did better, last year I only caught the last ten minutes of the film). Here is more info in case it comes to your neck of the woods:
http://www.pbs.org/independentlens/tshirttravels/index.html
Also, here are a couple of articles on Zambia that appeared in the local Washington Post newspaper a couple of years ago:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn?pagename=article&contentId=A30110-2002Feb18¬Found=true
http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn?pagename=article&node=&contentId=A25618-2002Apr21¬Found=true
Chandru Krishna [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Rockville, Maryland, United States
Sunday, May 09, 2004 at 01:55:50 (UTC)
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Alice, Jade, Leah...thank you.
Linda, how about tigger :0).........the scientific name is Panthera tigris.........
Ali
Ali Key [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Perth, Australia
Sunday, May 09, 2004 at 00:36:21 (UTC)
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Yes the tigers in Africa question does have its difficult side. Just within the tiger types themselves bloodlines of captively bred tigers themselves have been crossed in a lot of cases between the Sumatran, Bengal and Siberian giving crossed characteristics. And there are enough ligers and tigons around the world to show lions and tigers will interbreed pretty readily. There would naturally be controversy about whether it is just too irresponsible to have tiger reserves in Africa. But anyway, as the old maps used to very inaccurately say in their day about Africa - here be tygers.
Tina Magee (née Wallace) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Texas, United States
Saturday, May 08, 2004 at 22:27:57 (UTC)
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Today's lesson is brought to you by the word "tiger". A tiger is the furry animal with stripes, and the leopard is the furry animal with spots. grin.
Okay, let's try again for something that is going to win this contest for me. How about a phrase that would be equivalent to "man eater" (No Johnny, we are not naming the tiger "Linda") How about a word for "beast" or "attacker" or something like that. What is the word for "frightening" or "scary". I would like a real African name if someone can come up with it.
That's great news about tigers being introduced to Africa. I did know they were not indigenous to Africa, but I was not aware that there was a project underway to help establish them there. I hope it works out.
So, come on you lot! Put on your thinking caps and help me out here. My money is on Charlie...
Linda Hayes (née Dore) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Austin, Texas, United States
Saturday, May 08, 2004 at 20:56:48 (UTC)
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Charles...you are quite right! Chui in Swahili means Leapord! Sorry!
Ayub Ismail Zumla [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Manchester, United Kingdom
Saturday, May 08, 2004 at 18:41:09 (UTC)
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Tina,
There definitely are Tigers on Game Ranches in South Africa. I think a guy called Ratray is envolved in a project in the Free State - but there's still a lot of controversy surrounding the project. They will never be allowed to survive in a natural environment i.e, the bush - that would be totally irresponsible. Who would want Ligers or Tigons running around in the wild.
A Tiger is a magnificent cat, and should be given every chance to avoid extinction.
Anona,
I'll see what I can do.
Regards
Charles Cartmill [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Stellenridge, Cape Town, South Africa
Saturday, May 08, 2004 at 18:29:11 (UTC)
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There sort of are tigers in the Bush in Africa.
Or there soon could be. Billy Arjan Singh the famous tiger expert in India is involved. His work one on one with tigers led to the creation of Dudhwa National Park there.
With the worldwide endangerment of tigers there's a plan to create a wildlife park in the Cape area big enough to allow enough tigers to live and breed to allow a diverse gene pool. Does anyone else know more about it?
Received a notification of a 12 mile sponsored walk in London for Zimbabwe victims of torture from Putney Bridge Station at noon tomorrow. Why do we get the news so late? Or if want to sponsor an asylum seeker contact:
Graham zimrespite@hotmail.com
Tina Magee (née Wallace) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Texas, United States
Saturday, May 08, 2004 at 14:33:30 (UTC)
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Charles
If you ever come across the photo of M.B. and you are able to post it to my email address, I'd be so grateful. Does your father remember what happened to them all. I left BH in 1965 to go nursing and never returned. I often wonder what happened to the shops like Holdsworths the chemist, John's the shoe store, Mr Bell the dentist and Lillian Carr the hairdresser......that's all that comes to mind at this moment in time.
Anona Balloch [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
United Kingdom
Saturday, May 08, 2004 at 11:56:16 (UTC)
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Linda
Thank for that link to Dr. Manchisi's story about Zambian languages. It is interesting that before Independance the first 4 years of school were taught in local languages (7 of the 73) and thereafter in English. After Independance it was changed to English from grade 1. Almost as if the Zambians were discriminating against their own languages. Now they are trying to return to the old system. The only faults were several misspellings but then who am I to complain when I cannot even spell Brit...etc. :-)
Even in South Africa there is a discussion about whether the first few years of education should not be in mother tongue. There is a lot to be said for this as it will enable the retention and respect for traditional culture. One can clearly see this in the decent and respectable behaviour of most Swazi's who are still very traditional as compared to the uncouth behavior of the de-tribalized rabble in the city slums. I am sure that Johnny will have noticed the difference in his travels in rural and urban Zambia. One could even apply it to the England where a lot of traditional values have been lost and many of the youth have become badly behaved foul mouthed hooligans with no respect for thier elders.
Ayub
At least you have brought Glen out of his hibernation and even Chris is back with us.
Bill Hunt and Phillip Pain, wassup?
Doug Grewar [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Vryheid, Natal, South Africa
Saturday, May 08, 2004 at 11:27:43 (UTC)
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Linda,
As far as I'm concerned a leopard, in Nyanja, is either ‘Nyalubwe’ or “kambuku’; and a “Chui’ Is a leopard in Kwi’Swahili.
A Honey Badger (or Ratel) is ‘Ciuli’ in Nyanja - not to be confused.
Maybe someone more qualified to do so will confirm. After all, tigers are not indiginous to Africa.
Johnny,
I enjoyed the one-liners.
Regards
Charles Cartmill [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Stellenridge, Cape Town, South Africa
Saturday, May 08, 2004 at 10:02:26 (UTC)
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Linda..
In Swahili Tiger means..CHUI
Think its the same in Nyanja.
Ayub Ismail Zumla [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Manchester, United Kingdom
Saturday, May 08, 2004 at 09:02:32 (UTC)
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Linda Hayes,
In Afrikaans, a 'tier' is a tiger - or a South African leopard. A 'tierboskat' is a serval. The Cape Mountain leopard is not a separate species - it's adapted to the environment and is quite small in comparison to its relatives in the North. I'm glad to hear these leopards are making a come-back in the Cape, with quite a few recent sightings at Swellendam and Betty's Bay.
Anona,
I remember old Micky Brinn quite well. The shop you described was his 'new' shop - opposite the Civic Centre. He was a close friend of my father's, and would always give me sweets when I was a kid. If I recall correctly, his first store was also called 'Hochstein & Brinn'. Somewhere, I have a photo of him.
Regards
Charles Cartmill [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Stellenridge, Cape Town, South Africa
Saturday, May 08, 2004 at 08:17:20 (UTC)
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Linda you could try LO STRIPEY ONE Johnny.
Johnny [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Scarborough, United Kingdom
Saturday, May 08, 2004 at 08:05:54 (UTC)
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This is to all you Mothers Out there
Happy Mothers Day
And to my Favorite Mum
Jade,Leah and Alice
Ali Key [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Perth, Australia
Saturday, May 08, 2004 at 07:17:36 (UTC)
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On the subject of indigenous languages in Zambia, I came across this on-line article that I thought was insightful and well written.
Type in this address to read it:
http://www2.ncsu.edu/ncsu/aern/manpisi.html
Linda Hayes (née Dore) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Austin, Texas, United States
Saturday, May 08, 2004 at 06:09:46 (UTC)
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I know there are no tigers in Africa, but can someone please give me the name for tiger in any of the many African languages. The ladies gym I belong to has been done out in a wonderful African theme, but as usual people over here love to mix the tiger in with the other African animals. I even have clothing that has giraffes and tigers together! They are having a contest to name a stuffed (as in toy and not the real thing...) tiger there, so I thought it might be nice to submit an African name.
Thank you.
Linda the Lioness.. grin
Linda Hayes (née Dore) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Austin, Texas, United States
Saturday, May 08, 2004 at 05:24:57 (UTC)
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Tina
That's the first time I have ever actually written Brit..etc. I have a preacher friend who whenever we meet greets me with, "Halleluja! Praise the Lord!". I reply with "Rule Brit...etc". Maybe I should change it to, "One Zambia, One Nation". However being a Swazi he might think I was swearing at him.
Johnny
Those puns are brilliant. John Glen always used to call a graveyard 'The dead centre of town'. I particularly like the one about 'tainted money'.
It reminds me of Richard Grasso's $140 million salary from the NYSE. Now an ugly childish daubing by Piccasso 'A boy and a pipe' has just sold for $104 million. The previous owners paid $36,000 for it 40 years ago. The buyer remains anonymous. Makes you sick eh!
That's 700 million Rand! What couldn't I do with that money. Sorry to get on one of my hobby horses again.
The green eyed monster -
Doug Grewar [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Vryheid, Natal, South Africa
Friday, May 07, 2004 at 18:07:08 (UTC)
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To lighten things up.
Fun Puns
-- Those who jump off a bridge in Paris are in Seine.
-- A backward poet writes inverse.
-- A man's home is his castle, in a manor of speaking.
-- Dijon vu - the same mustard as before.
-- Practice safe eating - always use condiments.
-- Shotgun wedding: A case of wife or death.
-- A man needs a mistress just to break the monogamy.
-- A hangover is the wrath of grapes.
-- Dancing cheek-to-cheek is really a form of floor play.
-- Does the name Pavlov ring a bell?
-- Condoms should be used on every conceivable occasion.
-- Reading while sunbathing makes you well red.
-- When two egotists meet, it's an I for an I.
-- A bicycle can't stand on its own because it is two tired.
-- What's the definition of a will? (It's a dead giveaway.)
-- Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like a banana.
-- In democracy your vote counts. In feudalism your count votes.
-- She was engaged to a boyfriend with a wooden leg but broke it off!
-- A chicken crossing the road is poultry in motion.
-- If you don't pay your exorcist, you get repossessed.
-- With her marriage, she got a new name and a dress.
-- When a clock is hungry, it goes back four seconds.
-- The man who fell into an upholstery machine is fully recovered.
-- You feel stuck with your debt if you can't budge it.
-- Local Area Network in Australia: the LAN down under.
-- He often broke into song because he couldn't find the key.
-- Every calendar's days are numbered.
-- A lot of money is tainted - It taint yours and it taint mine.
-- A boiled egg in the morning is hard to beat.
-- He had a photographic memory that was never developed.
-- A plateau is a high form of flattery.
-- A midget fortune-teller who escapes from prison is a small medium
at large.
-- Once you've seen one shopping center, you've seen a mall.
-- Bakers trade bread recipes on a knead-to-know basis.
-- Santa's helpers are subordinate clauses.
-- Acupuncture is a jab well done.
-=*=- -=*=- -=*=- -=*=- -=*=- -=*=- -=*=-
A girl was supposed to write a short story in as few words as possible for her college class and the instructions were that it had to discuss Religion, Sexuality and Mystery. She was the only one who received an A+ and this is what she wrote:
Good God, I'm pregnant, I wonder who did it.
Johnny [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Scarborough, United Kingdom
Friday, May 07, 2004 at 16:35:20 (UTC)
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BROKEN HILLIANS
Does anyone rememeber a shop in BH, called ' Micky Brinn's? Mr Brinn sold, among other items, farm implements, grain etc.? Upstairs from his shop was a ladies garment outlet (mostly imported dresses) and this was run by the Hockstein sisters, Florrie and Lizzie. My father enjoyed a good friendship with this lovely Jewish family and I was always allowed to choose an imported dress, from their shop, for my birthday. I was curious as to know what might have happened to them. There was also a Dr Sladdin in BH who used to come shooting on our farm on Sundays...does anyone recall him and what happened to him and his family?
Anona Balloch [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
United Kingdom
Friday, May 07, 2004 at 13:23:38 (UTC)
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Hi Marilyn
I actually started painting this week.would you believe a Dragon sitting on a block of Ice.......she looks a bit like a rabid chameleon ( my germane-nic entry....giggles) she was for my display on bipolar disorders for the health centre...(fire and ice).any way it was wonderful to know I still can paint ??
Next week I am going to start on my wildflower stationery.. doing the graphics, etc for printing..(cards writing paper etc)..a very exciting time I hope......something I have been dreaming about for awhile..........when I have finished I will be starting on my wildlife again..........
Ali
Ali Key [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Perth, Australia
Friday, May 07, 2004 at 07:35:03 (UTC)
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Nicky Kontou
I'm with you here. Let's wind up the slurs and recriminations and move on. There are so many great things to talk about and share with our friends on this great site. Rather than lose it altogether, let's use it in the manner that it was created for.
Alix and Johnny
Thanks for your jokes. How is your art progressing, Ali?
Sue, still on honeymoon, I hope?
HAPPY MOTHERS' DAY TO ALL THE MUMS ON THE GNR. HAVE A GREAT DAY SUNDAY.
I know that in the UK you have 'Mothering Sunday' but over here in Oz it's this Sunday.
Marilyn
Marilyn Noall (née Shooter) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Perth, Western Australia, Australia
Friday, May 07, 2004 at 07:09:23 (UTC)
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Doug
I was extremely offended to see that you misspelled Britannia. Was this a racial slur?
No I am most definitely not taking the mickey. Very far from it since you've all heard my views. Just staying out of it this time since I'm not needed and introducing a lighter tone.
Meg - I'm an Irish Polack too! English/Irish on the one side (originally Ayrshire Scot) and Polish/Austrian on the other. My mother, born in 1911 of strongly accented parents reported not being unfamiliar with predjudice growing up in London. She worked very proudly for Polish counter-intelligence in Portugal during the war.
I have told my dear romantic son, yes, you could be tenuously related to William Wallace on my father's side but just think, with an Austrian grandfather you might also be be tenuously related to Hitler.
My son is wearing a forest green kilt to his senior prom and his shirt has the Magee crest on it. His date is wearing a flowing satin gown, stylish but with a tiny hint of re-enactments about them both. Chris will be wearing something under his kilt. I know this because I have had to embellish said garment with the words: "Kiss my Irish Ass!" since he is sure people will be flipping his kilt up as the night wears on. (Chris likes his Irish side and loved visiting the family lands in Donegal etc.)
Ayub - bless you! I'll email you from my yahoo account. I'm too lazy to get rid of aol but it causes me all manner of problems.
Tina Magee (née Wallace) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Texas, United States
Friday, May 07, 2004 at 04:11:24 (UTC)
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This big fight of Funigalo, chilapalapa ,What would one have done without it. Natives from around came from Malawi Zambia Zimbawe. All of differant tribes. All spoke their own tounge, when taught a lingo every one understood they did.
No one ever objected when I was underground, another thing which Mr Tembo I bet would find insulting would be the colour of the hats worn underground or who got the job of being the "KIMBOZI BOY."
It was I think a beautiful language.
Chris Drake
Christopher Drake [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Quesnel, British Columbia, Canada
Friday, May 07, 2004 at 01:37:16 (UTC)
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Oops, Faux pas there Johnny! Meg the polish paddy from oirland here! I think that Johnny had either a bad day when he posted his remarks, or a few too many! All racist remarks are offensive, especially when they get personal, and to me, Ayub and Mwizenge are valued members of the GNR, they produce interesting, intelligent discussion, I hope that they long continue to do so. A different tack altogether, on May lst when the EU gained ten new members, including Latvia and Poland where my grandparents hailed from, (before fleeing to NR in l938 as refugees) a local businessman said bitterly to me, "oh well, you wont have to keep spelling your name now Mrs Rubbishsky, we now have a legalised invasion of Ireland of your people, (he didnt quite call "us" slitty eyed eastern europeans,) and we are going to lose all our jobs and identity. Gobsmacked, I sidled away quietly, doing the honouraable thing of not signing my check that I owed him. For all the muddied waters out there, there are still pools of tranquility, and thats what we should all aim for! Slan, Meg.
Meg Rybicki (formerly Margaret) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Mullanyduff, Co Leitrim, Ireland
Friday, May 07, 2004 at 00:47:09 (UTC)
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The posting of notices overnight is awesome. Here in Perth, (GMT + 8 hours), I check out the notice board a couple of times a day during working hours and there are maybe 3 or 4 new notices.
I come in the morning and have to spend half an hour reading the overnight postings from North America, Europe and Africa.
A lot of the contributions are well considered but this mud slinging in the last 12 hours really lowers the tone. I'm sure we could do a lot better.
Keith Binns [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Perth, Australia
Friday, May 07, 2004 at 00:27:35 (UTC)
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Ayub – You base much of your argument on special considerations such as “finding out beforehand”. The value associated with your remarks and your liberal definition of freedom of speech deserves very little credit. Read your comments and pretend you’ve written your last article to Richard Pryor instead of me.
The "Real World" Ayub is not perfect. It’s screwed up with people a lot like me. People that that lick their chop-sticks, that eat peas with a knife, that don’t take their shoes off when entering a mosque, that don’t put their hands in front of their mouths when they yawn . . . . . . . . . and on, and on, and on . . .
So, as a friend of mine once recently said, it is time for me to “cut the Kak and return to our usual wafflings” which is a lot more succinct than what I said to Linda about what you and Chris should have done a few days ago . . . I’m going to move on.
Glen Drake [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
California, United States
Thursday, May 06, 2004 at 23:46:37 (UTC)
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Hi All
Sorry folks but this is going to be a bit boring compared to the recent debate!
nrzam.org.uk has been updated for the first time in ages.
Added a section entitled 'Central African Examiner' to Miscellaneous. Initially contains two articles from the March 1961 issue; 'Welensky's Wonderland' and 'Shaping Up in the North'. Thanks to Brian Barratt for these.
Regards Ian
Ian Singer [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Livingston, West Lothian, Scotland
Thursday, May 06, 2004 at 21:52:51 (UTC)
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Glen...
The point I have always been making is that there are educated Black Zambians who will find it offensive when addressed in Chilapalapa. Now Mwizenga has re-inforced this commonly held belief by many educated Black Zambians. It is better to be aware of what may cause someone offence beforehand..then to find out later. Now as Mwizenga points out..if you find a Black Zambian is comfortable in conversing with you in the said language..fine! If the person is not comfortable...and you start conversing with him or her you might not only cause offence but you may find yourself in deep water! Mwizenga finds it offensive..so who are we to tell him he is wrong??
As to your point about freedom of speech.... remember that there are anti-discriminatory laws..if one transgresses...one could find himself/herself in trouble with the law.. Freedom of speech does not allow the freedom to insult another because of the colour of that person's skin .Sure...if you find holes in Mwizenga's analysis..you are right to point them out. But then to degrade it to the level where references are made to grass huts should not be tolerated. If that is all that person has to offer than surely it is he who has lost the argument.Some of the comments posted on the GNR are very close to trangressing the legal threshold allowed by law in the UK. I don't know about Laws in the USA . As to what can be done about this...that is a matter for the GNR management.It is sad that the person who has made these derogratory remarks has not had the decency to apologise; which is sad indeed. I hope he will do the decent thing ..so we can all move on . And please don't tell Mwizenga that the stated remarks should not cause him any offence....
Ayub Ismail Zumla [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Manchester, United Kingdom
Thursday, May 06, 2004 at 20:39:36 (UTC)
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Doug - nope, not Ken. Checked Mwizenge Tembo's profile and found that he had 2 nicknames, Jack and Jacob. By the way, check Johnny's (John Green) profile. Gives one a good idea where he is coming from.
Glen Drake [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
California, United States
Thursday, May 06, 2004 at 20:08:27 (UTC)
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I think all this tit for tat racism should stop. As almost all of us, our lives in Zambia have ended and so will this great NR site if we are not carefull. The last few years in Zambia was like walking on egg shells, I hope we don't have to do the same on the NR site. Some stirring it and some taking it personal. If you can't stand the heat get out of the kitchen and let the others no matter what colour enjoy the memories.
Nicky Kontou [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Livingston, Scotland, United Kingdom
Thursday, May 06, 2004 at 20:06:43 (UTC)
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Ayub you may have been disgusted by my defense of the lingo used to conduct all conversations that I had with the varied tribes that I worked along side under ground, without it there would have been no mining done at all, but you were not as disgusted as I was to read the racial ramblings of Meneer Tembo who was insinuating that all the people that used it were doing it soley to demean there servants or there fellow workers, underground the language was used as much in praise as it was used for giving instructions to workers servants etc and I stand by every thing I said as I believe it all to be true. Johnny.
PS.And this is my last word on the subject.
Johnny [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Scarborough, United Kingdom
Thursday, May 06, 2004 at 20:05:17 (UTC)
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Glen
I think by Jack you mean Ken? I would support your viewpoint that the vast majority of our members are pretty fair minded people.
Mwizenge, Johnny, Ayub, and Ken please cool it guys! You all have valid points, but your way of expressing them is a bit overboard.
Mwizenge may well have some validity in his view that Chikabanga etc. was the language of colonial exploitation but the fact remains that it was and still is in remote areas a usefull lingua franca. My point is that KiSwahili was the lingua franca introduced by the Arab slavers, not exactly the best origin. How did it therefore attain respectable acceptance?
Ken you learned Chinyanja because it was the official language of the police, country wide, and was a job requirement. However I wonder how Lozi or Kaonde policemen felt when being forced to use it. Outside Police or Government circles, when trying to communicate with Lozi, Ila or Lunda tribesmen Chinyanja would be almost useless. I say almost because Africans are great linguists, with many ordinary men speaking 3 or more languages.
I am at present reading African Sunset by Robin Short, who started his career in the 50's in the colonial administration as a cadet at Kasempa, in the the land of the Kaonde-Lunda people. He had to learn the Kaonde language. This was great for Kasempa, but in later chapter of the book maybe he will be transferred to Isoka where they speak Chinamwanga. What then? Back to studying? Ouch!
When I was a kid most Africans in Lusaka seemed to use Chinyanja. I was suprised on my recent visit to find Chibemba had mostly taken over.
Chinyanja as used by the Angoni people in Zambia seems to closer to Malawian Chichewa, than to the Nguni (Zulu etc.) that must have been spoken by Inkosi Zwangendaba's impi's (legions) who just like Mzilikatzi Khumalo Kwa Bulawayo did not return with their booty to their master Shaka Zulu. IsiMandebele is still understandable to Zulu's but Chinyanja not at all. I am sure Mwizenge could enlighten us far better than I on the history of his nation. If you think about it one might say that the Angoni's were also colonizers because they came from Natal. Even the Bembas who came from Kola in the Congo. The history is quite complicated and interesting.
So mense, lets cut the Kak and return to our usual wafflings.
In the New South Africa we have 11 official languages which is a bit silly but everyone has to speak English whether they like it or not so the rest are irrelevant. Zulu is far more melodious and Afrikaans is more straightforward but engels rules, ek se.
Good bye, Shalani Kahle Zonke, Kwaheri, Shalenipo Mukwai, Tot siens, Salani Bwino, Mapona Kabotu, Praise the Lord and Rule Brittania.
Doug Grewar [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Vryheid, Natal, South Africa
Thursday, May 06, 2004 at 19:42:40 (UTC)
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Ayub – good to see that you are the one now on the defensive – not nice to be prodded is it ? Mwizenge’s article on the “lingua franca” of Zambia was well written and was interesting enough for me to question him on his opinions. His article nonetheless had a few holes in it, some that the ACLU of the country he now lives in would shoot down in flames. Try and tell the ACLU not to defend the extremist political sects that have “Nazi” or “Supremacist” freedom of speech rights. So yes, I am serious about you “throwing down the gauntlet” …….NOT by criticizing the blatantly biggoted remarks of Johnny, but by falling into the same trap in reminding people we were getting a “black” Zambian’s opinion. So it seems to me all you are doing is :
Trying to “pull the another(sic) one.... “
Glen Drake [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
California, United States
Thursday, May 06, 2004 at 19:33:35 (UTC)
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Glen...
You not really serious when you suggest that my reference to the word "black Zambian" is racist. Please do not try and create situations that do not exist and try not to "legitimise" a blatant use of a most horrendous racist taunt against Mwizenga made by a member of the GNR board. I not only abhor racism but I also abhor those who try and "defend" it. In the UK we are referred to as British Asians...in Zambia there are White Zambians, Coloured Zambians, Indian Zambians etc..for goodness sake..these are not racist terms! To try and liken the term Black Zambian and the reference to "grass hut" beggars belief!!
Try and pull the another one....
Ayub Ismail Zumla [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Manchester, United Kingdom
Thursday, May 06, 2004 at 18:42:03 (UTC)
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Thank you, Mwizenge! I have been looking for an authoritative, knowledgeable, insightful, and thoughtful posting on this subject. You've given it.
Cathrine Nelson [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Washington, DC, United States
Thursday, May 06, 2004 at 18:30:25 (UTC)
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Dear Jack – sorry to have to say this, you’re a hypocrite. To say on one hand a language is permissible in a private relationship but “the arbitrary, public and gleeful imposing of chikabanga, fanagalo, chilapalapa to day, directed at unwilling, unsuspecting, and sometimes hostile Zambians, with the assumption and expectation that they should accept and enjoy it as a legitimate language, is insulting.” Either one uses it or doesn’t. Using the “N” word in public or in private is unacceptable.
Since I find your profile interesting in that it has a sociology theme to it, especially here in the US, I am curious about your opinion on “Hip-Hop” and “Rap” and it’s use, both as a means of communication and in public broadcast.
Ayub, please, please stop trying to prod members. You blurting out “You wanted a Black Zambian's viewpoint..you got it! “ is as racist as that being said by a member replacing the word black with white. The vast majority of GNR’s members are totally indifferent as to what the “color” of a contributor is.
Whatever you may think Jack and Ayub, taking the “lingua franca” out of the GNR would be like taking the very flavor out of the food of life for all those who once lived in Zambia and who find their hearts, minds and thoughts drifting back to the lands and the peoples they love.
Glen Drake [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
California, United States
Thursday, May 06, 2004 at 18:01:33 (UTC)
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I agree wholeheartedly with Mwizenge and Ayub.
Irrespective of the historical applications of these manufactured, so-called languages already covered in other contributions, they have always, are now, and always will be, demeaning in the extreme.
One expatriate I hired in Lusaka complained that the indigenous people spoke little English. My reply was that their English was better than your Cinyanja!
I arrived in NR in 1960, and passed the Cinyanja Higher in 1961 - only out of respect and a real interest in the Country and it's peoples, who afforded me an excellent life-style and an opportunity to meld into the melting-pot of cosmopolita. Something must have been attractive, considering we were married in Kiwe in 1963
and our three girls were all born in Kitwe Central Hospital, finally leaving in 1977. Our Children are proud to say in which country they were born and they themselves have many happy memories of their friends of all persuasions.
Please, enough of this nonsense about ethnicity and the derogatory expressions published herein.
Any more of this nonsense and in the words of Sam Goldwyn "Include me out"
Ken Fernie [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Irvine, California, United States
Thursday, May 06, 2004 at 17:26:28 (UTC)
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Perhaps someone on the GNR management team take note that the previous posting has blatant RACIST OVERTURES. You wanted a Black Zambian's viewpoint..you got it!
To crawl down to such levels of depravity does not befit "civilised" debate. All "civilised" members of the GNR should condemn the language used by this member and I hope that such comments are not condoned by anyone, anywhere! I am disgusted!!!!
Ayub Ismail Zumla [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Manchester, United Kingdom
Thursday, May 06, 2004 at 16:05:44 (UTC)
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Dear Tickey Tembo You have with your exaggerated command of English I suppose heard the term Codswallop it is a discriptive word and certainly fits your diatribe about that marvellous language Fanagolo/ Chilapa lapa that made your country what it is today and without it would have still seen you in your little grass hut some where out in the sticks so instead of decrying it you should be praising it. Johnny.
Johnny [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Scarborough, United Kingdom
Thursday, May 06, 2004 at 15:10:56 (UTC)
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Chikabanga, Fanagalo, Chilapalapa were used as mediums of communication primarily between dominant Europeans and subordinate Africans in homes in European kitchens, in offices (as orderlies, and “office boys”), on plantations, forced labor (known as chibalo among the Easterners) and in back breaking work deep in hot steaming mines from Zambia, Malawi, Namibia all the way to South Africa during the colonial days. It was a lingua franca that was primarily used in the historical circumstances that were largely demeaning to Africans. To elevate Chilapalapa use to day to the level of Swahili is misguided since Swahili has evolved to a level to which it is neutral and no longer associated with subordination, domination, and racist humiliation of certain segments of the millions of speakers in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, and DRC. The fact that chilapalapa may have a dictionary does not legitimize its use especially if its use humiliates and provokes painful memories among large segments of the Zambian population. If you were happy and having the best of times using chilapalapa during the colonial days, that does not legitimize its careless and wanton use to day. However, if a particular muzungu Zambian and a particular munthu Zambian (or any Zambians for that matter) share a historic nostalgic bond in the use of chilalapa, they should feel free to use and enjoy it in their private relationship like the Zimbabwean refugee and Irishman in Ireland. However, the arbitrary, public and gleeful imposing of chikabanga, fanagalo, chilapalapa to day, directed at unwilling, unsuspecting, and sometimes hostile Zambians, with the assumption and expectation that they should accept and enjoy it as a legitimate language, is insulting. Sweet coating these insults as freedom of expression is a cruel and insensitive hoax that is often misused here in the United during similar public discourse. It is very heart warming to day when I meet Zambians (muzungu, munthu, Indians, Chinese, and colored etc.) who speak Lusaka Nyanja and urban Bemba. I just get tickled to death as I feel such an endearing bond with such people as I feel so at home. Zambian English is even more thrilling and sweet to the ear especially when I am here abroad.
As for message board GNR members who continue to cause havoc, pain and anguish to others through the predictable continued use of vicious, racist and insulting innuendoes, the animal drinking water analogy should apply. i.e any animal that consistently and deliberately poisons and muddies the public pristine drinking water, that is the GNR message board, such that others walk away with thirst in disgust should be removed permanently or barred from coming to the well. Ignoring the animal will not work as it will continue to jump around and even drop you know what in the water worsening the situation. Freedom should always be mitigated with responsibility. Read the book by BF Skinner, “Freedom and Dignity”.
Mwizenge Tembo [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Virginia, United States
Thursday, May 06, 2004 at 14:45:06 (UTC)
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Dear Jaqui Many Happy Returns Of The Day I know you will enjoy it Johnny.xx
Johnny [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Scarborough, United Kingdom
Thursday, May 06, 2004 at 14:20:20 (UTC)
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Long time no read and even longer no post.
Charles, an extremely late 'Have a great day, so hope you had a good one and forgot that you were in fact a wee bit older'
Jacqui, a timely greeting, not because I remembered, but due to a long overdue peek at the board. Have a good one. Heather and I will down a cold one in your honour this evening.
Beth, to Zambia and not a word. Visit that dam, where your eyes first saw and your heart fell in love!
Am I good or what? Love, wishes and regards to all.
Wayne
Wayne Milward [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Gonubie, South Africa
Thursday, May 06, 2004 at 12:31:49 (UTC)
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Pete
The bird in question was called a go away bird because its cry was gawaaay..... not f....off... I don't know about you Broken Hillians
cheers
John
John Milton [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Perth Western Australia, Australia
Thursday, May 06, 2004 at 11:49:40 (UTC)
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Happy Birthday Jaqui
HAVE A WONDERFUL DAY
XXX
ALI
Ali Key [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Perth, Australia
Thursday, May 06, 2004 at 11:42:59 (UTC)
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Jacqui Milward:
Wishing you a fantastic birthday. You are a classy act!
Linda Hayes (née Dore) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Austin, Texas, United States
Thursday, May 06, 2004 at 11:40:03 (UTC)
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Jacqui Milward
Wishing you a happy birthday - and may you have many many more - with all the good things that go with it.
Fond regards
Charles Cartmill [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Stellenridge, Cape Town, South Africa
Thursday, May 06, 2004 at 08:04:56 (UTC)
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Mervyn Blumberg, Jacqui Milward, Heather Gretton, Michael Page, Jenny Crowe, Mary Maxwell, Pat Boddy, Patricia Woodroof
Best wishes on your birthday
Heather Chalcraft (née Bender) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Lusaka, Zambia
Thursday, May 06, 2004 at 05:46:24 (UTC)
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G'day All
Paudie had never actually seen "The Power of One" so we rented it the other night.
Does anyone know where the school scenes were actually filmed - was it St George's?
Sue Coughlan (née Forde) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Perth, WA, Australia
Wednesday, May 05, 2004 at 23:09:29 (UTC)
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Mugabe closes Private Schools
My little brother just phoned to tell me that Zimbabwe has forced the closure of private schools including Peterhouse, St. Georges, Falcon, Arundale, Chisipite etc., I thought that I would post the message here as many Notherners attended these schools. My thoughts on this attack remain my own, however, it is another example in the very worrying madness at work in that country, where will it all end?
George Maxwell [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Edinburgh, Scotland
Wednesday, May 05, 2004 at 21:22:13 (UTC)
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Tina.....I have that contact for you in Chipata who may be able to help. I have sent you a mail but it keeps on coming back!! Your mailbox may be full! Please check
Ayub Ismail Zumla [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Manchester, United Kingdom
Wednesday, May 05, 2004 at 19:06:12 (UTC)
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I was facinated to see a picture of Pete Ellis in the photo section of memorabilia. I am pretty sure this was taken at the Lusaka Show Grounds, when the famous Luna Park would come to visit. One year "Jonah The Whale" arrived on the back of a lorry which was facinating for kids like me who had never seen much of the ocean. Did you all notice the packet of cigarettes in Pete's top pocket? Who rememebers the packet of Peter Stuyversant 30's? Even better the Rothmans Pack of 50! I never actually smoked but it was always really cool to have a big ciggy box in your top pocket. The third character in the photo looks suspiciously like the late John Sampson from the USA. If so, he was very sadly killed in '66-67 in a car accident - at the turn off to the Blue Lagoon on the way to Chilanga.
John Burnie [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Sailing, United Kingdom
Wednesday, May 05, 2004 at 18:12:12 (UTC)
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Laura Thompson, Lesley Dunbar
Best wishes on your birthday
Heather Chalcraft (née Bender) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Lusaka, Zambia
Wednesday, May 05, 2004 at 15:11:01 (UTC)
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Hi all
One of my favourite sites apart from the GNR is the Lowdown.....it gives one an insight to what Zambia today is all about , I even like reading the small adds , wots on etc.
I look forward to reading the new edition each month, and of course this month is the usual high standard, BUT with a new section PHOTOS!! Heather you have done it again.you are truly a wonderful ambassador to Zambia .....those photos are beautiful , the Chameleon my favourite, the roads and the bush a close second equal......you really know how to get someone wanting to visit that magic place Zambia
Thank you
Ali
Ali Key [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Perth, Australia
Wednesday, May 05, 2004 at 14:42:15 (UTC)
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Just seeing if my new password works.
Greetings to all
Chileshi
Ian Lesch [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Wednesday, May 05, 2004 at 11:35:36 (UTC)
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Marilyn, good to see you back on the board, you have been missed..!!
Ali
Ali Key [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Perth, Australia
Wednesday, May 05, 2004 at 09:45:09 (UTC)
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David Gray,
Enjoy Catherine's wedding David. I can only gather from your writings on the GNR that you are a very caring person and obviously a great dad so Catherine is bound to enjoy her day. Best of luck to the happy couple for a long and blissful life together.
Please ask Catherine to have her legs waxed. Visions of the hairy body on Ebay just wont go away!
Marilyn
Marilyn Noall (née Shooter) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Perth, Western Australia, Australia
Wednesday, May 05, 2004 at 08:51:43 (UTC)
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Lots of love and luck Catherine. We're not worried about your wedding dress ending up on ebay on a hairy tattooed model.
Request: If any readers still in or in contact with Zambia know any doctors or health workers in the Chipata area in Zambia, specifically around Makungwa ADP who might be willing to see someone there could you please email me by clicking on the "contact" link below. Thanks.
Tina Magee (née Wallace) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Texas, United States
Wednesday, May 05, 2004 at 02:01:52 (UTC)
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Wedding Dress
I found the e-bay link hilarious. Our daughter Catherine gets married on Saturday the 8th and found it about a week back while searching wedding related web sites. Her laughter echoed through the house and I went to find out what was so funny. It wasn't long before I was laughing too. Thanks for bringing it back to mind - the link has been forwarded to all in our office. I'm just waiting for the flack from our CEO!!! Anyway, think of the Gray family in four days time when I escort our only child down the isle and please spare a prayer for Catherine and her husband-to-be Paul Bremer.
Cheers
David Gray [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
South Africa
Tuesday, May 04, 2004 at 15:27:01 (UTC)
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Jan Pejlare
Best wishes on your birthday
Heather Chalcraft (née Bender) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Lusaka, Zambia
Tuesday, May 04, 2004 at 10:57:56 (UTC)
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A couple of folks have had a hard time getting to the item below from the link below. If so, for a smile, search on eBay item 4146756343 (while it is available).
Tina Magee (née Wallace) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Texas, United States
Tuesday, May 04, 2004 at 03:46:39 (UTC)
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Meg, I will email you soon.
Tina thanks for the giggles.........what a guy :0)
Ali
Ali Key [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Perth, Australia
Tuesday, May 04, 2004 at 00:00:21 (UTC)
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Nothing germane just a little hilarity and human nature. This is for a wedding dress sold on ebay for as long as the item stays there. Hillarious ongoing description. Thanks Janie Ledeboer for sending this.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=4146756343
Tina Magee (née Wallace) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Texas, United States
Monday, May 03, 2004 at 23:02:51 (UTC)
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Virus Alert.
Be sure to update your virus protection. The latest worm called SASSER.B is making the rounds across the globe and has been moved to a "high" state of alert.
I am sure many of you have your own programs to deal with viruses, but if not, here are a couple of links you can type in and learn more about it.
http://www.symantec.com/avcenter/venc/data/pf/w32.sasser.b.worm.html
http://www.trendmicro.com/en/home/us/enterprise.htm
Linda Hayes (née Dore) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Austin, Texas, United States
Monday, May 03, 2004 at 22:51:02 (UTC)
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Having just spent the last hour or so browsing through messages, I realise what I am missing by logging on rather infrequently.
The diversity of subjects is fascinating, and, having read a message posted by my brother-in-law, Gordon Foster, feel it is time I made my own contribution.
I wish to add my sincere thanks to the creators of the GNR, and to those who keep it running, by a brief description of the events of 25th.April 2004.
It was one of those milestones in one's life - my 60th.birthday - and I was able to celebrate the occasion in a way that, eighteen months ago, I would not have believed possible.
Thanks to the GNR, I and my family were able to have lunch together with Derek Jacobs and his family. Derek and and I first met in Luanshya in March 1954. We were best friends for many years but sadly lost touch when my wife, Beryl, and I left Zambia in 1970. We were briefly reunited in the early 80's but again lost touch. Through the GNR - in fact through Neville Isdell(another lost friend from Gilbert Rennie), now in Barbados, we were able to contact Derek again.
Not only were we able to celebrate my birthday but it became a reunion lunch as well. Derek, his wife Ray, and two of his three children, Hamish and Debbie, helped to make it one of the best birthdays I have ever had. However, not only were the Jacobs family there, but also another old friend from Luanshya, Alan Pascoe and his wife, joined us as well. It was definitely a day to remember.
Thank you, GNR
Tony Lawrence [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Hampton Magna, Warwick, United Kingdom
Monday, May 03, 2004 at 22:19:32 (UTC)
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Re: The Scammers.
I also have had many, some of which originated in South Africa, which I promptly forwarded to the S.A. Embassy. I received a very thankful reply from one of the Security guys,(an African Officer). However, since this is a rather FAMILY type site, I won't say here what were the contents of my reply to the originators. Anyone looking for an overdose of sheer rudeness ( at which I happen to be a Past Master), feel free to contact. On our Sunday night T.V. program, "60 Minutes", a senior officer from the Nigeria Police Force was interviewed, and he explained that there was not really a lot that could be done. Best thing is to ignore them, and never, never send any information about Bank Accounts etc.
Ken Fernie [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Irvine, California, United States
Monday, May 03, 2004 at 21:13:30 (UTC)
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Question...
Is anyone related the the "Early's" of Broken Hill?
If not, I have a funny story to tell....
Peter Dielissen [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada
Monday, May 03, 2004 at 19:26:55 (UTC)
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It took me a while to rise for the message that Dawie posted, thanks to Arthur, but I did it, putting my hands on my knees and pressing hard. Then, having attained a rigid upright position ( shades of Heany Barracks), I slowly bent over again and peered at the screen. A missive from the Founder!
He is alive!
Ok, and obviously having a skinful of fun.
Good on ya, ya old fart.
Then I slowly sank back down onto my seat and exhaled.
Whew.
No more of this phoenix stuff for me.
From now on, I sit.
Bill
William Knott [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Monday, May 03, 2004 at 14:02:14 (UTC)
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Meg I usually ask them for a deposit of around $30.000 to show there good face to be paid into a mythical account number you never hear from them again. Johnny.
Johnny [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Scarborough, United Kingdom
Monday, May 03, 2004 at 13:14:46 (UTC)
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Jacquie Hayward, Lesa Millar, Irene Hadley, Ingrid van der Merwe
Best wishes on your birthday
Heather Chalcraft (née Bender) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Lusaka, Zambia
Monday, May 03, 2004 at 11:55:40 (UTC)
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Thanks!
It was great to read the response to my rambles! On a more serious note, the scammers are back and active, but using, to me, a mean and nasty story to try to part folk with their hard earned euros.
I received several emails from a woman called "Grace Williams" whose husband was purportedly beaten to death on their farm near Harare. She has fled to South Africa and just so happens to have stashed in a bank vault or two, $35,000,000 worth of gems and forex. All she needs me to do is call her attourney, who resides, mysteriously, in Lagos, and I will be rewarded generously in return for giving them all my bank account details, ($2,000,000 was casually mentioned) and so on. I have over the years received these emails from "the sons of former prime minister of Sierra Leone ect ect, but never one from the widow of a murdered farmer. This one really rankled, so I emailed back that in my capacity as an internet fraud squad advisor to the Irish Government, I would be hunting down the perpetraters of these emails, result, nothing since!!
Go well everybody.
ALI - I may email you directly with details of the African Womens Network if you dont mind, it would be fantastic to have a "partner" organisation on the other side of the World, we are all batting for the same team! The centre sounds wonderful, a place of calm and refuge.
Megs
Meg Rybicki (formerly Margaret) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Mullanyduff, Co Leitrim, Ireland
Monday, May 03, 2004 at 10:18:09 (UTC)
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Glad to hear the debate regarding pidgin languages has now being rationalised. I believe any form of communication is better than glaring uncomprehendingly at others across language barriers.
Dawie – you ou doring! Now I know why you moved to the Nederland! All that depravity coinciding with your birthday! I don’t believe in coincidences! Glad to hear you’re up and about – and able to boogie.
Peter D.
I know a song about a bird called the f..–r-we bird, but I’ve a feeling you’re referring to the Grey Loerie, or Go-Away bird. This bird has often proved most irritating while I’ve been engrossed in the noble art of venery. I spoke to Peter Erasmus last week, and he sends his regards to you and your boet. I gave him a copy of the BH draft map so that he might provide some of the Raylton street names.
Jack Wardell,
Jones and Maureen send their regards to you and Dave Tweedie (when next you meet/write-to/phone Dave). At 85, my father is still extremely active – he managed to squeeze in a quick 9 holes of golf before I arrrived in Mossel Bay.
Heather,
Did you manage to have your painting stored?
Regards
Charles Cartmill [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Stellenridge, Cape Town, South Africa
Monday, May 03, 2004 at 07:58:00 (UTC)
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Megwhat wonderful work you do, and a lovelly posting to...... I do work for a multicultural health group (displays etc) .
The place is called "Ishar"Hebrew meaning "daughter" I have come to love this place, here I meet women from all walks of life, the women are mainly refugees /migrants from diferent countries, but mainly from Africa..just the other day whilst I was working there I was asked by this woman where do I come from, proudly I said Zambia."wow, an African like me, she was from Liberia, we then got talking about Liberia and how the country was set up by the United States as a colony for ex slaves.....she loved her homeland with a passion, but said it was to dangerous to live there because of the ongoing civil war..what truly amazes me is when we all gather at Ishar there is a melting pot of nationalities who get on very well regardless to where we come from.......we share our stories, food etc....the languages spoken are all woven into a colourful patchwork of words.......the health centre is run by a dear friend called Shobhana, who comes from India , what is truly amazing is both her and her husband each speak different languages, as well as English, both have learned over the years each others language, and speak in both to their sons.....and of course now they accept their sons are typical Aussies who try to teach them the language of teenagers .which like all parents of teenagers we have our laughs,trials etc....we are no different........
Ali
Ali Key [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Perth, Australia
Monday, May 03, 2004 at 01:42:18 (UTC)
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Oh, and rock on Dawie good to hear from you.
Tina Magee (née Wallace) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Texas, United States
Monday, May 03, 2004 at 01:17:09 (UTC)
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The work you're involved with is amazing Meg. Reading your lovely story somehow also recalled that gorgeous poem about the Mozambique refugee Pastor John and his gift of a Christmas garden that Peter Gilchrist wrote and posted on the GNR back in October of 2003.
Tina Magee (née Wallace) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Texas, United States
Sunday, May 02, 2004 at 20:36:11 (UTC)
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Hi Peter:
Yes, I remember that bird. But wasn't there only one of them? Ha! Ha! Sorry...
Meg:
That was an excellent story!
Linda Hayes (née Dore) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Austin, Texas, United States
Sunday, May 02, 2004 at 19:59:46 (UTC)
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Ladies - please cast your eyes downwards...
We are having a braaivleis right now with friends. I was telling them we had a bird in NR us youngsters call the f...off bird from way it sounded.
Anyone else remember that bird????
Peter Dielissen [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada
Sunday, May 02, 2004 at 19:29:41 (UTC)
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All Rise ! -- A personal message to the masses -- from the Founder
Northerners !
To everyone on the Great North Road website, who wished me well on my birthday 28th of April, I want to thank you for the kind words and thoughts. It was very generous and civil of you to do that. Normally I do not celebrate my birthday, and I had no intention to do so. But this year was perhaps the most fantastic birthday celebration of my life! It started on the 28th of April, 2004, and ended this morning at about 4:00 am nonstop the entire period! I kid you not! There were perhaps close to a million people involved, at least in Amsterdam. For on 30 April, all of the Kingdom of the Netherlands celebrates Koninginnedag --- a mad festival of parties, loud thumping techno drug-induced hypnotic music blaring off stages and floating barges along the canals, and the normal staid and tight-lipped Dutch, hurling themselves naked and drunken into an orgy of unbelievable depravity and excess never before equaled anywhere, from Babylon, Ancient Rome, and Hedonistic 1970's San Francisco ! I was swept up into this vortex of wondrous pagan worship to the excesses of pleasure not only by the electrified intoxicating energy spilling into the streets, but privately as well. And I enjoyed every single minute of it ! (Heather, I heard your call come in, but I couldn't get to the phone, it was buried under a body on the kitchen floor... sorry, darling! I think the body is alive, it moved an arm since yesterday. Will ring later to apologise, when I can find something steady to hold on to... not now, OK?)
Thanks everyone ! Keep on enjoying the site. You all seem to know how to handle things, and you all will make the right decisions with the site. The people who maintain this site are a gift from the gods on Mount Olympus... they are thus divinely empowered and only the right decisions can be made. Thank you Craig, Arthur and Heather.
Oh, and hey ! Happy birthday KK !
Seething lumps of love to all
Dawie van der Bliksem
(aka Dave Cooper)
Founder of the Great North Road website
Amsterdam
THROBBING KINGDOM OF THE NETHERLANDS FOREVER !
You may all now be seated.
Arthur Steevens [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Stockport, United Kingdom
Sunday, May 02, 2004 at 18:42:52 (UTC)
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Meg,
Thank you for a delightful tale. As I mentioned previously, the ability to communicate, in any way, shape or form, can only help in interpersonal relationships. Perhaps we should all learn some form of sign language.
Robert Huntley [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Carmel, California, United States
Sunday, May 02, 2004 at 18:34:06 (UTC)
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Megs - halfpence be damned ! Your story is worth a million bucks!
Many thanks.
Glen Drake [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
California, United States
Sunday, May 02, 2004 at 17:59:28 (UTC)
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my halfpence worth on the great "Chilapalapa" debate
I work with asylum seekers from all parts of Africa, but most recently from Zimbabwe. Patrick Tlou was a highly respected teacher near Bulawayo, Ndebele, and fled to Ireland in 2002 because his political affiliations caused his wife to lose her job, and he was beaten up very badly in front of his pupils by pro-Mugabe thugs. He still bears the scars of his beating. He asked the Irish government to "fast track" his application for refugee status, (less than 5% of all asylum applicants in Ireland are granted leave to remain here), and was given his papers to stay. He is a raconteur, a marvellous story teller, a poet, an artist, and a decent and gentle human being. He has worked in National schools with me, telling African fables, explaining to the children why people flee their homelands and seek refuge in Europe, and on a puppet theatre that we tour with, which has a humerous approach to getting an anti racism message accross to under tens. The point of my rambling tale, is that when Patrick (who is 38) met my mom, (Pamela Rybicki formerly Miss Paget to Ex Lusaka Boys School inmates!) he immediately addressed HER in Chilapalapa, they rattled on to my bemusement for a good four hours, and chat once a week on the phone, in Chilapalapa. His wife has just had a baby girl, they have named her Pamela Mopani Rose. We are really honoured that he has done this, and in this case, Chilapalapa brought two people of different ages and races together, it was a common thread of communication. Thats all folks.
Megs
Meg Rybicki (formerly Margaret) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Mullanyduff, Co Leitrim, Ireland
Sunday, May 02, 2004 at 17:26:27 (UTC)
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Johnny,
Lots of chinese take aways but no fish and chip shops!
Mary Jane
Mary Jane Nortje (née McDonald) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Beijing, China
Sunday, May 02, 2004 at 16:34:31 (UTC)
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Mary Jane do you have any chinese take aways in Bejing? Johnny.
Johnny [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Scarborough, United Kingdom
Sunday, May 02, 2004 at 16:24:03 (UTC)
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Steven, well said. The GNR has brought many many happy moments to both my husband and myself. We should not let a few hotheads get the better of us. I note that Chris was only in Zambia for six years. Both myself and my husband plus our two children were born in Zambia and lived there for some 32 years. It was and still is a wonderful place and the majority of people are warm and generous souls.
At present we live in Beijing, China and for us reading the messages and looking at the photographs sent in always make us feel good.
To you and all the wonderful members of GNR, keep up the good work.
Jane Nortje (nee McDonald)
Mary Jane Nortje (née McDonald) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Beijing, China
Sunday, May 02, 2004 at 16:06:27 (UTC)
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Yebo,
baas Stevens.
Ikona bulala lo, just sanction.
Well said.
We love this site.... it is ours. You guys do a stirling job of keeping it running.
Cheers,
Bill
William Knott [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Sunday, May 02, 2004 at 15:43:43 (UTC)
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Northerners
Please observe
The Great North Road is wholly supported financially and in man-hours by it's management team, who keep it alive for free.
Most weeks the GNR Message Board is left to tick-over while we get on with our own lives or deal with urgent technical matters which are necessary keep the GNR site running. We do not check in here every day, the GNR runs mainly on auto-pilot.
At the time of writing my colleagues are away, and may be for a few weeks yet. Until such time we are able to all read, discuss and assess recent postings on the Message Board and collectively make a unanimous decision as to whether or not to suspend or expel any member, that will be our decision after we have assessed all the facts. This message does not imply any impending expulsion or that a decision has already been taken or is warranted, being popular is not a criteria for membership. As I said last month, racial insults or baiting will not be tolerated and that means from whatever "side".
When the matter is discussed it will also include, among the many other factors which will be taken into account, that there are "members" in the directory who may be not all they seem to be, two such "members" were expelled in December 2002 when a concerted effort was made by several members working together to destroy the site. That does not mean I think any of the recent posters are not who they say they are, but the possiblity is not dismissed and can easily be checked out.
Many sites have had to close over recent years due to their owners not being able to keep their message boards civil and free of obscentity, others have dispensed with Message Boards altogether and are now static sites. I am determined that will not happen here.
Whatever decision is made the well-being of the Great North Road will always be paramount.
Signed off in my official capacity as Site Moderator
Arthur Steevens [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Stockport, United Kingdom
Sunday, May 02, 2004 at 12:02:31 (UTC)
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I think there must be a balance between supporting freedom of speech and being incapable of preventing repeated harmful attack in a war of words. To transfer to a real battlefieId you could say in Kosovo depending on your view both sides, if they both so chose, had the right of ultimate freedom to wage war and harm eachother. Yet other nations moved in to stop this and protect the attacked. You are free to mentally examine why.
No one should be vulnerable to repeated attack on this site on the basis of ethnicity and despite all the protests to the contrary this is what Chris has historically done and continues to do. Still you look for reasons he may change. Instead you see he is, still, as a search on the Internet will show you, self-styled "Ambassador to Hawaii of the Second Cabinet of the Exile Government of Rhodesia in H-derogatory ethnic term Hilo".
There would appear to be two agendas, no particular order. a) getting in racial slurs b) stirring up the GNR. If we ignore his postings he still verbally slaps at our non-white brothers and sisters on the GNR which is painful for them (and illegal) and we appear to them not to care. Plus his posts still upset a lot of people. If we respond, it ties up the GNR
and either way it causes a lot of gloom and doom and he still gets his jollies. I mean, I'm not talking about always walking on egg shells here and never offending anyone. I'm talking, we all are, about a proven agenda from one person. I can't personally see a practical solution other than removing him from the site.
Non-whites encounter so many veiled and open ethnic insults and trivialisations and are often then criticised for being overly sensitive. The GNR should be a safe and friendly ground for all. Sorry to be long winded even if you must be used to it by now.
Tina Magee (née Wallace) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Texas, United States
Sunday, May 02, 2004 at 02:25:06 (UTC)
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Hi Glen:
Thanks for your comments. I have no problem with the opinion you have voiced, as you have not personally attacked me. There is a difference. Just to put this all in the proper perspective, I would be interested to see what happened if you were to discuss Tamm's disposition in a private email with him. Ask him why he finds it so necessary to be nasty to people, and invite him to share what must be a nicer side of himself with the board instead. Tell him that you are sure he has a lot of interesting experiences that he could share with us, rather than taking the low road each time with his personal attacks on people. Tell him people will interact with him on a much more positive and productive level if he gave that a bash. I have already tried a long time ago after another situation similar to this. He didn't respond to me, but perhaps he will to you. He likes to hide behind his postings, but is not willing to engage any anything outside of that. Ayub is not the first or only person he has targetted by the way. He takes delight in stirring things up on the GNR and then dropping out of sight for a while.
I am sure that he does have something worthwhile and interesting to contribute, if only he took the trouble to do so instead of what he does now. Chris, I am again inviting you to contribute some of those stories. I see you were in Zambia for 6 years and part of the Lusaka Motor Sports Club. Maybe a motor sports story for the motoring enthusiasts on the board. What did you do for fun while you were in Zambia? Surely there is at least one humourous or interesting anecdote you could share with us!
I am not in favour of censorship either, having been censored myself on the board in the past when there was a Code of Conduct enforced, but I do stand by my comment that there is a difference between healthy discussion and personally offensive attacking. And I do still feel that the remark he made about the cuppa and the biscuits was not unintentional.
A number of people have made the comment, both on the board, or in private emails between each other, that if we ignore him long enough surely he will stop. Only.. he doesn't. So, what's a good old Kitwe girl supposed to do but take a stand and call a spade a spade.
Linda Hayes (née Dore) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Austin, Texas, United States
Saturday, May 01, 2004 at 22:36:44 (UTC)
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Glen,
It is not censorhsip that people are seeking - its a stop to Chris Tamm's racist, derogatory, belittling remarks. He only EVER posts when he has something nasty to can say to someone about something they have posted. The manner in which he posts is always offensive and you can see that he is the sort of person who just gets immense pleasure out of being malicious to others. I really don't care one way or the other if he is barred from the board as I just think each time I read one of his "nasty" comments that I am enormously grateful that he is the minority and the majority of the other members just think he's a ghastly liitle man who obviously doesn't have a lot of other pleasures in his life!
Bridget
Bridget Billany [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Blackburn, Lancashire, England
Saturday, May 01, 2004 at 20:33:04 (UTC)
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Why is it that while writing this I feel like some sort of referee ?
Is there some sort of censorship about to enter this bulletin board ? Are there GNR members who propose to become judges of what is acceptable and not acceptable as "permissible" ? Who and who not to allow to participate in the GNR bulletin board ? I hope not ! Barring the use blatant foul language is one thing . . . . but there are few reasons to "gang up" on any member who bothers to participate.
Linda, who is really slow on the uptake . . . Chris or Ayub ?
Tina - I'm really not sure I agree with your use of the word "freedom".
Cathrine - to suggest some one should be removed because of what you "think he is saying" - tsk, tsk, . . . kinda borders on some communistic doctrine methinks.
Chris and Ayub - call it a "draw" and MOVE ON !
Glen Drake [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
California, United States
Saturday, May 01, 2004 at 16:38:13 (UTC)
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Jane Vice, Craig Brady
Best wishes on your birthday
Heather Chalcraft (née Bender) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Lusaka, Zambia
Saturday, May 01, 2004 at 15:17:49 (UTC)
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Hi,
Would you believe the Sharks went and lost AGAIN!!
Grrrrrr!! they have blown their last remaining chance of making it to the Super 12 Final.
But that's the way the cookie crumbles I guess.
I'm still trying to locate school friends who were with me at the Ndola Convent during the early 1950's.
Surely someone reading this may know of some one who went to that school during that period, who could put them on to me, PLEASE??
Lynthia, , , , Yeah!! I know, , , , , i owe you a Loooooooong letter,, , so watch this space!!
take care everyone,
Peter Eldridge [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Durban, South Africa
Saturday, May 01, 2004 at 13:47:23 (UTC)
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Tina and Catherine:
I agree with your disgust towards Tamm. You did not miss the intent behind his unacceptable and thinly veiled racial remark at the tale end of last month's postings. He is articulate and he knew exactly what he had said. His shallow apology fools nobody but himself. It would be a terrible shame if he succeeds in slowly eroding what the rest of us have worked so hard to achieve and maintain on this board.
I'm all for healthy discussion and different points of view on whatever topic is raised on the GNR, but he seems to lower the bar every time by becoming personally offensive.
Tamm, you truly are the unwanted stepchild here. You may be articulate, chum, but dang you are slow on the uptake!
Linda Hayes (née Dore) [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Austin, Texas, United States
Saturday, May 01, 2004 at 04:35:52 (UTC)
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A NEW MONTH, A NEW MESSAGE BOARD
The message board is archived at 23:58 (GMT, aka UTC) on the last day of every month. This message is just a reminder that the messages from last month have not disappeared into the bit bucket. They can still be found in the archives. On the archives page you will find links to every message board since its inception.
Following are some tips and suggestions for using this message board and the rest of the site. These notes were last updated on March 17th, 2005.
Important Notes
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Posting Messages
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Responding to Messages
To make responding to old (or any) messages easier, you can open a previous message board in a new browser window by right-clicking (assuming you're using a Windows-based PC) the link to the appropriate month on the archives page, and then selecting "Open in New Window", "Open Link in New Window", "Open Link in New Tab", or something similar from the pop-up menu that appears. (You can also just hold down the "Shift" key while you click the link to do the same thing.) That way you can refer to the message to which you are replying while you are typing your reply in the original browser window.
Preserving Threading in Message Replies
The message board includes the ability to "reply" to messages. If you are going to reply to a message (as opposed to starting a new message), please keep your reply on the topic of the message to which you are replying. If you are going to address multiple topics in a single message or are not going to reply on the topic of a particular message, then you should start a new message.
Finding Text on the Message Board
Considering each message board can get quite large, it can be quite a challenge to find a particular word or name, especially if you're sure that you saw that word or name somewhere before. There's a much easier way to search the page than scrolling through hundreds of messages until you're cross-eyed. On Windows-based computers, you can just hit Ctrl+F; in Internet Explorer a small search box will appear on top of the message board (assuming that you already have the message board open) and in Mozilla Firefox a search box will appear at the bottom of the browser window. Just type the word or words for which you are searching into the box, then hit the Enter key (in Internet Explorer) or follow the highlighting (in Firefox) to see where your browser stops as it searches for the word. Repeat as often as necessary to find all instances of your search term.
Getting Your Browser to Remember Passwords
Most (if not all) modern Web browsers have some sort of mechanism for remembering the user IDs and passwords required for some Web sites. To get the latest version of Microsoft Internet Explorer (used by about 90% of GNR visitors) to remember the passwords you have to enter into a Web page:
- Click on Tools then Internet Options.
- Click on the Content tab.
- Click on the AutoComplete button.
- Click to put a check mark in the "User names and passwords on forms" field.
- Click OK, then click OK again.
To get Mozilla Firefox (upon which Netscape Navigator is based, so the instructions are probably about the same) to remember your user IDs and passwords, do the following:
- Click on Tools then Options.
- Click the Privacy icon.
- Click Saved Passwords.
- Click to put a check mark in the "Remember Passwords" field.
- Click OK.
You should still keep a record of your passwords somewhere, as your passwords will all be lost if you have to do something like reinstall Windows.
Submitting Images for Posting
If you would like to have an image posted here, but do not have a server on which to post the image, please read the submission instructions and the "Contributing to this Site" page for some important tips on scanning pictures.
Contacting Posters
In an attempt to defeat spammers who would like to collect e-mail addresses from this message board, e-mail addresses of posters are not shown; instead, a link to the poster's Names Directory entry (or a contact form for non-members) is added at the end of each message, through which members can contact the poster should they so desire. (Message boards prior to April 2002, accessible only to members once logged in, do show "broken" e-mail addresses.) E-mail addresses are not shown in the Names Directory either; instead, a Web-based form is used to initiate contact. If you already know the e-mail address of the person you would like to contact, we suggest that you use regular e-mail rather than using the Names Directory system. Only members may use the Web-based contact system.
Complaints
The Great North Road is not responsible for and does not necessarily endorse the contents of messages posted on the message board. If you have a complaint about a poster's message, complain directly to that poster. Do not contact the GNR with complaints about a message posted unless you are quite certain that the message in question contravenes either criminal or civil legislation. In your complaint, ensure that you quote the legislation and the jurisdiction in question and (preferably) provide a link to a copy of the legislation on the Web, published on an authoritative (i.e., government) Web site. Threats of a general nature will be ignored; death threats will be (and have been) reported to the appropriate law-enforcement authorities.
Contacting Someone Responsible for the GNR
Several people are responsible for keeping this site operational; each is responsible for different areas of the site. While each of us reads this message board to a differing extent, you should use e-mail if you want to contact one of us for a specific reason and require a response. We may miss your message if you post it on the message board.
Have fun!
The Great North Road -- Northern Rhodesians Worldwide [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
1st of the Month, 2004 at 00:00:00 (GMT, aka UTC)
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Important Notes:
- All posts to this message board are logged.
- You must log in with your user ID and password to post a message.
- Lost your password? Get it through the password-retrieval form.
- If you don't see your post after you have submitted it, try clicking your browser's reload or refresh button.
- Spam will be deleted immediately and the offending member suspended.
- The small images of the fish eagle's head are a clue that you will see a photograph if you click on it. Pictures will open in a new window.
- To have your pictures displayed on the message board, please read the submission instructions.
- The Great North Road is not responsible for and does not necessarily endorse the contents of messages posted here.
- You can read some more notes and helpful hints on the tips page.
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October 15th, 2008
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