Journey from Victoria Falls to the Copperbelt

From Great North Road

Once you’ve crossed the Zambezi, you’ll always return.

Back to this country, for it’s beauty you’ll yearn.

How many times has that theory been proven true?

We’ve said goodbye to our friends - packed up, left you.

back to the winding river, in a few years time,

meandering away through country so fine.

The Victoria Falls, with enormous gorges.

Rushing waters come from a thousand rivers.

The rainbow of colours - thunder of the falls.

Excitement watching those solid water walls.

Cruising down the Zambezi on boats with game guards.

Looking out for hippos and crocs in their paths.

Sunsets on Lake Kariba as the birds all rise

over the game that abounds on every side.

A lake that is so big it has waves like a sea

many islands so far out, they’re hard to see.

Sundowners on the terrace - look over water.

Watching the sun’s death at seven and a quarter.

Driving through the escarpment – that range of green hills

which forms real a border between two countries.

Down the vital road link that’s little used now -

(quarrels over things that don’t matter somehow).

Bowling on to Lusaka and the Copperbelt,

cross the Zambezi again while the heat melts.

Arrive in Lusaka at busy lunchtime, see

the streams of traffic in that busy city.

On through the waving maize fields and tall sugar cane.

Up to Kabwe where it’s stacked ready for trains.

A long empty stretch and you then reach Kapiri

- if you blink a lot you’ll miss it completely.

Straight, flat, unending roads to drive ‘till you’re bored.

Then turn at Fisenge to get the right road

you’re on your way to Kitwe – the Rhokana mine.

The Hub of the Copperbelt and town that’s fine.

One of the largest and best equipped mines around

hurling copper-bearing ore up from the ground.

Hidden under the surface the tunnels are huge.

Walls white-tiled and spotless – there is nothing crude.

Perfectly safe, for thousands of workers below

as they step into cages, bravely they go

underground. Trained to seek their country’s life-blood

Working long hours, earn money, buy lots of food

To feed, clothe, keep happy many children and wives

that have gone without –scraped - most of their lives.

Now wages are better – conditions much more fair.

Good health and happiness, no longer so rare.

Neat houses and gardens well tended line the streets.

Shady park-benches for gossipers to meet.

A way of life that can never be compared.

Peace, quiet beauty in the sunshine, fresh air.

Days to laze, lots of time for you to contemplate

How good life can be, well before it’s too late.

Make a point of crossing our Zambezi sometime.

Take long holidays – see this country of mine.

Frances Macaulay Forde © 1973

Contributed by Sue Coughlan