Northern Rhodesians Worldwide
|
|
|
|
Message Board
Jayne,
It was a little before your time, 1960's, but my sister Pam was very active in the Little Theatre. She ended up going to Sadlers Wells and training under Margot Fonteyn. She got a job in Wuppertal in Germany as a ballet dancer and now run's a very successful ballet school there, even thought she is a bit long in the tooth. I hope she does'nt read this as she will never forgive me for saying that.
Mike Edwards, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Monday, January 31, 2005 at 20:57:38 (UTC)
|
I lived in Kitwe between 1980 to 85, maiden name of Mahabir. Member of theatre club and cricket club. Does anyone remember, or am I the only one left...
Jayne Hanns, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Monday, January 31, 2005 at 20:30:39 (UTC)
|
Glen,
Was drinking tea (Indian) whilst reading your mail...nearly choked! The Germans are not that desperate to reduce their unemployment..are they? We may have prostitute "zones" here in the UK soon.Feel sorry for those living nearby.
Watching the pictures coming out of Iraq this morning (this time ..whilst drinking coffee) I saw large numbers of Iraqis celebrating the elections...holding pictures of the late Ayatollah Khomeni!! You think Colin may be right? Lets hope not. At least they were able to vote.
Ayub Ismail Zumla, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Monday, January 31, 2005 at 16:21:45 (UTC)
|
H-m-m-m-m-m,
The Telegraph Group of the UK has just published this story yesterday which makes me wonder whether or not the legalisation of prostitution is a such a good idea . . . . . . . well, for women under the age of fifty-five anyway . . . . . . .
'If you don't take a job as a prostitute, we can stop your benefits'
By Clare Chapman (Filed: 30/01/2005)
A 25-year-old waitress who turned down a job providing "sexual services'' at a brothel in Berlin faces possible cuts to her unemployment benefit under laws introduced this year.
Prostitution was legalised in Germany just over two years ago and brothel owners – who must pay tax and employee health insurance – were granted access to official databases of jobseekers.
The waitress, an unemployed information technology professional, had said that she was willing to work in a bar at night and had worked in a cafe.
She received a letter from the job centre telling her that an employer was interested in her "profile'' and that she should ring them. Only on doing so did the woman, who has not been identified for legal reasons, realise that she was calling a brothel.
Under Germany's welfare reforms, any woman under 55 who has been out of work for more than a year can be forced to take an available job – including in the sex industry – or lose her unemployment benefit. Last month German unemployment rose for the 11th consecutive month to 4.5 million, taking the number out of work to its highest since reunification in 1990.
"There is now nothing in the law to stop women from being sent into the sex industry," said Merchthild Garweg, a lawyer from Hamburg who specialises in such cases. "The new regulations say that working in the sex industry is not immoral any more, and so jobs cannot be turned down without a risk to benefits."
Glen Drake, United States [ Profile ] [ Contact ] [ Web ]
Monday, January 31, 2005 at 15:36:36 (UTC)
|
Norman,
Thanks for the info on Tea. Can you oblige me with the addresses of Tea suppliers? Tried sending you a mail via the GNR but it wouldn't go through.Thanks!
Just been talking to friends in Lusaka who tell me things are improving fast ! Business has picked up; which is a good sign.Roads are getting better too! Tourism is on the increase! With Copper prices on a high; consumer spending will increase too! Lets hope the momentum continues and that good, sound ,honest,non-corrupt Management is the order of the day.Otherwise..kaput!
Johnny,
Kawambwe Tea Company is thriving according to figures I managed to obtain. Around 2000 tonnes a year! Another brand of tea I remember was Pitco!
Ayub Ismail Zumla, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Monday, January 31, 2005 at 11:24:38 (UTC)
|
Donald
So, this qualifies as Fifi's latest Bash, a Major Bash, her Midnight Bash, in fact her First Bash as a Fallen Woman and supplies her answer to the question: "What were you doing when the lights went out?"
P.S.
Women drivers rock! Dissenters will be run over.
Tina Magee, United States [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Monday, January 31, 2005 at 01:01:36 (UTC)
|
I have seen the photo of the Bruise on Fiona. All I can say is
Eeeeeee Mama, Ouch
Syd
Donald Sydney, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Sunday, January 30, 2005 at 21:15:05 (UTC)
|
Johnny:
Don't worry about the third witch having any kind of accident in a car. I have been known to stop traffic dead in its tracks.. grin.
Had a funny incident in my home yesterday. My 17yr old son was trying to impress his new girlfriend and told her that I once tried to attack kangaroos with a 2X4. Of course she did not believe him, so he pulls out our photo album from our trip to Perth a few years back. It was at the height of my dearly departed friend, "BM", posting silliness on the GNR and the photo was posed. I had planned to send it in and may have done. Can't remember now. I was in my softball batting stance, rather a large stick in my hand, with several kangaroos staring apprehensively in my direction. We were in a park area in Perth and they are all over this park. The photo makes it look like I am about to swot one of the hapless roos right in the chops, but the truth is that it really was not that close.
The girlfriend looked at the photo and then over at me in the chair, and I non-chalantly muttered, "I thought it was going to hurt one of my kids, so I wanted to show it what would happen if it tried."
Hopefully she got the message not to mess with my baby... grin.
Linda Hayes, United States [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Sunday, January 30, 2005 at 19:10:42 (UTC)
|
SNAKES & LADDERS
Two Post Office technicians were sent out to locate a fault on an overhead telephone line some 20 miles out of town.
The extension ladder was propped against the telephone pole & Joe, the senior technician, climbed up while Cyril steadied the ladder..
Joe clipped his fault finding handset to the phone line & began a fault-finding dialogue with the town phone exchange.
Cyril, feeling the need to spend a penny, walked into the long grass bordering the road, unbuttoned his fly, gave a relieved sigh & began watering the shateen.
He did not notice the movement in the grass & before he could react, a very large black Mamba reared up & pecked him on the business end of his manhood.
Cyril screamed & ran back to Joe.
"Joe , Joe, Help me! I've been bitten by a huge black snake!"
"Cyril don't panic, it will just make the poison spread faster. Lie down & try to be calm.
I'll phone for help."
Joe: "Exchange, put me through to a doctor urgently."
After a what seemed an age a doctor was connected to Joe.
Joe: "Doctor, my mates been bitten by a snake."
Doctor: "What kind of snake?"
Joe: "A large black one."
Doctor: "How far away from the hospital are you?"
Joe: "Twenty miles."
Doctor: "Does not sound good at all, you will not get here in time for us to do any good.
What you can do in the meantime is cut across the bite with a sharp knife & suck as much of the venom out of the bite as possible, get him to the hospital ASAP or else your friend will not survive."
Joe unclipped the phone & started to climb down the ladder.
Cyril:" Joe! Joe!, for Gods sake, what did the Doc say?"
Joe: "So sorry Cyril, he said no hope, you are going to die!!"
Bill Hunt, South Africa [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Sunday, January 30, 2005 at 14:49:07 (UTC)
|
Tea Drinkers!
Quite a number of you on the G.N.R. have made reference to various 'TEAS' etc.
My Son-in-Law, recently returned from Sri Lanka and returned with several samples of Tea.
On each of the 5 packets: 'PURE CEYLON TEA' packed in Sri Lanka.
1st/ MATALE TEA - Low medium flowery Pekoe.
A unique looking tea which has the appearance of
black currants match the environment in which it is produced in the Matale District which is famous for ancient temples with rare and treasured artistic beauty. Here is the tea if you are looking for a thick, sweet drink for relaxation when you are tensed and tired.
2nd/ RUHUNU TEA - Low grown B.O.P.1.
A well twisted Long Leaf Broken Orange Pekoe No.1 is the ideal tea to brew, in places where the water is hard with many minerals. This strong tea gives out its colour in the cup, in the worst waters. The Southern part of the Island has exclusive character in the soil which gives the blackness to this leaf and the strength and colour to the cup.
3rd/ UVA TEA - High grown B.O.P. The Creator of the world thought of you the selective tea drinker who looks for Strength, Character, Flavour and colour in your cup of tea and our tea experts thought of you who looks for a pleasing leaf appearance in the tea you buy. So they made a B.O.P., to satisfy you, in the Uva District on the Eastern part of the hill country which produces exclusive quality teas during July with the help of nature's gift of cold dry winds.
4th/ DIMBULA TEA - Broken orange pekoe. Here is a tea that will give you a bright flavoury cup with milk at breakfast or tea time. The Dimbula Valley, which is around 5000 feet above sea level, produces flavoury teaa during the first quarter of the year when the weather is dry and cold.
5th/ NUWARA ELIYA TEA - In keeping with the colourful splendour of the lush green tea country of Sri Lanka, our tea tasters created a well-balanced blend of flavoury Nuwara Eliya teas rich in character and quality by carefully selecting the best quality seasonal teas from hand picked estates hidden in the misty hills 6000 feet high in the central tea country. This special tea is flavour-sealed and guaranteed fresh.
It is understood that advertising is frowned upon on the G.N.R. I respect this. However, if any member would like the address etc of the suppliers. Please contact me through G.N.R.
Due to the fact we are in a hard water area, we have sampled the RUHUNU variety. Very pleasant!
Norman Kenward, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Sunday, January 30, 2005 at 13:49:11 (UTC)
|
Johnny
You little bearer of tidings, you would, of course, have liked them since they were of the seatbelt variety, on my chest and at bikini level, but all gone now. No-one else was with me thank goodness and no one else was hurt. Yep, airbags on broomsticks are a great invention. Now we just have to keep Fifi from falling in her cauldron. You mustn't worry about the witchdoctor Sikilumeni's niece in Austin. She has special muti to protect herself and Medem Linda and 2 x 4 other reasons not to worry.
Tina Magee, United States [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Sunday, January 30, 2005 at 09:20:39 (UTC)
|
I should have added that another of our favourite girls Tina had a vert lucky escape when she had a car accident while travelling at 40 mph as she remarked to me thank God for air bags (here here) without them we would have been deprived of her sparkling repartee, of course it could be a rival coven putting the Hex on our girls and if it is be careful the 3rd one and lets all hope they both recover quickly . Johnny.
Johnny, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Sunday, January 30, 2005 at 07:45:48 (UTC)
|
PS Tina If you have any bruises from your recent car accident I will be pleased to examine them as well.love Johnny.
Johnny, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Sunday, January 30, 2005 at 06:40:04 (UTC)
|
Tina The poor girl is covered in bruises and if I can get her to send a pic of her thigh I may be able to convince her to send pics of all the other ones and do not worry about my eye sight I have a powerful magnifying glass. Johnny.
Johnny, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Sunday, January 30, 2005 at 06:34:37 (UTC)
|
Honestly Fi, there you go exciting Johnny. Johnny, it's not worth getting so excited over a picture of a bruise. I bet you can't even see it well when Fi is wearing sheer black silk stockings - oh dear, there Johnny goes getting his pig valve all a quiver again...
Glen
Great story telling.
Tina Magee, United States [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Sunday, January 30, 2005 at 04:56:34 (UTC)
|
Glen Aint you finished you cuppa Ceylon yet? Lots going on in Iraq this weekend, if it all goes percentage-wise of voters/population concerned, thats Iraq and Iran big bros again! Apart from all of the bullets fired at the US troops in the last few months, this looks like Bush has shot himself in the foot as well? A similar performance in Iran, which looks like its on the cards, would only eventually end up in the same result in reverse! When will they ever learn, when will they ever learn?
Colin Munro, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Sunday, January 30, 2005 at 02:38:27 (UTC)
|
Happy Birthday BGA. I wish you all the happiness in the world. 1969 was a good year.
Linda Hayes, United States [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Sunday, January 30, 2005 at 00:43:59 (UTC)
|
FI FI YES PLEASE.
Johnny, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Saturday, January 29, 2005 at 23:15:51 (UTC)
|
Oy everyone, stop laughing! I should post a pic of the bruise on my thigh!
Fiona Gayther, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Saturday, January 29, 2005 at 20:28:33 (UTC)
|
On the subjects of snakes and crocs ....
In the Luangwa Valley in the late 60s, we regularly found snakes in the bathroom. A member of staff would capture it and drop it into a large ventilated envelope, and place the wriggling item on Norman Carr's desk. When he visited his office in the early evening, we were fascinated to see him take the selection of envelopes outside, and lovingly drape the snakes over the branches of a tree.
Crocs - We rarely had crocs in Ndola. One evening, husband David, was well past his promised arrival time (as was his wont) but this time he had an even better excuse than usual. He said he had to stop on the causeway across the dambo as there was an enormous croc across the road, and the police were there, together with a number of onlookers. I thought it sounded so ridiculous, it must be true. Not so, the wife of his companion, who insisted on being taken to see the evidence. I assume the police shot it.
Happy days......
Elizabeth Robbins, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Saturday, January 29, 2005 at 16:23:06 (UTC)
|
Tina,
Now that we're into crocodillians . . . . .
You reminded me of the bobbejan smoking a lekker jol of weed while he was sitting in a tree. A blouskop crawled up and asked him for a drag, "Sure" says the bobbejan, "I has plenty which I stole from the boer's mielie patch. Roll as many as you like and enjoy!"
After 30 minutes and three joints the blouskop had a real buzz going and was moersa thirsty so he said to the bobbejan, "Hang on a sec OK? I'm just going down to the river for a drink. Back in a minute." and with that scampered down the tree and went to the nearby river. On reaching the river and being really stoned he leant over too far and fell in. The crocodile nearby saw what had happened, felt sorry, swam over and picked him up and put him back on the river bank.
"What made you fall in?" asked the croc and the grateful blouskop said "Juslike man, I was smoking free boom with the bobbejan in the tree over there and I was bedondered and lost my balance."
"Free?" exclaimed the croc, "Where?" and the blouskop pointed out the direction of the tree.
Off went the croc and soon arrived at the base of the tree, looked up and saw the bobbejan still puffing away happily.
"Hey, you up there . . ." shouted the croc and the bobbejan looked down.
"Geez!" said the bobbejan "You sure drank a lot of water!"
Glen Drake, United States [ Profile ] [ Contact ] [ Web ]
Saturday, January 29, 2005 at 15:43:43 (UTC)
|
Feef
You are not a koi. Stay out of the pond and look after yourself!!!
Johnny
It's not irrelevant to the swamp denizens. Suppose you are a crocodillian telling a mate: "I fancy a bit of casual dining tonight" and then you splash are confronted by a "formal" dinner. Could really mess with your gastroliths.
Tina Magee, United States [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Saturday, January 29, 2005 at 15:12:12 (UTC)
|
To all the people who attended the latest bash at Fiona's and of course to all her other friends.
Our friend FI Fi has injured herself they had a power failure and the next door neighbour was shouting over the fence to Fiona if her power was out Fi walked out into the garden to speak to the lady in pitch darkness and fell into her fish pond a very lucky girl to escape with minor but very sore injuries She was very lucky it could have been a lot worse. Johnny.
Johnny, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Saturday, January 29, 2005 at 08:45:44 (UTC)
|
Dear Tina his clothes are irrevalent I was thinking more on the lines of his wallet being left in his pockets containing his cash and credit cards while you and Bubba watched him swimming in the Everglades, if you are really interested he dresses like a tramp. Love Johnny.
Johnny, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Saturday, January 29, 2005 at 07:11:20 (UTC)
|
Johnny
Missed your note to Doug way back on Jan 22...... about Bubba 'n me minding his clothes. Don't know if we would mind his clothes or not... How does he dress?
Tina Magee, United States [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Saturday, January 29, 2005 at 06:40:59 (UTC)
|
Remember when we had some snow once in NR and Rex Tarr said if this is a white Christmas give it back to the pommies (I think that is what it said). Johnnie
Johnny, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Friday, January 28, 2005 at 22:45:29 (UTC)
|
Snow falls in Oman.
At some time during the night of 25th January, snow fell on Oman. This event is an absolute first in living memory and should be taken seriously as an indication of changes in world weather patterns. The depth of snow was recorded at 50 centimeters (1½ feet) and fell on relatively low lying ground not on our mountain range which is 10,000 feet high.
Hailstone storms although infrequent do occur here in Oman and usually cause a lot of damage to vehicles and property but snow fall never until now.
David Hoyle, Oman [ Profile ] [ Contact ] [ Web ]
Friday, January 28, 2005 at 15:41:09 (UTC)
|
All this talk of snakes and I still shudder in rememberance of my close encounter of the Gaboon Viper kind ... living on the farm with lush vegetation being kept at bay didnt stop the odd visit or two. We had a fire in the pine plantation quite close to the house one day and as we were only 8 miles or so from Kitwe's town centre, we fortunately had the services of the fire brigade. After they had doused the flames we went into the forest to check on any logs still smouldering. Wearing sandals, I didnt venture too far and while I was standing amid the autumnal leaves, I felt something move against my toes, looked down and with horror saw it was a snake. At first I 'identified' it as a python but very soon realised it wasnt when the colours became more visible! Thank goodness it appeared to be somewhat lethargic, possibly from smoke inhalation - anyway I was off like a rocket much to the amusement of the firemen.
We often found baby mambas in the children's shoes within half an hour of them being taken off in the lounge plus up to four could be found lying along the skirting board of the passage in the mornings - I lived in dread of coming across mama or papa but never did I am delighted to say! How the devil they frequented us so often was always a puzzle to me. Our house servant would nonchalantly sweep them out with the broom 'tsk tsking' all the while as if he were chastising naughty children for being in the wrong place at the wrong time!
Regards
Kris
Kristien Massie, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Friday, January 28, 2005 at 13:25:09 (UTC)
|
Dear Johnny,
There was a bounty on the dear little doggies' heads because they killed livestock and game that the Bwanas owned. Now I don't think there are many left in Zambia at all. The wild dogs in Mana Pools are just the other side of the river and they are well fed by impala. Love, Jilly
Mike - another snake story. My mom was staying with my sister here in Midrand. I don't know whether you get these snakes in Zambia but there is a proliferation of Rinkhaals here. They are a sort of spitting cobra with toxic venom, but not as deadly as true cobras. Anyway a very large Rinkhaals made its way into the house and had his eye on mother's maltese doggie. Mother was about 60 at that stage and she grabbed a brick and started bashing this huge serpent on the head. Not surprisingly, the snake spat venom into Mom's eyes. This meant an emergency evacuation by helicopter to hospital where she recovered well and regained her sight. The Rinkhaals didn't fare as well, my brother-in-law chopped it into chunks and threw it outside as a warning to any other visiting Rinkhaals. I say it served my Mom right, she should have shooed it out with a long-handled broom - but try telling an Afrikaner Boeremeisie that!
Jill Aplin, South Africa [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Friday, January 28, 2005 at 12:11:37 (UTC)
|
Dear Jilly if they were such nice little doggies why did the goverment pay the bounty to kill them, your doggies in the South must be better fed than our's were in the North they would chew on empty tin cans to sharpen there teeth to eat the next Bwana that came along we were genuinely frightened of them. Johnny.
------------------------------
The biggest snake skin I ever possessd was about 21 ft long and I foolishly gave it to an American hill billy who was a friend of mine he was only out in NR for a six month contract and we became good buddies, he could have charmed the pants off a Giraffe, Please give me it Johnny so I can show it to my little girl next door and tell her I wrestled with it and strangled it with my bare hands, of course I did.
It was a python that my servants captured in the Kafue swamps it would have looked good across my lounge wall now.
Johnny, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Friday, January 28, 2005 at 08:18:52 (UTC)
|
Ron,
With regard to the black stone : I have had one for the past 34 years. I got it from the White Fathers while I was working at Kasaba Bay in Zambia. At first I believed it was a lot of hogwash, however i tried it on a boil and it worked like a dream just as the paper that came with it says.
Since then it has been used regularly by us as a family for insect bites (spiders & bees), boils & septic wounds.
I have always believed that it is some form of volcanic lava as it is similar in texture to a sample of lava my brother,Doug, brought back from Hawaii.
I have taken a couple of photo's of it plus a copy of the paper that came with it and can e-mail these through to you if I have your e-mail address.
Best regards,
Keith
Keith Grewar, South Africa [ Profile ] [ Contact ] [ Web ]
Friday, January 28, 2005 at 08:03:20 (UTC)
|
Mike. There was a heated debate last year on BT regarding as to whither is was freferable to kill snakes at every opportunity ( or not). The surprising result was sort of 75% against, my position entirely, I won!!; although once bitten quite badly in the fields on Hogmanay, half- pissed, the great snake catcher show off! Arrived at the Salisbury hospital with the head of the snake ( I suppose I won) in an empty First Lord 50s box for identification purposes accompanied by another, by now totally pissed Scottish assistant, who was driving, to the most frosty reception a "dying" man could meet on earth. After dropping my shorts and getting a belter I dont remember much more of that New Year. I am still in touch with the managers' daughter, now in the USA, who remembers the incident, although she was quite young at the time, and she assures me it was the only noteworthy contribution I ever made to her recollection of me on the farm. Price of fame! What I do remember was the incredible strenght of the Puff Adders neck muscles, when you held it behind the head for as long as you could, before dropping into the meallie sack to take home. I still admire this magnificent creature, safely now, from behind glass! I doubt I am a bit old now for a duel in the sun!
Johnny: Jimmy Callaghan used his intelligence during the war to be in Naval Intelligence and thus avoiding any possibility of his untimely demise. Don't blame him for a moment, but no war hero!
Ayub: A pragmatic I most surely am, but as dear old Horace Walpole once said, to quote quite loosely, (the powers of recall not being quite what they were) " A man who thinks with his mind finds this world a comedy , but the man who thinks with his heart finds it a tragedy!" Nothing changes! In the forthcoming election the New Labour in Scotland will further enhance their grip on the One Party State which exists here at the moment; the Tory Party is considered, quite rightly, as being London oriented, or at least the Southern Counties. The Great Divide. Owing to deep rooted Socialism, Kier Hardie, the Red Clyde, etc.etc., it is very difficult for the only possible alternative, the Scotish National Party, to make any headway. Added to this the horrendous EEC goes out of its way to crush any National Identity ! ( Don't knock Tony Benn, he was against the EEC from way way back)
Alec: Spot on regrading the Belgrano. Galtieri sent it out to be sunk in the hope of gathering world support, which, as you so rightly said, he did not get and Maggie sank it to ensure her landslide Tory victory, the greatest since 1924. One up to Maggie, its a pity 400 stool pigeons had to die, more than half of the entire deaths in the fracas! Such, sadly, is the wont of dictators.
Keith: Don't worry over much regarding you chain letter, you were hardly the first! In 1184 ( a long, long time ago) a document that became known as the Letter of Toledo began circulating throughout Europe, predicting that the world would end in September 1186 because of a strange conjunction of the then known planets. When the Archbishop of Canterbury read the letter, he ordered a three-day fast for the apocalypse. When September 1186 passed without incident, he either passed it of as being by his divine intervention (the three day fast) or as being better safe than sorry, I have no idea which, having no access to the archives of the time.
Colin Munro, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Friday, January 28, 2005 at 03:27:42 (UTC)
|
Charlie,
I too had thought the White Fathers'magic stone might be a form of pummice and my memory - now very faded - of the stone I was shown in Africa in the 60s kept in a little box and wrapped in cotton wool - was of a grey black material not at all like the pitch like material I was given yesterday.
I really need to get it chemically analysed at the university to see exactly what it is.
I trust that my intent to discover - will not spoil its efficacy.
If anyone else has memories of seeing one of these little magic stones - I would be interested to read what they thought it looked like.
I would also be eager to hear from anyone who had ever put one to the test.
I am told it is important to apply the stone to the injury as soon as possible and that it is necessary to make a small incision at the site if the bite to allow the blood to flow freely into the stone which will stick to the wound until all blood flow and venom removal has ceased after which it falls off by itself.
I was bitten by an Adder on the left thumb in UK when I was 10 years old, it hurt like hell and my arm swelled up like a sausage balloon. I was given anti venom in Guidlford General Hospital, but as it was such a rare event in those days - they decided to keep me in another hospital and pump me full of Penecillin every day for a fortnight. Those injections hurt more than the snake bite and as a result I am now allergic to Penecillin.
I have had several close encounters with poisonous snakes since then, but have always been very careful and fortunate not to get bitten. I have been gripped for about half an hour by a Burmese python that got me between the right thumb and forefinger with its four rows of teeth in the top jaw and the two bottom jaws - about one hundred teeth in all - each of them about one inch in length. This was when I was carelessly showing a captured female python to some visitors.
I had to sit like a fool on a stool dripping blood into a bowl until the snake released its grip. This was not helped by my visitors well-meaning attempts to poke it - at which it simply bit harder. I said to the snake - Ï will release you, if you release me" - but it took a long time to sink in. I'm sure that had nothing to do with the fact that it was a female snake with short legs!!!
In the past seven summers of keeping goats, geese, ducks and chickens, we have caught and relocated more than sixty Burmese pythons that must think I run a Ronald MacDonalds for pythons. We weigh, measure and sex each one and do a scale count and can verify the fact that each species of snake has its own unique scale count. The largest python we hve caught has been almost fifteen feet long which is not very long as Burmese pythons go in the tropics, but we here are sub-tropical and the snakes must hibernate for half the year. My test of age is the measurement around the head - the last one we had this past year was one foot around the head - and the largest head we have ever encountered.
It had dragged our gardener through the forest as he was hanging on to its tail and he had called me on his mobile phone to rescue him and help capture the snake which he had disturbed trying to smother one of our goats.
Lawrence G Green Books
Well done Charlie for collecting that valuable library. I have here in the temple library all but five of his wonderful books - we must compare notes off board to see if between us we have the whole collection. I highly recommend Lawrence G Green to any of our readers.
Best wishes, Ron
Ron Clibborn-Dyer, China [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Friday, January 28, 2005 at 02:31:51 (UTC)
|
Mike,
I was in Maun, Botswana four years ago with my mother-in-law who was in her 70's. We were camped alongside the river that runs through Maun (name escapes me now) but close to a fancy safari lodge. We decided to treat ourselves and walked to the lodge to have a slap-up dinner. Upon our return, Mom-in-law (Brenda) says very quietly (I don't think she knows that snakes are deaf) "Jilly, there's a snake under your Land Rover and it is heading for my tent." I shone a spotlight under the Landy - and there was fair-sized black mamba - heading straight for Mom's tent. Brenda had zipped up the tent which was erected under a small mopani tree.
I was quite concerned as my tent was also close by and I had promised Otto that I would be nice to his Mum. I sort of chased the snake away from Brenda's tent and it climbed into the tree. I then tried to capture it so that I could remove it to a safer spot (for us!). The mamba then went down a hole in the tree. This I immediately bunged up with a plastic bag and then checked if there were any exit holes - none. We camped under the tree for three days and released the mamba on our departure. The snake was languid but none the worse for its experience and free to scare other campers another day.
Jilly
Jill Aplin, South Africa [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Thursday, January 27, 2005 at 23:12:18 (UTC)
|
Johnny,
Blowing your leg off as a last resort would certainly work as long as you do it quickly. Although the boomslang has the most concentrated poison the Gaboon Viper is much more dangerous to humans. This is because the Boomslang is back fanged and there are not many appendages on a human it can get it's mouth around. The Gaboon Viper is front fanged and as such can inflict a wound anywhere, ankles being common. That is why it is always a good idea to wear high boots. The Gaboon Viper also has a double acting poison that is difficult to treat and works swiftly. The only saving grace with the Gaboon Viper is that it is relatively slow over the ground ( but not the strike) and cannot turn back on itself like the Boomslang.
I kept snakes illegally in Williams House at Rennie and used to pay the juniors a tikkie for every frog or lizard they caught with which to feed my snakes. Eventually "Fluffy" became aware of my activities and made me take them off into the bush. My father in Kitwe shortly followed suit at the end of term.
It would be great to hear more snake stories.
Mike Edwards, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Thursday, January 27, 2005 at 22:08:51 (UTC)
|
I am looking for anyone that was at Woodlands primary school, Lusaka, 1964 to 1970, in the classes of Mrs Shaw (gd4) or Mr Thomas (Gd.7)
Catherine Nalletamby are you there? Yvette Boelsma?
Lydia Findlay? Cyril Phiri? Francesco Torcetti? It was a great school and a great time to be in Zambia.
James Ward, South Africa [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Thursday, January 27, 2005 at 21:28:01 (UTC)
|
Wild Dogs,
I have to disagree with with Johnny and Charlie - I have often - maybe 20 times - walked in the veld following wild dog packs in Kruger and Mana Pools and Hwangie and Botswana. I do not have a gun, so I have to be careful - but I have never had a wild dog even look at me sideways! When I say that I have followed wild dogs - by that I mean that I have walked right up to them within about ten metres. They seem to ignore humans - they are not scared, merely disinterested. They do not eat each other at all. They are the only mammal species that cares for even severely injured animals in their pack.
The best antidote for snake bite is DON"T get bitten! The vine snake and the boomslang have the deadliest venom - but the vine snake has such a small mouth it is unlikely that it could get a grip on a human and the boomslang is not very aggressive at all. My son Kai had a great experience once in the bush. We went out for a game drive and returned back to camp whereupon he picked up a guitar (clad only in his undershorts) to sing at the camp fire. Out popped a 2 metre long boomslang which was very perturbed by the hectic vibration in the the guitar. The snake slithered down Kai's body and gapped it! Had Kai been nervous he might have tried to pluck the snake away and incurred a bite. Luckily, Kai stayed calm and merely stood there and said "look what I found!" It was a most beautiful snake with huge black eyes and it slithered away from all the hustle and bustle - no harm done.
Jilly
Jill Aplin, South Africa [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Thursday, January 27, 2005 at 21:23:23 (UTC)
|
Mike I had over 30 years roving around the bush and the only anti snake bite serum I used to carry around with me was Haig Whisky and must have been lucky was never ever bitten once, often saw plenty but I never bothered them and they never bothered me,I will admit to crying WOLF a few times to take a large swig out of the serum bottle, a good job I ws never bitten my buddies woul'd have said stuff him he's only kidding, we did often discuss what we would do if bitten by a Gaboon Viper around the ankle area, the concensus was you must blow your leg off by the knee and you would only have around 1 minute to make your mind up about that because you would be dead in two, and we all agreed to do the job on which ever of us would need it either with shot gun or rifle, how's that for brotherly love, you may remember in one of my earlier stories about a Buddy crouching in the dark with his pants down and recieved two wounds he swore a snake had bitten him and my mate his name was Glen Tweedie alias MAU MAU spent 5 mins sucking the blood out of his bum wounds until some one took a torch and discovered it ws a roosting hen that had pecked him twice Mau Mau wanted to kill him. Johnny.
Johnny, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Thursday, January 27, 2005 at 19:49:15 (UTC)
|
Bill,
"Boy, it's amazing what political correctness can do to history."
I quickly glanced through the reading too. I am assuming you think there are some distortions in the way the history is described. Are there any specifics that you think are distortions or events that never really happened?
Wild Dogs.
I had heard so much about wild dogs while growing up in the village. I first saw wild dogs in the Luangwa game park in November 1988. We were returning from the evening game viewing when we saw 3 wild dogs that were devouring an impala. The dogs were very excited running around and tagging at the stretched out impala insides.
It was dusk and my camera equipment was not very good. I took a couple shots which later looked no good i.e too dark. The dogs looked very beautiful with gorgeous orangish colors with dark patches. They didn't even pay any attention to us. Thats the last time I saw them and I believe they don't exist in the Luangwa game park any more. The dogs have experienced the fate of the fox in the US. The fox though has been reintroduced in the parks in Arizona.
Mwizenge Tembo, United States [ Profile ] [ Contact ] [ Web ]
Thursday, January 27, 2005 at 19:18:34 (UTC)
|
Snake Bite Antidote
I used to keep snakes in Kitwe and Lusaka and I have heard of lots of remedies. Other than not getting bitten in the first place always make sure you know the nearest place to obtain the correct serum, as that is your best chance of recovery. I would not put my faith in anything else.
Mike Edwards, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Thursday, January 27, 2005 at 16:29:26 (UTC)
|
I read the site that Peter D recommended.
Boy, it's amazing what political correctness can do to history.
You folks who have encountered wild dogs........ rather thee than me!
Bill Knott, Canada [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Thursday, January 27, 2005 at 16:08:34 (UTC)
|
Charles your Dad was lucky I think their attack was governed by how hungry they were, the most dangerous animals in the bush along side elephants.
Johnny, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Thursday, January 27, 2005 at 16:05:24 (UTC)
|
I’m now the proud owner of a copy of ‘The Great North Road’ by Laurence G. Green (plus another 21 titles by the same author). That should keep me out of mischief for a while!
Ron,
Great to hear you have a sample. I thought the stone was a type of black pumice, unlike pitch. I, too, would like to get a specimen.
Johnny,
Circa 1958, my father was barging through thick Napier grass when he was surrounded by a pack of yelping African Wild Dogs. He was carrying his favourite old 9.3 X 62 mm Carl Gustav Husquavarna, and managed to drop five of them before they broke off the attack. Fortunate for him - as his sixth and seventh shot misfired. Knowing there was a bounty on them, he brought the skins in to the Old Boma and was paid 2 ½ Pounds a tail (which had to have a large piece of the hind leg skin attached – probably to avoid fraud). He was a bit upset, as the previous year’s bounty had been 10 Pounds a tail. I know many authorities on Wild Dog claim they do not attack humans. However, my father, a seasoned hunter, readily distinguished the difference between curiosity and aggression. I also have some old hunting books that corroborate attacks on humans by ‘wildehond’, and have seen an amateur video showing a guy ‘treed’ by a pack of coursing Cape hunting dogs.
Ali,
I’ve just returned from a heart wrenching family funeral in Bushmanland, the second I’ve attended this year. While staying on the farm my B_in_Law and I decided to count our Springbok and Gemsbok in the ‘rantjies’, and we had unseasonable rain that day - truly ‘lekker’and I hope the drought is broken. It’s amazing how creatures know when the rains are coming. We noted a large herd of Springbok had formed a nursery of out-of-season lambs, and spotted two Lappet-Faced Vultures that had been blown off course (probably from Angola or the Kruger) by the high jet-stream winds that brought in the rains. Before the rains started, ants made it ‘really uncomfortable’ to walk in the veld. As we walked in the veld the ants were scrambling hither-and thither, as far as the eye could see, before us; but when we tried to stop for a breather we noticed that where we’d passed over them they formed columns and were determinedly scurry after us, along our tracks, with mayhem in mind. Rather disconcerting, to say the least. My B_in_Law remarked that it was due to the scarcity of the once common Delalande’s Fox - or Bat-eared Fox, and that confirmed my suspicions as I’d seen only two on the long night drive to the farm (plus a couple that were road-kills). On the drive up I was fortunate enough to pull up and study a male Antbear - my fifth only sighting despite many years spent in the veld, often stumbling into their burrows and cursing them.
Regards
Charles Cartmill, South Africa [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Thursday, January 27, 2005 at 14:46:26 (UTC)
|
Neil Smit from Luanshya has asked me to tell you Trevor Lyons that he lives in London. Mail address
is neil.smit@cwmsg.cwplc.com .
I am in contact with him regularly and he will go onto the site when he returns from Barbados .
bye from Sally (nee Last)
Sally Erotocritou, South Africa [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Thursday, January 27, 2005 at 14:31:28 (UTC)
|
Hi guys. Peter Rutherford here. Few spare minutes to post a few questions.
Anyone know the whereabouts of the following people:
Mike Craigen ex Kitwe. (the one and only!) last heard of in Scotland.
Melodie Cross (ex Luanshya) anyone know where she went? Possibly Durban.
Gerry Johnson lost track somewhere in the UK I think.
Anne and Eddy Bray ex Kitwe then Durban seems they have gapped it to Aussie somewhere.
LIke to wish you all a Happy New Year.
cheers
Peter
Peter Rutherford, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Thursday, January 27, 2005 at 14:12:41 (UTC)
|
Hi Everyone -
Reading about the favourites of tea drinkers, mine is Tea Direct and obtainable in the UK at Tesco Stores -
The tea is from plantations in Tanzania and Uganda and the profit goes back to the workers in the plantations from whence it comes. I think theyve formed co-operatives. Not having the box in front of me I cant give you more details but it is now my favourite day time tipple!
Regards
Kris
Kristien Massie, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Thursday, January 27, 2005 at 10:31:54 (UTC)
|
Snake Bite antidote
Some of you will remember the correspondence some time ago on the subject of the White Fathers' little black magic stones.
Quite by chance today I was having a simple Chinese lunch with some Little Sisters of Christ at their local residence on a hilltop not to far from where I live.
During the meal the subject of snakes came up and it transpired that two of the sisters had been bitten by snakes whilst gardening - and they had been given a bottle with several pieces of the magic black material all the way from the White Fathers HQ in Belgium.
They have kindly given me one of these valuable pieces which resembles a lump of pitch.
They assured me that they had verified the efficacy of the magic black stones and I now have my sample and the instructions for use and how to reinvest the stone with it natural healing power after use - with warm water. milk and then cold water and drying it out again.
I am assured that it is effective against numerous poisonous stings and bites, cuts and abrasions - so I look forward to testing it on a likely victim.
My reason for visiting these most delighful and humble ladies was to see their Arabica coffee bushes originally from Vietnam and learn how they prepare their own coffee by hand.
As they are leaving their hilltop residence soon, thy have agreed top let me bring some of the coffee bushes to the temple garden where they can grow alongside the Camelia sinensis - the plant from which most teas in the world originate.
So Heather, you are released from your quest to obtain a sample of the magic black stone for me. The sisters told me that these stones cannot be purchased - they have to be given - although they have learned that there are some unscrupulous people in Belgium now selling something purporting to be the same thing.
They say the White Fathers have kept the origin and chemical make-up of the stones a trade secret.
Best wishes, Ron
Ron Clibborn-Dyer, China [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Thursday, January 27, 2005 at 09:57:55 (UTC)
|
On reflection the boma I think would pay £5 for ears not £50 my memory is kaput .Johnny.
Johnny, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Thursday, January 27, 2005 at 09:41:23 (UTC)
|
ALI I have observed wild dogs from close hand very dangerous animals, if we ever heard them and thought they were close by we used to climb a handy tree the bush drill was if they surrounded the tree you were up you shot a good few of them and then you could decend as they would ignore you as they were to busy eating there buddies, I was once attacked by a pack but was lucky enough to get back in my Toyota Land Cruiser and wind up the windows they were hurling there selves at all the windows and when i was driving off there was 3 of them snarling and trying to get at me through the wind screen I did not have a fire arm with me stupidly.
Mwinge I was involved in making and erecting all the steelwork involved in building the Kawamba tea factory near Fort Roseberry and made friends with the experts who had been brought in from Ceylon to oversee the project, I never did get to taste the tea as I left before they went into production but Heather assures me it is good.
PS the goverment at the time used to give you I think it was fifty pounds for every set of wild dog ears you took to the Boma.
Johnny, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Thursday, January 27, 2005 at 07:54:44 (UTC)
|
Ali,
Otto and I recently witnessed - in Mana Pools in Zimbabwe - a pack of eight wild dogs hunting impala. The pack split up the impala herd and three of the dogs went after one impala ewe and the other five brought an impala ewe down 50 metres from our tent. We had followed the three that were unsuccesful. The dogs that had made the kill immediately began hooting to relocate their pack members and bring them in to eat. Two of the dogs that had made the kill left the kill and literally found the stragglers and brought them in. Quite an amazing sight!
Yes guys, let's quit the politics... yawn...
Jilly
Jill Aplin, South Africa [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Thursday, January 27, 2005 at 07:39:41 (UTC)
|
Fascinating Facts
Did you know ?
The range of African wild dogs has dramatically declined in recent years. The species once ranged over nearly all of Africa (except the far northern and southern areas and in dense tropical rain forests), as late as 1983. But by 1996, viable populations could only be found in Tanzania, extreme northeastern South Africa, across most of Botswana, parts of Zimbabwe, and tiny areas of Namibia, Angola and Zambia. In many of these countries, the species survives only in national parks and other protected areas.
The scientific name of the African wild dog, Lycaon pictus, means ornate or painted wolf!
The hunting attempts of African wild dogs are successful 70-90% of the time. This is a spectacular success rate compared to most predators (Sumatran tigers catch their prey only 10% of the time)!
Caring for other pack members starts early in a wild dog’s life — a researcher once observed a 6-week-old pup regurgitating meat for a hungry littermate!
If a subordinate female manages to become pregnant, the alpha female may steal the pups to raise as her own!
The hoot of a lost African wild dog can be heard by humans from as far away as 2.5 miles (4 km), probably much farther by other dogs!
and I think they are such a pretty animal ...bit like the Warthog...... :o)
Ali Key, Australia [ Profile ] [ Contact ] [ Web ]
Thursday, January 27, 2005 at 04:10:29 (UTC)
|
Yep didn't Malawi have some good tea?
Love Taj Mahal brand tea these days. Get it in my local Indian store. Comes from India, robust and flavourful.
Tina Magee, United States [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Thursday, January 27, 2005 at 03:20:31 (UTC)
|
Kawambwa tea in Zambia is very tasty. I always bring a few packets with me and store them in the deep freezer.
We had a big hallabaloo here when someone forwarded a very provocative political e-mail last October. There were strong objections. May people advised that if you receive a bad e-mail, just delete it. It just takes probably a fraction of a second. This may not work if you receive this bad e-mail by the thousands.
A week after the Swedish boy had been reunited with his relatives. I received the same e-mail. I assumed that he was a different boy and not the one I had seen on CNN. We all forget that the Tsunami disaster was shocking. Usually I just delete them. But I forwarded it to people I know. My sister-in-law sent me an e-mail saying the boy had already been reunited with his father.
Mwizenge Tembo, United States [ Profile ] [ Contact ] [ Web ]
Wednesday, January 26, 2005 at 22:04:07 (UTC)
|
Hey, guys and gals,
Enough with the re-hashing of pommie politics, . zzzzzz.
Doug G....every time I hear Vera Lynn the hair goes up on my neck..... red as it may be. I dont know if it is senior-itis but the WW2 and anything to do with soldiers and sacrifice for us, gets me. No matter the side or day, war is not nice, ya know, old chap.
Yet we do it sometimes to "preserve our way".
Oh well.
Bill
Bill Knott, Canada [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Wednesday, January 26, 2005 at 21:51:45 (UTC)
|
Yunus,
I checked my e-mail bank and could not locate Kadodia's e-mail. I never talked to him. But we sent e-mails back and forth. He brought me up to date about his family and what he is doing in UK. I talked to Abdul Munshi though 2 weeks ago. He is in Canada with his family. We had funny exchanges on the phone. In his first e-mail he says to me: "Hello Tembo. This is Abdul. You remember that mwenye who was your classmate at Chizongwe." I laughed so hard as I knew I was talking to a Zambian. I just miss those humorous conversations with Zambians where I don't feel I have to be on defence or think about what you say because you might use an offensive term. Political correctness in America has a price.
Mwizenge Tembo, United States [ Profile ] [ Contact ] [ Web ]
Wednesday, January 26, 2005 at 21:44:28 (UTC)
|
I have just received my CD of Lucille Starr's "French Song." It certainly brings back some memories. Her voice reminds me of Vera Lynn the forces sweetheart in WW2. Maybe Johnny and some of the other seniors might remember her?
Doug Grewar, South Africa [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Wednesday, January 26, 2005 at 21:00:15 (UTC)
|
I don't know about tea being grown in Zambia but I have a friend who has done well over the last few years growing coffee. I think the conditions required for the two crops may be a little different.
Mike Edwards, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Wednesday, January 26, 2005 at 20:23:53 (UTC)
|
Johnny: Not good on this site.
Ayub: The Reluctant Peer,Anthony Wedgewood-Benn in the War? That argumentative bugger probably started it.
Ken Fernie, United States [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Wednesday, January 26, 2005 at 20:21:44 (UTC)
|
Ayub
I think you are right .The Labour Government would not have gone to war.
Jim Callaghan meant that if the country HAD been at war and the decision was his he would have done the same thing under similar circumstances
You may well mention Tony Benn.He pontificated overmuch in those days and Argentina amongst other countries thought his views were a true representation of the Government and the UK.They seemed to forget that Labour was no longer in power.
I believe that Argentina would never have invaded the Falklands if they had thought there was any chance of a war with Britain.
Mike Slement, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Wednesday, January 26, 2005 at 20:12:42 (UTC)
|
Hi Peter
What was your father's first name? I will see Cas this week some time.
Cheers
Philip Pain, South Africa [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Wednesday, January 26, 2005 at 19:49:16 (UTC)
|
Mon would be interested in contacting Sarah Hoffman nee Erasmus from G.S.H.training 1953-1957 (she was from Muf.)
Monica Robson, South Africa [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Wednesday, January 26, 2005 at 19:13:02 (UTC)
|
Glen,
Sri Lankan tea just does not sound good..yep! Ceylonese..better. Anyone know of any tea being grown in Zambia. Think Malawi has some "masamba" plantations.
Ayub Ismail Zumla, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Wednesday, January 26, 2005 at 19:09:58 (UTC)
|
Ayub,
Rooibos every now and then, mainly Liptons but any good *Ceylon tea will do.
Note : Us seasoned tea drinkers will always call it Ceylon.
Glen Drake, United States [ Profile ] [ Contact ] [ Web ]
Wednesday, January 26, 2005 at 18:43:15 (UTC)
|
Glen...wow! You a big tea drinker? Redbush? or Five Roses like me!
Ayub Ismail Zumla, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Wednesday, January 26, 2005 at 17:53:35 (UTC)
|
Glen.
Vis a vis Iran..lets wait and see.I think in my humble opinion that the Shias in Iraq know exactly what they doing. Get into power and then "join" up with their kith and kin in Iran. Remember Shias are on the whole a very united people. Unlike the Sunnis who are divided and can be "handled" easily.. I don't think I am naive. Lets wait hey? Maybe one should take Iran out of the list of tyranical regimes if things are "improving" there!
Johnny,
Was only trying to make a comparison between Maggie and Callaghan. Still think he would not have had a go at the Argies; given the way Labour was at that time. I think even Tony Benn fought in the War. Did he not?
Ayub Ismail Zumla, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Wednesday, January 26, 2005 at 17:49:42 (UTC)
|
I’m sipping on my cup of tea my “old-timer’s” thoughts kick in and I smile to myself, saying “I told you so”.
I read Ayub’s naïve comments about a Shia majority in Iraq and the “friendliness” it may or may not have with Iran.
Who cares?
I turn on the TV and what do I see? I see Iran, I see the young (“the future”) girlfriends with their boyfriends walking around publicly holding hands; sitting in cafés drinking; walking around the streets talking on cell phones. The TV commentator says that this new behaviour being exhibited by the young is “tolerated” by the older more “religious” sects of their society. Geez, what would happened to the “violators” 10 years ago!
Flip the channel – story of France and the problems it is having with the new immigrants of a different faith who have “invaded” their homeland and are called to prayer in the streets ‘cause there aren’t sufficient mosques to accommodate their numbers.
I think, their bodies may be in a different country but their minds and souls are in a mosque miles away.
The next 30 minutes are devoted to the "global Salafi jihad". I am surprised at the high level of education of many of their members. I log on to WWW and read an article by Brendan O’Neill (New Statesman – July 26, 2004) “Terrorists: people who are just like us” and in which Marc Sageman is quoted as saying :
“They became homesick, feeling lonely and marginalised and perhaps rejected by their new host society. They drifted to the mosques, more for companionship and friendship than for religion".
Flip the channel . . . .
Court TV is reviewing the case of Paul Shanley, a Roman Catholic priest who repeatedly raped a 6-year-old boy at church 20 years ago.
Search WWW “religious fanatics” . . . .
Zionist Jewish fanatics are reportedly nearing completion of a plan to destroy the holy Aqsa Mosque.
So (still sipping on my tea) I’m trying to figure out what this all means?
The only answer I have is that there are millions of people who lead empty lives and look to fill them with some sort of “passion”.
Unfortunately, in the dark ages all these various “religions” sprung up and if nowadays you happen to been born into one of them, the chances are you’d end up being “one of them”. If you are looking for a “reason for living” and can’t find one except through hate, which fits rather well into a lot of religions and races (it seems to me anyway) then guess what? Group together with all the other people of a similar background (race or religion) and use hate to destroy what you can’t get or don’t like. Hey, justify your actions on what’s written in a book!
As one who believes that we cannot prove the existence or the non-existence of deity, I wonder where all this mumbo-jumbo will end.
I think most will agree that race and colour prejudices are relatively easy to deal with – throw in “creed” and you have a real mess on your hands.
Time for another cup of tea.
Glen Drake, United States [ Profile ] [ Contact ] [ Web ]
Wednesday, January 26, 2005 at 17:21:21 (UTC)
|
Ayub if you are suggesting that Callaghan was a softie think again any man who went through the last war in the forces certainly was not, he was maybe thinking on the lines that a lot of men in Africa used to do which was , What do you call a black man with a machine gun, SIR.
Johnny, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Wednesday, January 26, 2005 at 15:51:06 (UTC)
|
Mike,
James Callaghan....is this the same PM who is supposed to have "knelt" before Idi Amin? No...don't think he could have sunk the Belgrano!
Ayub Ismail Zumla, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Wednesday, January 26, 2005 at 15:10:53 (UTC)
|
Alec Swan , Here Here< what was it supposed to be doing snooping round our forces was it taking them some hamburgers I doubt it, Johnny.
Johnny, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Wednesday, January 26, 2005 at 14:43:02 (UTC)
|
Colin
I saw an interview with James Callaghan a few years ago.
The interviewer asked Callaghan why he had kept so quiet over the Belgrano affair
His answer was‘ I kept quiet because I would have done exactly the same thing as Maggie. I would have sunk the Belgrano without any hesitation’
You might well say ‘so what’ but he was the Labour Prime Minister just before Thatcher was elected and I also believe he served in the Navy during the 2nd
World War.
Mike Slement, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Wednesday, January 26, 2005 at 13:42:30 (UTC)
|
Yunus,
Been celebrating Eid..eating plenty!
Hope urs went well.
Colin,
Your political compass is in a spin! I guess you are a pragmatic. Criticism where criticism is due is a good thing...instead of being deeply entrenched in dogma. How do you think New Labour will fare in Scotland in the next General Election..with Blair's political compass spinning further than Thatcher's?
Doug,
See that the Government in the country Mark Thatcher is "alleged" to have tried to help topple is not on the USA's Tyranny list. Strange too that China and a host of other Middle Eastern countries are not on cited. At least Zim is on it. Also note that the elections in Iraq are due shortly. With a Shia majority..now is that what the US wanted...a Shia Government which will be friendly with Iran? Now that sure will send the compass spinning in orbit!
Ayub Ismail Zumla, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Wednesday, January 26, 2005 at 10:40:17 (UTC)
|
Jeez Colin heavy stuff, suppose Mick and Arthur would have had us all singing the Red Flag by now if thier troops (the miners) had got away with it.
Lets face it that ship could always have turned right instead of left, it was put to sea to be sunk, the only truoble was that the Argie thugs didnt get the world sympathy that they hoped to get.
Alec Swan, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Wednesday, January 26, 2005 at 09:14:51 (UTC)
|
Keef Binns
S'like anything, if we're going to pass on dire warning mails or do anything in this life don't most of us want to do so responsibly? How? Check places like Snopes or another urban legend site first to make sure you're not passing a total time waster on to your friends. Not too hard to stay up with the news too if you are passing on items of news. That story of the little boy found after the Tsunami continued circulating for a week after the item was front page news in Papers and on the Internet news sites. Heck it may still be going the rounds. Can't we attempt to spread goodwill in a more informed and intelligent manner rather than merely blindly disseminating misinformation? Of course if something doesn't turn up on the urban legend sites (and I haven't yet had that happen) it could be useful passed on to others.
Many people like cute "have a happy day" type pass-it-ons and that's a different category. S'wot I think, anyway.
Tina Magee, United States [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Wednesday, January 26, 2005 at 04:33:32 (UTC)
|
Doug I suppose I am like most people and hate politics with a vengence. The only good ones I recall, albeit they came to promenance 220 years appart ( Charlie and Iain) came to a sticky end, after which I lost hope! Dear old Maggie increased the salaries of the Police and Army by 20% prior to her assault on the miners of Scotland to ensure their support in the forthcoming forays. It sure worked! To the extent that her Party was completly wiped out in Scotland in the next election, not one left standing and unable to find an elected member to be her Scottish Secretary of State (ie lackey), shows the extent of how dearly we hold her memory!! A vindictive, evil witch, balls without a doubt, but so had Hitler, her " hero", we can assume?? No!! Perhaps her other causes such as the murder of the sailors of the Belgrano, sunk sadly by a sub out of Faslane, to enhance her re-election chances, which worked, helped no doubt by "P" Andrew, enhanced her reputation of being a world statesperson. Look at me! The Hero of the Falklands! A few Argie conscrips who did not really know why they were there in the first place were, basically the enemy?
Johnny Who will not shed a tear for Manny or the thousands locked up in the Zim nicks at the present? Answer: The Mother and Son Reunion!
Ken's Posting on the 21st Jan. should make it clear as to why we are on Mike's slippery slope, nothing to do with any post Thatcher nonsense, as has been put forward, just the absolute Shite ( to quote Pappy with his permisson on the Copy Right ) coming from the EEC.
Colin Munro, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Wednesday, January 26, 2005 at 03:34:51 (UTC)
|
Fiona
Thank you for your prompt response.
Ayub
Whats up bro! how was Bakra Eid.
Tembo
Did you ever manage to speak to Mossadiq Kadodia?
Heather
I wanted to post some winter pictures on the site. Did you not get my email?
Chico
How come I see no messages from you of late?
Sorry!! all questions I'm afraid.
Regards to all
Yunus Badat, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ] [ Web ]
Tuesday, January 25, 2005 at 22:30:40 (UTC)
|
Hi,
I remember posting an obituary for my dad........now one for my sister, Susan, who died on December 8th. Any special routes, or do we just write to Arthur?
Paul Cowie, South Africa [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Tuesday, January 25, 2005 at 20:54:16 (UTC)
|
Doug
There was good reason for Mark Thatcher being called Thicko Thatcher at
Harrow Public School but I agree with you about Maggie.
In my opinion the country has been on the slide ever since she left.
Johnny
A friend of mine,Alan Stevens (now deceased) fought as a mercenary in the Congo.
He was under the command of Mike Hoare and was there when the Simbas tried to massacre all those civilians lined up in the city centre, Was it Elizabethville?
In 1985 I was on the Greek island of Poros and one of the holiday reps was a Greek man in his twenties. He was born in the Congo and he remembered the event very well. He was only a young boy at the time but he was one of the civilians that survived the shootings.
Mike Slement, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Tuesday, January 25, 2005 at 20:25:58 (UTC)
|
Johnny
I agree it would have been no loss if the tyrannic government of Equitorial Guinea had been overthrown.
Colin
Personally I rather liked old Maggie Thatcher. She had more balls than most of the male Prime Ministers. You must have bad memories of what she did to crush the miner's strike.
Doug Grewar, South Africa [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Tuesday, January 25, 2005 at 18:23:20 (UTC)
|
I believe there are a lot of tears being shed in Pretoria just now ?.
Johnny, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Tuesday, January 25, 2005 at 16:42:14 (UTC)
|
Gentle men give meneer Thatcher a break he is goer at least he is not afraid to gamble in this case if he had lost and been sent to Guinea for trial his head would be languishing in some body's refrigerator, but if he had won just imagine the money the oil companies would have lavished on him because that was what it was all about and personally I am sorry he lost and also sorry for his buddies who are in Mug's jail, goers all of them . Johnny.
Johnny, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Tuesday, January 25, 2005 at 16:19:40 (UTC)
|
Mike You asked if Thatcher and his Merrymen had planned to overthrow Mugs and his Gangstermen would I look upon them in a more favourable light? I would make a deal with the Devil and sell my soul to Satan if they would undertake and achieve the destruction of the entire ZANU PF cohort of skellums. But that does not mean I would look upon the Forces of Darkness in a more favourable light, well probably just a little more because of the Thatcher Factor of the other bunch!
Colin Munro, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Tuesday, January 25, 2005 at 14:59:22 (UTC)
|
Hi Keith:
I'm not telling anyone not to forward chain emails. I'm just asking them not to send them to ME. I'm also giving people the opportunity not to bug the heck out of those of us that don't want the nonsense, by first using some common sense and checking out their validity against a site that has all of the hoaxes listed. By the way, Dell Computers will send you $10 if you can respond to me without being rude... grin. Sorry, couldn't resist.
Your point about the little boy was well taken. However, the emails were forwarded to me well after he was already found and reunited with his father. With all the 24/7 coverage of the tsunami, which prominently featured his face on the TV and newspapers before his father was found, one would have hoped that people either read a newspaper, watched one of a gazillion TV news shows, or even listened to the radio.
The main point I was making was that it just takes a minute to stop and think before blindly forwarding something on.
Linda Hayes, United States [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Tuesday, January 25, 2005 at 14:06:22 (UTC)
|
Just a thought about chain e-mails, hoaxes etc., from a guy who is not on top of the matter - - - - me.
Almost all I know about this subject I have learned from Linda’s frequent GNR postings on the subject. Who would admit that he/she has never forwarded on some sort of chain message promising you $1,000 from zillionaire Bill Gates if you do so? Hands up all those who plead guilty. Case proven. I certainly did once and not so long ago. Amongst the earlier addressees who had forwarded on that message were professors, doctors and the like, so on the basis of “They aren’t stupid and I have nothing to lose, and the very small chance of winning $1,000” I passed on said message. I did receive two immediate responses (one from my son) complaining about my stupidity and gullibility and saying they thought I would have known better. OK, I now know better and am still waiting for that money from Mr. Gates.
However…
On the photo of that young blond (Swedish?) boy with all the scratches on his face and a plaster on his arm who was found but not identified after the tsunami I think the passing on of the chain e-mail was absolutely correct. He was soon identified and possibly as a result of that e-mail. If you get your priorities right NOBODY could object to being part of a chain e-mail just because your oh so confidential e-mail address is visible when the consequence is so unimaginably good.
PS. (Currently back in Perth for a week, despite the address below. It's wonderful to be back and especially so during the Australian Open (C'mon Lleyton and Alicia) and for Australia Day tomorrow.)
Keith Binns, United Arab Emirates [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Tuesday, January 25, 2005 at 10:20:54 (UTC)
|
Jilly,
You are quite right my surname does mean paper in most languages,but Queens english,you are having a laugh are you not?only the queen speaks her english,other wise if you lived over here you would know that there is no such animal,shite, even Van Der Merwe spokes it better than most English,specially Londoners.
Regards to Otto
Pappy Papier, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Tuesday, January 25, 2005 at 09:46:13 (UTC)
|
Dear Linda /Alix all it tells me is we have gained 222 members per year since inception love to you both Johnny.
Johnny, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Tuesday, January 25, 2005 at 08:33:53 (UTC)
|
Dear Irma sorry Tina I see you haff vays and means but anything but tampering vith my private settings.
Johnny, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Tuesday, January 25, 2005 at 08:30:23 (UTC)
|
Linda..just means we have an fisheagle eyeeeed member that is you... I thought I was the only one that looked at things that way...ohhh and only 4 more members and we reach 2000.....
Ali Key, Australia [ Profile ] [ Contact ] [ Web ]
Tuesday, January 25, 2005 at 06:03:27 (UTC)
|
Just a statistical comparison.. of sorts. We now have 1996 members as of tonight, and the site was started in 1996. What does that mean? The heck if I know!
Linda Hayes, United States [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Tuesday, January 25, 2005 at 04:51:39 (UTC)
|
Dear Tina what have you got planned for people with no teeth?
Mein Lieber Chonney,
Vurst ve are shtarting mit der amplified recordink of der fingernails sqveaking on der blackboard for fifteen minutes. Und zen ve are dilutink all ze beer by putting in ze wasser. Finally ve are hecking into ze pc und changing ze settings zo you cennot see effen von voluptuous mädchen mittout der clothes.
Ve zink for sure you vill crack he he he......
Tina Magee, United States [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Tuesday, January 25, 2005 at 03:00:00 (UTC)
|
Bob Gillies....
You could always try sending a nice email to the the owner of the site:
Keith Norgrove at grovenor-at-dsl.pipex.com
Also I had a really nice offer from Donald Sydney - you may want to contact him through the members list.
I'll try and do a Google search to see if anyone has photos for sale when I have some time this week..
Peter Dielissen, Canada [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Monday, January 24, 2005 at 21:01:34 (UTC)
|
Obviously no problem connecting with the GNR
Mike Slement, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Monday, January 24, 2005 at 20:55:08 (UTC)
|
Colin
If Simon Mann and Mark Thatcher plus all their merry men had planned to overthrow Mugabe and his henchmen instead of the Equatorial Guinea and had actually succeeded I presume you would be looking at them in a much more favourable light.
Linda
I am not sure whether we are talking about the same thing but I was in direct touch by email with a GNR member recently(for the first time) and since then I have had 3 emails purporting to come from that member the last 2 warning me about viruses
. I deleted the last 2 without opening them.
I have been unable to check if they are genuine, as I have been unable to send an email all day and this from 2 different computers.
Mike Slement, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Monday, January 24, 2005 at 20:52:45 (UTC)
|
Dear Tina what have you got planned for people with no teeth? Love Johnny.
Johnny, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Monday, January 24, 2005 at 20:36:24 (UTC)
|
Lindy
I am SO WITH YOU. I get tired of referring people to Snopes. Just check the warning out first people.
However, on a lighter note, maybe that's what happened to your message to me .... we didn't forward umpteen warning messages to 18 zillion people within 5 minutes and so your message went to the devil!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Let me know if he replies, hey?
Seriously, though to the few offenders, no more email warnings without prior verification of the facts or for variation on Linda's nutcracker I will write to your dentists and tell them you are allergic to anesthetic and in no circumstances to use any when working on your teeth.
Love and kisses,
Tina
Tina Magee, United States [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Monday, January 24, 2005 at 18:33:08 (UTC)
|
Peter Dielissen, The site with Garrett photos was really good, I would love some of them enlarged and block mounted, is this possible from that site? While my Dad was on Rhodesia Railways in 1960 we were stationed at Chipongwe between Lusaka and Kafue. We had a pump station with de-liming tanks so we got quite a few Garretts stopping over for water and got a chance for a good look at them. We had a sweeping bend on the approach from Lusaka and I got a photo of one with a long line of wagons behind it , and won the Sunday paper Competition with the shot. I got 5 bob for that. Our neighbour station foreman that helped me hold his camera for that photo was my dad's pal David Jones who is now back in Liverpool. Interesting thing is that his son David saw my mother's entry on GNR and my mum got a call from David Snr last year and she spoke to Dave and his wife Elsie who she had lost track of ages ago when we last heard they were in Plumtree. Thanks GNR! She hopes to visit them (45 years later!)
Bob Gillies, South Africa [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Monday, January 24, 2005 at 17:00:16 (UTC)
|
To those who still have me on their chain email list:
Please can I ask you again to check your list and delete my name. I do not want to receive any chain emails and usually delete them without even opening them. I would love to stay in contact with everyone on a personal level, so please don't delete me altogether. grin.
One of my pet peeves is to receive a chain email with an urgent warning forwarded on from Microsoft or Yahoo or the Devil, and it is nothing more than a hoax.
If you are one of the people who genuinely wants to warn everyone you know about a virus, or the end of the world, or whatever, please at least take a minute to check the legitimacy of what you want to forward to the world. When you forward a forwarded email that was forwarded to you from someone who received it as a forwarded forward, you perpetuate the damn thing.
Here is a link that you can check just about anything out there to see if it's a hoax or not. A lot of the virus warning emails are just that, a hoax, although some are not. All you need to do is type in this link and check it.
http://www.symantec.com/avcenter/hoax.html
It's just one of a number of sites you can use to check, but please be courteous to others and take the time to do it!!
FYI: The current HOAX circulating is the one that address "Life is Beautiful." I have received it several times and it is still a HOAX!
A simple test is also to use some common sense. If you get an email that says if you send the email on, Old Navy, or Gap, or the Devil will pay you $1 for everyone you send it to, think about it. How could they possibly track that? Same goes with the "help my son with a (Science, English, History) school project by adding your name to the list and forwarding it to umpteen people you know, so that little Johnny can track it as part of the project. Even if the email implores you to do it because it is not a joke but something little Johnny gets a grade on at school, still think about it. How is little Johnny possibly going to be able to track it??
Okay, I'm off my high horse. But be forewarned.. if I get another chain email, I will report you to the Bureau of Stupid Buggers and they pay me $1 for every head they crack grin (for Colin's benefit...)
Linda Hayes, United States [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Monday, January 24, 2005 at 14:09:21 (UTC)
|
To Those who have sent me any emails the past two weeks , they are floating in cyber space I cannot get them at this present time..I have a temporary new address which can be accessed by the "contact this person" on the message board..thanks
Ali Key, Australia [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Monday, January 24, 2005 at 08:25:58 (UTC)
|
Lindy
I have toofcombed my old messages in eager anticipation for this long lost missive of yours and I found it not. Would you resend?
Ali
Thanks I got it.
Tina Magee, United States [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Monday, January 24, 2005 at 04:32:56 (UTC)
|
Hi Tina, Have sent you an email via my yahoo email....
hope you are keeping well and Ted too.....
Ali Key, Australia [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Monday, January 24, 2005 at 03:20:03 (UTC)
|
Jill: Thanks for the diverson, it may take the heap,sorry, heat, off me for a moment!
Doug: Got to get back regarding your erstwhile citizen Master Mark Thatcher,Sir, etc. etc. While I will admit you were right in your analysis, perhaps having your finger closer to the pulse regarding the disposition of the SA CID and Prosecution Services, no one in their right mind could have bought his non-sensical excuse for not being up to his neck in the overall plot and allowing him to walk. The fact that the old Hideous Witch spent Christmas with him in the Cape, bending lugs hither and thither could not have did his cause any harm; do you think? I believe he is at present in London, hiding under the petticoats as usual, hoping for a visa to the USA, pity Plunker is still not in charge, he'd be out on the next flight! Calif, you are welcome to him; any chance you also could take his revolting mummy? Hope Mug's pack of cards falls soon, as you predict, and he breaks his neck hitting the bottom. Where he belongs! After which it won't be long till the Avenues are renamed again in Salisbury, albeit the only Moya to date is Jason, but there are a few Mugabes here and there.
Colin Munro, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Monday, January 24, 2005 at 02:12:02 (UTC)
|
Pappy,
I have been rather intrigued lately by your continued referral to the fact that you can detect the 'odour' of the most basic egress. Does not your surname translate - from the High French, of course, to "Bog Roll" in the Queen's English? Sorry about that - maybe it means something totally different in Glaswegian?
Love, Jilly
Jill Aplin, South Africa [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Sunday, January 23, 2005 at 22:48:37 (UTC)
|
Esther:
Very funny story about the Great Toronto Flood. grin.
My hubby is out there in the garage, with the scematics of the machine and the bleddy thing in pieces. I wonder how much it is going to cost to get the professionals in to finish the job... No seriously, he is a honey and arrived just in time to turn the garage light off for me when I was done cleaning up the mess yesterday. Ha! Ha!
Another incident along your lines comes to mind. I used to live with my sister and her husband when I first immigrated here. She and her husband built their own double storey house, literally. It took them 2 years and help from friends and they owned it outright and the land it was built on, before they were 30yrs old. Quite a feat here in the States. Unfortunately, they did not have air conditioning or central heating, and relied on a huge fireplace that was in the downstairs family room and which was designed to heat the whole house.
My first winter with them, they had gone off on holiday to ski in Colorado, where they had a condominium at a ski resort there. Not being much of a snow bunny after living in Kitwe most of my life, I decided I would stay home and contemplate why the heck I had left sunny Africa for frigid Texas! It was one of the coldest winters we have had here. The day they were due back, I decided to build them a lovely fire in their fireplace for when they got home after a 2 day drive from Colorado.
Having known a few Boy Scouts in my youth and being experienced in setting them on fire... oops... Start again... Having been taught how to build a fire in the bush, I thought it would be a piece of cake. I knew how to stack the locks with plenty of room for the air to circulate, etc. I made a huge mound in the fireplace, got the matches, lit the newspaper and kindling and blew to get it all going. The wood had been a bit wet and began to sizzle and smoke. Nothing to worry about... yet. But after about 2 minutes of this, I realized that the smoke was not going up the chimney at all, but directly into the living room. I backed away and stood up, only to be in a deep haze in her house. I got such a scrook and thought I had set the house alight, so I took off out the front door, and ran down the street, screaming my head off for help. As I ran down the street, waving my hands in the air like a screaming banshi, I saw them turn the corner in their van. Sheila rolled the window down and stuck her head out with a big smile, telling me it was lovely to see me so eager to welcome them home like this with waves and shouts of joy! I was just about to explain that I was not waving at them, but waving for help, when I heard a loud curse come from the driver's seat. At that point, her husband, Roy, spotted the smoke billowing out of his house and almost gunned me down as he wheelied off down the road and left me standing there in panic.
By the time I staggered back to the house, Roy had resolved the problem. I, in my infinite wisdom, had not opened the flue in the chimney, so it was shut tight when I lit the fire. The whole house was filled with smoke, and I was totally humiliated beyond belief by my stupidity. Roy was ready to lynch me, Sheila was trying to be nice about it but I could see she was livid, and I was persona non grata for a week while the house smelled of smoke.
The moral of the story? Don't play in the bush with Boy Scouts unless they prepare you for ALL situations! Grin.
Linda Hayes, United States [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Sunday, January 23, 2005 at 22:13:46 (UTC)
|
Better get this in quick before anyone else explains what a " Choochter" is! He is a handsome, intelligent, honest, law abiding, splendid gentleman in a skirt, who was mainly employed in the City of Glasgow from the 1880's onward in the police force, to bring law and order to this Godless metropolis, the city fathers being unable to find any homegrown specimens to fit the " bill" ! (much the same as the Mick cops of NY during the same period and for the same reason). On or off duty they were easily distinguishable by their inebriation and diction. I have a funny feeling they and their descendants are not very popular with the natives to this very day!
Colin Munro, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Sunday, January 23, 2005 at 16:49:24 (UTC)
|
Colin
You remember I prophesised that Mark Thatcher would buy his way out and he did. I was not so good on may Rugby prophesies though.
I am delighted that Moyo has been given further problems! I reckon this is the begining of the end. I always said Mugabe would fall when he could no longer keep his own close followers happy. Well it is starting to happen. As for Mkapa he seems to be another idiot trying to swim against the flow of history.
Slangibar - Doug
Doug Grewar, South Africa [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Sunday, January 23, 2005 at 16:35:14 (UTC)
|
Doug; And now he's been accused of " prejudicing " old Mugs out of $68 million! Strange turn of phrase and strange amount to come up with out of the blue. Like all the best gangsters the loot is hidden (or so he hoped, but in vain it looks like) under the names of his mothers, sisters, Uncle Tom Cobbleys and all. The spread in Mazowe looks like just the start of the process of his loosing everything he stole whilst grinding everyone else into the dirt. In the overall political picture, it might not seem a lot, but its a good start and good a riddance to this pestilence as you say. Looks like Tanzania's out as well now after Mkapa nipped down to give Mugs a big hug and a pat on the back, wishing him all the best for March. Charming!
Colin Munro, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Sunday, January 23, 2005 at 16:03:50 (UTC)
|
Northerners....
Not sure if you have looked at the "MAPS" page on this site lately...
Arthur Steevens has posted this great map of the Union Castle line and it's routes.
On the side of the map are some interesting mileage tables though unfortunately non relating to Northern Rhodesia.
Peter Dielissen, Canada [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Sunday, January 23, 2005 at 14:50:41 (UTC)
|
YANUS
I succesfully applied for a birth certificate at The Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages in Lusaka on behalf of my brother (he was born in 1960). They were extremely helpful.
The address for the Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages in Zambia is
PO Box 32311
Lusaka
Zambia
Telephone: Zambia + (260) 1 228196 or 228197
I suggest you try and ring them for information rather than writing or relying on internet information.
Fiona Gayther, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Sunday, January 23, 2005 at 13:09:08 (UTC)
|
Would any members tell me how one would be able to obtain a duplicate birth certificate. Some one has just sent me an email and wants this info. He was born in Ndola in 1966 and presently lives in France.
Any info would be appreciated.
Yunus Badat, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ] [ Web ]
Sunday, January 23, 2005 at 12:40:23 (UTC)
|
NFL Fans - playoff games
The cold and frigid weather plus the expectation of snow in Pitsburg and expecially Philly is an opportunity to put a few bob on the "under" score.
Craig - a good bet to recoup lotto losses....
Peter Dielissen, Canada [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Sunday, January 23, 2005 at 09:35:33 (UTC)
|
Mwizengi for the life of me I cant see how the yanks can play in that type of weather. Hell I bet it will be snowing. You wont be able to see the lines on the feld. It will be cold slippery and they wear mits.
The crowd will all be dressed up of course shivering , but I guess the Hot toddies will keep them alive. Crazy People those Yanks even the Canadians play the stupid game in Sub Zero weather, at least back home its a summer game(rugby).
Chris
Christopher Drake, Canada [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Sunday, January 23, 2005 at 05:46:51 (UTC)
|
Ooopps! I just looked at my watch. Its actually to day already.
Mwizenge Tembo, United States [ Profile ] [ Contact ] [ Web ]
Sunday, January 23, 2005 at 04:31:31 (UTC)
|
The two football games to-morrow for the NFC and AFC championship ought to be thrilling and scary. There is been talk all week that there is going to be snow and frigid temperatures. All week I have heard: “its going to be physical”, “it will be smash mouth football”, “its going to be war” in Pittsburgh. One commentator said for “women to grab their children and head out of town”. One of the quarterback may have to be scraped off and pealed off the hard field. There will be so much testosterone I will be able to smell it from my TV. I have been waiting all week. It’s throwing a man to the lions in the ancient Roman coliseum.
Mwizenge Tembo, United States [ Profile ] [ Contact ] [ Web ]
Sunday, January 23, 2005 at 04:30:08 (UTC)
|
Pappie: Hoositgawnanawrat?If youse yins want tae hae a guid lagh, ye might want tae read "Parliamo Glesca". It's the Scottish equivalent o "Larn yersel Geordie".Be careful how ye tread on the Glesca vernacular ye might get yer nuts in a wringer.
Awrabestanawrat.
Ken Fernie, United States [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Sunday, January 23, 2005 at 00:54:46 (UTC)
|
Washing Machine Flooding
Reminds me of when my husband and I visited friends in Toronto once a long time ago.
Rich, rich, rich they were and HE used hankies but never washed them. After use they were thrown away (weird, I know - but true).
On our arrival, having been all over the world looking for a good place to immigrate to - we had some washing to do - hankies amongst them. An overly fastidious housewife, SHE told me that under no circumstances were hankies (used ones at that - ughhhh), to be placed in her washing machine. So anyway I had to wash them by hand in the laundry sink (ugh!!!). I decided a good soak for a few hours would do the trick – ran soapy water – and left them there. Meanwhile I put on a load of washing and off we went to look at the shops in town.
The laundry was at the bottom of their tri-level townhouse. A HUGE room – with gorgeous Persian carpets adorning the floor and about a dozen boxes piled against one wall contained their daughter’s wedding presents.
On our return from shopping, I was mortified to find the entire area flooded up to my ankles, the Persian carpet almost floating on top. I wasn’t to know that the outlet pipe from the washing machine fed directly into the sink in which the hankies were soaking. It scared the absolute shit out of me, so in tears of remorse, I thought I could fix the problem before the friends came home. I grabbed a dishcloth and started soaking up the water and squeezing it into the sink. I soaked and squeezed and soaked and squeezed until my fingers were bruised but still soaked and squeezed trying in vain to dry the area somewhat. The owners came home and although SHE held her temper – I just knew I had made a very big mistake. An carpeting emergency crew came in to salvage the carpet – there was a drainage hole under the carpet) and SHE spent hours unpacking wedding presents whilst I spent hours apologising and nursing my bruised fingers.
The moral to the story – if you are guests in somebody else’s home – throw your bloody hankies away – or keep them in your bag until you get home – or use tissues or go to the Laundromat.
Esther Pettersson, Australia [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Sunday, January 23, 2005 at 00:38:51 (UTC)
|
Craig:
Thanks so much for putting that posting on the GNR on behalf of non-member Darrell Raubenheimer. Viv Raubenheimer is my favourite bwana of all times and I have known him since I was a young girl. Since it is somewhat of an unusual name, I contacted Viv and told him about Darrell looking for info on his family. I have been the go between for Darrell in trying to see if they are related. Very exciting as it turns out they are, and quite closely. Viv had lost contact with members of his family and it looks like pieces of a puzzle may be put together here. Once again the GNR has been instrumental in people finding each other.
Tina:
Did you get a rather long email from me about a week or so back? I did not get a response and wondered if Ali and I are blacklisted in your inbox. :)
Anybody got any wellies they can lend me? I am taking a breather from trying to clean up after my washing machine flooded all over my garage earlier this afternoon. My hubby is out of town and I have been trying to move the machine, and everything else that accumulates in a garage in 18 yrs! Doesn't help that it is cold enough to freeze the balls off a brass monkey. I think I am going to abandon ship and wait for the navy to arrive.
Linda Hayes, United States [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Saturday, January 22, 2005 at 23:06:13 (UTC)
|
Ha!ha!don`t know about Gaelic,but I do know the Glasga Banter,NO Choockters or Kens in Weaggie Land.
I know! You smell shite,You definately smell shite.
Pappy Papier, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Saturday, January 22, 2005 at 21:50:52 (UTC)
|
Sorry
That should read: -
One long weekend a team of us visited Durban over a long weekend.
Doug Grewar, South Africa [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Saturday, January 22, 2005 at 20:11:03 (UTC)
|
Johnny
Sounds like good advise! Its not nice to get caught with your pants down.
In the early 80's I was working as a blaster / bridgebuilder with Sir Alfred McAlpines roadbuilding in Swaziland. One long weekend a team of us over a long weekend. We booked into Seaboard holiday flats on West Street. I ended up in a room with a John, a mechanic. After a beery evening we went to bed but I woke about 2am needing to pee. In my groggy state, instead of opening the door to the toilet, I opened the door to the passage and stepped outside, starkers. The door swung shut behind me with a bang. I got a hell of a fright and started banging on the door, and shouting for John to open up. John would not wake up, but everyone else in the hotel did. Finally the door to the next flat opened and I was trying to get the rather shocked occupant to telephone my room to wake John when the **!!:88** finally woke and opened the door. I have never been back to those flats!
Doug Grewar, South Africa [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Saturday, January 22, 2005 at 20:07:23 (UTC)
|
The Cathy Buckle letter from Zimbabwe this week not only informs but somehow pulls you into the scene yourself so you are seeing and feeling for yourself as if you were the one there. This letter is well worth posting here.
Dear Family and Friends,
A small bent over piece of brown cardboard tied onto a post on the side of the road was all the sign I needed to tell me I was headed in the right direction this Friday. The Stop sign at the junction of the intersection
has gone. The road markings warning me to stop have long since worn off the tar. The road is littered with potholes and the grass on the verges is uncut and about five foot high, making it almost impossible to see
oncoming traffic. I stopped at the intersection and across the road one piece of white string held a poster to a street light whose bulb hasn't worked for months. The wind had folded the poster in half so I couldn't
read it but this too made me believe I was going the right way. When I got to the gates of the school I slowed down, pulled over and looked at the line of yobs sitting on the wall in front of the school hall. They were
men and women in their late teens and early twenties and clearly had no reason to be in a junior school where the oldest pupil is 12. Some of the yobs were wearing T shirts with slogans advertising the ruling party and then I knew for sure I had arrived at the right place to check if my name was on the voters roll.
I was absolutely determined not to be intimidated by a bunch of bored bullies. I had read the reports by the opposition that in some areas their supporters had been physically assaulted after checking if their names
were on the voters roll. It would have been very comforting to see the friendly face or colourful vest of an independent election observer but of course that's just a pipe dream. As I walked past the yobs sprawled on the wall, someone hissed and someone else passed a comment which set them all to laughing but it was water off a ducks back compared to what I'd had to
endure in the last two Zimbabwean elections. Inside the junior school hall there was a singing lesson in progress and a teacher was trying to get a class of seven year olds to sit up straight, stop pushing each other and
pay attention and sing. The sound of the children singing was wonderful and their innocence such a stark contrast to the bullies on the wall outside. I was the only person checking if my name was on the voters
roll. There was no one ahead of me or behind me, no queue outside, no one waiting in the car park and with just a week left for voters roll inspection, this is not a good sign.
The opposition MDC have still not announced if they are going to take part in the March poll so basically, just weeks away from an election, there is apathy, confusion and a tired resignation by many ordinary people who just say they couldn't be bothered anymore.
I sit at my desk on a Saturday morning writing this letter and it is a glorious day. The sky is blue, rain clouds are gathering on the horizon and birds flit backwards and forwards past the open window in an endless
fashion parade. Paradise fly catchers with long orange tails, migrant bee eaters, red bishop birds, yellow weavers and so many others with their spectacular breeding tails and exotic colours. Over the road from me a woman and two little children live in a wooden shack on a building site. They always smile, laugh and wave and clap with cupped hands if I stop to give even a single sweetie. I know people who have been tortured, murdered, abused, raped and imprisoned in Zimbabwe's fight for democratic governance since February 2000. All of these reasons are good enough ones for me to go and check if my name is on the voters roll and then to endure whatever is necessary to cast a ballot in the March elections. Until next week, with love, cathy. Copyright cathy buckle 22 January 2005.
Tina Magee, United States [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Saturday, January 22, 2005 at 17:54:42 (UTC)
|
Be very careful Doug that girl will be advising you to go paddling, and swiming in the Ever Glades when you visit the states while her and Bubba mind your clothes for you.
Johnny, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Saturday, January 22, 2005 at 06:50:52 (UTC)
|
Doug
Bubba says Yup! He writ that song hisself. It's automotive .. no .. automatic ... dang it ... it's that thang where you write about your own life. He still misses his third wife Bobby Sue, poor little thang. She went so young too! Jest one more year and her marriage woulda bin legal outsida Kentucky. Still he figgers she'da wanted to go the way she did seein as how she always loved critters.
Tina Magee, United States [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Friday, January 21, 2005 at 23:38:05 (UTC)
|
Per my message below, it is quite likely that access to the GNR could be intermittent this weekend, and access to joining the GNR or editing your Names Directory entry will most likely be suspended until next week.
Emergency Server Maintenance
Dear NinerNet hosted client,
This week we have been working on a number of improvements, upgrades, and new features on the server where your domain, Web site, e-mail and/or database are hosted. However, this work has revealed that the current server is insufficient for the work it is doing.
Therefore, to ensure that any potential issues are dealt with before they become actual issues, we will be performing some emergency server maintenance this weekend that may result in some sporadic service interruptions. We will, of course, try to avoid these or keep them to a minimum, but by doing the work on the weekend we hope to avoid the possibility of interrupting your working day. We recommend that you avoid making any changes to your Web site or database or adding or removing any e-mail accounts until next week. In fact, tools such as FTP and your Web-based control panel may be unavailable for the entire weekend if that emerges as a prudent course of action.
If you are the primary contact for your company or organisation, please inform your employees or colleagues of this maintenance so that they are aware of it. If it is necessary to communicate specific information to you about your hosting account, you may receive e-mail from us over the weekend or perhaps a phone call on Monday. We will also post any important updates on a special page at www.niner.bc.ca/updates.php, so if you are looking for information, that's the first place you should look.
Should you have any questions or concerns about this maintenance, please send a new e-mail message to support or telephone us. Thanks in advance for your patience as we work to ensure that your hosting is as reliable for the next few years as it has been for the last few years.
Yours sincerely,
NinerNet Communications
Craig Hartnett
Craig Hartnett, Canada [ Profile ] [ Contact ] [ Web ]
Friday, January 21, 2005 at 21:53:05 (UTC)
|
Heather Chalcraft
Not a mabungu in the flesh, but at least a picture of the bush & fruit.
In addition confirmation that bubble gum can in fact be made
from the sap.
Ron Clippborn- Dyer was also interested in your offer.
Many thanks for adding this to your task list.
Best Regards to the workers of the site.
Bill Hunt, South Africa [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Friday, January 21, 2005 at 18:47:49 (UTC)
|
Having also read Colin's posting, I don't think he's been smoking anything out of the ordinary. His observations on the EEC merely point out the futility of such a body. It appears that there is a strong analogy to the United Nations."Nations shall speak peace unto Nations". What a bloody joke! Since it's inception, the U.N. has witnessed more wars, internal strife and all sorts of unrest,not to mention international terrorism, than all recorded wars fought before it came into being.I take personal exception to being issued a document purporting to be a British Passport. The EEC just won't work. The different ethnicities involved prevent any cohesive mind-sets being allowed to come into being. We're all going to be Europeans? You've more chance of finding a pork chop in a Synagogue.The U.N. doesn't work - the EEC will not work. As for Gaddifi and his cohorts (Khatami et al), these are merely ships that pass in the night.Nearly all countries embracing similar ethnicites have proven in the past, that there is no viable explanation for their behavior, at least not to a reasonable person, whatever his/her own definition. These guys are a disgrace to their own origins, be it Arab, Mede, Persian or whatever. Not to worry,nothing's forever - except maybe God and Herpes.
Ken Fernie, United States [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Friday, January 21, 2005 at 18:19:55 (UTC)
|
Tina
Great ballads! Are you getting any assistance from Bubba?
Colin
I see that Professor Jonathan Moyo, Mugabe's ex-propoganda minister has fallen on hard times. You will remember he was responsible for closing down the independant press in Zim and many other vile action. He has been caught plotting against Mugabe and has been thrown out of his government positions and prevented from standing in his constituency at the upcoming elections. He has also been invited to leave the Zanu party. So he has zero future in Zim. He cannot run to South Africa or Kenya where he has cases pending against him for fraud and theft. Now 'settlers' have invaded the large farm that he grabbed near Salisbury. The 'Shadenfreude' (shamefull delight at anothers misfortunes) is too delicious.
Doug Grewar, South Africa [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Friday, January 21, 2005 at 18:06:53 (UTC)
|
PS to Ali
That is to say I got one msg way back last week from work address and replied. Nuffink since.
Tina Magee, United States [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Friday, January 21, 2005 at 18:00:06 (UTC)
|
Ali the Artist
No I have not been getting your messages. Wonder if anyone else's messages have bounced?
Tina Magee, United States [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Friday, January 21, 2005 at 17:58:24 (UTC)
|
Colin,
Read your posting 3 times and am still confused. What have you been smoking?
Glen Drake, United States [ Profile ] [ Contact ] [ Web ]
Friday, January 21, 2005 at 17:49:44 (UTC)
|
Hi Phillip...
When you meet with Cas again you can ask him if he remembers my old man Theo who spent a few hours a week in the Railway club in BH....
Peter Dielissen, Canada [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Friday, January 21, 2005 at 08:58:46 (UTC)
|
Tina..are you getting my emails?
I am able to send them via work...if not, latest is I have finished painting the picture for Shobhana's bookcover, she loves it, very abstract...very different...(think of spider orchids, rivers , and a female form rising from the centre...hehehehe) can't scan at the moment either, but hopefully I might be able to send you a copy next week.
Batt is nearly organised for High School, just needs the batt uniform which will be fitted next week...I have been reading her Greek/English - English /Greek dictionary ....interesting...
Ali
thanks GNR for the message service..my pc and internet are down at the moment.....
Ali Key, Australia [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Friday, January 21, 2005 at 06:33:45 (UTC)
|
Tina: Regarding the PPP's politicals leanings, I can only say that if Hitler was right, Thatcher even more so and now that Blair's so far out of sight on the right he must be getting close to Stalin's left, it is getting very difficult to square the circle. The patriot is usually the underdog, the victim of all those extremes, which leaves us the centre, but that is so wishy-washy, mamby-pamby, as to be unacceptable and leaves us in no mans land, being fired on by both sides. We've all been there at one time!!!! Honestly don't have a clue, not bright enough.
If only we had a herring or any other fish to whisper to I'd be more than happy to oblige. Sadly they are now all extinct, owing to EEC policy, which allowed Spanish super-trawlers with three mile long nets a foot from the seabed to decimate the already depleted stocks of fish on the West Coast of Scotland. Barely a few souls survived. As is the wont of the dispossessed the Scottish trawlers are now fishing off the East Coast of Africa, notably off Nambia, thus depriving the inshore fishermen of Windhoek a livelihood!!!
As Doug pointed out Khatami bunged Mugs 35m Es last week which reminded me of his neighbour Gadify who came to Mug's aid in July 2001 when he was fighting his electorial "campaign"!!! I believe the deal then was $400 millions worth of oil per annum ( or somewhere in that region, I can't quite recall the amount) in exchange for the titles of the lands stolen from 2000 farmers. Gadify ended up with about only 20 or so titles which now should be more or less useles, I would imagine, owing to the repossitioning of the repossesed over and over again. Not a great investment but more than he deserved considering Lockerbie, now forgotten, " don't mention the war" under the New Pals Act of late. What the odious Khatami expects to gain is unclear at the moment but other than finincial gain, ( he sure don't need the bucks), what is left? Religous overtones????
And where is his or Gadifys oil? At present nowhere to be seen! My friends in Masvingo are simply driving down to Bietbridge and bringing it back by the tankerful, nought to be had at home to be sure! Gadify, where are you now? You Plonker!!!!
Colin Munro, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Friday, January 21, 2005 at 05:15:56 (UTC)
|
Hi Peter
Thanks for the link, I will get old man round Cas round to my place and show him the pictures. He is very well informed on locos and I am sure he will enjoy the site.
I have very fond memories of travelling by train from the Copperbelt to the cape on holidays.
My last train journey was a four day trip from Bloemfontein to Windhoek in 1976 when I was called up to do border duty and then again back when we were finished, the trip brought back many memories of my childhood.
Once again thanks.
Cheers
Philip Pain, South Africa [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Friday, January 21, 2005 at 03:18:09 (UTC)
|
Heather,
Thanks for your efforts in trying to locate Daniel Soko. Sounds a bit ominous. I have emailed the Secretary of the ZARS who should have information. Guess he will reply in due course.
Again many thanks for your efforts. Gordon
Gordon Foster, Antigua [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Friday, January 21, 2005 at 00:55:49 (UTC)
|
For thoses who like me are Garrett nuts, another page with some good photos if Garretts is :-
http://www.narrow-gauge.co.uk/gallery/90
Syd
Donald Sydney, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Thursday, January 20, 2005 at 20:42:21 (UTC)
|
Linda
I agree with you. But upside down? How long will it take Glen to figure out what way up to write 888. It will be some sight hey?
Nicky Kontou, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Thursday, January 20, 2005 at 20:41:24 (UTC)
|
Well guys as they say if its does not rain it pour's at the coast its rain. Boy are they getting it. Land slides and all. Here in the Cariboo its freezing rain.
Last wek it was Cal weeks befor that Indonesia. ??
Oh well summer is on its way.
Chris
Christopher Drake, Canada [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Thursday, January 20, 2005 at 20:28:25 (UTC)
|
Garretts:
711 takes on coal in Choma, gulp, the various shots looking from the carriages round the bend to the engines, wonderful stuff!
Croc-gigging:
Oh nooooooooooooo!!! We have a new genre - Croc-a-Billy music e.g.
"Thet croc got muh finger but yew got muh heart",
"I'll buy yew a bayou tuhnight",
and the ever famous: "Ah Miss Muh Swamp Sweetheart So"- sample lyric:
We wuz chasin this croc with a fine scaly coat.
He ate yuh fuh bait when yuh fell out muh boat.
Yuh feet disappearin is whut I recall.
Got a tear in my eye but his hide's on muh wall"
.... and many more fine examples.
Tina Magee, United States [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Thursday, January 20, 2005 at 20:02:04 (UTC)
|
Thanks Glen & Peter,
We should have invited those swamp-billies to Zambia to try Croc gigging!
Cheers - Doug
Doug Grewar, South Africa [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Thursday, January 20, 2005 at 18:04:00 (UTC)
|
Barbara McLoughlin Torrance, Steve Taylor, Harvey Cummings, Josephine Harrigan, Lesley Spees
Best wishes on your birthdays
Gordon Foster
I took a look in the telephone directory and there is only one D Soko. I tried phoning the number but it has been cut off. If you can give me any additional information, I will see what I can find out. Will also try through the Communications Authority who issue radio licences but they might not wish to release any information.
Bill Hunt
Did I promise you a mabungu ?
Heather Chalcraft, Zambia [ Profile ] [ Contact ] [ Web ]
Thursday, January 20, 2005 at 05:19:48 (UTC)
|
Hi All
The other evening over a quiet beer at the bowling club I got into a conversation with Casper (Cas) Elliot. Cas came from Lusaka and Broken Hill areas and used to work for the then Rhodesian Railways as a train driver. Cas has now retired here in Eshowe and one can find him every evening at the bowling club where he enjoys his two beers and a glass of wine.
Sitting and chatting to Cas about the old days in Rhodesia and lubricating his vocal chords with a few more beers than he usually has an evening, Cas told me this story which I will relate to you as he told it to me.
While working on the Rhodesian Railways in the 60's there was a guy with the nickname of Tiny who worked with Cas on the railways. Now as you know anyone who is called Tiny is usually a giant and apparently this guy was one.
Tiny and Cas lived in the single quarters in Broken Hill and Tiny had a little side line raising turkeys of which he had a lot. These were for sale at Christmas time.
Now Tiny had a black assistant who looked after Tiny's investment while he was away on train trips and his job was to see that the turkeys were fed and watered and most important to make sure that they had shade in the hot months before Christmas.
On the return from one of his trips he came home to find that half of his birds had died from sunstroke or something as the assistant had not done his job properly.
Apparently the guy flipped his lid not only because the turkeys were dead but because they had all been pre sold and someone was going to be out of pocket. Tiny in his rage put a rope around his assistant's neck and hoisted him up into a tree to teach the poor fellow a lesson, unfortunately for Tiny the guy died.
Tiny went to court and was sentenced to prison in Salisbury in Southern Rhodesia but only served a short time of his sentence and was released when Northern and Southern Rhodesia broke up.
Having a criminal record he lost his job on the railways and the last time Cas saw Tiny he was working as a barman in Salisbury.
Does anyone remember the incident?
A few other legends of the time Cas mentioned and someone might remember are Big Hutch (Hutchenson) who's father was a barman at the Fairmont Hotel in Livingstone, the hotel was owned by a Mr. Habshaw and his sister owned the Great Northern Hotel.
There was also a barman at the Fairmont Hotel whose nickname was Stompie Le Roux. (Apparently he had some fingers missing) Nice to see if anyone can remember these people and if they are still around and to pass on Cas Elliot's regards.
Cheers
Philip Pain, South Africa [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Thursday, January 20, 2005 at 04:15:29 (UTC)
|
This is addressed to anybody living in the Lusaka area. Old man Daniel Soko (9J2DS) whom I helped to get on the air in Zambia some 30 years ago appears to no longer be an Ham operator. Even his name and call sign have been removed from the Call Book (QRZ.com). I would appreciate if anybody could possibly look for his name in the Lusaka phone book etc. and find out what has happened to him.
Many 73's de V29GF (Gordon Foster, West Indies)
Gordon Foster, Antigua [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Thursday, January 20, 2005 at 01:16:13 (UTC)
|
Northerners...
Frog Gigging
“Gigging” is hunting for bullfrogs by first spotlighting and then spearing them.
Take a peek here:
The Fine Art of Grabbling and Frog Gigging
http://www.usadeepsouth.com/article1090.html
Peter Dielissen, Canada [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Wednesday, January 19, 2005 at 21:05:13 (UTC)
|
Back in Cape Town again. Must admit that Durban is beginning to grow on me. The sea is just so much warmer..... the beach is more fun....... Ah, but Cape Town has all the tourists......!!! Soooo.. Can't wait for my next visit to Hubby in Durban!! Might be a bit muggy but it somehow has more of a small town feel to it. Amazing... I've been in this country for 29 years and I still can't decide which place is the best. Know where I'd like to be most......!!!!
Desiree Van der Spuy, South Africa [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Wednesday, January 19, 2005 at 21:02:25 (UTC)
|
Doug,
A using a hunting light at night, "spot" the bullfrog and then spear the poor bugger.
Nice "sport" hey?
Glen Drake, United States [ Profile ] [ Contact ] [ Web ]
Wednesday, January 19, 2005 at 20:23:14 (UTC)
|
Tina
Unintentional. I meant lip not lift but maybe they also have viagra pharmacies in the house to give them that.
President Mohammad Khatami has pledged to help Zimbabwe in its fight against the West during his visit to Zimbabwe. Iran has already provided a Euro 15 million credit line to Zimbabwe and is adding another E20 million to this.
In Senate hearings yesterday, US national security adviser Condoleezza Rice cited Zimbabwe as one of several countries that remain "outposts of tyranny"
in the world.
I wonder if there is any connection between the two events. Mugabe may find Iran to be a very costly friend. Also some promising news from RSA.
The African National Congress (ANC) stepped up the pressure on the Zimbabwean government yesterday, warning that its treatment of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) was not conducive to a free and fair election in March.
The comments by ANC secretary-general Kgalema Motlanthe were among the strongest to date by a senior official from the ANC, which has been reluctant to publicly criticise the government of President Robert Mugabe.
On a lighter note.
In a recent email: - A couple of Arkansas men returning from a frog gigging trip used a bullet to replace a burnt out light fuse in their truck. The bullet heated up and fired hitting the driver in the crown jewels … and so on.
What is frog gigging?
Doug Grewar, South Africa [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Wednesday, January 19, 2005 at 19:11:50 (UTC)
|
Doug
Freudian slip or intentional?
Tina Magee, United States [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Wednesday, January 19, 2005 at 18:35:15 (UTC)
|
Colin
This is the first time to hear about the secret passage from the Reichstag to the Adlon. Sounds like a bit of good teutonic ingenuity. Uncle Adolf bricked it up! Well he was always a bit of a spoilsport.
I believe in the British Houses of Parliament there are numerous watering holes to help the members keep a stiff upper lift so they never had to resort to digging tunnels.
Doug Grewar, South Africa [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Wednesday, January 19, 2005 at 17:55:54 (UTC)
|
Jill,
I am sure johnny will be able to tame you!
Ayub Ismail Zumla, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Wednesday, January 19, 2005 at 17:31:14 (UTC)
|
Linda,
I didn't open my emails until today. I have replied to Teresa and I'll let you know if it bounces back or not.
Ayub - Please can I be Minister of Wild Life? Not only am I a conservationist - I am also very experienced in leading a really wild life.
Wild Thing
Jill Aplin, South Africa [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Wednesday, January 19, 2005 at 07:21:02 (UTC)
|
Colin
Are you particularly patriotically inclined to the left or the right? We've heard of horse whisperers, and now a herring fleet has the research available to potentially develop fish whisperers and lead the shoals right into the harbour. Would be a sight to see ..... upwind, from a distance.
http://www.newscientist.com/article.ns?id=dn4343
Glen
Our Johnny isn't one to waste valuable pursuit time worring about spellings and what things mean.
Tina Magee, United States [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Wednesday, January 19, 2005 at 05:46:30 (UTC)
|
Ayub: "Shite" Pappy is an excellent choice for Minister of Water, Sewers and Middens ; a man that can smell shite one hundred miles away deserves recognition! The only problem being, I am not sure if he is fluent enough in Gaelic, ( Tuition, not optional, £!000.00 per session), this being the Official Speak of our alternative Government, as decreeded by myself as an Exceptionaly Patrioticaly Inclined Minister of Home Affairs . I am looking forward with much anticipation to our first Cabinet Meeting once all our Ministers are in place; the present Minister of Home Affairs, some imposter across the water, has not yet replied to my Emails, perhaps he can't understand good Gaelic or was disinclined to learn, despite our favourable rates.
DOUG I have just read that Hitler, on his coming to power and according to Speer, discovered a secret passage that led directly from the Reichstag to the Aldon, through which the previous Government sloped off to on a regular basis! Hitler had the passageway immediately bricked-up (in a rage) and as we know he never set foot in the Aldon again!! Why? Is there another twist to this story ?
Colin Munro, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Wednesday, January 19, 2005 at 02:44:26 (UTC)
|
Esther:
I also got an email from Teresa and my responses are also bouncing back. It must be problems on her end and not ours. If you hear back from her, can you let her know that I am also having problems, please. Thanks!
Jilly:
Are you able to email her? She said she had heard from you as well as us two, but I wonder if you could respond to her.
Ayub:
So, when is the election being held for this new government? I would like to start making my campaign promises to people.
Nicky:
What's good for the goose should be good for the gander, not so? I propose that Glen be expected to perform the same stunt. Actually, it should be made harder for him because he has the advantage of being male (hmmm) so I'm insisting he has to do it upside down. Then again, I have seen what happens to him when the blood rushes to his head. Quite a frightening sight.
Linda Hayes, United States [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Wednesday, January 19, 2005 at 01:05:34 (UTC)
|
Terea Swart
I received your email - thank you. I hope you get my email - that keeps bouncing back to me. I have sent another through the GNR page - Membership list - hope you get it. Please let me know if you don't.
Esther Pettersson, Australia [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Tuesday, January 18, 2005 at 22:05:30 (UTC)
|
Richard Nixon was visiting a field hospital in Vietnam.
RN (to patient): "How's it goin', soldier?"
Soldier: "Great Mr. President. I lost a leg, but got me a few commies".
RN (to next guy): "How's it goin' soldier?"
Soldier: Great Mr. President. I lost an arm, but got me a few commies".
In the next bed, there was only a head on the pillow.
RN: "How's it goin' soldier?"
Head: "Bugger off".
Army Surgeon: " You'll have to excuse him, Mr.President
he's having all his teeth out tomorrow".
Ken Fernie, United States [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Tuesday, January 18, 2005 at 20:17:04 (UTC)
|
Glen
Priceless!! I fell about laughing at your suggestion to Linda (888)
Will this now be her new name? Hayes, Linda Hayes 888
Nicky Kontou, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Tuesday, January 18, 2005 at 20:05:15 (UTC)
|
Glen,
How about Pappy for Minister of Water and Sewage?
Headline on Indian TV Channel ,Star News, today: "India to help Mauritius set up anti-corruption cell". Hmm..
Ayub Ismail Zumla, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Tuesday, January 18, 2005 at 19:02:38 (UTC)
|
Johnny,
As a GNR member who lists "hide the sausage" under sports in his profile, it is somewhat surprising that you don't know the difference between lekker and lacker.
Is liquor in the Yorkshire dialect licker?
I also notice that you don't know the difference between know and no.
All the foregoing is going to be a terrible problem for Tina should you ever date her.
Glen Drake, United States [ Profile ] [ Contact ] [ Web ]
Tuesday, January 18, 2005 at 18:57:30 (UTC)
|
My dear Tina Lekker in the Yorkshire dialect is Lacker, and I note (any thing for the Chingola Charmer) but you no that is not true, mores the pity.
Johnny, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Tuesday, January 18, 2005 at 18:35:28 (UTC)
|
Got an e-mail today recounting the tale of a man applying for a US Govt. job. Seems to fit in with the current thread on GNR.
Interviewer: Got any military experience?
Interviewee: Yes Sir, 4 years in Vietnam.
Interviewer: Get any war injuries.
Interviewee: Yes Sir, got shot in the crutch and lost both testicles.
Interviewer. You have not only met but also exceeded our requirements and you can start next Monday. Our hours are 10 to 5 but you needn’t come in till 12.
Interviewee: Why’s that Sir?
Interviewer: Well we sit around scratching our balls for the first two hours so there’s no point you being there then.
Keith Binns, United Arab Emirates [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Tuesday, January 18, 2005 at 17:25:38 (UTC)
|
"It is lacker"
Johnny
I am terminally "taal impaired' and yet somehow from somewhere I still know the word is: "lekker".
Were you thinking of laquer? You want to paint Mrs. Balls chutney on the furniture? Hey it cooooould be a fantastic new application if you can stop Rover Kitty and your more uninhibited friends licking it off. Yes, I see where your mind is flitting to from here and why not? Another fine application. The world gets sick of chocolate body paint.
Just for you, Johnny, (anything for the Chingola Charmer) I did a search on "lacker" and found that Dr. Jeffrey M. Lacker has been appointed President of the Federal Reserve Bank but I couldn't find out if he has a favourite chutney.
XX
Tina Magee, United States [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Tuesday, January 18, 2005 at 16:43:59 (UTC)
|
Mvr. Ball's se Blaatjang has never been off our dinner table, even here in California. We also have access to Castle Lager, although I've really forgotten what it's supposed to taste like.
Ken Fernie, United States [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Tuesday, January 18, 2005 at 16:24:47 (UTC)
|
Just a tip for the pommies Tesco are importing and stocking MA BALLS CHUTNEY it is Lacker.
The poms came good yesterday at the Wanderers but I am not going to start crowing yet until after Pretoria. Johnny.
Johnny, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Tuesday, January 18, 2005 at 15:53:23 (UTC)
|
HEY! Wait a minute, Glennie Boy. Why am I the only governmental candidate that has to take an IQ test? I don't see a question covering contortionistic abilities rearing its ugly head on YOUR application form! No fair. I'm crying foul.
Having considered the wisdom of the situation at hand, I have decided to step down from this particular race and, instead, run for the lesser position of Under Secretary of Foreign Relationships. At least this way if I have to start from the bottom, I can work my way up. My campaign slogan? "Have bum, will travel!" grin.
Linda Hayes, United States [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Tuesday, January 18, 2005 at 04:22:38 (UTC)
|
Bags the Ministry of Red Tape for myself. Kindly fill in a few thousand forms while you wait for me returning from my extended lunch, having left a spare jacket over the back of my office chair.
Ken Fernie, United States [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Monday, January 17, 2005 at 23:18:50 (UTC)
|
Linda,
can I have Minister of Secret Service please? Then I can find out what Oom Dawie, our revered Founder , is doing in the hell holes of Amsterdam.
Or Min of Public Relations , then the photo of Craig will be supplemeted by one of Heather and one of Arthur so we know what they also look like.
And B,.M will rise again!
Bill Knott, Canada [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Monday, January 17, 2005 at 22:17:50 (UTC)
|
Yeah Linda whatsay we give Min of Ladies Affairs to Johnny? Can I have Air Ministry including Air Defence.
Tina Magee, United States [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Monday, January 17, 2005 at 20:42:50 (UTC)
|
David Hounsell,
Yes s./v.p.
Bill Knott, Canada [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Monday, January 17, 2005 at 19:18:16 (UTC)
|
Ayub
Maybe Johnny would be better posted to be Minister of Ladies Affairs and he would certainly be sc**wing the voters after his appointment, at least the female ones. I would be quite happy to be his deputy to assist with his onerous duties.
The President should be Craig who seems to always be able to keep a cool and balanced perspective on life.
Doug Grewar, South Africa [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Monday, January 17, 2005 at 18:47:30 (UTC)
|
Linda,
In my grateful acknowledgement to Ayub re his proposal regarding my Cabinet-in-waiting position, he and I talked about you at some length, so to speak, since your name (as well as a couple of other things) came up several times.
I have good news!
Ayub and I have decided to spare you the “director’s couch” method of you being elected to your position of “Ministry of Womens Affairs”.
We have decided that you do not have to provide us with any credentials or references since your postings affirm that you are definitely “experienced”. Furthermore, we have no doubt that you will be able to cope with almost any situation.
You will nonetheless be required to take GNR’s “FSPPT”.
The GNR’s “Female Sexual Prowess Proficiency Test” (FSPPT) can be done at home without any danger to yourself or any person in close proximity.
Simply stand nude with your back to against a black board; stick a piece of chalk in your bum and write eight hundred and eighty eight (888) in three (3) seconds or less.
If you pass the test you’ve got the job.
Glen Drake, United States [ Profile ] [ Contact ] [ Web ]
Monday, January 17, 2005 at 18:28:49 (UTC)
|
The final score would appear to be 10 - 2 against, which is not to bad considering the Scottish football team's attempts nowadays but Charles' (hope thats the right place, I've forgotten the ostrich lesson already) 96.58% looks pretty conclusive to me. As for Tinas' Rebellions and Insurgences, we had three up here between 1715 and 1745 which ended in genocide, so I guess I can consider myself luckly to escape with my head. (The learning curve is horizontal as you can see) Bill never mentioned which definination of alter ego he was refering to regarding Linda's, according to Chambers Concise, is must be (2) !! As Ken pointed out Chris is indeed lucky to be living in a land of many colours ( 1 - 10 ), but not wishing to visit the scenario of" the sins of our fathers" I won't comment further other than I believe the indigenous guys in a certain country didnae have a snowballs chance in hell of joining in and enjoying the good times of multi-colouration owing to draconian legislation such as the Dawes Act which Congress passed as late as 1887. We did get a good battering in the recent gales with fatalities including two children aged five and seven drowned with their parents and grandfather in our neck of the woods. (Highlands and Islands of Scotland) As Pappy so rightly called me a shite, which I readily admit to, I will have to report him to Mr Ford and Company for plagiarism (Scottish joke, maybe he will explain), it gave me a good laugh anyway. Having read and taken aboard Linda's two posts to digest I think I will leave it there in the meantime.
Doug's letter from Cathy Buckle regarding the CFU etc is a great example of the courage of one remarkable lady. She is the Alasdair Cook of Zim but with all the dangers and fears of arrest which he never had to experience in America! How she survives in a wee place like Marandelas, sticking out like a sore thumb and knowing everything she writes is scrutinised by Mugs Secret Police, is quite remarkable.
Colin Munro, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Monday, January 17, 2005 at 14:53:00 (UTC)
|
Teresa Swart
Where are you????
Esther Pettersson, Australia [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Monday, January 17, 2005 at 07:49:10 (UTC)
|
Ayub
You forgot these three important Kabwe government positions.
Peter Dielissen - Minister of Ice, Beer, Boones and Hooters
Ada Cantrell - Minister of the Fire Service and Matches
Charlie Cartmill - The ad-Minister of Fuel. (A position previously taken by Rhodesian Man - you will however have noticed the hole worn in the side of the skull - the cause was a mystery until now. It was recently found to be caused by a frequent and incorrect replacing of the nozzle).
Arthur Steevens, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ] [ Web ]
Monday, January 17, 2005 at 07:33:07 (UTC)
|
Linda
The norm seems to be: "Now I am in a cabinet position, screw the voters".
Tina Magee, United States [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Monday, January 17, 2005 at 05:54:49 (UTC)
|
Pieter I thought I had heard them all before but I certainly had not heard 99% of your list they new to me. Johnny.
Johnny, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Sunday, January 16, 2005 at 22:26:17 (UTC)
|
Ayub:
Can I trouble you please to give me a list of the people I will be expected to have affairs with before I agree to run for the joint cabinet position of Ministry of Women's Affairs in the new government. What credentials and experience do I need to have? Will I be expected to provide any references, do you know? Hopefully the Presidential and Vice-Presidential candidates are men of honour and will concentrate on the job at hand instead of corrupting the rest of their cabinet. I suspect if Johnny is elected as the Chief of Police, he will behave just like any other man with a gun in his pocket. (grin) It looks like it will be a tough job but I will take my responsibilities quite seriously and do the best I can to cope with the situation.
Linda Hayes, United States [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Sunday, January 16, 2005 at 22:20:20 (UTC)
|
The Top Nineteen World's Shortest Books:
19. Al Gore: The Wild Years
18. Amelia Earhart's Guide to the Pacific Ocean
17. America's Most Popular Lawyers
16. Career Opportunities for History Majors
15. Detroit - A Travel Guide
14. Different Ways to Spell "Bob"
13. Dr. Kevorkian's Collection of Motivational Speeches
12. Easy UNIX
11. Ethiopian Tips on World Dominance
10. Everything Men Know About Women
9. Everything Women Know About Men
8. French Hospitality
7. George Foreman's Big Book of Baby Names
6. How to Sustain a Musical Career by Art Garfunkel
5. Mike Tyson's Guide to Dating Etiquette
4. One Hundred and One Spotted Owl Recipes by the EPA
3. Staple Your Way to Success
2. The Amish Phone Book
1. The Engineer's Guide to Fashion
Peter Dielissen, Canada [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Sunday, January 16, 2005 at 22:15:16 (UTC)
|
It's a bit late, but following on from the food conversation. A few years ago some Pakistani friends who were visting the UK asked Laureen and I to join them in Oxford for a typical Pakistani meal. We agreed, and we all went to Pizza Hut, where they said that the pizzas were almost as good as those back home.
Peter Bromwich, Spain [ Profile ] [ Contact ] [ Web ]
Sunday, January 16, 2005 at 21:27:07 (UTC)
|
Glen/Johnny,
Seriously, this thing about the virus has been going around. However it appears to be a hoax!! Good one about the Pelican though!!
See the cricket is getting interesting. Could go either way at the Wanderers tomorrow!
Doug,
Maybe we should elect a Zambian Cabinet-in-waiting from members of the GNR. I nominate you as President-elect, glen as Vice-President ,Mwizenge as Minister of Cultural Affairs, Heather as Minister of Land and Natural Resources, Colin as Home Affairs Minister, Johnny as Commissioner of Police, Craig as Minister of Technology, Arthur as Minister of Mines, Tina and Linda to share the Ministry of Women's Affairs, Mubita as Minister of Religious Affairs..dare I say CT as Minister of Economic Affairs.....any suggestions for Education,Industry,Health, etc??
Ayub Ismail Zumla, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Sunday, January 16, 2005 at 20:38:30 (UTC)
|
Glen,
Thanks for the entymology on biltong. It doesn't put me off though.
Nicky,
If you email me with your address I will post you copies and we can then see who our mutual friends were.
Mike Edwards, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Sunday, January 16, 2005 at 20:16:55 (UTC)
|
I thought Ayub was taking the micky with his Zulican I thought when we asked what it meant he would have said it is a cross between a Zumla and a Pelican. johnny.
Johnny, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Sunday, January 16, 2005 at 19:05:36 (UTC)
|
Ooops - should have been "shortest" books ever written - forgot the word "shortest" in my dilemma as to whether to post or not . . . .
Glen Drake, United States [ Profile ] [ Contact ] [ Web ]
Sunday, January 16, 2005 at 18:58:16 (UTC)
|
Ayub,
Dear fellow - neither Zulican or Zulican't virus exists.
In fact, the book written on the Zulican virus is amongst the books ever written, which as we all know include :
1. "Italian war heroes."
2. "Jewish ethics in business."
and
3. "Who's who in negro yachting."
Ok - here we go . . . . . . .
it's a joke people - it's a joke . . . . . . . .
Glen Drake, United States [ Profile ] [ Contact ] [ Web ]
Sunday, January 16, 2005 at 18:55:50 (UTC)
|
Hi Allyson,
Great joke.
Mike Wilson, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Sunday, January 16, 2005 at 10:52:00 (UTC)
|
HOTEL RWANDA
I don't know if the movie, "Hotel Rwanda" has been released worldwide yet, but if you get the chance, please take the time to go and see it. It is one of the most emotional movies I have ever seen. The acting is excellent and the portrayal of the main character, Paul Rusesabagina, by the black American actor, Don Cheadle, was absolutely stunningly superb. He got the accent, the respectful mannerisms, etc., perfect. It left me at times with a sick feeling in my stomach and at other times simply crying. Instead of zeroing in on the gore and massacre itself, it concentrated more on the story of what Rusesabagina did when he made a conscious decision to help over 1,000 Tutsis during the massacre by Hutu militia. Be forewarned. This movie is hard to watch.
This man was a man who should go down in history for his courage and for his compassion for his fellow man, regardless of the fact that he was of a different trible to the people he gave sanctuary to. I kept thinking of my earlier "don't look down" posting throughout the movie and it brings home even more the fact that the western world seems to indiscriminately pick and choose who it will send aid to. There is going to be a discussion in Austin next Wednesday about the Rwandan massacre, with a number of people who were actually able to escape. I plan to go, along with a young man from Rwanda who, coincidentally, is currently working as an intern in the company my husband has just been employed by.
If you are interested in a review of this movie, type in www.ask.com (or whatever search engine you use) and when you get to the search engine, type in What is Hotel Rwanda. Look for the review by the New York Times. It is very thought provoking.
I also saw a preview for a movie called, "In My Country", I think it was called. It stars Samuel Jackson and is about South Africa. I am not quite sure what it is all about, but the previews looked very interesting. I always wonder why they don't use the talent of black South African actors for these kinds of movies. I know they are out there.
On a lighter note, Tina, you made me larf my behiney off with your posting to Bill Knott. And thanks for the nod, Bill.
Linda Hayes, United States [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Sunday, January 16, 2005 at 00:24:23 (UTC)
|
Mike E.
It would be great if you could post it to me.
Bill
R: Bok Bok
The only thing I remember we did after everyone jumped on, without the team underneath collapsing, was the first person who jumped would push their finger/s on the person belows back and that person had to guess how many fingers, if correct the team below would then do the jumping.
Anyone remember playing Porpoise touches at the swimming pool?
Nicky Kontou, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Saturday, January 15, 2005 at 21:35:20 (UTC)
|
There are a lot of mails going around about the dangers of eating seafood after the tsunami disaster. One of them suggests that the virus ZULICAN is being carried by fish...anyone know about this?
Ayub Ismail Zumla, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Saturday, January 15, 2005 at 21:31:18 (UTC)
|
Interesting article in the Saturday Toronto Globe and Mail about people returning to live in South Africa after leaving in the 90's
Unfortunately the article is only available through their subscription service but if desired I will scan and post it here.
David Hounsell, Canada [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Saturday, January 15, 2005 at 21:20:46 (UTC)
|
I see Zamiba is front page news this week in the online newspaper The Onion. The report is on the election of a new President in Zambia.
http://www.theonion.com/news/index.php?issue=4102
Allyson Cash, United States [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Saturday, January 15, 2005 at 19:40:24 (UTC)
|
Just further information.
"Each individuals name will be on the list of donors when we present the donations so think hard before you do nothing".
I read a previous document on this where the donor's name and amounts being on the list is a government requirement. I may not still have it but I will look when I come back in.
Tina Magee, United States [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Saturday, January 15, 2005 at 19:09:43 (UTC)
|
REUNION IN CAPE TOWN IN MARCH??
Is anyone interested in pulling together a Cape Town Reunion, my Mom and I will be there in March and I know she would love an afternoon or evening get together if there is any interest. I did look through the list and there are close to 80 entries for the Cape.
Allyson Cash, United States [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Saturday, January 15, 2005 at 18:53:12 (UTC)
|
I wanted to post something about the CFU but Cathy Buckle puts it so much better: -
Dear Family and Friends,
When I wrote the first of these letters to family and friends back in February 2000, I was a farmer. I have told the story of what happened on our farm before, and of some of the horrors on 3000 other farms that were seized across Zimbabwe.
In 2000, The Commercial Farmers Union, to whom I paid membership fees and crop and livestock levies, were supposed to represent my interests as a farmer. As the weeks went past and I wrote about the abuses being inflicted on my family, our employees and their families and our property and livestock, the CFU told me to stop making waves. The CFU said that I should not be confrontational with the rabble who were pulling down fences, chopping trees and erecting shacks on our farm. The CFU said that I should engage in "dialogue" with drunk and drugged men who came to the gate and demanded my car, ordered me to leave my home or pointed a gun at me and threatened to shoot me. When I wrote newspaper articles about what was happening to other farmers, the CFU would have nothing to do with me. In confidence I was told that it had been stipulated that my name was forbidden from being mentioned in any CFU meetings
The CFU have continued to attempt to appease the Zimbabwe government for the last 59 months. When court orders were ignored, laws were changed and the constitution was amended in relation to farms, still the CFU called for dialogue with the government. Farmers were murdered, tortured, abducted and arrested and the CFU said its dwindling membership should downsize, share their land and talk to government officials. Hundreds, thousands and then hundreds of thousands of farm workers became homeless, destitute beggars living in the bush and the CFU still called for dialogue with the government. A law was passed protecting squatters from eviction and another allowing government to compulsorily acquire farm materials and equipment but still the CFU said dialogue was the only way forward.
Below are extracts from a letter written by the Midlands branch of the CFU. I would like to suggest that if the CFU have any money left over they will donate it either to the team campaigning to free farmer and MP Roy Bennett from prison or to some of the three hundred thousand farmers and farm workers who have been made destitute by the Zimbabwean land reform program. As a former farmer and onetime member of the CFU, I hang my head in disgust and shame.
CFU MIDLANDS
"We have received a request to donate cattle, chickens and mealie meal to a welcoming reception next week for the new Vice President, Joyce Mujuru. This request has come to us through the Midlands Leadership ... I suggest that each member pay in 1 million in cash to Bob at the CFU office by the end of business hours on Monday the 10th January 2005, as we need to secure these donations from our sector by Wednesday the 12th. Each individuals name will be on the list of donors when we present the donations so think hard before you do nothing. It is a strategy that I believe will ultimately lead to benefits of sorts in the future. But it is like gambling. ... For those non-members I say to you all that unity is our best defense. This we are not, we all are to blame as we now find
ourselves divided and ruled. To change this we must change - unite and stick together and speak with one voice. When the time comes for significant changes to the current situation we have been pushed into kicking and screaming foul play, then more than ever the voices of the divided will not be heard clearly and negotiations will be held from a point of weakness. Is this what we want, choose for yourselves. To end all I can safely say is that there is some activity currently in progress and I'm sure you will understand that this is at present too sensitive to disclose ........Your Chairman, TREVOR SHAW AND OFFICE STAFF. P.S. Cash or Kind 1 ton Mealie Meal or Potatoes etc, 5
Steers for slaughter, 100 Chickens. We need about 30 million for this...."
Until next week, with love, cathy
Maybe we should award him the Neville Arthur Chamberlain prize for appeasement. It is reported that he was recently in Australia looking for a farm to buy.
Doug Grewar, South Africa [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Saturday, January 15, 2005 at 18:02:58 (UTC)
|
Mike,
Etymology of the word biltong - Afrikaans - is :
bil, buttock from Middle Dutch "bille"
tong, tongue from Middle Dutch "tonghe"
Or in "rooinek" lingo, "buttocktongues".
Probably not a good word to use.
Glen Drake, United States [ Profile ] [ Contact ] [ Web ]
Saturday, January 15, 2005 at 16:38:24 (UTC)
|
David,
I didn't have a clue where the word hamburgher derived. However some of the others seem to have it sorted. I do know where the word boerewors came from but does anybody know the origin of biltong as it certainly is not tongue?
Mike Edwards, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Saturday, January 15, 2005 at 16:16:11 (UTC)
|
Gill
That was a beautiful request on your part willingly honoured. To any friends and family there may yet be in other countries, our sincere condolences.
Bill
If one ostrich has an egg it would be: "the ostrich's egg". However, if we are talking about Ma and Pa Ostrich together it would be: "the ostriches' egg".
Linda can be at least two people as we well know so it should be fine to write: Lindas' however if you just mean the one Linda it would be: Linda's.
If you were referring to Linda's behiney or indeed, her donkey, and running your words together and this side of the Atlantic you might even refer to Lind'ass although Linda's ass would be more appropriate and anyway one shouldn't make her the butt of one's humour.
Tina Magee, United States [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Saturday, January 15, 2005 at 05:51:17 (UTC)
|
Colin,
You may not know Lindas' alter ego.
Be afraid.
Be very afraid.!
Bill
Does the thing go before the 's' or after?
Bill Knott, Canada [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Saturday, January 15, 2005 at 00:16:01 (UTC)
|
Colin:
This is a continuation of my posting to you this morning. I answered you quickly as I was trying to get out of the door to earn a living, so I never gave it much thought... no, really.
This was my actual comment in the posting that sent you off the deep end:
Quote
"It is so refreshing to be able to make a statement, give an opinion, etc., without being insulted on a personal level anymore. Debate is healthy and wouldn't this world be a boring place if we all thought the same (as me...) grin."
Unquote
Your response:
Quote:
"I wish Linda would give over in her snide comments regarding how nice it is to say what she wants to, now that Chris is no longer with us; is this a threat to anyone who disagrees with her views? Sure looks like it! One word and your out? One can hope its only childish gloating, but whatever it is, its not very nice, so give it a miss!"
Unquote
I call a spade a spade, and your over-reaction is amusing to me in hindsight, Colin. Like I said in the quote above, "Debate is healthy and wouldn't this world be a boring place if we all thought the same (as me)... grin."
Kinda hard to find a "threat to anyone who disagrees with her views?" in that statement, wouldn't you agree?
Quite benign, in my opinion. I am, fortunately, blessed with a very healthy sense of humour. I (often) add the "grin" comment in my postings for those who may misconstrue my (friendly) humour, or have none of their own to play with. I guess you missed that. A pity.
It's a good job you have not been on the receiving end of my "threat to anyone who disagrees with her views" treatment. I have been known to eat little boys for breakfast when I am crossed. grin
As far as a vote to bring Chris back or not, I would have to be counted as an abstaining vote I couldn't care less.
Let's all meet at the pub and get sloshed together. I wish...
Linda Hayes, United States [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Friday, January 14, 2005 at 23:05:27 (UTC)
|
Seems like I was mistaken. John Parish is back with an improved profile.
Cheers - Doug
Doug Grewar, South Africa [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Friday, January 14, 2005 at 19:49:30 (UTC)
|
When I said I missed Chris Tamm being an active poster I didn’t mean that I wanted him to come back. The board has improved for his demise and many more people are posting interesting stories. I see that the foul-mouthed Parish has also withdrawn his membership despite the olive branch he was offered. Good Riddance!
Ayub
If all had gone according to plan with Mark Thatcher he certainly would have had some relief on his overdraft.
The dictator of Equatorial Guinea elected himself by murdering the previous tyrant (who was reputed to be a cannibal), so his overthrow would not be much of a loss. The reason that the so-called coup attempt was so universally condemned in Africa is that a large number of African rulers have dubious democratic credentials, and the coup might have set a precedent.
I feel sorry for the poor foot soldiers in the vile jails of EG and Zim. Thatcher’s cowardly admission of guilt and paying of a fine to save his own skin might have pushed them deeper into the soup. However there is the good news from Zim that Simon Mann’s sentence has been reduced from 7 years to 4 years and the rest are also having their sentences reviewed. I think the whole story is much more complicated than a simple coup and there are many more big shots involved.
Re Aid. There was a story about a Somali being killed by a crate of canned food air dropped by US aid some years ago. To add insult to injury the crate contained cans of pork and beans! Probably urban legend?
Ken
It looks as though Charles’s statistics have spurred you into a burst of posting. That great. Come on you other +/- 2000 members; let’s hear from you.
Chris (Tinker)
Nice to see a posting from you! I am sorry I cannot post you some of the surplus degrees. We would be happy to get rid of them.
Keith
As you have survived your trip to Bulawayo, we expect a posting from you.
Doug Grewar, South Africa [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Friday, January 14, 2005 at 19:45:09 (UTC)
|
Uh the grin was for your lovely poisson. Such puns remind me of the three Gauls in the Asterix Cartoon Series as they listened to Cacafonix - the Bard who couldn't sing a note - "Par Thor!" "Par Toutatis!" "Partons!"
Tina Magee, United States [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Friday, January 14, 2005 at 18:52:11 (UTC)
|
Ken
Just a great big GRIN
Tina Magee, United States [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Friday, January 14, 2005 at 18:46:50 (UTC)
|
Hi David,
I'm getting out of here at Eid as our offices (semi-government) will be shut for 4 days the week after next. I fly back to Perth on 20th January for 10 days R & R. Agree with you about the cold winter weather here (25C or so max each day). Oh for the 40C+ of Perth in summer!!
See you hopefully next time you visit Abu Dhabi. Maybe we can catch up with another GNR person here for Mini Middle-East Tiyende Number 2. Heather has said she will post the Number 1 report and photos on GNR when time permits.
All the best.....
Keith Binns, United Arab Emirates [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Friday, January 14, 2005 at 18:28:06 (UTC)
|
People,
I agree with Linda.And you know what I smell shite,I definately smell shite.
Pappy Papier, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Friday, January 14, 2005 at 18:25:20 (UTC)
|
Just catching up on postings.
Christopher Drake,
Please be informed that here in Oman we are feeling the cold. During the day it is 23°C max and at night it plumets to 16°C which to us poor folk is freezing.
Kieth Binns,
Hope to be in your area over our next Eid, perhaps we can meet up again?
David Hoyle, Oman [ Profile ] [ Contact ] [ Web ]
Friday, January 14, 2005 at 18:09:14 (UTC)
|
I believe the word 'Hamburger' originated from Hamburg, just as the Frankfurter came from Frankfurt.
When J.F.K. made his monumental statement,"Ich bin ein Berliner", he was actually saying, "I am a doughnut"
He ought to have said,"Ich bin Berliner". (Thanks and good night, Eddie Izzard).
Ken Fernie, United States [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Friday, January 14, 2005 at 18:02:22 (UTC)
|
David - sorry, typo :
Definition provided by : http://www.word-detective.com/111097.html
Glen Drake, United States [ Profile ] [ Contact ] [ Web ]
Friday, January 14, 2005 at 18:00:17 (UTC)
|
David,
The "ham" in "hamburger" doesn't have anything to do with ham -- in fact, "burger" by itself isn't even a proper word, so we can't really lop off "ham" and talk about it. "Hamburgers" (originally known as "hamburger steaks") are so-called because they are thought to have been invented in Hamburg, Germany, although chopping up some lean beef and frying it doesn't seem like a terribly challenging concept, so hamburger was probably actually "invented" in numerous locales. The original recipe for "hamburger steak," by the way, sounds more like meatloaf than hamburgers, involving beaten eggs, spices and onions. "Hamburger" made its first appearance in English at the end of the 19th century.
Courtesy :
Glen Drake, United States [ Profile ] [ Contact ] [ Web ]
Friday, January 14, 2005 at 17:59:09 (UTC)
|
Mike,
I have this question and perhaps you or the board members will be able to answer.
Why do we call Beef Burgers - Ham Burgers ? As far as I know today all burgers are made from beef, so was it something in the past when maybe pork was used??
and yes I do know that there are chicken/ turkey/snake/ kangaroo burgers etc etc etc before anybody tries to edumicate me
David Hoyle, Oman [ Profile ] [ Contact ] [ Web ]
Friday, January 14, 2005 at 17:50:53 (UTC)
|
On the question of what various religions consider acceptable to eat. A good Hindu friend of mine in Zim was devastated when he found that hamburgers were made from beef. He survived and is as devout as ever.
Mike Edwards, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Friday, January 14, 2005 at 17:26:23 (UTC)
|
Looks like Atlas has finally shrugged. Perchance the current weather situation, almost global, is Mother Nature's way of saying "You wanna mess with the big boys?, try a piece of me". Scotland, I believe, is experiencing some of the worst weather conditions in living memory, although not getting nearly as much ink.
Ken Fernie, United States [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Friday, January 14, 2005 at 17:20:58 (UTC)
|
Okay all you guys down under send me some of your warm weather. Its -36c this morning and I am freezing. Gas(natural) and electric bills will be high.
Car will start as I did plug it in but takes forever to warm up though. To cold to snow saves shoveling snow.Poor coastal people they have -9c (craige).
Down South L.A. Rain(Glen).
Chris
Christopher Drake, Canada [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Friday, January 14, 2005 at 16:33:16 (UTC)
|
For those who rise in the defense of C.T., some cognizance might be given to the fact that he has chosen to locate in Hilo (pronounced Heelo, for the un-initiated), of all places. Where in this world is there a more ethnically diverse population, than in Hawaii? My God, we have just about every culture under the sun represented there. Everything from shade 1 to shade 10 (John Parish take note). Talk about a paradox!
Ken Fernie, United States [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Friday, January 14, 2005 at 16:03:45 (UTC)
|
Re- Ayub's posting on the Indonesian people being given the O.K. to partake of non-halal sustenance, it should be remembered that it was not too long ago that the Roman Catholic Church reversed it's fiat on not eating meat on a Friday. Or as they say in France," One man's meat, is another man's poisson". Ah! me. La plus ca change, plus la meme chose.
Ken Fernie, United States [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Friday, January 14, 2005 at 15:40:59 (UTC)
|
I agree with Linda 100%. So eloquently stated, there some who should read between her lines. This is not, has never been, and will never be, a forum for personal attacks, be they of a racial, ethnic,political, or other persuasion. As far as the 'Politburo' (sic) is concerned, they playa da game - they make a da rules. Thus spake Ken Fernie.
Rien ne va plus.
Ken Fernie, United States [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Friday, January 14, 2005 at 15:04:34 (UTC)
|
Colin,
I agree it would be a very Democratic way of sorting the problem out.
However I feel confident that 99% of the GNR members would vote along side Linda, as I believe that although some more than others may not pass comment about some of the items listed, we still feel that personal attacks are totally unaceptable on OUR site.
Everyone is entitled to their opinion, however not when it comes to abusing any members of the site.
I believe that the Management chose to do what they did to keep this site decent.
Des Kenny, England [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Friday, January 14, 2005 at 14:51:31 (UTC)
|
Northerners,
I’ve been on the Garden Route for the past week, and popped in to see my father on the 12th for his 86th birthday. He still plays golf every week, and has just restored an old BSA (vintage1932 – #1072) .177 pellet gun for a friend of mine. He certainly leads a busy life. The property prices along the Garden Route are astronomical and there doesn’t seem to be any platteau to it. I.E. A small 2 bedroomed home at Pinnacle Point in Mossel Bay will set one back at least 1.7 mill ZAR, and a 300 square metre undeveloped seaside plot cost a friend 650 thou. ZAR – and she said it was a bargain! Most buyers are from overseas.
Colin the Painted,
Out of idle curiosity and possessing a leaning towards stats (damn lies and all), I’ve put your proposal for a ‘democratic method / way of resolving this issue’ to the test. To extract this information took less than 10 minutes. I used the January 2005 message board as a benchmark and the results are quite startling.
As at Friday, January 14, 2005 at 11:45:56 (UTC): There were 241 messages posted. The highest poster at 25 messages was Glen Drake; closely followed by Doug Grewar at 23, Tina at 17, Ayub at 12 – and Johnny at 11. These 5 members posted a whopping 36.51% of the total messages; and the other 59 members who posted in January accounted for the remainder 153 messages.
But I digress.
If we are to prove your democratic proposal, we should be able to look at it clinically from both sides of the equation – to whit: Let’s propose that all those who want Chris back on board vote ‘Aye’ Then take a % of those in favour against the number of current members of GNR to establish the result. Now apply it using January 2005 as a benchmark.
Let us assume that every member who submitted in the month of January voted “Aye’ to having Chris reinstated on the board. That gives 64 ‘Ayes’. There are currently 1976 members on the GNR. Therefore, 3.24% would be in favour and 96.58% (a ‘silent majority’), by default - against.
Somehow you must account for the abstention votes separately.
By the way, I’d happily welcome Chris back on board. I like debate - whether controversial or not. Must be that good old Boyce ‘fighting blood’ coming to the fore!
Regards
Charles Cartmill, South Africa [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Friday, January 14, 2005 at 14:02:16 (UTC)
|
Jill
Locusts do not necessarily have to be a disaster. I am not sure which northern African States are being plagued at present but many years ago there was a program called ‘RED something or other’ which more or less kept locusts under control. I don’t know how it was done; perhaps they sprayed their breeding areas. It involved all the countries in Southern Africa and I believe it was based and run from South Africa. Some of the newly independent black states objected to this involvement with white South Africa and pulled out of the project and consequently the locusts slowly returned to many countries in Africa. Locusts obviously don’t have any respect for international borders so all the countries had to be involved or none at all.
Mike Slement, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Friday, January 14, 2005 at 13:42:24 (UTC)
|
My, my Colin. You do seem to have gotten your kilt in a twist all of a sudden. What on earth is the matter that you have to get so outraged over a simple comment I made? It was not snide. Quite direct, actually. Just a statement, which I still stand by. I simply commented on how nice it is that we are all able, which includes you by the way, to comment on the diverse topics on this board without having to worry about defending who our mother was, our integrity, intelligence, etc. Whether you agree or not, people were getting to the point where they no longer wanted to participate because of the personal insults. I think that is fair game to comment on. I do think it is wonderful that we don't have to worry about that, and I have a right to comment on that. I am thoroughly enjoying the various topics that are being discussed at the moment, without going through the frustration of having to wade through posting after posting of insulting crap, overwhelmingly initiated by Chris Tamm.
You can disagree with anything. That was not the issue that was decided upon by the management. It was the manner in which Chris personally attacked people that became the deciding factor. Not by me, or you, or anyone else on the board. It was the management, and they have my 100% support in their decision. If I were to begin personally insulting you or anyone else as opposed to simply stating my different opinion to yours, I would fully expect to have my backside kicked off the site too. No two ways about it!!
My opinion, and I do have one and I am entitled to one by the way, regarding the removal of Chris Tamm or anyone else who is personally insulting people, is that in order for this board to function in the way it is intended, we all are expected to conform to what is considered common decency in our dealings with others on the board.
Obviously, we all come from different backgrounds, educational levels, family situations, religions or lack of, political beliefs etc., and that is where the diversity of the board comes from and what makes it so interesting and unique. I personally did not finish high school, but I damn sure know what is expected when you treat others with respect. I would have to say, also, that 99% of us were taught The Golden Rule by our parents in one form or another, regardless of where we came from, our ethnic background or religion. You treat each other with respect and hope to be treated the same way by them. Plain and simple, my friend.
As a contributor, I found Chris to be intelligent in some areas and enjoyed his postings when he had something to contribute under the understood guidelines of common decency. When he began running off at the mouth with his personal insults, I had no time for the man. He caused a lot of personal stress on people who were drawn in, in some cases reluctantly and against their wishes, to respond to being insulted.
That's it, chum. Plain and simple.
As has been stated before, the management of the board are the ones who have the authority to decide who is permitted to be part of the group. Not us. Methinks, however, that if a general vote were taken, your candidate may bomb at the election.
Lighten up and enjoy the board for what it is intended.
Linda Hayes, United States [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Friday, January 14, 2005 at 13:15:55 (UTC)
|
I concur with Tina. Colin, Linda is one of the straightest, nicest people I know. If she had intended having a dig, she would have been a lot more open about it. Please don't presume to know what other people are thinking. I am positive that she was referring to the recent unpleasantness here and I believe you owe her an apology. Why would we want Chris Tamm back on the board? There has been more than enough nastiness flying around recently without him sticking his 2 bob in. However, that is up to the Politburo. I imagine they could do without the extra headache though.
Fiona Gayther, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Friday, January 14, 2005 at 11:45:56 (UTC)
|
Mike, Linda, Tina, Ali.
I agee
Esther Pettersson, Australia [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Friday, January 14, 2005 at 11:04:06 (UTC)
|
Northern Rhodesia Regiment
The following message is posted on behalf of non-member Darrell Raubenheimer. Please contact him directly as described below if you can help him. Thanks.
My grandfather, Edward Guest (Ted) Raubenheimer, served with the Northern Rhodesia Regt. (and possibly from what I can make out, also with the Barotse Native Police).
I am putting together a "military family tree" and am researching info on both units (and of course any info on my Grandfather as well). Do anyone have info on these units?
Look forward to hearing from you.
Regards
Darrell
If you can help Darrell, please contact him directly at darrell.raubs@tiscali.co.za. Thanks very much.
Craig Hartnett, Canada [ Profile ] [ Contact ] [ Web ]
Friday, January 14, 2005 at 10:46:01 (UTC)
|
Having read the suggestions by Colin and David to have Chris Tamm reinstated I would agree with Linda and Tina. We are all guests at this party and the acceptability of guests' conduct is not decided by vote but by the hosts. If it is too onerous for contributors to be polite even when disagreeing strongly, then this is not the forum for them. Discussion should be resolved by weight of argument not by weight of insult
Mike Wilson, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Friday, January 14, 2005 at 10:30:25 (UTC)
|
Robert Summers,
That train does trips still. It is called Rovos Rail - hence the "RR" inscription. You can find out more on the internet.
Talking about natural disasters - how about a plague of locusts that is causing problems in many countries in Northern Africa? Apparently it will cost US$100M to sort out.
Jill Aplin, South Africa [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Friday, January 14, 2005 at 06:47:02 (UTC)
|
Interesting news item...this is quite a change from a year ago.
News 24
MDC encouraged in Zambia
12/01/2005 14:23 - (SA)
Lusaka - Zambian President Levy Mwanawasa on Tuesday met Zimbabwean opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai who was encouraged to participate in March polls in the Southern African country, an official said
here.
Tsvangirai, who leads the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), the main opposition to the government of President Robert Mugabe, arrived in the Zambian capital on Monday, where he met ruling party members.
"We have advised them not to boycott parliamentary elections in Zimbabwe because it would weaken their position," said the (Zambian) official,
speaking on condition of anonymity.
"We gave them an example of the Zambian situation when the former ruling party boycotted the 1996 elections that led to their losing influence in parliament as well as national politics," the official said.
Pressure was mounting on the MDC to participate in parliamentary polls in Zimbabwe set for March to challenge Mugabe's ruling Zimbabwe Africa
National Union - Patriotic Front (Zanu-PF) party.
The MDC's secretay-general Welshman Ncube said last week the party hierarchy will meet by the end of January, with a decision on its participation in the polls expected by the first week of February.
The party has vowed not to contest the watershed poll unless Mugabe's government carries out major electoral reforms in line with other
countries in the 13-member Southern African Development Community (SADC).
Before meeting Mwanawasa, Tsvangirai held private talks with the country's (Zambia's) biggest opposition party, the United Party for National Development (UPND) where the leaders shared their concern for the lack of good governance in African countries, an official said.
"We also discussed issues to do with the lack of access to state media by the opposition in both Zambia and Zimbabwe," said UPND spokesman Patrick Chisanga.
The Zimbabwean opposition leader later met representatives of the country's umbrella Zambia Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) where issues
of governance was also discussed before meeting civil society groups.
Tsvangirai was expected to leave Zambia on Wednesday. - AFP
Tina Magee, United States [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Friday, January 14, 2005 at 04:01:47 (UTC)
|
Colinnnnnn
Put your claymore away. Snide means sneering or jeering. Linda is the most un-snide person around. She was expressing honestly and simply that it is a breath of fresh air to be able to discuss different views without anyone taunting one another or trying to stir maliciously or anyway thoughts along those lines - without someone stirring snidely, you might even say. Each to their own, yeah, but I can definitely dig her vibe (as we once used to say).
As to voting fur or agin the motion, this is a Politburo run by Comrades Craig, Sarky Arthur and That Woman and tenuously by Dawie van der Blixem. We often try rebellion and insurgence, but it's a bit like fleas arguing who owns the dog. And the dog is a pretty good host as things are.
Tina Magee, United States [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Friday, January 14, 2005 at 02:16:10 (UTC)
|
As Stalin once said, every single death is a disaster to the person concerned and should be mourned accordingly but when it comes to millions of deaths ( as was in his case and he should know) it pales into insignificence for the individual concerned. The same rule of thumb should be applied to the victims of cancer for example, that being a natural disaster, if ever there was one, as to the victims of other more newsworthy events. Scotland today has the worst recovery rate of any country in Europe regarding cancer victims, owing to the lack of funding by the government, who claim to be skint when it comes to the NHS Scotland. (don't mention the " War" expenditure) And who cares? Nobody. The revolting "B" twins, with an election pending, have decended upon Africa with sanctimonious grace, to be pictured with starving weans instead of the traditional art of kissing babies in Slumville,UK. Total disgusting spin. Will pledge a few bob for the publicity value, disregarding any other areas of distress whither at home or abroad which don't bring out the cameras (ie Zim, for whose ignoral by the UK, especially, is quite beyond belief)
I wish Linda would give over in her snide comments regarding how nice it is to say what she wants to, now that Chris is no longer with us; is this a threat to anyone who disagrees with her views? Sure looks like it! One word and your out? One can hope its only childish gloating, but whatever it is, its not very nice, so give it a miss!
Regarding Chris why don't we put it to a vote? All those in favour of his banishment vote Aye. Then take a % of those in favour against the number of current members of GNR to establish the result. Sounds like a democratic method / way of resolving this issue to me.
Colin Munro, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Friday, January 14, 2005 at 01:18:37 (UTC)
|
Teresa Swart
WHERE ARE YOU??????
Esther Pettersson, Australia [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Thursday, January 13, 2005 at 21:04:49 (UTC)
|
David,
Your posting of an earlier time (if I recall it correctly) implied the consumption as a Alcohol was permitted. Contrary to what many believe (including the fundamentalists) Islam has never been a rigid religion and when matters of life and death are concerned it does permit the "unpermitable". If there is no choice then one can transgress. Now I am not sure if the Muslim victims of the Tsunami have no choice. I suspect they have.. with all types of food and drink being brought in by relief agencies and Governments. Compare this with a man lost in a desert for days with no food or water and he comes across a dead carcass of a pig..then sure he will be forgiven for eating it.
Glen,
I was only trying to suggest that perhaps the victims of droughts may have a stronger case for aid as rainfall is beyond our control or is it? Global warming?
Doug,
You think Sir Mark Thatcher must have thought the air ambulance he was financing was for some relief operation????
Ayub Ismail Zumla, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Thursday, January 13, 2005 at 20:12:21 (UTC)
|
Desiree
I don't envy you your trip to Durban. I have just returned and even though it was raining for the 3 days the temperature was still above 27c with about 99% humidity. I am happy to get back to th highveldt.
Doug Grewar, South Africa [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Thursday, January 13, 2005 at 20:11:18 (UTC)
|
Bill
You are quite right of course.
I would not have remembered it in a thousand years.
I could never see the point of Bok Bok and avoided it like the plague.
It was always the big strong and heavy boys that wanted to play it and I had none of those physical attributes as a young schoolboy.
.--------------
Glen
You are correct in stating that a drought is not unpredictable in the sense that it does not happen overnight and that a responsible Government with the necessary resources can make provision for it provided that it does not last for decades.
It was Malawi who in recent years sold off all their substantial maize reserves just before a drought hit the country.
I believe a corrupt Minister gave it at a cut rate to another African nation. It might have been Tanzania
Mike Slement, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Thursday, January 13, 2005 at 20:02:06 (UTC)
|
Heather Chalcraft
Happy New year to you & the rest of the Politburo.
When will I receive my first Mabungu??
Bill Hunt, South Africa [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Thursday, January 13, 2005 at 19:13:24 (UTC)
|
David - the GNR broadcast request for CT support is inappropriate.
Should sufficient numbers of individuals contact GNR management directly requesting his re-instatement, they MAY have cause to reconsider, however, these same individuals must take the responsibility for sorting out any mess that may result.
How do you as a member propose to do that?
Call on GNR membership for re-banning?
Think about it - a CATCH 22 . . . . .
Glen Drake, United States [ Profile ] [ Contact ] [ Web ]
Thursday, January 13, 2005 at 18:31:46 (UTC)
|
Desiree,
Your posting reveals an interesting and provocative train of food for thought – Nature vs People.
Really nothing related to the time taken since Nature can also be very slow and deliberate.
But . . . .
Spongebob
Jan 13, 05 3:39pm says of the recent tsunami tragedy :
“The waves did not discriminate. It swept Muslims, Hindus, Christians, Buddhists, atheists, saints, sinners, young, old, whites, browns, blacks, yellows, males, females, heterosexuals and homosexuals to their deaths.”
Sorta what Ayub alluded to in an earlier posting, hey?
I’m wondering if Nature is testing those who come to the aid of those affected by the tsunami? Is Nature trying to see whether mankind is capable of non-discrimination when it comes to doing something positive?
So I guess that when we talk about real “power” one should never under-estimate or try to fool Mother Nature.
Glen Drake, United States [ Profile ] [ Contact ] [ Web ]
Thursday, January 13, 2005 at 18:22:41 (UTC)
|
Keith Binns,
O.K. you have forced me to come out of my hide-out and respond so I will say first of all say a Happy New Year to yourself, Diane and the GNR Board members. I have been a little busy just trying to survive.
A few months ago when I was replying to questions re Muslim beliefs and what was acceptable, I really did try to keep the issue "calm" and I especially did try to not post anything that would give fuel for a heated argument but certain Muslim experts tried to pull me up on what I would call technicalities. For example I am well aware that muslims can take alcohol when it is prescribed in medicines but I thought it wasn't worth mentioning (better not to mention) at the time.
I honestly thought that mentioning "Bacon Sarnies" would be a bit like a red rag to a bull so I left it.
However now that it has been accepted that all aid food is considered to be acceptable, I will say that in the event of absolute life or death emergency, so is the ingestion (as in eating) of human flesh.
On a separate issue, I will forward the following motion and say enough is enough, may I formally request that the GRN Management Board allow CT to come back as a member, like as now.
Does anybody else formally support this proposal?
David Hoyle, Oman [ Profile ] [ Contact ] [ Web ]
Thursday, January 13, 2005 at 18:19:45 (UTC)
|
Mike Siement
Amper reg. So no cigar!
"Bok Bok staan styff, hoeveel vingers op jou lyf"
regards
Bill Hunt, South Africa [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Thursday, January 13, 2005 at 18:05:29 (UTC)
|
Ayub,
My name is not Desiree but let's see if I can throw in my 5 cents worth.
Out of a myriad of definitions for drought, not one of them intimates "unpredictability".
So - is drought a disaster, or a tragedy or normal in some areas?
Your call . . . .
I might add, there are many disasters and tragedies that do not involve the loss of human life . . . . some of them do involve people though . . . . . . . people who may still be living.
Glen Drake, United States [ Profile ] [ Contact ] [ Web ]
Thursday, January 13, 2005 at 17:45:52 (UTC)
|
Desiree,
Can drought be classified as a "natural" disaster?
Ayub Ismail Zumla, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Thursday, January 13, 2005 at 10:24:26 (UTC)
|
Hello all
A bit of useless information that some of you may find of interest.
Zambian-born banker to head Israeli central bank: government
Agence France Presse
Wednesday January 12
JERUSALEM, Jan 9 (AFP) - Prominent US banker Stanley Fischer, vice chairman of Citigroup, is to to be appointed the next governor of the Bank of Israel, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's office said Sunday.
A statement said Sharon and Finance Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had recommended Fischer to take over the country's central bank.
The choice only needs to be formally approved by the state appointments commission and President Moshe Katsav. Fischer, 61, a fluent Hebrew speaker, is a former first deputy managing director of the International Monetary Fund and has acted as an adviser to the Israeli treasury in the past.
Fischer, who was born in Zambia in 1943, served at the IMF from 1994 to 2001 and joined Citigroup in 2002.
Kevin Shone, Zambia [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Thursday, January 13, 2005 at 08:43:58 (UTC)
|
David Hoyle (Oman),
In November there was some discussion on GNR about Islam and the exceptional circumstances which may occasionally allow Muslims to eat pork or other types of flesh which are usually banned. The following article from AFP was printed in yesterday’s Gulf News.
Quote:
Tsunami victims in Aceh can eat all types of emergency food, even if it contains pork, Indonesa’s religious leaders said yesterday. The Indonesian Council of Ulemas (MUI) said it had issued the fatwa because of the desperate situation. “We do not have the capabilities now to ascertain that all the food coming from foreign countries is halal, and therefore all food distributed under relief aid in Aceh is halal to eat”, MUI fatwa commission chairman Ma’aruf Ameen said.
Unquote
Keith Binns, United Arab Emirates [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Thursday, January 13, 2005 at 08:04:28 (UTC)
|
A couple of thoughts. First, I heard a news report on the tsunami. An Indonesian government minister is reported to have told the US all the military aiding in their recovery must return offshore every night to their ships and not sleep on Indonesian soil.Then they must all be out of the country in two months. I could solve that problem in a couple of days.
Last week I saw a documentary, "Train de luxe" on TV. It covered a Zim train that journeyed from J'burg. Bulawayo to Victoria Falls. The train went halfway across the bridge and returned to Vic Falls after a sightseeing jaunt.
I was wondering if the train still runs, with Zim the basket case it is these days.
The carriages were indeed luxurious with the exception of the dining car. One bright spot of a not very well produced film were occasional shots of carriage windows with the "RR" logo still engraved.
Bye the way, Happy New Year to all fellow Roadies. Bob.
Robert Summers, United States [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Thursday, January 13, 2005 at 03:19:59 (UTC)
|
Desiree:
After I posted the comment about money getting filthy and tattered the more it is handled, it brought to mind a rather funny incident when I was playing for KPF Angels Softball Team. I have posted the story before, but the part it reminded me of was the fact that I came down with a terrible bout of dysentry after counting the money we made on a fund-raising casino night up at Kitwe Playing Fields. I was counting and licking my thumb along the way to keep a good grip on the loot! By the way, that is an amazingly quick method of losing weight too.. grin.
I hope that I have not stepped on any toes with regard to whether you made a donation to the tsunami disaster or not. That is entirely your own business and I am not here to hold anyone accountable. It was more just to mention the news program after my "don't look down" posting and to voice my own thoughts that we are all humans on this earth together.
My hubby is not right here as I am posting so I don't have the source of the statement to give you, but last night he told me either that he had read (he reads EVERYTHING..) or heard on the radio that at least one of the countries that has been given monetary aid towards the disaster recovery, was hoping/trying to use it to offset their outstanding financial debt instead. Hmmm.
It is so refreshing to be able to make a statement, give an opinion, etc., without being insulted on a personal level anymore. Debate is healthy and wouldn't this world be a boring place if we all thought the same (as me...) grin.
"Uppity Women Unite!!" Whaaaaaaaaaaaat??
Linda Hayes, United States [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Wednesday, January 12, 2005 at 22:41:18 (UTC)
|
Every day, apparently, 30,000 people in the "3rd World" die of preventable diseases and causes. Every 5 days this equals the number of lives lost in the recent Asian (plus the couple of hundred dead in Somalia who have barely warrented even a sentence in the papers), disaster. I do not think that people living in abject and horrific poverty in parts of Africa would care to get into a debate as to whether their predicament was "man made" or not, which is why I admire the people still banging on about "unfashionable" causes , such as the underdevelopment of Africa, for sticking their necks out. Bono from U2 and good old Sir Bob Geldof spring to mind. If anyone has a strong stomach, log on to www.congovision.com, and scan some of the images of the senseless (makes lots of sense to the multinationals selling arms, and those with mineral concessions) conflict that has resulted in 3.8 million people dying over the last ten years. We cannot, and must not succumb to "compassion fatigue", and there is more than one method of "giving", such as oxfam emailing campaigns, and signing up to fair trade deals. Tina McGee has her finger on a few worthy causes, TINA pls email me re your Zim appeal, I will see what I can do. Ciao for now, Megs
Meg Rybicki, Ireland [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Wednesday, January 12, 2005 at 21:53:10 (UTC)
|
Linda
Money only gets tattered and filthy in your pocket if you are "filthy" rich! My money doesn't have time to sit in my pocket very long. I must admit I did give towards the tsunami disaster.... I gave what I could. It was not a man made disaster as most of the other disasters are in Africa. Self inflicted problems are caused by people with money in their pockets and nothing better to do. Battles of ego etc. A natural disaster such as this is not the fault of mankind. It is a freak accident, a message from above, whatever you want to call it but certainly NOT man made. They did not deserve to suffer like that, but it was in the hands of nature. Not people. In my mind people cause more problems than nature does. Nature is quick.... People torture! My heart is with the children most of all. In both man made and natural disasters. Do you know how many animals suffer because of the wonderful HUMAN BEING. Strange how not many suffered with the tsunami disaster. Makes you think doesn't it....
Desiree Van der Spuy, South Africa [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Wednesday, January 12, 2005 at 21:28:46 (UTC)
|
Nicky,
How about I post you a copy?
Mike S,
You do have a good memory. I was in Williams in '63 and '64 before I was ignominiously expelled for resaons I won't go into.
Bill,
I can't remember.
Mwizenge,
I agree with you about the corrupting influence of wealth and power. However I believe many people do not desire either and this is where you find compassion and generosity.
Mike Edwards, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Wednesday, January 12, 2005 at 20:01:00 (UTC)
|
Mwizenge,
Look, let me share with you VERY briefly what I think about us humans and our inability for the most part to solve some of the horrendous human suffering. I have NOT thought about this most of my life - in fact it just struck me "in the moment".
People who come from an educated background and who use power and wealth in a compassionate way despise waste.
Waste of aid by those who prevent it getting to those that need it.
Glen Drake, United States [ Profile ] [ Contact ] [ Web ]
Wednesday, January 12, 2005 at 19:53:28 (UTC)
|
Linda, Alec
I understand your frustrations. I watched the Nightline program on the Tsunami donations and why people will not donate toward other disasters that are natural and sometimes man-made or some would say because of racism etc. etc.
I have been watching some of the new footage from the tsunami and I cannot still comprehend the enormity of the disaster; massive amounts of debris tumbling, floating cars, buses, fridges, collapsing buildings, bodies of humans being churned into the violent murk, and screams etc. The last few nights I keep having horrendous dreams about swimming and near drowning in a flood while I drive a car I owned many years back. Scenes from California of homes being buried in mud slides make the situation even worse for me. 19 so far have died and of course this pales compared to the tsunami calamity.
Look, let me share with you very briefly what I think about us humans and our inability for the most part to solve some of the horrendous human suffering. I have thought about this most of my life.
We humans, across races, religions, and societies are essentially self-centered and greedy in the deepest sense of the meanings of these terms. When we have a chance to get power or wealth or both, we want it all to ourselves in a very narcissistic way. We will coopt willing others to join us in these activities that otherwise reflect morbid greed.
We will share very grudgingly and only if we have to. Don’t get me wrong, many of us share and we do great good things. But there is something very fundamental about power and wealth that corrupts us what ever our skin color. There are very very few strong humans who will consistently and selflessly use power and wealth in a compassionate way and completely for the good of other human beings who may be suffering sometimes just living next to us.
How can we then relate to suffering of those people thousands of miles away in other lands when sometimes we can’t related to suffering in our own family, neighborhood, nation? The media of course has to keep the images going to keep us interested. But after a while, we get into a funky condition of compassion fatigue.
Recolonizing Africa, (there was talk about this in the West in the early 1990s) because Africans have failed to solve human problems and misery would probably make things worse. But I understand the frustration.
Mwizenge Tembo, United States [ Profile ] [ Contact ] [ Web ]
Wednesday, January 12, 2005 at 19:22:07 (UTC)
|
Een twee drie vier vyf
Hoe veel vingers op jou lyf?
Mike Slement, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Wednesday, January 12, 2005 at 18:49:51 (UTC)
|
Ja Boets
Bok Bok!
How many remember what you had to do & say after leaping as far as you could & landing on the back of one of your school mates?
Bill Hunt, South Africa [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Wednesday, January 12, 2005 at 18:11:30 (UTC)
|
Linda,
I have taken in your comments as regards "giving". I do not have an axe to grind, in fact I cannot watch TV when the awful pictures of what Africa is dishing out to Africa are shown. Linda how much longer are we going to have to hear of the Sudan, Rwanda, Zimbabwe, Congo, does the list never end?
Is it not time that the Security Council, had the right not only to declare war, but also the right to declare a Country morally bankrupt (ie unable to run its own affairs) and put in place a Council, (be they American, British, Russian, South African) to run the Countries(Police,Army,Banks) take those three Ministries away from Goverment and I dont belive for one minute that the African Stalins of to day would survive. Linda pie in the sky I know. I am going home to Durban pretty soon, starting off at Vic Falls, it will be a farewell holiday to a continent that has been both good and sad to me I will not be returning, but belive me when I say that year after year as I fly over Africa on my down to Johannesburg, I often look below at the darkness and wonder is there down there, a simple herdboy, an orphan (for the great always come from humble begings) who will put this continent on the rails.
Alec Swan, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Wednesday, January 12, 2005 at 15:42:02 (UTC)
|
A "news" program on USA TV called "Night Line" addressed the burning question, "Why do people reach into their pockets so deeply for something like the tsunami disaster, and yet they are totally unsympathetic when millions of lives are lost in Africa and people are starving to death there?"
After a lot of pontificating, and giving statistics that would curl any compassionate person's teeth with regard to Rwanda, Congo, Sudan, etc., the bottom line answer was that people with money are less inclined to put their hands in their pockets for disasters that are associated with politics and war or a different faith base.
Having said that, however, it seems that the gap between the pledge and the money in the hand of those needing it, is normally around 50% or higher. They cited the earthquake in Turkey as an example. Millions of dollars were pledged but when it was actually time to produce the cash, it dwindled to a trickle.
It is a pity that we could not all just have the eyes of compassion to help our fellow human being in a time of need, whether that need is connected to war, politics, colour, or religion. I believe our blood is all the same colour, isn't it, and money gets more filthy and tattered the longer you hold it in your hand.
Linda Hayes, United States [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Wednesday, January 12, 2005 at 14:10:16 (UTC)
|
How about all South East Queensland, Australia members getting together for a SEQ bash? Looking at the membership list there are a fair few Brisbane names. Suggestions for date and venue welcome.
Chris Waller, Australia [ Profile ] [ Contact ] [ Web ]
Wednesday, January 12, 2005 at 10:14:34 (UTC)
|
Hi Cynthia,
Welcome to the Great North Road, all I have to do now is get your sister Lucille to come and spend a weekend with me and we can get her on the board as well.
Enjoy the site and lets have some postings from you. I know you have lots of stories to tell. (You told me some of them.)
Guys
Cynthia and I were born in Nkana hospital in the same year, went to Prince Charles, Fredrick Knapp and high school at the same time but never got to know each other.
Her brother Robert was my late brother Arnold's best mate and virtually grew up in our house. The S***t never told me he had any sisters.
Cheers
Philip Pain, South Africa [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Wednesday, January 12, 2005 at 04:53:26 (UTC)
|
Going to visit hubby in Durban for a few days. Visiting him is great.... can't wait! Haven't seen him in weeks! Trouble is, I HATE the weather in Durban. Has anyone, who knows this place, have any advice on beating the humidity.... how to stay 'cool' ? Every time I go there I suffer...!! Is it just me or what? I can take the heat, no problem, but Durban is just so different. I don't know how anyone survives there. No wonder he's there to fix a contract that's 'just not moving forward'!! I wouldn't be able to move anywhere with that weather!!!
Desiree Van der Spuy, South Africa [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Tuesday, January 11, 2005 at 21:25:20 (UTC)
|
Mike Edwards
What year (or years) did you attend the Gilbert Rennie? I remember you quite well from Williams House .You were of light build and quite good over 440 and 880 yards. You must have been there in 64 because you mention Jack (Scoomba) Mason and that was his final year.
Williams House is quite well represented on this site.At least 7 Old Boys from my years there and about 13 in total that I am aware of.
You would not remember me. I was 3 or 4 years below you and one of the many stroppy juniors running around causing havoc.
Mike Slement, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Tuesday, January 11, 2005 at 20:16:42 (UTC)
|
Doug - if you read this while in Durban Jack Duvenage tells me that Errol Dunbar is still alive and kicking and lives there. Try and track the chappie down for me if you can. He and I have a few "war stories" to share from the late fifties at Kitwe Boys High School.
Glen Drake, United States [ Profile ] [ Contact ] [ Web ]
Tuesday, January 11, 2005 at 20:04:48 (UTC)
|
Mike E.
Looking forward to seeing your team photos. I have a couple of the soccer teams of KBH early sixties but haven't a clue how to go about posting them. I'm sure you will know most of the faces.
Nicky Kontou, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Tuesday, January 11, 2005 at 17:16:37 (UTC)
|
Doug,
That sounds good. It is more do-able methinks. Otto is now keen to join us as well - he's had a helllova year and worked hard, so he may well fly in and join up in Lusaka and fly back again as we can't both leave the business for too long - must train my chef, Tristan to do the office work! Does this mean that you are coming along too???? Don't let the kids spend too much!
Happy Birthday to Fiona and Paudie - sorry it's a bit late! The computer's been giving us grief.
Jilly
Jill Aplin, South Africa [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Tuesday, January 11, 2005 at 16:18:13 (UTC)
|
Thanks Craig...... :O)
Ali Key, Australia [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Tuesday, January 11, 2005 at 13:28:28 (UTC)
|
Tina
I was thinking along the lines of Mugabe not having enough jail space plus that number of people would probably overwhelm his security forces. Dreaming apart the best chance seems to be the increasing divisions within Zanu itself, something like a Hyena eating its own guts.
I am in Eshowe with Philip Pain on my way down to Durban. My 1st ex-wife Elizabeth flies in today from Lusaka with my daughter, son-in-law and grandson. After a couple of days shopping (ouch!) they will spend a week with me in Vryheid and then another week in Durban before returning to Zambia.
Jilly
I have had a long talk with Philip, Steven and Bruce and they are definately very keen on the proposed safari after the reunion. They are going to cut out the Caprivi strip section and the Congo pedicle, and probably the Lake Bangwelu section. Keith has found a new route into the Luangwa park from the GNR just north of Serenje. I have asked Harry the hunter in Lusaka for his comment on this. So it looks as though it is a go. Maybe we can rope in Harry with his Landrover to make it 3 so far.
Cheers - Doug
Doug Grewar, South Africa [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Tuesday, January 11, 2005 at 05:34:44 (UTC)
|
Happy Birthday Paudie, breithlá sona duit. Maireann croí éadrom i bhfad*. May you and Sue sing your song with light hearts and happiness.
*(Happy Birthday. A light heart lives longest).
Tina Magee, United States [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Tuesday, January 11, 2005 at 05:16:37 (UTC)
|
Happy Birthday to the most romantic man in my world ~
my husband.
Sue Coughlan, Australia [ Profile ] [ Contact ] [ Web ]
Tuesday, January 11, 2005 at 00:14:27 (UTC)
|
Peter
The rock shandies that I used to drink were bitters, half ginger ale and half soda with lots of ice and a slice of lemon. Haven't had one in years myself. Used to be a treat when we went to the Italian club on a hot afternoon.
Barbara Doherty, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Monday, January 10, 2005 at 21:13:52 (UTC)
|
Doug
Well, you don't have to FEED 2 million people if you are Mugabe, specially if they come up through Matabeleland or Manicaland, opposition stronghold areas where food is only distributed on a political basis. Where a fair percentage of 12 mil are starving what are 2 mil more? There is a major shortage of mealie meal in the shops in Zim now. Where to from here?
Tina Magee, United States [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Monday, January 10, 2005 at 21:11:40 (UTC)
|
Today's Charity Cricket match in Melbourne for the Tsunami victims has raised over £8 million! Must have been a hell of an occasion for those who witnessed the spectacle!
Ayub Ismail Zumla, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Monday, January 10, 2005 at 19:48:53 (UTC)
|
Nicky,
I was never any good at round ball games such as soccer or cricket, so by default I ended up with Rugby and Athletics. I am still keen on watching rugby but athletics has become too "professional" for me.
I have some photo's of our teams in the early sixties. When I manage to getting my scanner working I'll have an attempt at posting them.
Mike Edwards, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Monday, January 10, 2005 at 16:52:19 (UTC)
|
Hello Everyone,
I would like to wish everyone at GNR a belated "Happy New Year"!!! Hope every wonderful dream comes true this year - and then some!
Thanks for the birthday wishes in December - I don't think I'll have anymore of those !!
Best regards,
Ida
Ida Pullen, South Africa [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Monday, January 10, 2005 at 14:45:46 (UTC)
|
Mike E
I was going to mention Kenekie but could not spell it, I got whacked a few time with the stick but soon chose a better position. Did you ever play soccer at the KBH? I remember one of the teachers announced that he would run a soccer team if we cut the grass on a chosen field, paint the lines and put up goal posted, we did this during big break and after school. We had a good team going after that. I wonder if the soccer field is still there? I tried to play rugby for a while but kept throwing the ball away when someone got near me, so I didn’t get into the team.
Sue.
The girls always used to win at Peg Peg once they could throw a knife as good as the boys, for the very reason you mentioned. The boys had to do a little hop when you weren’t watching.
Glen
I don’t remember some of the games you played maybe because you were at boarding school and were tough.
Did any of you have problems having a family after playing Leggy all those years ?
Smelling the Mat. Yuuuuuk. I bet you guys didn’t suffer from blocked noses or sinus trouble.
It is amazing to think back about all those games we played and things we got up to, never thinking of the dangers.
Kenneth
Great story. You must have past through Mokambo the same time I lived there, you should have stopped for a coffee.
Nicky Kontou, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Monday, January 10, 2005 at 14:26:07 (UTC)
|
Dear Fi FI wish I had been there to ply you.x
Johnny, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Monday, January 10, 2005 at 13:54:54 (UTC)
|
DUEL IN THE JUNGLE ........
Mike, A
fter 58 years the memory starts to fade, yes the movie was indeed " Duel in the Jungle "....then on the other hand didn't that happen near " King Solomon's Mines "or was it out side the beer hall in Chilenje Township outside of Lusaka.
Must try and find video copies of these two films.
All the best
Ken
Kenneth Miller, Canada [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Monday, January 10, 2005 at 11:35:10 (UTC)
|
Hi Kenneth,
In 1953 the film "Duel in the Jungle" was made in NR starring Jean Craig and Dana Andrews. The NRP supplied several people for the crowd scenes. Their tracker/guide was played by Michael Mataka who in 1966 became the first african police commissioner.
Mike Wilson, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Monday, January 10, 2005 at 07:18:23 (UTC)
|
KING SOLOMON'S MINES :
The 1950 version was partly shot in Northern Rhodesia around the Victoria Falls. A native officer with the Northern Rhodesian Police played a role ....... my Dad knew the officer, however I regret I am unable to provide a name.
Kenneth Miller, Canada [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Sunday, January 9, 2005 at 22:17:35 (UTC)
|
Fiona & Hazel.
Happy Birthday to you both. Hope U had wonderful days with lots of pressies & drink.
Love & hugs - Gary, Natasha & Scott.
Gary Brassington, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Sunday, January 9, 2005 at 22:14:08 (UTC)
|
I have just been watching on the Hallmark channel a 2004 remake of 'King Solomons Mines' starring Patrick Swayze.
An otherwise reasonable film was spoiled by them mixing a Zulu speaking chief and witchdoctor and the one challenging the chief was speaking in Swahili. Even before he opened his mouth I could see the he was from East Africa. Some of the warriors were dressed up as Zulus and other as Masai Moran. All the women wore bras and the dance scenes were so unrealistic that they were obviously hollywood choregraphed. What a mish mash. It should have been made either with one lot of people or the other.
The South African actor Ian Robertson was in the film. Surely he could had advised them to make it a bit more realistic. When is Hollywood ever going to get an African film right.
Compare this to the realistic film 'Shaka Zulu' and you will see what I mean.
Doug Grewar, South Africa [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Sunday, January 9, 2005 at 20:55:35 (UTC)
|
Hi All
nrzam.org.uk has been updated.
Uploaded Horizon magazine dated June 1963, contributed by Tony Wood, to the Contributions section under his name. Content includes: Mopani Clarke, The war on hunger and want, The Groundnut Song heads the hit parade, Head office move to NR, Portrait of a mine carpenter, A new plan for apprentice training, Excavation begins at Chambeshi, Africans move into Luanshya township, In a Rhodesian garden, The puzzle of the past, Road relay racing - a tough and demanding sport, Basic steps to good golf and Antelopes of Central Africa: the inyala.
Regards Ian
Ian Singer, Scotland [ Profile ] [ Contact ] [ Web ]
Sunday, January 9, 2005 at 18:35:22 (UTC)
|
Hi to all everyone and many thanks for your birthday wishes. And to Barry and all the others who share my birthday, I hope you've had a lovely day. Off out for dinner tonight, courtesy of a very good friend. Hopefully she'll ply me with lots of wine and sympathy!
Fiona Gayther, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Sunday, January 9, 2005 at 16:53:41 (UTC)
|
Fiona'
Have a tanfastic day and I will down a few in your name.
Happy Birthday young lady.
Syd
Donald Sydney, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Sunday, January 9, 2005 at 16:33:03 (UTC)
|
Nicky,
I'm glad you reminded me about Peg Peg as my kids did not believe we played it. The other game I used to enjoy was Kenekie (spelling) but again never managed to interest my own kids in it. I cannot remember all the positions you had to hit the stick from depending how close to the hole it landed.
The other innocuous game was gaining grounds which was played with a rugby ball. Frustrating as I could never kick as far as the other guys. Johnny Maritz was the champ, I seem to recall.
We lived at 87 Geddes street and I will ask Pam if she remembers your wife.
Mike Edwards, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Sunday, January 9, 2005 at 16:25:46 (UTC)
|
DOUG: Your honey sucker with the long curved beak reminded me of another one who also had rather a long curved beak. The late Jimmy Shand, world renouned Scottish Dance Band leader was staying overnight at a London hotel on the occasion of his being honoured at the Palace by the Queen the following day. At breakfast he asked if perhaps he could have honey with his toast instead of the runny marmalade on offer, himself being a beekeeper, (coming from the honey capital of Scotland), "Not a problem, sir" (Still small letter) was the immediate response. On being presented, on a silver salver, a miniscule, airline-type portion in its tiny tub, he inquired gravely," Aaaaah, so you keep a bee?"
ROBERT: As Mwizenge mentioned there must have been a few bob coming in from copper exports during that period as copper production reached its zenith around 1976 of 700,000 tons pa and the Vietnam Conflict went on till mid '75. Also world prices for copper did not start falling till around the mid 70's so it all seems to tie in with Mwizenge's original statement. Mismanagement and lack of investment combined with, or because of, falling prices from then on led to the present day situation with an annual production figure which must be less than even half of that. The ore is still there in its countless millions of tons and the demand is rising yearly, especially from the new workshops of the world in the Far East.
Colin Munro, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Sunday, January 9, 2005 at 15:45:04 (UTC)
|
Dear Fi FI many happy returns of the day and may you live forever and may I never die. love Johnny.xx
Johnny, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Sunday, January 9, 2005 at 15:16:24 (UTC)
|
What a relief! A cool cloudy drizzly day. A honey sucker bird with a long curved beak has just flown into our kitchen. We opened up the other windows and he managed to fly out safely.
A second Australian diver has been lost at Bosmansgat (Bushmans hole) in South Africa while trying to recover the body of his friend who drowned earlier. The gat is about 280m meters deep and filled with water. There is a small hole at the top whole opens up lower down in a beer bottle shape.
South Africans should read Barry Ronge’s column in the Sunday times about the Tsunami reporting. He writes, “ At the risk of facing a public lynching, I’d like to pose some uncomfortable questions about the catastrophe, starting with the nature of the media coverage. Don’t you think there came a point where we reached critical mass in terms of actual news coverage and strayed into some kind of exploitative disaster cabaret?” Barry you are Ronge but you are so Righte.
I see Carlisle in UK has serious flood and storm damage, a mini Tsunami in effect. I don’t expect anyone will be crushed in the rush of international donors.
Ken
A good story about the old days.
Tina
I wonder what would happen if the UK deported the several hundred thousand Zimbabweans home and South Africa at the same time deported the 2 million that are here. I reckon Mugabe’s regime would collapse within days.
Bill
You naughty guy, what a great story! I can just imagine Hendry taking great delight in that interpretation.
Doug Grewar, South Africa [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Sunday, January 9, 2005 at 13:39:08 (UTC)
|
Fiona Gayther, Hans Mattsson, Graham Thurtell, Barry Robbins, Dave Hartzenberg, Colin Gray,Hazel Forde, Wim Dekker
Best wishes on your birthday
Heather Chalcraft, Zambia [ Profile ] [ Contact ] [ Web ]
Sunday, January 9, 2005 at 09:41:07 (UTC)
|
Ian's Nuptials
In the 1960s the sudden & violent mutiny by the black members of the Belgian Congo Force Publique created panic among the large white Belgian expatriate community in the province of Katanga . Stories of whites being murdered, rapes & widespread looting, caused a mass exodus of refugees towards the nearby border posts with Northern Rhodesia.
At every border post there were long queues of cars filled with families & whatever possessions they were able to carry.
Sir Roy Welensky called up the army to afford protection to these folk & prepare if necessary to cross the Congo border & confront the mutineers.
This is how my Battalion, 3rd RRR, came to establish a base in the bush near Solwezi/Kansanshi about 5miles from the Congo Border.
The guys were as keen as mustard to engage the enemy albeit we were armed with WW2 vintage 303 rifles while the Force Publique were equipped with state-of - the art FN automatic weapons!
To our great disappointment, orders arrived from London that under no circumstance were Northern Rhodesian troops to cross the border into the Congo, since this would be an act of war!
Second prize for us testosterone charged & pumped up youths was the mandate to patrol the border bush, locate any native villages, record the number of inhabitants & search for weapons that may have come into their possession.
There had been reports of Belgian refugee whites that had avoided crossing at official checkpoints by travelling along the many unofficial bush tracks that criss-crossed the un-marked border. Many of these people carried Congo Army issued weapons such as handguns, FN rifles, submachine guns & in one recorded instance a box of hand grenades!
Many of these items were dumped in the bush after crossing into NR & authorities were concerned that they might fall into the hands of subversive or criminal elements.
I was a member of a platoon that went on one of these missions.
Included in our contingent was one Hendry van Vuuren. The adopted son of Shitter- of- Fire van Vuuren, a farmer from Murundu.
Hendry was fluent in the local dialect & he was appointed official interpreter for indabas between the military & the native villagers.
Leader of our platoon was Sergeant Ian Sutherland.
Ian was a dedicated army man, master of arms & unarmed combat expert ,
Very serious nature, always correct & fair in all his dealings with his fellow man.
We arrived at quite a large village that was inhabited by old men & women, children & many nubile maidens.
Most of the men were employed by the copper mines in the area & spent most of their time away from home.
Our arrival caused great excitement among the villagers & the tribal chief's wife was summoned to attend an indaba.
Unbeknown to Ian I called Hendry aside & quietly told him to explain to the Chief's wife that our leader Ian was looking for a wife.
We were all seated in a circle on grass mats opposite the chief's wife & her advisors.
Ian proceeded with a solemn explanation as to why the army was there & Hendry interpreted to the old girl, adding the bit at the end about Ian's urgent need for a young spouse.
Ian did not understand the lingo & was nodding & smiling as Hendry translated.
Well, the last request was greeted with excited gasps & the old girl immediately began shouting instructions.
Very soon Ian was surrounded by young girls all vying for his attention while he was presented with gourds of the local brew, chickens, paw paws & all sorts of culinary delights.
Ian was dumbstruck & greatly embarrassed by all the feminine attention he was getting but when he saw the grins on our faces the penny dropped & he wanted to murder Hendry.
Hendry had to negotiate a way out of the situation very smartly by presenting the old girl with a major portion of the platoon's dry ration packs!
Ian visited me many years later & he told my children about the day that their dad almost got him married off to a young black maiden!
Bill Hunt, South Africa [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Sunday, January 9, 2005 at 08:20:38 (UTC)
|
Fiona you are a lovely lady in every way. Have a great birthday.
Lotsa Luv - Doug
Doug Grewar, South Africa [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Sunday, January 9, 2005 at 08:16:36 (UTC)
|
Happy Birthday Fi. Hope you have a great day.
Linda Hayes, United States [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Sunday, January 9, 2005 at 05:18:21 (UTC)
|
Fifi dear friend have a wonderful bbbiirfffffffffthdayyy. My mmmmmessageggge has gone funny? It is a stttraanggge illness cured by opening a bbbiirffffffffffthday bbbbbbbbotttttttleeeeeeeee of ggggggggooooood chammmpagggggggne.
Happy Days!
XX
Tina Magee, United States [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Sunday, January 9, 2005 at 04:08:12 (UTC)
|
Paudie
Thanks, will get mixing ! even my taste for "castle" has taken a knock ,must be "oldtimers" or the Booze bus !
Ali
Great idea what about the weekend before easter i.e 19th/20th March, and how about Tomato lake? not hard for the Northern types to find, once they come out of their tunnel and pretty central, even has public transport, plus nearby bottle stores that stock "Castle and Biltong"
Peter Goodhew, Australia [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Sunday, January 9, 2005 at 03:52:50 (UTC)
|
Perthites !!!!
Whilst spending an afternoon with John and Rosemary Milton a couple of weeks ago, both John and I raised the subject of having another Perth Bash.....the idea of meeting up at a picnic venue with Braai (Barbie) facilities etc with BYO food and drinks was raised..it keeps the costs down.......and also these picnics are a fun and relaxed way of meeting up with friends etc......now I know it is too hot to even think of planning a bash in January or February, but early March sounds like a good time.......now for the hard bit.....can Perthites with knowledge and the know how ....like to post ideas, or send me emails, so I can get an idea of how many and where and what we can do to plan this ......thank you......
Ali Key, Australia [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Sunday, January 9, 2005 at 03:14:35 (UTC)
|
Peter Goodhew
As far as I remember, "Rock Shandy" is half lemonade, half soda water, and Angostura bitters.
A "Malawi Shandy" is half ginger ale, half soda water, and Angostura bitters.
Both excellent thirst quenchers.
Paudie Coughlan, Australia [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Sunday, January 9, 2005 at 03:12:09 (UTC)
|
Help !!
Talking about 30 plus summer tempertures !!
What are the ingredents for "rock shandy" and the other long thirst quencer "Malawi shandy".
Aileen ,the better half, thinks Angostura bitters and Soda water is rock shandy but there was another mixer I'm sure and what proportions please
Peter Goodhew, Australia [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Sunday, January 9, 2005 at 02:44:40 (UTC)
|
Sorry - I forgot!
H A P P Y B I R T H D A Y H A Z I E !!!
Sue Coughlan, Australia [ Profile ] [ Contact ] [ Web ]
Sunday, January 9, 2005 at 01:56:13 (UTC)
|
Ken M.
Thank you for the Prison Periodical... another good read.
Glen D.
You too! I also read with great revulsion (in the BEST way) your very descriptive (I could SMELL it!) memorial to the toilet. Thanks (I think - no, I'm sure).
Nicky K.
As the only girl with three brothers, I had to play Peg-Peg! I could do the splits (ballet class) and soon learned to be quite accurate... I still have the little protective flesh cushions (otherwise known as corns) on my little toes :-)
Sue Coughlan, Australia [ Profile ] [ Contact ] [ Web ]
Sunday, January 9, 2005 at 01:55:09 (UTC)
|
This is what I call a feel good news item........
Tsunami hippo finds new 'mum'
January 8, 2005
A BABY hippopotamus, swept into the Indian Ocean by the tsunami, is finally coming out of his shell thanks to the love of a 120-year-old tortoise.
Owen, a 300kg, one-year-old hippo, was swept down the Sabaki River, into the ocean and then back to shore when the giant waves struck the Kenyan coast.
The dehydrated hippo was found by wildlife rangers and taken to the Haller Park animal facility in the port city of Mombasa.
Pining for his lost mother, Owen quickly befriended a giant male Aldabran tortoise named Mzee - Swahili for "old man".
Haller Park ecologist Paula Kahumbu said the pair were now inseparable.
"It is incredible. A hippo has adopted a male tortoise, about a century old, and the tortoise seems to be very happy with being a mother," Ms Kahumbu said. "The hippo follows the tortoise the way it follows its mother.
"The hippo was left at a very tender age. Hippos are social animals that like to stay with their mothers for four years."
Officials are hopeful Owen will befriend a female hippo called Cleo, also a resident at the park.
The Daily Telegraph
Ali Key, Australia [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Sunday, January 9, 2005 at 01:35:15 (UTC)
|
Dear Fiona (Fifi la Gayther) happy birthday , have a wonderful day..........xxx
Ali Key, Australia [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Sunday, January 9, 2005 at 01:25:55 (UTC)
|
FIFI ..............................
HAPPY, HAPPY BUFFDAY YOUNG WOMAN!!
Hope you have the best birthday ever and that the eventuating headache will be a mild one! Have a GREAT day.
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo
Moira Steevens, Australia [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Sunday, January 9, 2005 at 00:31:38 (UTC)
|
PRISON ESCORT ............
Dad, dressed in his prison officers uniform which was similar to the uniforms worn by the officers in the Northern Rhodesia Police, with the exception that the top of his socks and the band on his forage cap was dark green and not the dark blue of the NRP, had left the house just before breakfast to pick up a Land Rover from the Public Works Department or PWD as it was more commonly known.
Mum was excited at the prospect of a trip to Ndola with its multitude of stores, paved roads and flushing toilets while I as a six year old boy growing up in Kasama in the Northern Province during 1952 had no idea of the advantages and luxury of living in a large metropolitan centre such as Ndola the hub of the Copper Belt.
After what seemed an eternity Dad arrived back home with the dark green Landrover with a canvas roof. Our luggage that had been placed on the driveway was quickly loaded into the back of the Land Rover, two canvas water bags were tied to the front grill and Dad ensured that the canvas roof was securely fitted. Timothy our houseboy brought out two large tin biscuit boxes filled with sandwhiches and a large thermos of coffee.
I climed into the back and Mum joined Dad up front, we all waved and shouted good bye to Timothy and started on the long drive to Ndola. The first stop was the Kasama Prison where we collected our traveling companion Wilson Kalanga. Wilson had been anticipating our arrival and was waiting for us at the prison gate under the watchful eyes of two burly wardens whose black fezes made them look extremely tall. Wilson was smartly attired in white canvas shorts and a white collarless shirt with several large black arrows, and the only jewerly he worn were simple handcuffs and leg irons. Dad felt that the handcuffs and leg irons were a little excessive and immediately removed them warning Wilson that should he attempt to escape that he would have no choice but to set me loose to track him down.
We left Kasama and headed West towards Luwingu, the drive for the most part was uneventful. Just before Luwingu we encountered a whitewashed barrier across the road, and as we approached a government official rushed out of a thatched guard hut and with arms flailing about wildly directed us to drive into a large corrugated tin hangar. Slowly Dad drove in, stopped the engine and we could hear the door behind up clang to a close, we were in darkness. Then out of nowhere we felt the gentle spray of DDT drip down our faces as the government official diligently sprayed the exterior and interior trying to erradicate any tetse flies that may have tried to hitch a ride. The door in front of us were swung open and the brilliant rays of sunshine raced in as we all gasped for air. Dad signed the register and we were off again.
Dad raced through Luwingu and we headed to Fort Roseberry where we had lunch with some friends at the local club and Wilson freshed up at the local police station. After lunch we picked up Wilson and headed towards the Luapula River.
When we arrived at the Luapula River, Mum as was her custom ordered me out of the Land Rover and we both watched as Dad drove onto a rickety wooden pontoon. When Mum felt all was safe we both walked onto the pontoon and joined Dad and Wilson. Slowly the dozen or so hearty boatsmen pulled us across the dark green still waters of the Luapula. As we were crossing dad allowed Wilson to wear his handcuffs and legiorns, this seemed strange to me, perhaps Dad new that Wilson was a better swimmer than me, and should he that is Wilson escape I was at a disadvantage.
The first thing I noticed when we reached the Western shore and started to drive that Dad was now driving on the wrong side of the road, then we came across another white washed barrier blocking the road. This time Dad drove up to the barrier and several official looking gentlemen appeared. Dad got out the Land Rover put on his forage cap, ensured that his black leather Sam Browne belt was straight, walked toward the officials and saluted, at which time the saluted Dad.
He then produced some important papers which everyone looked at all the time glancing towards the Land Rover. After several minutes they approached the vehiclelooked in and glowered towards Wilson. Discussions continued between Dad and the officials and finally after handshakes, salutes and waves we were alllowed to continue our journey. We had reached the Belgian Congo and our trip was to take us through the Congo Pedicle. Shortly after leaving the border post, Dad removed Wilson's restraining accoutraments.
As dusk approached Mum opened up the biscuit boxes and we all feasted on the sandwiches. Mum drank her luke wrm coffee from the thermos while Dad and Wilson enjoyed a cool Castle Lager that some how appeared from nowhere. I was allowed a few sips of Dad's beer and was told it would protect me from malaria. Night fell and after a couple of hours Dad realised that we were on the wrong road to Mokambo which was our next destination.
Dad raced back through the dark red dust that filed the air. When we came to a major intersection Dad spotted a small arrow shaped sign pointing towards Mokambo, as we turned left the bright lights of the Land Rover struck a female leopard and her two cubs lying in the middle of the road. We stoped and watched in amazement, as the mother rose and with her green eyes stared towards us, slowly she nuzzeled her two cubs and the three of the sleepely wandered into the protection of the black jungle.
The rest of the trip to Mokambo and through the border back into Northern Rhodesia was uneventful and for the most part I slept. Wilson assured me as I dozed of that he would not try to escape.
When finally arrived in Ndola around midnight and headed to Bwana Mkubwa Prison where Wilson was to spend the rest of his sentance. On arriving at the prison, Wilson gently woke me up and told me that it was time to say good bye, we shook hands and wished each our well. Dad walked Wilson to the large gates, which had been opened and the two entered Wilson's new residence.
After sampling the good life in Ndola for a few days, we were happy to head back to simplr life in Kasama.
Kenneth Miller, Canada [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Saturday, January 8, 2005 at 22:40:27 (UTC)
|
Ayub
Thanks for that heart warming response. Sounds as though the Kurdish asylum situation is going to spill over, just a very short matter of time. You might have knowledge and resources to brainstorm on that one and have a bash at gathering/identifying the separate resources to both address fixing the current attitudes of the refugees and enquire why they still need refugee status.
The Zimbabwe analysis was put together by far better brains than mine. I just post it for those interested in involvement.
Tina Magee, United States [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Saturday, January 8, 2005 at 21:55:28 (UTC)
|
Tina,
Your analysis of what is going on is spot on. My understanding of the situation is that most of these Zimbabwean Asylum seekers do find a job here and tend to get along with their lives with due respect to law and order.I meet up with many of them and I find them as polite and courteous as those we meet back in Africa.What mesmerises me, and many others living here,is the extremely large propotion of Iraqi Asylum Seekers who have literally appeared on the streets of Lancashire towns in the past year. Most of these are of Kurdish origin. We have been led to believe that Iraq has been liberated from the forces of Evil (namely the notorious Iraqi regime) and that North Iraq is to all intents and purposes virtually a self-Governing Kurdish entity. Now you would rationally conclude that they have no-one to fear. If Iraqis from the Southern part of Iraq applied for Asylum, they would have a stronger case, as violence continues in those areas. Sadly, many of these Iraqi Asylum seekers are seen on a daily basis wandering the streets of Lancashire towns in groups..their pastime being harrassing women! There have been many cases (that I know and have heard of) of Asian women being constantly harrassed by these gangs. I am sure the same is for women of other Nationalities. Mark my words,It is only a matter of time before trouble spills over in the streets . People seek Asylum because of a genuine fear for their lives in their own countries. Clearly,the present situation in Zimbabwe is getting worse and if these Zimbabweans are sent back, then many of them will lose their lives. The UK Government deems the Zimbabwean regime as being evil and in the same breathe deports those fleeing repression from that regime. That is an absolute disgrace.The UK's policy on Asylum is full of contradictions..infact, it is in total shambles. Both this present Government and the one in power before it, have a lot to answer for. Sure ..if I can make it..I will head to London on that day.
Ayub Ismail Zumla, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Saturday, January 8, 2005 at 21:30:42 (UTC)
|
Everyone's views are their own indaba, but for those who would like to participate or formally protest:
UK Zimbabwean Community Campaign to Defend Asylum Seekers (UKZCCDAS) is
greatly concerned that the UK government has resumed forced removals of Zimbabwean failed asylum seekers.
ZIMBABWE - STOP THE REMOVALS DEMONSTRATION
Saturday 29th January 2005
1.00pm to 5.00pm
Home Office
50 Queen Anne's Gate
London
SW1H 9AT
Nearest tube: St James Park on the district line
This change of policy on Zimbabwe comes as a shock given the fact that the situation on the ground remains the same as when the suspension was announced two years ago. The suspension was originally won by the struggles of refugee groups and human rights lawyers who targeted the airlines ferrying 'failed' claimants to almost certain torture.
In November the government was embroiled in the fiasco over the English cricket team tour of Zimbabwe. Yet as New Labour ministers loudly knocked
Robert Mugabe's human rights record for six, the Home Office was quietly bowling 'failed' Zimbabwean asylum seekers straight back into his hands.
It is not safe to remove Zimbabweans in the run-up to the general election expected in March. The Zimbabwean regime is paranoid and will treat anyone
deported from the UK with suspicion. A Zanu-PF Minister recently said that "the threats by the United Kingdom to deport about 10,000 Zimbabweans might
be a cover to deploy elements trained in sabotage, intimidation and violence to destabilize the country before and during the parliamentary elections".
Unfortunate Zimbabweans that have been deported
so far have been subjected to inhuman treatment by the regime in Zimbabwe.
UKZCCDAS calls for an end to these forced removals. In particular we call on the Home Office to pay heed to the latest statement from the UNHCR issued
in December, which emphatically states that there should be no 'forced removals' to Zimbabwe.
UNHCR - reiterate, No forced returns to Zimbabwe
http://www.ncadc.org.uk/archives/filed%20newszines/newszine53/zim.html
UKZCCDAS are staging the demonstration at the Home Office (who are the
policy makers).
For more information contact:
Stoptheremovals_zimbabwe@yahoo.co.uk
Or Call the following
Dr Brighton Chireka on 07960209253
Emily Madamombe on 07900061215
Arthur Molife on 07960126028
Wilson Ncube on 07944955988
DIRECTIONS:
Londoners take the district line to St James Park station. Use the Broadway
exit and you will see the Home Office as you come out of St James Park Tube
station.
Those outside London you can come by buses to Victoria station. Get the East
bound district line from Victoria Tube station to St James Park which is one
station away from Victoria. Use the Broadway exit and you will see the Home
Office as you come out of St James Park tube station.
Those coming by trains from outside London can get South bound Victoria line
from Euston Station, change at Victoria station for east bound District line
to St James Park which is one station away from Victoria. Use the Broadway
exit and you will see the Home Office as you come out of St James Park tube
station.
Tina Magee, United States [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Saturday, January 8, 2005 at 20:24:59 (UTC)
|
Nicky,
In Pioneer House when I was a boarder at Milton ('54-'57) in Bulawayo, one of the most "feared" games was "Leggy" - a game played with a hard rubber hockey ball. Three, four or more guys would stand legs apart wide, left foot touching edge of right foot of boy on immediate left and right foot touching edge of the lweft foot of the boy to the right. Fifty feet or so in front of and facing you was a line up of boys in a similar stance. The ball was then thrown as hard as hell to bounce,usually once or twice, from the one team to the other with the goal of trying to get it to go between one of the boy's legs. The "evil intent" was to get it to bounce just high enough (when hurled at MACH II or faster!) to get you smack in the family jewels. Of course, it sometimes did and one would have a tenor voice for several days thereafter.
The object of the game was of course to get the ball to pass between the legs of one of the members of the opposing team who would then have go behind one's own team where he would attempt to catch the ball if it went through the legs of one of your team. "Winning" was to get all the opposite team's members "OUT" by getting them all behind one's own team.
Like Bok-Bok (which injured the odd back or two) and Peg Peg (which left neat holes in shoes and scars on toes) Leggy was frowned on by all those who "cared" for us boarders, but hey, there were a number of "games" that bordered on torture.
What about "Ompie Pompie", "Bufalloe Swipes" and "Dorm Punches" - Geez, and the very WORST - "Smelling the MAT" - the punishment reserved for the most despicable offense in a dorm, namely, when one of your maats "skinnered" to a house prefect about you talking after "Lights Out".
The MAT was a piece of Lino (at least 300 or 400 years old I guess) which sat under the "Pee Bucket" on the verandah section of each dorm in Pioneer house. Being the typical males that we were, getting up for a pee whilst still half asleep during the night was not conducive to good "markmanship" and therefore pee ended up being aimed in "the general direction" of the bucket - hey, it was dark anyway. Well, the problem was that although the bucket was emptied every morning and the Lino was mopped, the pee that had seeped UNDER the Lino and that accumulated there over the years was . . . . .how can I put it politely . . . . so RANK that if one smelled it, not only would one's eyes begin to water and stomach start to convulse, one would also gasp for breath as if some-one had suddenly opened a bottle of the world's strongest ammonia. IT WAS F-O-U-L!
So, the worst order an offender could receive was to "SMELL THE MAT!" The offender would then have to kneel on the ground, lift the mat,and place his nose a centimetre or two above the black goo thereunder and sniff hard.
Oh well, we survived all the games and the punishments and for some reason we always smile and laugh when we think of them. Don't we?
Glen Drake, United States [ Profile ] [ Contact ] [ Web ]
Saturday, January 8, 2005 at 19:07:59 (UTC)
|
Mike Ed.
I do remember Bok Bok great game. I used to run a youth club here in Scotland and I taught the kids here how to play it, they thought it was great. Kids now days are missing out, I think, with all these computer games.
What about Peg Peg? standing about five feet from each other, feet together and throwing your knife just inches from the other blokes foot and if it pegged into the ground he we put his foot there, the looser was the one who couldn't open his legs any further. Needles to say the teachers soon stopped that game to. No I didn't show the kids here that one.
If you lived in Geddes or Phillips Street or there abouts, my wife Etta (nee McWhinnie) says she used to get the bus to the Girls High School with your sister Pam, Etta lived in Odgers street.
Nicky Kontou, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Saturday, January 8, 2005 at 16:24:24 (UTC)
|
Ayub,
No Chibuku here as you well know. Can still obtain Castle and Lion though. Being in the UK is good enough for me as it must be for you, otherwise you would'nt be here.
Nicky,
We must have played marlies together at FK as I remember Graham and Chris. I seem to remember we also played Bok Bok until the teachers put a stop to it.
Mike Edwards, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Saturday, January 8, 2005 at 15:30:43 (UTC)
|
Johnny
I bet the closer you got to the bottom of the bucket the better it tasted. The old chap (Ruby?) who used to run Mufulira Hardware used to like a glass of ice-cold Chibuku. He reckoned it was the finest cure for a babbalas. I sometimes drink Maheyo, which is similar to the Zambian Mankoyo, a non-alcoholic drink.
Ken
Maybe a translation of ‘Katata Wamaka’ could be ‘Father’s strength’. Remember how they used to call gin ‘Mother’s Ruin’. I preferred Simba or Tembo beer from the Congo myself.
Glen
Lekker, ou Bees! Thanks for the postcard and CD.
Tina
I don’t know how a person can have the courage to stay in Zimbabwe and fight against the regime like our mutual friend. I would not even like to drive through there. When I go north for the reunion I will drive via Botswana or much more likely fly. I suppose his faith gives him strength, like the Christians who faced the lions in Ancient Rome, or Alice Lenshina’s followers who ran into machine gun fire fearlessly.
Meg
I hear the Irish make a pretty good moonshine. What’s it called – Poteen?
Linda
Funny, I have not had one email about the Tsunami! Maybe being an HHB has its advantages. Even the dustmen don’t ask me for a Xmas box! That is definitely worrying! I heartily second your thoughts about netiquette.
Tina
I wish you could send at least –10c of those temperatures here. I know I always moan about the cold but this is too much heat and humidity. I am sitting here in my shorts only with the fan blowing and the sweat is dripping off me. It is no use jumping in the pool. It is 29C or 83F. It’s like warm soup. In Zambia the weather always used to be tolerable once the rains started. For example today’s temperature in Lusaka is 26C with 44% humidity. Vryheid is in the mid-30s with much higher humidity.
Doug Grewar, South Africa [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Saturday, January 8, 2005 at 14:43:06 (UTC)
|
A joke to go with - 45 degree northern temperatures.
What is an eskimo's favourite dessert?
Lemming meringue pie.
Incidentally lemmings do not leap off cliffs in mass suicides. When the population gets too large they migrate in search of new territory and there are some casualties left by the wayside.
Tina Magee, United States [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Saturday, January 8, 2005 at 09:34:32 (UTC)
|
There was only one way to drink Chibuku for me and my friends who made frequent trips into the Shateen at weekends, we had a bucket with a clip on lid on it which was filled to the brim before we left and on arrival at our chosen campsite was impregnated with a litre of Haig Whisky we all had a mug which was dipped into the brew after we had settled down around the fire after shooting had finished for the day and no one was allowed to retire untill it was finished, I hope I am not corrupting any young Zambian's who get to read our ramblings but it was Mushy Steric, Johnny.
Johnny, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Saturday, January 8, 2005 at 08:08:28 (UTC)
|
To anyone else who receives the email with the photo of the little blond boy from the Tsunami disaster who had no parents with him, please DO NOT send it to me with a gazillion forwarded addresses on it already. I have been getting this email a lot. It must be going around the world, with good intentions of course.
This little boy, from what I have seen and read in the news, is from Sweden and has already been reunited with his father several days ago. I am really happy for them although I think his mother may still be unaccounted for.
I will not mention the name of the GNR member who forwarded it to me, but some of you already know because you are on the list with me. It had 156 other forwarded addresses on it, not counting the suppressed list of one of the forwarding emailers!! Yes, I did take the time to count them all because I want to make a point here.
It is netiquette to delete the addresses of previously forwarded emails if you want to forward a mass email on to everyone you know. Please remember to do that if you are in the habit of blindly forwarding emails. I make it a personal habit not to forward any mass emails and delete most of them that are sent to me without even reading them.
M.P. I am not angry with you. Just frustrated... :)
Linda Hayes, United States [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Saturday, January 8, 2005 at 00:42:58 (UTC)
|
Thank you so much for the info I received re: Biltong in Ireland. I duly touched base with a SouthAfrican guy called Francois, and we munched our way through 4kg of very authentic tasting biltong made in Ireland. Christmas was saved!
Re: Chibuku - my one and only experience of drinking Chibuku was on my l4th birthday, and we purchased some from one of the grooms at the showgrounds. My birthday party was great apparently, I, however remember nothing, except waking up the next morning in total purgatory, my family outraged with me, and 6 stitches in my chin where I had fallen out of bed, and landed on my chin! I never, ever, drank chibuku again, and only once came close with some homebrewed guava wine in South Africa, where I pushed my ex boss into a swimming pool for making a racist comment. As I cant remember, and have to rely on the faulty memories of friends, I am sure he slipped!
HEATHER ,, I am delighted to hear that all went well with Hector and co, and will be avidly watching out for the screening! The message board seems pretty lively these days, Ciao, Megs
Meg Rybicki, Ireland [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Friday, January 7, 2005 at 23:54:41 (UTC)
|
Ayub: I personaly preferred Katata-Amaka. Much more refined for a gent such as myself!!
Ken Fernie, United States [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Friday, January 7, 2005 at 23:21:40 (UTC)
|
Doug
It's going to have been a lovely surprise for Eddie too. I'm sure it added much welcomed happiness and support to his day.
Tina Magee, United States [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Friday, January 7, 2005 at 21:27:27 (UTC)
|
Mike Edwards,
Wrote: "I reckon Yunus Badat, Ayub Ismail Zumla and John Parish....they are one and the same person"
Think you must have had a few of the old Chibuku! Oops..you left Zambia in 1965..on to SR and then SA ..perhaps not Chibuku..not up to your standard??
Ayub Ismail Zumla, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Friday, January 7, 2005 at 20:45:43 (UTC)
|
Mr. Tembo,
You wrote, "Zambia made tons of money from the mines especially at the height of the Vietnam War."
I think your chronology is all wrong. The post Korean War period, the mid-fifties until the early sixties, is when we saw copper prices go through the roof and mine bonuses soared. There were flurries after that but nothing like the euphoria and good times that flourished during the period I mentioned.
Robert Huntley, United States [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Friday, January 7, 2005 at 19:20:02 (UTC)
|
Doug – I differ in opinion to what Mwizenge says and to what you agree to but your advice is heeded, “Ek sal soetjies trap.” and there’ll be no kutuka.
Mwizenge – of course the vast majority of people on this board are “Madoda” and “Nchembere” and amongst us are people who can’t (or don’t wish to) restrain themselves - just like where you come from.
Your use of the “this board is a community” analogy is a curious one.
Can one possibly draw parallels, of what you consider to be acceptable behavior, between :
Group A: “A group of people living in a particular local area” (namely – in Zambian township/city/area)
and . . . .
Group B: “An online or virtual gathering place for people with similar interests (e.g., professional, social or demographic) to engage in two-way communication and share ideas, knowledge, information and opinions. A community is made up of one or more forums (namely – World Wide)
when the two groups are so radically different?
You are currently in Group B and like many of us, you’ve experienced Group A before “the rot” set in.
As opposed to those in Group A, the Group B community fears very little, they do not fear censorship, political retribution, suspension (with one or two exceptions), psychological blackmail etc., etc.,
Most of Group B’s Madoda and Nchembere see the country we lived in during our formative years before 1964 now being trashed by many of those in Group A. The of the latter who still blindly, or who are forced to, follow the empty promises made by self serving politicians. I think you will agree that Madoda’s and Nchembere of the Group A type in Zimbabwe know exactly what I mean.
So we in Group B speak up when we are affronted by drivel such as:
“I’ll buy you a bicycle if you vote for me!”
My friend and *relative Ayub would say : “Cut the crap.”
Me, well . . . . . never mind . . . . I may choose my words differently but I’ll mean the same thing.
My “rule of thumb” differs from yours and it goes like this . . . . . . . .
“Behave any way you want but don’t trespass the rights of others.”
PS : The word *relative is used in the humanitarian sense!
Glen Drake, United States [ Profile ] [ Contact ] [ Web ]
Friday, January 7, 2005 at 18:36:26 (UTC)
|
Last week, my wife and I drove an hour over the mountains to Charlotteville to the “Shebeen: South African Pub & Braai”. This is a new South African restaurant. On the menu there were such traditional entrees as “Durban Spiced Chicken”. I got the “Lamb Curry Potjie Pot”. There were also “Sadza Cakes” and “Bobotie” – traditional boer meatloaf.
There were great pictures on the restaurant wall. Lions, and gorgeous beach and mountain scenes from the East Coast of South Africa. There was an art piece on the wall of a silhouette of an African woman breast feeding a baby. After my wife and I saw the art piece we knew we were in an African restaurant. Their wine is exclusively South African. Shebeenpub.com
Mwizenge Tembo, United States [ Profile ] [ Contact ] [ Web ]
Friday, January 7, 2005 at 18:01:57 (UTC)
|
Harshad
You say – “A good newspaper always balances the news between current affairs, sports etc”. I say – Hear Here!
Ayub
It is a shame that Mandela as a parent will have to bury his last remaining son. With the AIDS disaster instead of the children burying their parents in the natural way, it is now the other way around. He certainly has not had much joy in this life, although it must be quite gratifying for him to see his dream of a free South Africa come true in his life time.
Tina
“Just having a quick nip in from work to post”. Klippies and coke I hope! I have got a photo back from Eddie of himself and family. What a blast from the past.
Mwizenge
You say – “Madoda and Nchembere of course do have heated disagreements but refrain from using explicit insults or kutuka. Those madoda and nchembere who can’t restrain themselves are often excluded from adult discussion. The parties who have been posting and exchanging insults should publicly apologize to each other and the board simply because this board is a community”.
Again I say – Hear here!
This is the way of Ubuntu. The community will try and convince an erring member of the community of the error of his ways rather than abusing or discarding him. If the member is not prepared to adjust, then he is banished and has to go across 7 rivers and past 7 mountains from his home.
Johnny
What I find frightening about the increase in prices is the high price of cars here in RSA. I hear that a South African made Toyota Corolla can be bought in Australia for about R30,000 cheaper than here. Something wrong somewhere?
Nicky
Thank you for your email. I did not realize you were just jesting. I am glad we remain friends.
John Parish
Withdraw your abusive message and come back to play with us in the sandbox. This is an Olive Branch!
Ali
I also miss Chris Tamm. If he could just leave out the racist nonsense I would be quite happy to continue arguing with the ‘ou bees’ about politics, economics, religion and Rugby.
Glen
Maybe ons moet gaan stadig for a while?
Cheers
Doug Grewar, South Africa [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Friday, January 7, 2005 at 15:16:53 (UTC)
|
Mike Slement
I did not think what John P said, if that is what you are referring to, was very nice but I think he was only kidding. ( innocent till found guilty) and I don’t have to fight Doug’s battles as I think he is big enough to fight his own.
Mike Edwards
I recognise your name also but can’t put a face to it.
I was in the same class as Eddie Barns, Kenny Robbinson ( who later played with The Outlaws band on lead guitar) and Graham Boyle. Can’t remember the others in my class.
I was in the Blue Jays with Graham Boyle, Derek klenwick, Charlie Johnstone and Chris Charalambedies. I played the rhythm guitar and had black hair. I was friends with Chris for a long time most thought we were cousins. You and I could have played marlies together at F.K.
I suggested before to have an old photo of us all on the GNR then we might remember each other.
Nicky Kontou, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Friday, January 7, 2005 at 14:49:29 (UTC)
|
Nicky,
You are 3 days older than me and we were at Frederick Knapp and Kitwe Boys High at the same time. I remember the Blue Jays well but I'm darned if I remember you. Any clues? Other names perhaps like Barry Hicks, George Lazaravich?
Glen and Doug,
I reckon Yunus Badat, Ayub Ismail Zumba and John Parish are more than related; they are one and the same person.
Mike Edwards, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Friday, January 7, 2005 at 14:03:11 (UTC)
|
OOOOOOH dear
Talk about not being able to take your own medicine.
Glen the words hook line and sinker come to mind.
I thought your theory about my surname was very funny although I would have to change a couple of letters. How funny would that be seeing the peoples faces when I write my name down. I was only kidding Glen honest. But hey I only called you a bully, although I would be more useful if I were what you called me.
To the rest of the folks on the GNR I apologise for using the word a—e.
I did not use it in anger just a bit of banter.
I must say I enjoy reading all the banter between you all especially from Glen, Ayub, John and Doug. But hey lets keep it as a bit of fun.
Nicky Kontou, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Friday, January 7, 2005 at 13:58:37 (UTC)
|
Trying to contact Elsepth and David Lyod, Dave I have recollections of you taking the lead role in HMS Pinafore, what was our music teachers name, and can anyone remember the others that were in that play, quite some years ago. I remember it was a great success. fill in if you can.
Cheers Syd.
Sydney Freeman, South Africa [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Friday, January 7, 2005 at 12:59:51 (UTC)
|
Some statistics that stick in my mind between the years 1958 and 1976a bottle of whiskey cost me 18/6d a sack of mealie meal cost 50d and in Balovale a pound of best steak cost 20d, when I left in 1976 a bottle of scotch was approaching 50 Kwacha,a small sack of potatoes cost 14 kwacha and the same sized sack of mealy meal was 9 kwacha I wonder why?. Johnny.
Johnny, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Friday, January 7, 2005 at 11:12:07 (UTC)
|
Desiree,
I watched the last hour or so of the test in Cape Town yesterday and remembered a classic comment made about John Emburey some 20 years ago. The same could be said of Harmison – “If he could bowl he’d be an all-rounder”.
Hopefully the poms will come good for the next two tests! After all they ARE talking up the ashes later in the year – fat chance, but good for the media and for kidding the public that there may actually be a contest.
Keith Binns, United Arab Emirates [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Friday, January 7, 2005 at 09:06:51 (UTC)
|
Oh Boy - the sand box is getting crowded.
Esther Pettersson, Australia [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Friday, January 7, 2005 at 08:54:19 (UTC)
|
Mark,
Of all the material that I have encountered on the board about economic development in Zambia or Botswana or Southern Africa since independence, your view seems the most rational and closest to the truth. Other frustrating views or what pass for analysis, seem to always revolve on how individual African leaders really screwed up. Although this may have some truth, but why ignore what transpired before, the particular nation’s economic and political domestic forces at the time and also international, regional economic and political forces?
After all, no economy ever operates in the context of classical pure capitalism i.e free enterprise, demand and supply etc. etc. If President Bush signed a bill, a year before his re-election, authorizing 3 billion dollars to subsidize American farmers, why shouldn’t other political leaders in the world act in the interest of their domestic politics or constituency?
For example, when Botswana discovered the huge diamond reserves, there are factors that may have helped them to create such a rich economy. I think the population of Botswana is still about a million which may create very few spenders or consumers, multinational mining companies had free reign, they have 8 million cattle, and they have one monolithic ethnic group; the Tswana. They have had limited internal turmoil historically in their country.
Contrast this to what happened in Nigeria when oil was discovered? Four years of the vicious Biafra war and then coup after coup.
Zambia made tons of money from the mines especially at the height of the Vietnam War. The peak was apparently just before the Mufulira Mine disaster when about 80 miners died in 1969. At that time Zambia had a population of 4 million, the country had over one hundred million dollars in foreign reserves. There are now 10 million Zambians who are some of the best conspicuous consumers in the world. Any little income from any source is now just simply swallowed up.
Mwizenge Tembo, United States [ Profile ] [ Contact ] [ Web ]
Friday, January 7, 2005 at 03:20:45 (UTC)
|
Where I come from, all adult men and women who conduct themselves with maturity, responsibility and a sense of integrity and dignity have a special status. The men are called “madoda” and women “nchembere”. The vast majority of the men and women on this board belong to these two groups. But when a particular Doda or Nchembere begin to use explicit and vile insults, they and the audience lose their sense of dignity.
Use of explicit insults always backfires because the hurler of the insults looks small, desperate, immature, and juvenile. When the target of the insults responds in kind, they also don’t look good. This is a lose lose situation. Everyone on the board is also insulted and feels very uncomfortable and embarrassed. Nobody on this board has a monopoly on anger.
Madoda and Nchembere of course do have heated disagreements but refrain from using explicit insults or kutuka. Those madoda and nchembere who can’t restrain themselves are often excluded from adult discussion. The parties who have been posting and exchanging insults should publicly apologize to each other and the board simply because this board is a community.
Everyone should avoid or refrain from using explicit insults which may include the bad jokes, f – word, the n - word, the k – word, the a – word, mentioning of private body parts and various orifices etc. etc. The rule of thumb should be that if you are really very very angry at a posting, then don’t just post anything immediately. Madoda or Nchembere will wait for 24 hours before they respond.
Mwizenge Tembo, United States [ Profile ] [ Contact ] [ Web ]
Friday, January 7, 2005 at 02:31:41 (UTC)
|
Glen ....on the 5th of Jan I kindly asked for the petty snipeing to stop in respect of the people who have been affected by the Tsunami ......but sadly you seem to carry on regardless.....not only was I posting on behalf of my daughter regarding the offensive remarks made AFTER my previous request but everyone on the board......males and females and the like....and I for one am not about to stop my daughter from viewing the GNR ......for the past 3 years she has been allowed to read postings , see photos etc....... it is just of late that this continual sniping, bullying,baiting , and vicious name calling has crept on to the board........all I am asking for is "please have some respect"
.......Doug thank you for your email, yes you are a good friend of mine and I really enjoy your postings...your experiences are wonderfully told and have that certain flavour...... you give a little smattering of spice..but not crude or belittling that is the difference.......((((doug))) oh and you have respect for others, thank you for recinding your Tsunami comment...
Ali Key, Australia [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Friday, January 7, 2005 at 00:15:35 (UTC)
|
By the way, congratulations to SA for the the great score in Cape Town. Keep it up guys..... lets beat the English team. (I hold my breath on that statement!)
Desiree Van der Spuy, South Africa [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Thursday, January 6, 2005 at 21:20:58 (UTC)
|
With the "Political" situation in here, half of you should be running for President!!! Relax guys. As I see it, all is done in fun. This is a great site and although I do more reading than posting I am enjoying it. Just hate the biting bits!! From where I'm looking there is no harm done. Kids wouldn't understand the underhanded humor anyway, unless they were taught to do so from a young age...! Half the time it seems that there are a bunch of kids in here anyway... Great fun to observe! Keep the show going. Makes for good entertainment! You guys are great. Would make a wonderful TV soapy if someone had the mind to put it all together.
Desiree Van der Spuy, South Africa [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Thursday, January 6, 2005 at 21:17:32 (UTC)
|
Harshad,
Please check on the online edition (today) of the Times of India (Headlines) and you will see what I mean. Of course I do not suggest that it has gone off the paper altogether but that today Sachin gets more prominance than the victims...which is sad! Or am I wrong?As others have cited n this board personalities get more mention than the average man in the street. Having kept an eye on various newspapers in the region, the Times of India has covered the disaster as much as it can possibly do.Eventually,of course, the event will gradually take a back seat in all media.
Ayub Ismail Zumla, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Thursday, January 6, 2005 at 21:07:24 (UTC)
|
Glenn
Fair dos! No you're not the only offender, but you are a repeat offender and a frequent offender. Sorry, but in my opinion you get particularly offensive when roused or in the mood for a stir and you bait the heck out of Ayub. Come on buddy it's not "adult" to insult and get belligerent. It usually means we've lost control or are in love with the sound of our own opinions and words so by that time who cares about our hearers anyway. (And yes, we do this). You are so funny and interesting when not baiting or slaying someone in response with intemperate language and insult. Would you consider laying down some of your armament?
Thanks,
Tina Magee, United States [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Thursday, January 6, 2005 at 20:42:48 (UTC)
|
Dear Ayub
The Times of India has NOT put the disaster in the background, infact I have been a contributor to the TOI and my wife has worked for TOI as a journalist. I also have several friends who work with TOI as reporters and editors. The enormity of the disaster will not allow anyone to minimise its importance. A good newspaper always balances the news so as to not create un-necessary criticism. I have also seen various newspapers who cannot report anything else other than the disaster because that is what eventually sells and tabloids only want to make money. A good newspaper always balances the news between current affairs, sports etc, so Sachin Tendulkar not playing a Tsunami Disaster Relief Match is news because he is one player if he gets going he will be able to draw a huge crowd which in any case would benefit the Tsunami victims and families. I do hope that you understand the sentiment however free speech is everyones right !
Harshad Kamble, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Thursday, January 6, 2005 at 20:25:16 (UTC)
|
Quick nip in from work to post. Not a lot of time to see what's been most recently posted.
I do wish we had a low tolerance for deliberately baiting and insulting, particularly crudely insulting, one another on the GNR. If a person starts by targeting another in that way it draws them into responding in like manner and irritates everyone else into joining the slanging match in one way or another. I will be the first to admit I have thoroughly enjoyed a battle royal with Chris Tamm and Glenn in that way but guarantee that a lot on the GNR were thinking: "shut up all of you and develop manners and moderation" as many of us think every time a discussion turns ugly and angry.
Tina Magee, United States [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Thursday, January 6, 2005 at 20:24:32 (UTC)
|
..would it not be more polite to use Bustard, Twit, Ass, instead of...perhaps even some Nyanja/Bemba words! But then Middlesborough, Loughborough would then sound rude. Mwizenge,Doug and many others will know what I mean!
Ayub Ismail Zumla, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Thursday, January 6, 2005 at 20:05:40 (UTC)
|
Doug,
I heard that Old man Mandela sadly lost his only surviving son this morning. He lost a son a few years back in a car accident. Poor man..he has had a problematic life. But he is emotionally strong!
You will be interested to know that the Times of India has put the disaster in the background. It seems more interested in whether Sachin Tendulkar will be fit to play in next week's Tsunami charity match in Melbourne!! Good win by SA today but England will come on strong in the next match!
Ken,
You will be glad to know that the Indonesian Government has put a ban on any child leaving the country. Sadly, that part of the World has been a haven for Paedophiles for a number of years now.This scum has decided to prowl on the despair of the suffering. How humans can stoop to such levels depravity is beyond comprehension. I guess to call them human would be a grave error.
Ayub Ismail Zumla, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Thursday, January 6, 2005 at 19:51:13 (UTC)
|
Glen:
I agree about your comment about "gravy train", There are still opportunities. What I should have said was "resource gravy train".
Colin:
I was confining my analysis to countries in which I actually lived. If you want my analysis of the awful situation in Zimbabwe I would be happy to oblige.
Mark Trevor, Canada [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Thursday, January 6, 2005 at 19:44:08 (UTC)
|
Fiona - thank you for interceding.
Doug is a gentleman and when I read postings (mostly from members who've never met him) that put him down, I’m afraid I tend to dish it out straight back to them.
Glen Drake, United States [ Profile ] [ Contact ] [ Web ]
Thursday, January 6, 2005 at 19:22:35 (UTC)
|
Nicky Kontou
Is it safe to assume that the next time any GNR member does not like a posting of yours you would have no objection to that member throwing a tantrum and then calling you a twat and a bastard?
Mike Slement, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Thursday, January 6, 2005 at 19:19:43 (UTC)
|
Mark: In your recent analysis you seemed to have gone from Zambia to South Africa to Botswana without looking down at the big empty space in between. (or maybe the pilot also told you not to look down). Its getting like everyone has an embarassing glance at the cripple, shakes their head sadly, then averts their eyes and mind.
Colin Munro, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Thursday, January 6, 2005 at 19:09:54 (UTC)
|
Ali - do yourself a favour and look up GOOGLE and the definition of the word (twats) that JOHN PARISH used in his posting on Sunday, January 2, 2005 at 17:49:36 (UTC).
Where were you then?
Why weren't you affronted then?
Please don't be two faced about complaining about what one member says and not another.
This is generally an adult site where many times things get hot and heavy, there's innuendo of all kinds floating about from Linda to Johnny and many others, including myself.
Not only risque MATURE topics, but also political discussions which often involve friction.
You should be embarrassed!
Am I the only one who has the opinion that you are very irresponsible to make GNR your HOME page and thereby allow your 13 year old to automatically review it's contents?
I doubt it.
You remind me of parents here in America who blame the TV because their kids watch adult orientated programs.
Your job is FIRST to censor your own children, then you can be worried about the language others may use.
I remind you that this board is for members - others use it for their own reasons at their own risk.
Glen Drake, United States [ Profile ] [ Contact ] [ Web ]
Thursday, January 6, 2005 at 19:07:36 (UTC)
|
Enough already! Ok Doug made a few comments which some people found offensive. He has had the decency to retract those comments but some people feel the need to keep on grinding. The retaliatory comments are more offensive than the original comment so please just stop it. We've had enough problems in the past, resulting the closure of the GNR and suspension of certain members. And, incidentally, I spent a lot of time with Doug in Zambia in 2003 and I found him to be a complete gentleman.
Fiona Gayther, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Thursday, January 6, 2005 at 19:03:32 (UTC)
|
Ali - so what have you to say about Nicky's crass use of language. Being a "little" prejudiced are we?
Glen Drake, United States [ Profile ] [ Contact ] [ Web ]
Thursday, January 6, 2005 at 18:36:52 (UTC)
|
Tina
Thanks so much for introducing me to NETGO. I have managed to make contact with Eddie Cross who was on the same course with me at Gwebi some 45 years ago.
Eddie is still in Zimbabwe fighting the good fight. He was a very committed Christian and nearly succeded in converting me.
Cheers - Doug
Doug Grewar, South Africa [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Thursday, January 6, 2005 at 18:22:10 (UTC)
|
Glen.......you ARE incredibly offensive and I wish you would realise that I have a 13 yearold daughter who reads the GNR ...........The GNR is my home page and I have no desire to change....please learn to have respect for others.......
Ali Key, Australia [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Thursday, January 6, 2005 at 18:17:59 (UTC)
|
Nicky
You say I did a quick u-turn. I withdrew the part of my posting that may have been in bad taste but stuck to my guns on the media overkill.
If you and parish had any shame you would both also withdraw your offensive remarks. Parish could be excused in that he is a new man, a fikizolo, but you should know better. I will not reply to your abuse in similar vein, as you have already polluted this board enough. Story closed!
Sue
I find it strange that you take no offence at parish at kontou's abuse but you take offence at Glen's reply. If you will recall my original posting I was just stating an opinion, I did not make a personal attack or abuse anyone, as these 2 have seen fit too do.
Doug Grewar, South Africa [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Thursday, January 6, 2005 at 18:13:59 (UTC)
|
Colin,
You are right we had oil coming out of our ears in Scotland,but like everything else it is the wrong kind,so is our,water,snow,weather etc,ha! ha! were would we be if everything was perfect,not Scotland.Oh!our WHISKEY has to be the best in the world.
Pappy Papier, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Thursday, January 6, 2005 at 17:30:51 (UTC)
|
Mark – no question that faltering economy in Africa south of the Equator is a combination of a variety of factors. To say that a “misplaced sense of racial superiority” and not “looking out for everybody” was a contributing factor is verging on the ridiculous when considering the current state of affairs. Furthermore, the “gravy train” is far from gone – it just needs to be put back on it’s tracks by people who are prepared to set up a system more equitable than the one that existed in the past and the opposite extreme to which the pendulum has swung in the present.
Just look at how far it has swung in Zimbabwe.
I must agree with your observations of the Canadian society’s concern for the welfare of all of its peoples. I had the pleasure of living in Canada for 10 years, in Toronto, Calgary and Vancouver and have visited every major town/city from East to West coast, yes, even Saskatoon where my good buddy Rick Stirling still runs an office supply business. The one common trait found is that Canadians do care about each other. Even the Canucks from Quebec are secretly more proud of being Canadian than French.
Glen Drake, United States [ Profile ] [ Contact ] [ Web ]
Thursday, January 6, 2005 at 16:53:23 (UTC)
|
A couple of things
YES - SA won the cricket. Even after 25 years in Canada, still support the cricket team.
Tina was asking how Canadians survive. The big shock when I came to Canada was not the cold - everything is designed for it - but the language! As a southern African English speaker I had no idea that Canadian idiom was so different. The other thing about the cold is that it is always potentially life threatening. It is a given here that if you see people outside in winter (no matter who) you stop and check that they are OK. This results in a society that looks out for all its members. This permeates how we operate.
When I read some of the vitriolic comments on GNR it saddens me. I think in Central Africa we did have a wonderful life but it was screwed up by a number of things, one of which being a misplaced sense of racial superiority. If we had all had more of the Canadian ideal of looking out for everybody, not just our own group, things may have been different. Unfortunately, some of the GNR members see what happened to Zambia at independence as merely being the result of black incompetence.
When my family left Northern Rhodesia, we went to the Bechuanaland Protectorate. At that time the BP was a joke (meaning no natural resources to exploit) and Britain was only too happy to give Botswana its independence. Whoops - just before independence diamonds were discovered along with the metal deposits at Selebi-Phikwe. But unlike NR, this time the mines were developed for the benefit of the nation at large rather than the shareholders. Consequently, Botswana has done very well. I lived there from 1964 to 1980 and can say in all honesty that the country did much better after independence than it did previously.
It is generally ignored that by the time Zambia became independent, the glory days of the Copperbelt were past. The same parallel can be seen in South Africa where the decline of the gold mining industry has coincided with black emancipation. The decline is directly attributable to declining reserves and increased mining costs. The gravy train is gone.
What happened to Zambia at independence was the result of a number of things. We should not ignore our collective culpability and we should turn away from perpetuating failed myths.
Finally, Craig and Ian and all the people who work so hard to keep this site going - great job.
Mark Trevor, Canada [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Thursday, January 6, 2005 at 15:55:43 (UTC)
|
Sue, as opposed to "past" tense?
For example :
Although you probably know already Tina... 'pog mahone' means 'Kiss My Arse".
Sue Coughlan, Friday, December 10, 2004 at 09:29:49 (UTC)
Glen Drake, United States [ Profile ] [ Contact ] [ Web ]
Thursday, January 6, 2005 at 15:43:05 (UTC)
|
Glen, I spoke in the present tense.
Sue Coughlan, Australia [ Profile ] [ Contact ] [ Web ]
Thursday, January 6, 2005 at 15:30:56 (UTC)
|
Sue - please proceed and while you are at it, don't leave out Nicky's posting.
Then management can decide the "degree" of offensiveness.
In any event, it is re-assuring to know where your mind is at, namely, the same places others go.
Not so?
Glen Drake, United States [ Profile ] [ Contact ] [ Web ]
Thursday, January 6, 2005 at 15:24:18 (UTC)
|
Glen Drake,
I am registering a complaint about your tone and remarks. I find both particularly offensive.
Sue Coughlan, Australia [ Profile ] [ Contact ] [ Web ]
Thursday, January 6, 2005 at 15:05:10 (UTC)
|
Nicky - you are female aren't you? The way I figured it out was . . . . .
We get “brass” from Brasso, and “bing” from Bingo so it ain’t that tough to figure out what we get from Kontou.
Being the macho male that you are I have no doubt you identify even more closely to my posting to your female alter ego.
Just change "his" to "her" etc., not that tough - I'm sure you are versatile enough . . . .
Glen Drake, United States [ Profile ] [ Contact ] [ Web ]
Thursday, January 6, 2005 at 14:44:35 (UTC)
|
John P.
Please be wary of any advice that you may receive from Ms. Nicky Kontou. Keep in mind her Greek affiliation and her familiarity with certain practices that involve the disappearance of parts of the male anatomy into certain orifices.
Hey, not that I have a problem with her anal fixations, that’s her business. They do however give her breath a rather unpleasant odor and her voice is muffled when she speaks while seated.
Glen Drake, United States [ Profile ] [ Contact ] [ Web ]
Thursday, January 6, 2005 at 14:25:12 (UTC)
|
Doug - nope, Michael J. Drake, as far as I know, has completely different DNA but my biological Father *“May the fleas of a thousand camels rest in his bed” divorced my Mother when I was seven years old and he was a bit of a philanderer . . . . so I am not really sure.
As Ayub will affirm, relatives you aren't even aware of will just sorta pop-up any old time.
*thought I’d put that in to make you smile Ayub.
Glen Drake, United States [ Profile ] [ Contact ] [ Web ]
Thursday, January 6, 2005 at 14:06:23 (UTC)
|
John. P
Don’t let Doug and Glen bully you. Doug done such a quick u-turn on his original comment that his head almost disappeared up his arse.(where it belongs)
Does anyone from the Copperbelt, during the early 60’s remember the name of the guy who used to go around town with a Cheetah in his car? I used to see him in Kitwe often.
Nicky Kontou, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Thursday, January 6, 2005 at 11:47:00 (UTC)
|
Johnny
They have standardised the sizes now. Small, Medium and Liar
Dave
David Swan, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Thursday, January 6, 2005 at 10:00:49 (UTC)
|
Linda you know it was me who invented the first one the 12" one and the invention was siezed upon by several cold countries and are now sold world wide in various sizes Canada having the highest production figures for the 3" and less variety. Johnny.
Johnny, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Thursday, January 6, 2005 at 07:03:00 (UTC)
|
Teresa Swart
Please email me. I think you know or knew a member of my family who I am desparately trying to find.
I am Charles Pettersson's sister.
Thanks
Esther Pettersson, Australia [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Thursday, January 6, 2005 at 06:20:34 (UTC)
|
Lindsay Cummings
I was so sad to read that your mum had passed away. It does seem, sometimes, that we just can't bear anymore pain and suffering and then something else happens.
You are obviously a very special person to be so caring and your mum knew that and your dad and brother are now finding out.
I will think of you on the golf course and pray that you do indeed have a happy year this year.
Marilyn
Marilyn Noall, Australia [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Thursday, January 6, 2005 at 05:17:46 (UTC)
|
Sandra's mention of the lost souls of the old Federation countries immediatly brought to mind the Lost Tribes of Isreal, endlessy wandering the Globe for a thousand years, adopting the veneer of the culture wherever they were but always maintaining their own identity, in their case, religion, which for some inexplicable reason they found impossible to deny, no matter how far they wandered or for how many hundreds of years they were removed from their lost Homeland. I really dont understand religion (having read both the King James Bible and the Quoran cover to cover, no mean task I can assure you)or its purpose, therefore am not qualified to give an opinion on Judism or any other of the other 19 religions around (qoute Ken, never knew it was so popular, us Picts better look out) but my admiration for such a strenght of belief is unbounded, as is my admiration of the mystical force which binds the Lost Tribe to which we belong; it must be much of a much of the longing for a lost identity.
PAPPY : If Zim had oil? We had oil coming out of our ears for the last twenty years and what good did it do us? WE have the worst Roads, Rail Networks, Health Service, Housing, etc etc in Europe in Bonnie Scotland at the moment. Although I have been contradicted in the past by calling it Scottish Oil, it is within Scottish Territorial Waters, but that did not prevent the revenue being split 75% to the multi-national oil companies and 25% to London to fritter away on whatever took their fancies. Rest assured if they discovered oil on Borrowdale Racecourse tomorrow the split would be 75% to the multis and 25% to the Lunatic Mugs which would not help the situation in Zim a jot.
AYUB: Politics and World Trade? Thats a very hard question riddled with contradictions from the word go as we all know by now! You never said what conclusions you drew from the fact the UK was trading with Mugs and his loathsome regime; does it make the lot of Zim worse or better? Does Blair know or really care on the political aspect? I doubt it. I have, as you suggested, approached local MPs and MSPs on this matter in no uncertain terms and they really dont give a toss, theres no votes in it, so end of story. What chance do we really have when you consider we are buried under an avalanche of consumer shite from China ( with the blessing of Blair etc.), a country with one of the world's worst records on human rights, sorry Ron. The only examples I can think of of guys that stuck to their guns in recent times regarding issue over trade was the stance of the USA with Cuba and Libya ( in whose case in eventually worked)
Colin Munro, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Thursday, January 6, 2005 at 02:50:22 (UTC)
|
Sorry Linda, the only time I've heard that expression was in regard to certain very friendly young ladies.
David Hounsell, Canada [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Thursday, January 6, 2005 at 01:08:28 (UTC)
|
Oh.. okaaaaaaaaaaay. I confess that I was winding Johnny up with the brass balls bait. I know the cannon ball story is an urban legend. But does anyone know who patented the willie warmer, sold primarily in Canada, I am told. grin.
Linda Hayes, United States [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Thursday, January 6, 2005 at 00:59:14 (UTC)
|
How do you deal with -40 degree days in Canada
When you're young, no problem, you play hockey and drink Molson.
When you're older, and despite what you hear about Canada's tax laws, and you have money in the bank, you do what every self respecting Canadian does - you go to Florida or Arizona for the winter.
Only 25 days and I'm out of here for two months. !!
David Hounsell, Canada [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Thursday, January 6, 2005 at 00:44:50 (UTC)
|
Mike: What I was referring to was a report that in Malaysia, there were stories of some people trying to sell babies and tots, supposedly orphaned (and not yet confirmed). Makes me sick.
Ken Fernie, United States [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Thursday, January 6, 2005 at 00:27:42 (UTC)
|
". Only this morning I heard that already there are skellums trying to cash in on the misery. And so it goes.
Ken
I am not sure what skellums you are referring to but I recall that after 9/11 the UK Government (or perhaps it was an airline) offered to pay the airfare for any person who wished to visit the USA and visit the Trade |Fare centre etc. on the condition of course that they had lost a member of their immediate family in the terrorist attack. One man decided it was a good time to get a free flight to the USA.and he made a completely false claim. He was arrested on his return to the UK and convicted.
Another married couple decided that this was the chance of a lifetime and the wife falsely stated that the husband had died in the twin towers. She then tried to claim life insurance on him .I believe he was found in Spain waiting for her to join him
I wonder how many fraudsters (from all over the world) have decided that the Tsunami disaster is an ideal opportunity to cash in on life insurance. Etc
Mike Slement, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Wednesday, January 5, 2005 at 21:11:27 (UTC)
|
Thanks for filling the gap re: Kim McHarg. I saw the notice in the Morning paper and wondered if it was the Ndola family. Wondering where Kim fitted into it as I remember Colin and Marilyn McHarg with whom I went to Llewellyn High School.
Being new to this site which I stumbled on through Rhodesians Worldwide, I hope to perhaps find some old buddies - those were the days and I think some of the happiest in my life - the weather was fantastic, neither summer or winter and has spoiled me for all time.
I'm afraid I feel a bit like one of the lost tribe and cant call SA home although it has been good to me - I am a Rhodesian through and through and whenever I meet a new person and like them instantly....... low and behold somewhere they are Rhodesian!!!
Wishing you all a fabulous 2005.
Sandra Fann, South Africa [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Wednesday, January 5, 2005 at 19:50:30 (UTC)
|
Lindsay
Just now saw your posting and reflected your Mum was as lucky to have you as you were to have her. We can't prevent the rough times but to have a loving daughter see you over to the other side in such a specially close way - what a gift!
Tina Magee, United States [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Wednesday, January 5, 2005 at 19:50:29 (UTC)
|
Well it's still "brass monkey" weather here today -45 windshield. I did go out today though,to the underground parking where it is at least a little warm. I have a daycare and today I only had 3 kids so off we went . It's supposed to be only -19 tomorrow,we will think it's spring out there. I sometimes wonder how we ended upin such a cold place after living in Zambia for 6 years. Take care Lyn
Lyn Howell, Canada [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Wednesday, January 5, 2005 at 19:44:25 (UTC)
|
Yukon Pete
Romantic at – 45c? No need for viagra, it must be frozen stiff! I had better stop right there before I get into the soup again!
Bill & Yvette
How you guys tolerate those temperatures I cannot comprehend. Although we could do with a bit of that snow to cool things down. I drove to Swaziland and back today and my right arm and face is burnt to a crisp.
Linda
The cartoon you describe puts the whole thing in a nutshell. In South Africa alone we have over 1000 people dying daily of aids. This equals a Tsunami each and every 6 months, again and again. In Zimbabwe over 3 million people have been turned into refugees. We have 2 million of them right here in South Africa and they haven’t received a penny from the international community.
Ali
I do feel compassion for the victims of the Tsunami but there are plenty of other worthwhile causes as Colin put it so well, that are completely neglected. With the donor fatigue that will set in after all this fashionable frenzy of donating these many other causes will get even less than before. Colin compared it very well to the hysteria over the death of Princess Diana, who in many countries would have been stoned to death for her behavior.
Ester
Pulease! I likes to play in my sand box!
Ayub
You made a good point about the British trading with Zim while talking against them. Perfidious Albion once again. Also very true about the oil.
Johnny
At least we are doing a bit better in the Cricket against your chaps than we did in the rugby. BTW Charles comment on my photo in Boer mode was did I fall off my horse like Oom Eugene Terre Blanche (the Leader of the Afrikanerweerstandbeweeging or Afrikaner resistance movement). I always have trouble with those 4 legged monstrosities; not only have I fallen off the damn things, but then they have fallen on top of me.
Lindsay
I did not know your mother but allow me to offer my sincere condolences. I lost my Dad about 18 months ago and my Mom was left alone. It is up to us to try and comfort the remaining parent as much as possible.
Desiree
Congrats on your husbands new position and the chance of accompanying him to Zambia.
Heather
Thanks for the dates of the reunion, but what is this soiree business? Soiree for what? Whatever it is I am not guilty! Very soiree too much!
As for Gwaza I am happy to hear you Bemba people are now speaking Zulu.
Pappy
Great idea! Lets sue the Pope! There was a movie recently on TV about exactly that subject. Billy Connolly had his boat damaged by a storm and the insurance companies would not pay out, citing it as an act of God. Billy then proceeded to sue the church with hilarious results.
Glen & Chris
Michael John Drake a Joburg school headmaster, 50, fell to his death at the Victoria Falls. He was near the railway bridge when his glasses fell off onto the rocks just below. When he tried to retrieve them he slipped on the wet rocks and fell to his death. Any relation?
Ron
You said - Please keep your Rooster in your pocket for a while, the Monkey still rules the roost until the Lunar New Year in February.
The Rooster said – Cock a doodle skwaack!!!?&%$. He will just have to wait.
John Parish
Don’t feel shy laddie! Come back! I fight with many people from time to time, but we usually end up friends. I was flame baiting and you flared delightfully. BTW I suggest you edit your profile. Boss-boy went out of respectable use long before you even put your foot in Zambia, or should that read, in your mouth. Gang boss, charge hand, or even fellow worker would be more polite.
Doug – the “Heartless Bastard”
Doug Grewar, South Africa [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Wednesday, January 5, 2005 at 19:44:14 (UTC)
|
Dear Linda our brass monkeys are different to your brass monkeys and there is several of them walking around here with empty pouches decrying 40 below. Johnny.
Johnny, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Wednesday, January 5, 2005 at 19:08:12 (UTC)
|
Lindsay – when the sadness is as close to you as your Mother’s recent death the rest of the world’s problems must mean very little. My heart goes out to you, your Brother and Father.
From those who are fortunate enough to still have our Mothers with us, please accept our condolences. Thanks to you for sharing your feelings with us.
Keep your eye open for the silver linings on the clouds – they’re there.
Glen Drake, United States [ Profile ] [ Contact ] [ Web ]
Wednesday, January 5, 2005 at 18:38:10 (UTC)
|
Jack Duvenage,
Welcome to GNR fom Glen, his brother Chris (Tinker) and all the guys who had the good fortune of being your friends back in the bustling metropolis of Nkana/Kitwe in the roaring sixties.
In this bulletin board you will have tons of fun reading the good stuff about the old days; seeing pictures that make you smile; hearing about people you knew; and on and on.
Of course - it is even more fun when you participate yourself.
You'll also be exposed to some very "interesting" members - sort of like the "reverse" of an expat. You'll know what I mean when you see them posting to the GNR and I hope you enjoy reading what they have to say as much as I do. You'll be reading contributions from people that love Northern Rhodesia just as much as we did when we were there, and just like us, they didn't fit in. Where they've now ended up, they STILL don't fit in. These are the funny ones 'cause they end up being very confused and spending much of their time trying to build up their own self esteem by spouting off liberal doctrines that far to the left and then putting down anyone who disagrees with them.
But do not let me steal all the intrigue away from the game - watch it develop and join in. You'll find it most enjoyable getting to know the other players.
Also, spare a moment or two while on this site figuring out, if you can, why the people who manage this site do so. They don't do it for money! It's the best site on the WWW for us old "Great North Roaders" and all the work that goes into making it as such receives comparatively little thanks. The same amount of thanks received by those who loved and made Northern Rhodesia what it was before 1964 and who subsequently felt uncomfortable and left.
But hey, there are still a few brave souls who live there.
They're the lucky ones.
So ENJOY!
Looking forward to seeing your first posting . . . .
Glen Drake, United States [ Profile ] [ Contact ] [ Web ]
Wednesday, January 5, 2005 at 17:26:32 (UTC)
|
At the moment Ladies thats Tina and Linda its -29c and I did plug the car in. In Feb it gets to -45 at times. But you get dressed for it.
Wear a Block heater keep yourhead warm and all is well. Just watch your step on the ice and your safe. You dont want to fall break bones at our OLD age.
Chris Drake
Quesnel
Christopher Drake, Canada [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Wednesday, January 5, 2005 at 16:55:45 (UTC)
|
Lindy's message brings up a pet frustration. (You are never alone with a pet frustration. They always seek you out and cuddle up. Their fur feels familiar but irritating). Anyway - some of these explanations for expressions are so unlikely and there isn't time to research everything in depth. How do you know figure out what is historical urban legend and what is real. Grrrrrrr. In the end I guess if you can't find good historical basis you just pick your favorites (or favourites).
Tina Magee, United States [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Wednesday, January 5, 2005 at 15:32:40 (UTC)
|
Linda: Good posting on the "Charity Lark". The "donations" from all the super-stars are indeed write-offs on taxes. Sophia Loren was credited as having said,"True philanthropy must be synonymus with anonimity". I only hope that all these donations are being put to their proper uses and reconciled to the last cent. Only this morning I heard that already there are skellums trying to cash in on the misery. And so it goes.
Ken Fernie, United States [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Wednesday, January 5, 2005 at 14:43:35 (UTC)
|
Johnny:
Being married to a man who spent 8 yrs in the navy, I can safely tell you that the terminology "cold enough to freeze the balls off a brass monkey" has absolutely nothing to do with a monkey's (or a man's) gonads. Your mission, should you accept it, is to research it on the internet. I will give you a clue and tell you it has more to do with legitimate brass balls than gonads.
Linda Hayes, United States [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Wednesday, January 5, 2005 at 13:57:46 (UTC)
|
Well Johnny eyes are what I would be worrying about ;-)
Tina Magee, United States [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Wednesday, January 5, 2005 at 13:40:13 (UTC)
|
Johnny
The cricket at Durban is even quieter but there does seem to be a lot happening at Newlands,Cape Town
Mike Slement, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Wednesday, January 5, 2005 at 13:18:34 (UTC)
|
To those of you who knew Kim McHarg of Ndola and Lusaka. I am sad to inform you that he passed away on Sunday after a long battle with cancer.
Billy Laing, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Wednesday, January 5, 2005 at 10:07:49 (UTC)
|
Pappy,
The disaster was caused by an earthquake. Insurers would like the insured to believe that it was "an act of God"!!
Desiree,
Good on you!
Ayub Ismail Zumla, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Wednesday, January 5, 2005 at 10:04:18 (UTC)
|
Morning to all of those who are peeking in to catch the latest scrap on GNR! What a fascinating bandying of words we have to behold. As the southerners here would say "GOOD ON YER!"
Hope you are all happy, & making a contribution to the good of mankind :)} (grin , that is). Have been without a connection for a while - so it's good to get back into the verbal sparring that we have here. Go to it gentlemen, and I use the term with caution, as not a lot of people go around calling folk "bastards" without having a really good knowledge of their heritage, or do they?
I would like some clarification of this matter from the broader spectrum of the members, please.
Happy anniversary to Mike & Linda, would love to get to know you better, as dad & mum where very fond of you.
Let's all have a great year of fun & good banter.
Keep smiling,
Jurina Lang, New Zealand [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Wednesday, January 5, 2005 at 10:03:53 (UTC)
|
I would just like thank everyone who sent message's of condolances to my family, on the passing of my beloved Mom - Marlene.
My Mom passed away in my arms on the 28th November 2004. It was one of the saddest moments in my life and I will never forget it. She told me that she loved me so much, but it was time to go now and join my brothers Douglas and Russel.
My Mom asked me not to play golf that day and just be there with her. We lay on her bed all day and spoke and laughed about everything in our lives, and about the people that touched our hearts. You know she loved everyone and had time for the man in the street to the Pope. I know that she was loved by all, she was a very special lady.
We have been in SA for 14 years now, but she still could Kitwe her home.
I know that she is now in a better place and she is not suffering anymore, but I can't understand that our family has had to go through much tragedy. From losing my two brothers and then my Mom - it is just so unfair.
I am now trying to be brave for my Dad and my brother Gavin, it is so hard and don't have all the answers.
My Dad is so lost, after been with my Mom for 45 and half years - that is a lifetime. But I will take care of him like I promised my Mom.
I hope that this year brings us more happiness - not just to us but to all of you.
Take care all of you and look after your families.
Lindsay Cummings
Lindsay Cummings, South Africa [ Profile ] [ Contact ] [ Web ]
Wednesday, January 5, 2005 at 07:57:36 (UTC)
|
You wil have noticed I am keeping very quiet about the cricket in Durban at the moment but the game is never won until it is lost, Hope springs eternal, and the Age of miracles is not yet passed, I hope . Johnny
Johnny, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Wednesday, January 5, 2005 at 07:42:01 (UTC)
|
Tina you asked the question doesn't 35 below hurt your eyes?in these exceptional conditions, one of our local BRASS MONKIES asked me to tell you who has had a few visits to Canada that it is not there eyes that they worry about in those freezing temperatures. Johnny.
Johnny, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Wednesday, January 5, 2005 at 07:34:56 (UTC)
|
Just like to mention I have a friend who was directly affected by the Tsunami disaster, and after listening to what she had to say I just feel I have to say something regarding the petty snipeing going on here, please have some respect for those that are going through this hell..I understand that everyone has different views on the media coverage...etc and it is human nature to get sick of what one sees and hears but please ..thanks Ali
Ali Key, Australia [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Wednesday, January 5, 2005 at 06:18:56 (UTC)
|
Joanna Freedendal, Hans Dielissen, Anita Bachmann, Derek Anderson, David Mclean, John Holliday, Robert Bryce
Best wishes on your birthday
Mwizenge
Best place to try is Bookworld or Book Cellar at Manda Hill and Planet Books at Arcades. If he doesn't get copies there, tell him to phone me and I will see what other alternatives there are.
Desiree
Dates are 3rd to 6th June.
Peter D
You forgot to mention that this was how you got frostbite on your bum and how everything shrivelled up
Heather Chalcraft, Zambia [ Profile ] [ Contact ] [ Web ]
Wednesday, January 5, 2005 at 06:16:20 (UTC)
|
How do you Canucks DO it (no, I don't mean do it like Pete at -45. I mean handle that level of cold for months at a time? You all seem to have such a relish about it, capping eachothers lowest temperatures with a certain sardonic glee. (Craig doesn't count, in "tropical" Vancouver). Northwestern Iceland was a doddle. There's a warm current off coast. It just wasn't that cold there. We used to lie in the snow and watch the northern lights. And nor did the cold seem bad the times I went out as relief cook on the line boats even though the foredeck would collect some snow and ice. But you lot - ex-Zambians who used to huddle round the fire in the Zambian winter now with antifreeze for blood in the middle of the Canadian continent. I fair takes me hat off to you, but not in - 35. Doesn't that hurt your eyes?
Tina Magee, United States [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Wednesday, January 5, 2005 at 05:46:56 (UTC)
|
Mufulira Rugby Jerseys
Mufulira rugby jerseys are now available along with Northern Rhodesian jerseys (two different styles).
I'm also looking for someone in Zambia that can put me in touch with an embroidery store, prefer someone on e-mail if possible as I need to get the correct pantone colours for the coat of arms.
Kind Regards
Bill McDonald
www.Rhodesiawassuper.com
Craig Hartnett, Canada [ Profile ] [ Contact ] [ Web ]
Wednesday, January 5, 2005 at 04:44:52 (UTC)
|
Yes, I am on my high horse tonight, and will probably get a lot of manure for it. I just feel like voicing my opinion.
I applaud and encourage anyone who is trying to help ease the suffering of the tsunami disaster. But I find myself asking if it is necessary to publish the amounts that are being donated by celebrities. $1,000,000 from actress Sandra Bullock, $3,000,000 from actor Mel Gibson. Other celebrity names are being added daily. A drop in the bucket for most of them and also a nice tax write off. Isn't donating to charitable causes supposed to be from the heart and not for publicity purposes? Why do we need to know how much they are donating? Nobody is publishing Mr. Smith's $20 donation amount out of his $100 monthly pension.
It's like when Oprah Winfrey went to "save the orphans of South Africa" last year. She got mileage for about half a dozen of her shows with that one, and then in the next breath, she is giving away brand new cars to every member in her studio audience. Only she does not give them away herself. They come from the car manufacturer, with beaucoup publicity for them and for her. One of her follow up shows on saving the orphans mainly featured the (one) teenage girl that she befriended and will be paying to educate. She could have gotten the car manufacturer to cough up the dollars for the worth of all those cars and sent that to save the orphans. It would have gone to much better use.
They have been making announcements on the TV tonight that there is so much being sent for the relief fund now that even organisations like Doctors without Borders are asking for the money or goods to be sent to their organisation's general fund as there are so many more countries desperately in need of aid and they have more than they can cope with being sent to the tsunami victims.
It is heart-warming to see so much compassion towards this disaster, but there is just as much misery and starvation in many other countries, particularly in Africa.
There was a very thought provoking and right on the mark political cartoon in our newspaper this morning. It showed a transport plane, bulging at the seams with "Tsunami Relief" painted across it. The pilot is stoically looking straight ahead but someone is in the seat next to him, looking out with his mouth open in surprise and, possibly, shock.
Down below, you see numerous arms (only) stretched up in supplicance towards the sky. They are black. You can just see a bit of tattered shirt sleeve on each arm and on the various sleeves are the words, "Haiti" or "Sudan" or "Congo" and then one says "etc". I did not see Zimbabwe or Rwanda, but they could just as easily have been added to the mass of arms...
The word bubble from the pilot says, "Don't look down!"
That, for me, sums it up.
Linda Hayes, United States [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Wednesday, January 5, 2005 at 03:37:12 (UTC)
|
Lynn, Bill and other Southern Canada wushes...
I lived in the Yukon for 10 years and minus 35C is balmy shorts weather!!!
I have slept under the stars and northern lights at minus 45C and been "romantic' as well....
Peter Dielissen, Canada [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Tuesday, January 4, 2005 at 23:10:41 (UTC)
|
The omgoing arguments between the boys remind me of children fighting in the sand box.
The events of the tsunami are devastating for all humanity no matter what religious affiliation.
The news may have been played over and over but so what???
Consider yourselves lucky to have been spared.
Why on earth fight over it???
For goodness sake – grow up the lot of you.
Esther Pettersson, Australia [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Tuesday, January 4, 2005 at 22:59:20 (UTC)
|
Heather
I'm realy excited because hubby has just landed a job that has put him in charge of all mobile operations in South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and....... Zambia! I get to travel with him wherever he goes soooo.... I think at long last I will be able to show him where I was born. Head Office in Zambia is in Kitwe. I was born in Chingola and lived in Bancroft (um, sorry, Chililabombwe!!) All so close. I can't believe my luck! I know things have changed but just to go back and show him will mean the world to me. Maybe we can organise his visit to Zambia at the same time. Would be great to say the least. Please keep me posted as to dates etc.
Have a wonderful 2005. May all that is good come your way this year. I have a feeling that this is going to be a good one...!
Desiree Van der Spuy, South Africa [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Tuesday, January 4, 2005 at 22:50:36 (UTC)
|
Ayub,
YOU, are right about Zimbabwe,pitty they don`t have oil.But I must agree about the tsunami thing being dragged out,Correct me if I am wrong from what I read in these messages,all of this disaster is an act of GOD,so why is everyone asking us yet again for donations,I really sympathise with the families,who have lost loved ones,believe me I know what it feels like,but is it not god who should be paying for this or at least his agents,the churches etc..,humanity whats that,I suppose it depends on where you come from.
Pappy Papier, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Tuesday, January 4, 2005 at 22:05:41 (UTC)
|
Hi Lynn,
and all the non=canucks who dont know what the hell wind chill equivalent is.........its the equivalent temp if the skin is exposed to the wind as wind takes more warmth away than normal. A thing we all wait to hear and then can say " Hey, the windchill is......!" and all groan in delight...............something we try not to do. Measured in BTUs per square inch of skin, I think......... or maybe some other esoteric measure.
Fornicating cold is another way of saying it.
Linda and you eversuffering lover.... many congrats on the anniversary.. What does, - if you are in contact - one B.M. say about longevity of marriage?
Yvette and I saw 35 last month so I tremble in anticipation. No 2 x 4 s wanted here. Our 200m driveway is solid ice so I am safe. Unless she can skate too!
Doug G! boy, you are at it again, eh! I love it.
Bill
William Knott, Canada [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Tuesday, January 4, 2005 at 22:02:59 (UTC)
|
Hello to all our friends old and new. Happy New Year and all the best for 2005. It's cold here today in Saskatchewan Canada. The temp is -35, and with the wind shield it's -43 so a cold one today.The sun is shining so it looks warmer out. Xmas was good Leah and family,Kate and co and Abigail etc were here for dinner along with a couple of friends, Nicola,Gavin and Amy and families stayed home. We went to the rugby club for New Year and had agood tim. take care Roy and Lyn Howell
Lyn Howell, Canada [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Tuesday, January 4, 2005 at 20:17:56 (UTC)
|
Colin,
Regarding the "man-made disaster" in Zimbabwe..perhaps we may begin to find answers closer to home. Try this from the British Embassy's (Harare) website:
"The UK is one of the largest suppliers of goods to Zimbabwe and remains one of the largest investors".
To show your disgust perhaps you may want to send your opinions (as many of us have through our MP's) to the following email address:
british.trade.harare@fco.gov.uk
This is the same Government which claims to hold the moral ground where other countries are concerned! Its nowt to do with morality...all to do with resources! Pity Zim doesn't have oil!
Ayub Ismail Zumla, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Tuesday, January 4, 2005 at 19:32:22 (UTC)
|
Linda and Mike
Allow me to second Johnny's greetings to you guys. All of the very best!
Doug da Thug
Doug Grewar, South Africa [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Tuesday, January 4, 2005 at 18:57:11 (UTC)
|
I see the media are still regurgitating the tsunami story 24/7 and I think I can guess some of the reason behind this.
The US political establishment spin doctors must be creaming their pants over this tsunami. What better present could they have had to get the world's attention away from the mess in Iraq. No wonder they want to stretch it out as long as possible.
Just a thought! No need for the rabid parish to start foaming at the mouth again.
Doug Grewar, South Africa [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Tuesday, January 4, 2005 at 18:53:57 (UTC)
|
Many happy returns Linda and Mike Johnny.
Johnny, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Tuesday, January 4, 2005 at 18:06:09 (UTC)
|
Glen,
Ayub - the nice part about our difference of opinions on this bulletin board is that we can leave it to the GNR readers to figure out “who” is “what”.
“Cut the crap.” – I gotta give it to you Ayub – it didn’t take you long to figure out what part of Humanity I was thinking of!
Thank you for your permission to carry on baiting - unfortunately I keep catching the same old fish, they're undersized and I end up throwing them back. Seems that the same ones keep taking the bait - figure they'd have learned by now, hey? Not so, they have a tough time acknowledging that they're not as accomplished as some other members of their fishy family.
If you really mean that you're going to leave my postings alone, why don't you do as you say? Oh, I forget - I answered that question in the previous paragraph.
Yes, I do miss Chris Tamm's confrontational style of posting on the GNR and I'm proud to admit to it. It might have been an "in your face" technique but it sure was real. So Chris, if you're reading this – I miss your contributions to this site and I hope that some day the "powers to be" will have a weak moment and let you back in.
At least you almost got one part of my posting right Ayub, although to be fair, you left out the word "some".
There are SOME Muslims I have a real "problem" with - as well as some RC's, some Anglicans, some Jews, and some of the remainder of the total that make up the remainder of the 19 major religious groups.
The ones I don't like, irrespective of their religion, are those who use their religion as an excuse to gain preferential treatment or as an excuse to discriminate against others. The ones that are EASY to handle are the ones that come out and admit to their agenda - such as Osama Bin Laden who is nothing more than a murderous thug, the one you trivialized by referring to him as a bafoon(sic!) in your last month’s posting.
Ayub, rather than try to manufacture my apparent “problem” with Muslims, why don’t you read about what some Muslims think about themselves? For example :
In Kuwait, some charities drew fire by advertising that they were collecting money for Muslim victims. Indonesia, the hardest-hit country, is the most populous Muslim nation.
"I don't know why only Muslims, when disasters do not differentiate between religions in choosing their victims," Muhammad Mousaed al-Saleh, a columnist, wrote in Al Qabas (Jan 3, 2005 – Kuwait). The daily paper published a religious ruling, saying donating to non-Muslims is permissible.
And . . . .
The view that wanton behavior provoked the quake was the subject of Friday sermons in Saudi Arabia and of other religious commentaries.
"Asia's earthquake, which hit the beaches of prostitution, tourism, immorality and nudity," one commentator said on an Islamist Web site, "is a sign that God is warning mankind from persisting in injustice and immorality before he destroys the ground beneath them."
Walid Tabtabai, a member of the Kuwaiti Parliament, said the earthquake was a message.
"We believe that what occurs in terms of disasters and afflictions is a test for believers and punishment for the unjust," he wrote in a column in the newspaper Al Watan.
And Ayub – you believe I should “dry up and blow away?”
Sorry to disappoint you – I’ll sit on the side lines and keep a beady eye on my fishing rod . . . . . ‘cause, guess what . . . . . . ?
Glen Drake, United States [ Profile ] [ Contact ] [ Web ]
Tuesday, January 4, 2005 at 18:01:09 (UTC)
|
Heather,
Thanks for the info about the book. I don't know how I missed this one. When ever I come to Zambia, I go to virtually all of the book stores in Lusaka to look for new publications. Let me know the quickest way I can get the book. I can send my nephew to the booksore in Lusaka to get it for me. Thanks.
Mwizenge Tembo, United States [ Profile ] [ Contact ] [ Web ]
Tuesday, January 4, 2005 at 17:53:57 (UTC)
|
RE: Tytherington Tiyendi DVD
To all who asked for a copy of the short film, I have at last posted them off. Assuming Royal Mail behave themselves, you should receive it in the next day or so. Sorry for the delay.
GILL MAIN - please let me have your postal address via email - I seem to have lost it...
Regards
Barry
Barry Robbins, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Tuesday, January 4, 2005 at 15:51:18 (UTC)
|
Suzanne Harding, Neil Ashton, Judith Guy, Paul Widd
Best wishes on your birthday
Tina
Yes, Kevin was terrorising me and I'm not sure whether I was a match for him on that day. But he should beware because he knows that I will get my revenge.
Jill
Got your message about the Soiree but am not sure what funny message you got back from me. Delay in responding is because I have, effectively, been away since 17th December although I did make two quick trips back to Lusaka during that time. But more about that later.
Desiree Van der Spuy
Why don't you bring your family up to Zambia to visit it - we are having the Sinazongwe Soiree in June (yes,yes, yes, I know I still haven't posted all the details but have not yet had time to tie my mate from the Houseboat to his chair to get rates etc out of him but hopefully this will happen this week because he will be in Lusaka)
Mike Slement
Eric and June Williams are still in Zimbabwe (or at least they were in October 2003 which was the last time I had an email from them) I posted photos of the Ploughman's Arms on the board around November or December 2002 - take a look in the archives and if you can't find them, let me know and I'll repost. Just north of the Ploughman's Arms is the Chisamba Curry House - their food is excellent and I often stop there for take-aways if I am on my way back from 'the north' - saves me having to cook when I get home. I can't confirm whether it was originally a school
Dave Gray
The name doesn't ring any bells, but I will ask around. Will hopefully get around to answering your email in the next day or two - just rushed off my feet at the moment.
Menahem Yachad
Contact me for info on traveling around Zambia - I can assist with arrangements etc
Ron Sayer
Yes, they were found at the Cresta Hotel the next morning (I did suggest to Charles that he try there that evening because I didn't have a phone number for them). Apparently SAA cancelled the late flight and when your dad found out, he emailed me, but I was in Sinazongwe so wasn't checking my email, my parents telephone number was changed recently so the numnber in the directory is wrong and the other number is in my office which was closed.
Then, when they didn't arrive, I realised that we had no contact telephone numbers for any of you, so we called on Craig to assist (thanks Craig). And, of course, when things start going wrong, they really go wrong. When Beryl finally got me on the phone, my battery went dead. Anyway, the article I am going to write about phoning the different guesthouses the next morning is going to make interesting reading - their 'efficiency' makes me wonder how they stay in business !
But what matters is that we found them (I did tell Beryl that no one can get lost for very long in Lusaka) and we all had a good two days down on the lake. I will be putting some photos up on the web as soon as I have had time to prepare them and will send you the URL. I will also post some here and relate your dad's encounter with an elephant !!
Doug Grewar
'Skonkwane' is no longer used. We now use the word 'gwaza'
Keith Binns
Yes, it counts as a Mini Middle East Tiyende. Send me a couple of photos for posting
Mwizenge Tembo
A very good and comprehensive account of the Lenshina troubles is 'Blood On Their Hands' by Kampamba Mulenga, published in 1998 by Zambia Educational Publishing House. Kampamba was 15 years old at the time of the troubles and in 1991, after our change of Government, he started his reasearch on the book. It makes extremely interesting reading. If you would like a copy, let me know and I will see if it is still available.
Meg Rybicki
I have not heard of Kevin Leech but shall see what I can find out about him and the charity
Yes, Hector, Evan and one other arrive on 31 January. I shall meet them in Lusaka where they will do some filming. From there I will take them to the Sinazongwe and Livingstone areas. We have worked out a wicked itinerary for them.
Heather Chalcraft, Zambia [ Profile ] [ Contact ] [ Web ]
Tuesday, January 4, 2005 at 13:35:16 (UTC)
|
Doug,
Please keep your Rooster in your pocket for a while, the Monkey still rules the roost until the Lunar New Year in February.
This book may be of interest to GNR members -
Like a River Glorious - G.G.Barnett.
The book was written by a Gavin Barnett about his mother and his own young life in a Mission Station in CHAVUMA, in the North West Province of N.R. His Father, Fred and his Mother, Dorothy, both Australian, joined the Plymouth Brethren, and eventually their calling took them to Chavuma. Dorothy had 4 children, with Gavin being the eldest, and these children were known as MK (Missionary kids). At the age of 5, Gavin's father was taken by a crocodile whilst he was crossing the Zambesi River at the Chivuma Falls, but Dorothy decided to stay on with her four children, all under 5 yrs old. (Gavin was born 1st Jan, 1929, - and is now 'retired' in Cape Town). His descripitions and impressions of very early NR days were very interesting. Things like taking the train from Jo'burg to Livingstone, and then taken a 'barge' paddled by eight men in front and eight men behind with a kapitino to guide the rowers and 'boat', up the Zambezi river to Chivuma - it took 4 weeks to travel!!!. Each night the barge would find a convenient and 'safe' place on the bank to camp for the night. Food for 23 people had to be carried together with bush 'housing' items (Everything for a family and porters to last a little more than 4 weeks!). When Gavin had to go to school - the family was taught by their mother, until each turned 8, he went to their local Mission School at Sakeji - only 2 weeks bush journey away!!!. There were no roads so everyone had to walk, or were carried in Hammocks supported by a Porter in front and behind (Chinese sedan style). School holidays were 'held' at school as the journey to and from home was longer than the holiday itself. Gavin gives a website for his school,
http://sakeji.marcato.org (April 2003).
Hillwood Farm which supplied the school with food has now become The Nchila Wildlife Reserve which has its own website.
http://www.nchila-wildlife-reserve.com/
This has recently been established by Peter, the grandson of Ffolliett Fisher, as the area has become known for its unique species of avifauna and rain forest belt. It is known for its thirty or more unique species.
At school, Gavin had to read a poem for Families Day -
The Sage - by William Makepeace Thackery
(this was put to music twenty years later!)
There lived a sage in days of yore,
And he a handsome pigtail wore;
But wondered much and sorrowed more
Because it hung behind him.
And right and left and round about,
And up and down and in and out,
He turned; but still the pigtail stout
Hung steadily behind him.
And though his efforts never slack,
And though he twist and twirl and and tack,
Alas! still faithful to his back
The pigtail hangs behind him.
Ron Clibborn-Dyer, China [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Tuesday, January 4, 2005 at 13:31:19 (UTC)
|
Glen,
Cut the crap.Surprising you haven't used the phrase "rattling tin coins" regarding the current disaster. You can carry on baiting if you want...I shall leave your postings alone and let you mourn the loss of your "clever" mate Tamm from the board! You appear to have a "problem" with Muslims... there are a lot of anti-Muslims sites on the internet which should offer you comfort. So just dry up and blow away!!
Ayub Ismail Zumla, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Tuesday, January 4, 2005 at 13:15:37 (UTC)
|
Hi Ian Singer
Thanks for the information about Richards. I will try the source you suggested. I am also going to the British Library to look around at her works. I have never been to the British library before so this will be interesting.
Thanks Ian
Chinyerezi Chintu, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Tuesday, January 4, 2005 at 12:14:03 (UTC)
|
Colin, or may I call you Jock - for once you are actually getting close to the truth - the snide remarks Doug gets from the comfortably "resettled" GNR members like John, and that I get from Yunus, Ayub are all aimed so that the real target is moved.
These three poor misguided related individuals try so hard to get attention that they'll not hesitate to resort to "CTT" - Chris Tamm Tactics.
No wait, I'll take that back.
Chris is clever and interesting - he said things that were outrageously offensive - but he spoke his mind honestly.
With these three characters who claim to be related, one never knows. Their postings are often duplicitous and they'll go to extremes to get people to believe that they genuinely care. They sometimes want to give readers the impression that they always know what they're talking about; that they often deserve either credit, applause or recognition for doing things that perhaps their relatives should be credited for. Hey, maybe that's one reason for them claiming to be all related to each other - I really don't know . . . . .
When I meet them one day, hopefully at a re-union, I'm hoping I'll get a totally different impression of them - they'll be just be regular guys and not really what they pretend to be, namely, better than anyone else.
I found it particularly ironic that some one like the obviously patronizing Mr. Parish thinks he can offer criticism when talking about Doug.
So Colin - forgive me for interrupting my posting to you (and the others who may be interested in reading this) here's what I have to say to John re his recent :
“Your remarks stink, have you no feeling inside you at all?
Your profile however sums you up to a tea, I met many twats like you all over Zambia (most of whom iI dealt with severely ) perhaps thats the reason your back in South Africa. No where else to run I trst you had none close to you in Sri Lanka You Bastard.”............
1. “Your remarks stink” – very imaginative John, obviously you’re well educated.
2. “have you no feeling inside you at all?” – what are you talking about John? If you attempting to find out whether Doug has any compassion for those that suffered – just ask him that.
3. “I met many twats” – here you use an obscene expression for female genitals and then you link it the many you met like Doug “all over Zambia” Now, are these the same people to whom you refer when you say in your profile “I made many close friends during my stay both within the expat community and locals.”
4. “most of whom iI dealt with severely” – C’mon John, grow up. Trying to throw down a gauntlet or what?
5. “thats the reason your back in South Africa” – And the reason you’re back in the UK is . . . “due to the political unrest which most of us expected” - you’re not being very original are you. Be honest now. None of the same where you are now? NONE?
6. “No where else to run” – Well, at least you did. Hey John! And thank goodness it wasn’t South Africa.
7. “I trst you had none close to you in Sri Lanka” – what the bloody hell has that got to do with the price of eggs? Approximately 150,000 from 40 countries people perished and as your relative Ayub said, from all kinds of religions. Sadly, mostly Muslim (circa 95,000+) from Indonesia. You’re thinking assumes a trust in that that he had none close to him in Sri Lanka – how the hell would you know? You didn’t ask him?
8. “You Bastard” – Not nice John. You over step the line with some one you’re not close to (i.e. a relative) as a friend when you publicly intimate that his parents were not married when he was born. I think an apology may be in order.
I hope you read this – I also hope you are man enough to take a step back, make another posting and withdraw some of your stupid remarks. Your posting aimed at Doug is largely based on “Your profile however sums you up to a tea”(sic)
Thankfully John, your own profile gives a reader damn good insight as to your character.
Glen Drake, United States [ Profile ] [ Contact ] [ Web ]
Tuesday, January 4, 2005 at 08:09:34 (UTC)
|
HI ELSABE,
It is actually shocking to know that the only reason people remember you is as the Freeman boys who knuckled fought behind the water tank. I have fond memories of B.H. and those incidents were so far and few in between that I really do not remember even doing them.
Yes I remember swimming at Mulungshi canal. 16 mile drift, spending days out at ROB Roys farm,swimming at the swimming pool, going to the Vista Cinama,getting caught and clupped for picking up a stompie at the bowling green with a friend who's Father did not take a liking to it. Fishing at Mita hills, playing snooker while Dad drank at Boons Bar. playing pin ball at Rio Cafe.
And of course going to the sessions where I had a major crush on Anitta Sparks.Hell I hope that is not the way everyone remembered us by.
Regards Syd Freeman.
Sydney Freeman, South Africa [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Tuesday, January 4, 2005 at 06:29:49 (UTC)
|
Ken hit the nail on the head when he used the term "natural disasters" ! Sudden, unexpected, dramatic, always sure to get the media into a feeding frenzy to sell TV, papers, etc etc and grab extra kudas for publicity and circulation numbers which equat to profits ( Never forget the Diana episode when the world supply of paper came to within five days of running out owing to 100 page editions of regular publications plus God knows how many Sups. I remember it well with people buying up to five of each publication for no reason whatsover) as the Mail (UK) got on the band waggon at once with a publicity stunt- fund of famous people donating to their fund, "famous" names published daily. And yet when someone on this site (Doug) have the balls to say what most of us are thinking but dont have the courage to go on record, he recieves abuse and vilification of an extreme nature without any justification whatsoever. I cannot remember any of them posting any concern regarding the man made disaster in Zimbabwe which is ten times worse and growing daily at an alarming rate. Nor do any of the countries, which so ready to give aid willy-nilly around the globe, including the UN, which is un in every sense, show any inclination to aid or try to help the genocidal situation in Zimbabwe.
As I post it is well known that the Green Bombers are only allowing people with a ZANU PF card to recieve food. No card means no food from the Official Grain Marketing Board, end of story and most probably end of life. The obvious conclusion to be drawn is that by enforced starvation to death, in the manner of Stalin in the thirties, all opposition will cease to exist. A long painful, hideous death for those considered to be useless mouths, re Hitler, and irrevelent to the lunatic residing the the Presidential Palace in "Harare" . An awful of the world, whilst gloating over the demise of the white farmers who fed this sad country, forget that 85% of the black population who are really doomed under Mugabe. To take his philosophy to its ultimate conclusion, all he really needs in his kingdom is a few cooks, gardeners, cleaners, whores and slaves to maintain the lifestyle to which he has become accustomed. Natural disasters, I'll admit are very sad and deserve all help available but not to the detriment and total ignorance of the on-going nightmares, such as Zim, by the rest of the world.
Colin Munro, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Tuesday, January 4, 2005 at 04:10:12 (UTC)
|
Linda & Mike Hayes
Happy Anniversary to a very special couple.
With Love and Best Wishes Always
Sandra, Shelley and Craig
Sandra Hooper, Australia [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Tuesday, January 4, 2005 at 03:51:51 (UTC)
|
An interesting article appeared in The Observer, 26.12.04, concerning the fall and rise of a self made millionaire called Kevin Leech. To cut a long article short, he was the l7th richest man in UK in 2002, then went belly up with dotcom shares and a biotech company, and was declared bankrupt in Jersey, or "en desastre" (insolvent) in 2002. He is now working for a charity called "Hands around the World", which is raising funds for Aids orphans in Zambia. Have any of the "guys on the ground", Heather et al heard of him? He says that he has raised £30,000 towards a childrens ward at an unnamed hospital, I would be interested in finding out more, if anyone has any info, pls email me
PS HEATHER, did anything come of the "Hector" program, I didnt get back to the shows producer as I am doing a degree through the Northern Ireland College network and am up to my ears in the proverbial. Ciao, Megs
Meg Rybicki, Ireland [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Monday, January 3, 2005 at 22:07:55 (UTC)
|
Hi Chinyerezi
There are 153 books by Audrey Richards available through abebooks. There is a wide range of prices, even for the same book because abebooks is a worldwide operation involving many booksellers with different pricing views.
http://www.abebooks.co.uk/ (and other countries too)
I have ordered quite a few books from different booksellers through their site and have been very pleased.
Regards Ian
Ian Singer, Scotland [ Profile ] [ Contact ] [ Web ]
Monday, January 3, 2005 at 21:30:29 (UTC)
|
Ron C-D
I see the year of the monkey has ended and the year of the rooster has begun.
Cock a doodle do!
Doug Grewar, South Africa [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Monday, January 3, 2005 at 18:57:26 (UTC)
|
Ayub . . . . . (ahem) . . . . . .
If both John and yourself are part of Humanity and it is the part I'm thinking of . . . . . .
Maybe I'm just glad I missed out.
Glen Drake, United States [ Profile ] [ Contact ] [ Web ]
Monday, January 3, 2005 at 16:28:03 (UTC)
|
Chinyerezi Chintu
You didn’t read ‘English-101’ under Mr Wright’s tutelage at King George V1? He truly was a pedagogue. Without becoming pedantic, do you mean ‘scholastic’ (without the ‘r’) as in ‘academic’?
Just pulling your leg so as you don’t become an old grouch like some others who shall remain nameless.
Good luck for your research. It sounds an interesting, but difficult, project.
Charles Cartmill, South Africa [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Monday, January 3, 2005 at 14:09:59 (UTC)
|
Oh Charles Cartmill
My apologies for spelling your surname wrongly and I noticed I spelt Scholarstic wrongly too. What excuse have I got now? I am for the high jump.
Chinyerezi Chintu, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Monday, January 3, 2005 at 10:25:15 (UTC)
|
Charles Cartmil
Thanks for your comments. Finger must have slipped downwards on the "n". Will do better next time. My French is very scolarstic. The little that I know about Shimwalule is that it is a name given to the keeper of the burial grove where the Bemba chiefs are buried.
The grove is called Mwalule. To be quite honest it is a whole forest near Chambeshi river. Shi Mwalule meaning either the father of, the person in charge of and so on.
I shall follow the line of inquiry suggested by you and perhaps redeem myself ; saving myself from a visit to the headmaster's office! I have also come accross some research work done by a Audrey Isabel Richards (1902 to 1984) a professor at the London School of Economics.
Her work is at the British Lybrary. I am going to have to go there to have a nose. I wish it was on the internet!
Thanks and happy new year
Chinyerezi Chintu, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Monday, January 3, 2005 at 10:21:06 (UTC)
|
Chris and I would like to wish everyone a very happy new year. We have Maeve, Tamara and Ricky Byrne staying with us at the moment (they live in the UK now) and they are enjoying the warmth, blue skies and cleanliness of Perth. A few weeks ago we caught up with Rash and Janet Shah (KPF softball) which was amazing. They live in Sydney but this was the first time we had seen each other since we left Kitwe in 1975. In July we are off to Edmonton, Canada, where Chris is playing softball in the Masters Games and we will meet up with Doug and Monica Gillespe (again KPF softball crowd). We have not seen them since 1975. We will be meeting Craig in Vancouver for a few ales before we go up to Edmonton. By the way Craig thank you so much for all the help you have been giving us re our travels in Canada.
Last year 2004 Chris and I travelled to South Africa where we caught up with my friend Bonnie Frazer (Puma) and her family, Colin and Jan McGregor, Heather and Grant Knowles and Viv, Lorraine and Dave Robbins (bumped into them in Durban shops) and Joan Luck. It was only a week but so wonderful to see everyone after so long. Chris of course went to the Rugby!!!!
Hazel
Hazel Forde, Australia [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Monday, January 3, 2005 at 04:20:07 (UTC)
|
Hey Boet those two are trying to get on your Goat. Brush it off.
Happy new year all
Chris
Christopher Drake, Canada [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Sunday, January 2, 2005 at 23:52:37 (UTC)
|
Doug: Most likely the Tsunami coverage is continuing because the aftermath is changing so rapidly, even as this is posted.The complete death toll may probably never be exactly documented. Please remember that this is one of the most serious natural disasters in recorded history, and while I agree that the reporting seems to smack of "overkill", I for one cannot but feel nothing less than extreme compassion for those unfortunates who have lost the reasons for their very existence. BTW; If you feel so saturated, you can always change the channel. Finally, would you and Mr Parish kindly refrain from any further postings of a vitriolic nature?
Rgds.
Ken
Ken Fernie, United States [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Sunday, January 2, 2005 at 23:23:10 (UTC)
|
Glen
......me to ...I am also related to John and Ayub......Ayub being older than myself.
Yunus Badat, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ] [ Web ]
Sunday, January 2, 2005 at 23:07:13 (UTC)
|
glen,
Yes me and John are related...we are both part of Humanity...pity you missed out!
Ayub Ismail Zumla, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Sunday, January 2, 2005 at 21:23:28 (UTC)
|
Chinyerezi
You probably already have this. Since 1970 I had been looking for a comprehensive account of the entire Lenshina war i.e history, causes, how it was ended as many of my extended family had been on either side of the Lumpa church. I was pleased when I finally found and read: "A Time to Mourn: A Personal Account of the 1964 Lumpa Church Revolt in Zambia" by John Hudson. My son, who was 14 and a freshman in high school at the time, read it on the plane as we flew from Lusaka to London.
Jilly,
Among the Easterners in Zambia and Lusaka Nyanja speakers, a motor cycle is: "Mthuthuthu". I never knew the origin of bicycle in Nyanja or Chewa: "Njinga" as a Fanagalo origin.
Mwizenge Tembo, United States [ Profile ] [ Contact ] [ Web ]
Sunday, January 2, 2005 at 21:00:17 (UTC)
|
Glen
Thanks for your support. I think this John Parish must be a newcomer to our site and has not realized that we jest a lot.
On reflection my joke about people being soon replaced was in bad taste and I withdraw it, but I stick to my grumble about the excessive media coverage.
Cheers - Doug
Doug Grewar, South Africa [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Sunday, January 2, 2005 at 20:55:32 (UTC)
|
John Parish
You have certainly flamed out. You are welcome to your opinion. If you have lost a friend or relative in Shri Lanka you have my sympathy. If not, sod off!
My grumble was about the unending coverage in the media. If I upset any grieving relatives I apologise.
Doug Grewar, South Africa [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Sunday, January 2, 2005 at 20:24:26 (UTC)
|
Doug
The Cathy Buckle letter was circulated via Songbird, 1st Jan. 2005. I also have the Eddie Cross from Dec. 31. I'll send them to you. Mugabe relatively recently announced he will take over the remainder of the white owned farms. I think anyone who stays in Zim who has the ability to get out is a hero.
By the law of averages there are going to be people who read this site who have been affected by the Tsunami disaster. I can see how the media's constant need to replay sensational disaster footage would annoy but it keeps a world tragedy and our part as world citizens in the forefront of our minds. This need is huge and immediate. They need to get food to 1.8 million. Countless more are grieving, or numb with shock. This is one need the world is responding to. I personally feel - let's stay involved.
(Yes, there are countless other needs, Zimbabwe, for instance, where pensioners can't make it and unlucky Africans starve on the streets but many people take the attitude of - ohhh the money won't get through to my intended causes anyway, I won't give, it's hopeless. If you feel that way but want to donate to Zim email me).
Tina Magee, United States [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Sunday, January 2, 2005 at 19:00:34 (UTC)
|
John - Just read your profile and quote . . .
"met and mixed with people of all classes From K.K. Sidney Poitier, Harry Belafonte to my Chief Boss boy."
Aren't you the magnanimous one?
I'm sure all of those you've mentioned are s-o-o-o-o grateful that you allowed them into your life.
By the way, if the Sue de Beer you're looking for is the Sister of Carlyn (Lyn) Merle de Beer let me know and I put you in contact with her.
Glen Drake, United States [ Profile ] [ Contact ] [ Web ]
Sunday, January 2, 2005 at 18:25:51 (UTC)
|
Happy New Year to all on GNR,
Just back from a wonderful 4 days over New Year in Oman and a 1,300 km round trip from Abu Dhabi. Thanks very much to David Hoyle for the hospitality and kindness to me and Diane.
David and I "met" through GNR 30 years after our stay in Zambia so thanks to the web site for that. Does this count as a Middle-East Tiyende? If so, I could post a photo.
Bye for now.......
Keith Binns, United Arab Emirates [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Sunday, January 2, 2005 at 18:07:04 (UTC)
|
John- serious question mate . . . . .
Are you in any way related to Ayub?
Glen Drake, United States [ Profile ] [ Contact ] [ Web ]
Sunday, January 2, 2005 at 17:52:59 (UTC)
|
Doug..
Tsunami COMMENTS.................
Your remarks stink, have you no feeling inside you at all?
Your profile however sums you up to a tea, I met many twats like you all over Zambia (most of whom iI dealt with severely ) perhaps thats the reason your back in South Africa. No where else to run I trst you had none close to you in Sri Lanka You Bastard..............
John Parish, United Kingdom [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Sunday, January 2, 2005 at 17:49:36 (UTC)
|
Nicky
Yes the tsunami victims are somebody’s loved ones, but surely also those people dying in the other places I mentioned are also somebody’s loved ones and very little is said about them in the media.
I just feel it is a bit overdone when 7 days after the event each and every news channels still has the same story running ad nauseum.
Sad view? No, cynical more like it! In my opinion the world is grossly overpopulated and we are using the natural resources far faster than they can be replaced. We are heading for crunch time anyway, unless we do something to control the population numbers. When that crunch time arrives and Mother Nature really hits back, today’s aids, Tsunami’s and other disasters will be like child’s play in comparison.
China is the only country to attempt population reduction with its one child policy. The American government under the influence of religious extremists criticizes this. It also blocks aid to any country that promotes birth control.
Glen
To tell you the truth I am probably bored stiff with all this Xmas and New Years nonsense and am just stirring again.
Charles
Sharp Sharp! Intombi or Intombazani. I like them young! (but legal of course).
Best Regards to you all
Doug Grewar, South Africa [ Profile ] [ Contact ]
Sunday, January 2, 2005 at 17:46:03 (UTC)
|
Charles - before you "khwela intombi" one must "ipi ntombi" . . . . and don't challenge Doug on that one or he'll send you a pic of himself in a "special" T-Shirt.
Glen Drake, United States [ Profile ] [ Contact ] [ Web ]
Sunday, January 2, 2005 at 17:43:12 (UTC)
|
Nicky - yes, the real ones that suffer are those that are left behind who feel the pain.
I think Doug's point was that there are communities that don't exercise birth control and nature, without *reason, can decide to step in and exercise death control.
Perhaps the only postive part outcome of the latest tsunami tragedy which affected 12 nations and is that it brought all nations together in an effort to help each other.
Perhaps this is the *reason that nature steps in?
Glen Drake, United States [ Profile ] [ Contact ] [ |
| |