51 www.nzira.co.zw
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www.nzira.co.zw 53 After some time, she takes an interest in the carcass, partly spreads her wings, and with her lowered head still 昀氀ushed scarlet and beak open, mantle feathers raised, she bounds into the vultures in her way, which scatter with annoyed squawks. She comes away with a ragged piece of skin. As well as having an impressive wingspan of over 2.5m, that beak is the most massive of any bird of prey. It’s not unusual to 昀椀nd the Lappet-faced Vulture at small gatherings including just a few others of its kind and with various ages of White-headed Vultures, often at carcasses that consist of picked-over remains, skeletons and small items. They are adept at coping with skin, ligaments and tendons with that powerful beak, tough stuff the other vultures don’t eat! But they are dominant and when hungry can wade into the fray and get the meat they want or pirate it from the White-backed, taking their meal away to tear apart at their leisure in the manner of an eagle. he soars on broad, black wings beyond the range of human sight and awareness. Once she descends into the arena of wheeling vultures high above the plain, her larger size catches the eye – then there is the distinct dark underwing pattern with a narrow white wing bar on either side of the head and the white “V” formed by the legs on either side of the body. It can only be our biggest vulture, the Lappet-faced, a name it gets from the folds of skin on its naked head and neck. In lazy spirals, she steadily glides through the hot, powder-blue, October-bleached sky, down towards the garrulous throng of White-backed Vultures raising dust over the mostly-consumed zebra carcass. Those enormous, widespread wings, 昀氀ared tail and down-thrust whitepantaletted legs make the landing of this 7kg bird a dramatic and quite graceful spectacle. She doesn’t seem particularly interested in feeding just yet, but her naked face 昀氀ushes scarlet in response to other adult and immature birds at the scene. The Lappet-faced is suspected of occasionally predating and the White-headed is known to do so, taking small mammals and reptiles amongst other prey. If you are at Mana Pools at the beginning of the dry season, it is worth investigating the shrinking pools and channels on the 昀氀oodplain where these and other vultures, Marabou Storks, eagles and other scavengers and predators gather to prey and scavenge on barbel (cat昀椀sh) in the thick porridge of mud in which they are stranded. Such bounty is also reaped by hyaenas and leopards, should you be lucky and quiet enough to creep up on such a spot unnoticed. Most vultures wander all over the southern African region and the Lappet-faced occasionally turn up on the Mashonaland plateau where they and the Hooded are noteworthy. In the days when private abattoirs were operating, large numbers of White-backed Vultures were attracted to the carcasses left out for them to clean up. On the Trail of Nature`s Clean-up Crew S Article Birdlife Zimbabwe Images Ian Riddell, Dave Rimmer, Roger MacDonald & Turk Pipkin Lappet-faced Vulture Lappet-faced Vulture
54 Issue 14 - 2019 With the chance of seeing a “lost” Rüppell’s Vulture in Zimbabwe feebly 昀氀uttering around zero, the Egyptian Vulture is the next most exciting rarity to 昀椀nd. Like the Palm-nut it is also relatively small and the colouration is similar, being all white in the adult except for wholly black primaries and secondaries; the head, however, is yellow and bare, the bill is very slender and black tipped, and the tail is diamond or spearhead shaped. Records are hard to assess as juveniles and immatures have been misidenti昀椀ed but it has been seen at Haroni-Rusitu, Gweru, southern Matabeleland and Hwange in the past. But the odds of seeing one seem much better lately with possibly two different non-adult birds in Mana Pools and adjacent Zambia in October 2016, sightings of a bird from November 2016 – January 2017 in Hwange, a juvenile in Mana Pools in October 2018, and birds in November 2018 in both Hwange and at Rifa. The juvenile Egyptian can be confused with a juvenile Hooded Vulture – both are dark brown. The pointed tail and narrower wings of the former help to sort them out, assuming the observer is au fait with the much commoner Hooded. While strutting about, you should notice the more speckled or blotchy appearance of the Egyptian and it also has a conspicuous mane of feathers behind the head whereas the Hooded has a ruff lower down at the base of the neck; the adult has pale buffy feathers on the head and neck and when excited the bare skin on the face and neck blushes bright scarlet. The Hooded is often the 昀椀rst vulture to eat at a carcass but is easily pushed aside once the Whitebacked arrive. These “vulture restaurants” were a great boon to all these scavengers and the Featherstone vulture restaurant supported up to seven Lappet-faced. In 2004 there were 昀椀ve Lappetfaced on Crowborough Farm, just west of Harare, with about 130 White-backed. A couple of mangy mongrels acted like hyaenas, snapping at any birds that got too close and keeping the crowd of patient birds from feeding on a dead cow! These days a goodly number of White-backed are found at Norton, with the occasional Lappet-faced (usually immature) cropping up. In August 2018, an immature bird wing-tagged as a nestling in South Africa was seen in Hwange. It had been tracked on its wanderings all over southern Africa, once 昀氀ying up to Chimanimani and back, and in this instance had travelled 760km from Mpumalanga. More astonishing wanderings have been recorded by Rüppell’s Vulture – Shangani had a bird in 1990 and 1992, and an adult appeared at Featherstone in 1997. Being an East African species, we are talking about distances of 1500-2000km! The Cape Vulture used to breed at Shangani but for some reason the cliff colony has failed. Now we just 昀椀nd the odd bird at scattered localities like Mana Pools and the other parts of the Zambezi Valley, Hwange, Matabeleland and Gonarezhou, but it’s all rather a matter of chance. They are also tricky to identify and many a White-backed has been called a Cape! But they do travel, as the others do, and one wing-tagged bird from Blouberg Nature Reserve in the Limpopo Province was spotted in Hwange in 2015 and another South African tagged bird appeared at Rifa Camp, Chirundu. Another rather intermittent vulture is the Palm-nut Vulture. If you really want a good chance of seeing it, you need to stay at Aberfoyle in the Honde Valley. It’s quite a small bird with the adult plumage black and white and has a feathered neck and head, except for some, bare pink skin around the eyes and jaw, but this can deepen to reddish depending on mood. From below, it looks somewhat like an African Fish Eagle, but the white is relieved by black secondaries and tips of the primaries and the tail is black with white tips. Since it likes oil palm fruit, it’s not surprising that its numbers and distribution are greater where the palm grows, but it also eats small mammals, reptiles and frogs, 昀椀sh and crabs, and insects. There are odd records from Hwange, Kariba, Mana Pools, Rifa and Gonarezhou so it’s pretty much a vagrant away from its Zimbabwean core area of Aberfoyle Lodge. Whether it is actually a vulture is another area of debate and it’s usually placed somewhere between 昀椀sh eagles and vultures… Hooded Vulture Palmnut Vulture
www.nzira.co.zw 55 BirdLife Zimbabwe (BLZ) is a locally-based registered, notfor-pro昀椀t Nature Conservation Organisation promoting the survival of birds and biodiversity in Zimbabwe for both their intrinsic value and for the enjoyment of future generations. This is achieved through programs to raise awareness of the need to protect the natural ecosystems inhabited by Zimbabwe`s birds and wildlife which we, humans are an intrinsic part of, through policy, advocacy, education and training. BLZ was set up in 1951 as the Rhodesian Ornithological Society and members started collecting and collating ornithological data into a scienti昀椀c journal called Honeyguide. (Honeyguide has been produced every year since then and the information shared liberally to inform members, school and university students and researchers. At independence in 1980, BLZ became the Zimbabwean Ornithological Society and in 2002, BirdLife Zimbabwe, when the organisation was transformed into a membership-based registered Nature Conservation NGO. BLZ’s work is implemented through seven programmes and four pillars. The seven BLZ Programmes are: Preventing Extinctions; Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBAs); Migratory Birds and Flyways; Invasive Alien Species; Climate Change; Local Engagement and Empowerment Programme and Capacity Development Programme. The programmes are implemented through the following pillars: Save Species, Conserve Sites and Habitats, Encourage Ecological Sustainability, and Enable Positive Change through People, which together form BLZ`s approach to conservation. This Local Engagement and Empowerment Strategy draws from BLZ’s fourth pillar of Enabling Positive Change through People. Africa’s resources are as magni昀椀cent as they are threatened. Development investments are on the rise, and with the continent being a premier investment hub, multi-million-dollar infrastructural investments are fast becoming a feature across the continent; and they are all changing Africa. Unfortunately, some of these changes include biodiversity loss. Biodiversity loss a昀昀ects all of us because when species disappear the value of the places where people live is diminished, and the goods and services that the environment provides – like food, shelter, clean water and recreational space – decline. These places have signi昀椀cantly important value to the local communities living adjacent them. Because of the threats ‘development’ poses, many local groups, individuals and civil society organisations have taken a robust stance, embarking on evidence-based campaigns for a change to the plans of government or the private sector. The ability of these local groups, civil society organisations and individuals at the site level is often limited by inadequate capacity to e昀昀ect change, either due to internal or external factors. BLZ`s Local Engagement and Empowerment programme therefore anticipates to ameliorate these de昀椀ciencies by enhancing competencies for on-site project implementation, promoting the engagement of local communities and individuals interested in conservation activities; linking them with opportunities for e昀昀ective sharing of experience and knowledge; promoting rights of local people to conserve and manage resources sustainably; as well as mobilise resources for local group development, networking and autonomous action. However, they are adept at darting in to pick up scraps and pick between the bones of skeletons with their thin beaks; not that this ful昀椀ls their requirements so they also 昀椀ll their crops rapidly if given the chance of reaching any meat. But the commonest and most familiar vulture is the Whitebacked and their noisy and messy feeding habit, delving into the very innards of a carcass, is what many people unfairly ascribe to vultures in general. A big carcass requires someone to get in there and get their hands dirty – and their faces and necks – and nature has designed the White-backed and Cape for that very job; not everyone can be 昀椀nicky feeders. Adjectives like disgusting and greedy have no place in nature and neither does scavenger have the negative inference we humans like to apply to express our indignation. Scavengers play a very important and necessary role in cleaning up the environment and preventing the spread of diseases – in a day or longer, depending on the size of the cadaver, vultures, lions, hyaenas, jackals and others have returned the messy scene to a more “savoury” state. We are very worried about the decline of vultures these days. Trade, poaching and poisoning of animals have resulted in signi昀椀cant vulture deaths and landed nearly all our birds on the endangered list! Not a good testament to the activities of humans… For further information on birding hotspots around Zimbabwe check out the Birding Zimbabwe tab on www.birdlifezimbabwe.org Egyptian Vulture NZ RA
Shearwater Victoria Falls has hosted over 2.5 million customers since 1982, and has won the Association of Zimbabwe Travel Agents (AZTA) Best Tour Operator an unprecedented 15 consecutive times. With a wide selection of company-owned tours, activities and discounted combination specials, as well as an extensive ground handling service, Shearwater is unrivalled. When it comes to choosing what to do in Victoria Falls, Livingstone or Chobe, look no further – Shearwater has it covered! Tel: +263 83 2844471-3 Cell: +263 773 461 716, +263 712 613 627 Skype: shearwater.reservations Email: [email protected] Memories www.shearwatervictoriafalls.com
www.nzira.co.zw 57 ith so much to do in Victoria Falls, the Zambezi National Park only 15 minutes from the town and upriver from the Falls themselves, is often overlooked. But this 56,000-hectare unfenced national park is a gem not to be missed. Home to lion, leopard, buffalo, elephant, as well as sable, zebra, eland, kudu, waterbuck, impala and giraffe the park delivers on the wildlife. But what sets this park apart is the mighty Zambezi River that marks its northern border, beyond which lies Zambia. It is the heart of the park and draws animals and birdlife to its banks. A walking safari with Shearwater’s pro guide Paul Ngorima is one of the best ways to truly experience the park. Your experience will start when you are picked up in an open-backed safari vehicle from your Victoria Falls hotel and driven to your breakfast spot in the national park. When you arrive at the river, Paul and his team will have a delicious hot cup of tea or coffee, as well as eggs, muf昀椀ns and other snacks prepared for you. Once you have eaten, you will set off on your walk. The walk will take you through the African bush as it comes alive in the morning. Away from the hustle and bustle of town, the only sounds you will hear are the birds and animals waking for the day, as the river rushes by. There is something incredibly special about a walking safari, you are entering a new world, where you are truly a visitor. A good guide can welcome you into this world and give you insights you wouldn’t get from a vehicle. Paul has been guiding in the region for fourteen years and knows the park as well as anyone. Zimbabwean guides are some of the best trained in the world, to get a pro guiding quali昀椀cation normally takes four years and that knowledge, built up over time and experience, shows. Paul knows where to 昀椀nd animals but like the best guides will engage and teach you about the birdlife, fauna, and life of the park as well. Paul will show you what plants you can use if you’ve forgotten your toilet paper, what branches you can use to brush your teeth and how you can tell the age of elephant dung. He will also point out some of the 400 bird species, including the Pel’s 昀椀shing owl, the African skimmer, the collared palm thrush or the lanner falcon, that you are likely to see. The beauty of a walking safari is you often approach animals without them knowing you are there. On numerous occasions guests walk and stand within meters of elephant, giraffe and other animals where they can be observed in their natural environment, being accompanied by Paul. A walking safari is a once in a lifetime, fully immersive bush experience. With the right guide, it is a safe and intimate way to experience Africa and all its beauty up close. On your next trip to Victoria Falls let Paul and his team of guides show you the beauty of the Zambezi National Park. A walking safari is one adventure you will never forget. Shearwater has been operating in Victoria Falls since 1982 and owns and operates a whole host of activities from safaris, to white water rafting, adventure jet boat, bungee, bridge swing, and river cruises. We have you covered. Shearwater also owns and operate Explorers Village a 96 room hotel, only 400m from the Falls. To book your walking safari or any other activity, please head to www.shearwatervf.com or email [email protected] W Article and Images Shearwater Footsteps to the wilderness A Shearwater guided walk
58Issue 14 - 2019 emale, petite, and stern-eyed, Pulane “Pinkie” Nyoni, is not who you’d expect to meet when you ask to see the chef at Matobo Hills Lodge. She is a classic case of dynamite coming in small packages and is a force to be reckoned with, shattering glass ceilings within the food and hospitality industry as she goes along. Bulawayo-born, but raised just about everywhere in the world, Pinkie, as she is known, carries herself with grace, gliding swiftly from one space to the next. She exudes effortless elegance, which comes from being raised in a multicultural home and being unde昀椀ned by the misogynies of the societies that encompass her. Born to a Tswana mother and a Ndebele father, Pinkie spent most of her childhood between homes in Bulawayo, Botswana and the United Kingdom. Exposed to different cultures from early on, Pinkie expanded on her love for culinary arts at a tender age. She started her career as a waitress, at the age of 16, at the Royal Armouries Museum in Leeds, where she was only ever in a male environment. After this, Pinkie worked at Melrose Arch in Johannesburg, at African Pride (now known as Autograph Hotel) under Chef Adrian whilst studying towards her diploma at the International Hotel School. This gave her both a good grounding and the drive to further her studies. After completing exams, Pinkie started work at Café Noir in downtown Johannesburg, in the Marshall town district. After 昀椀nishing her contract at Café Noir, she moved back home to Zimbabwe and started her private chef business, called PD Dining, until she was hired at Matobo Hills Lodge this year. Pinkie loves her job at Matobo Hills and the opportunity it offers her to meet and cook for the many different cultural groups that visit. She has now been involved in the culinary arts for three years and a total of 16 years in the hospitality industry, where she started out as a waitress. This industry is notoriously male dominated and Pinkie recalls how, growing up, she had never encountered a female chef. This led her to enter the industry at a later stage in her life as she had to 昀椀rst “grow a thick skin” to be able to handle the industry. “It is not a job for the light hearted,” Pinkie says, “because it is tough and you have to be absolutely sure if it’s what you can do with expertise, because the industry will push you out, and the clientele are also quick to leave a place if they are unimpressed.” Her style of cooking is unique to her life experiences. She does a lot of comfort cooking as she often cooks for her family. Her dishes are inspired and usually tailored towards her family’s favourites, and yet the resulting dish comes together to appeal to everyone. Furthermore, Pinkie treasures her plating skills, as she 昀椀rmly believes her dishes tell a story to the recipient - even when there is no story behind it. Her cooking, also inspired by her moods, is always an experiment and a beautiful surprise to both her and the guests. She especially loves using game meat, which is in abundance at Matobo, and she has made various experimental meals from this. Nothing makes her happier than watching guests enjoy these meals - giraffe cottage pie and ostrich lasagne, to name but two of her dishes. Advance notice of special dietary requirements is a must in Pinkie’s world, and there is always need for a chef to have a backup plan in case a diner forgets to mention their special requests earlier. It can be potentially dif昀椀cult having to juggle client requests, where on a set meal, a guest will mention last minute, for example, that they are gluten intolerant, after a dessert, baked with 昀氀our, is already in the oven. Other challenges include the fallacy that it’s a glamorous dream job. Being a chef takes hard work, long hours and determination. Pinkie insists that it has to be more than just an income generator; it must be a true passion. Hearing the guests send their “compliments to the chef” is something she lives to hear. Chefs are often the unsung heroes of the hospitality industry and moments like this make her work worthwhile. F Chef Pulane “Pinkie” Nyoni Cooking – Reaching New Heights Article Chelsy Maumbe Images Chelsy Maumbe & Pulane Nyoni Follow her on instagram; pddinning NZ RA
59 www.nzira.co.zw Chef’s Recipe - Flavour Filled Goat Curry Ndebeles are known to be meat lovers, so I saw it be昀椀tting to add my dad’s favourite meat dish, that I cook every time I am home. It’s a 昀氀avour 昀椀lled goat curry. Works great for meal prep and leftovers can be frozen! Prep Time 30 mins Cook Time 60 mins Serves 4-6 people Total Time 1hr 30mins Instructions 1. Heat olive oil over medium heat in a 4 L or 4 quart pot. 2. Add the goat meat, and cook, stirring occasionally, until browned. 3. Transfer to clean plate and add more olive oil to the pot if necessary. Add the onion, and cook until soft (5-7 minutes). 4. Add the garlic, ginger, spices and salt. Cook, stirring frequently for one minute. 5. Add the hot water or stock and scrape up anything stuck to the bottom of the pot. 6. Return the goat meat to the pot and add the diced tomatoes and carrots. 7. Cover and bring to boil, reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes, or until the meat is fall-apart-tender. Stir occasionally. 8. Stir in the green beans and lemon juice and allow to sit for a few minutes, until the beans are slightly soft. 9. Serve with rice or naan bread. Ingredients 1 tablespoon olive oil 2kg goat meat (cut into 1-2inch cubes) 1 onion (chopped) 3 cloves of garlic (minced) 1 inch ginger (roughly 1 tablespoon; 昀椀nely chopped or grated) 1 tablespoon cumin 1 tablespoon curry powder (I used mild curry powder) 1 ½ teaspoons garam masala 1 ½ teaspoons ground coriander 1 teaspoon salt 500ml of hot water or vegetable stock 1 can diced tomatoes (540ml; includes juices) 2-3 carrots (peeled and sliced) Storage Store in the fridge for up to 4 days or the freezer for up to 3 months. After cooking 1 ½ cups green beans (fresh or frozen) optional ½ lemon (juiced; 2 tablespoons) Rice (to serve) Recipe
60Issue 14 - 2019 Most people enjoy time in the sun, especially whilst on holiday in Africa but sometimes we can be over exposed to the sun’s rays. It is very easy to underestimate the time spent in the sun and only realise later that you have been burnt. The sunburn can be treated, but it is important to avoid because it can increase the chances of skin cancer developing later in life. Cool the skin by sponging with water or have a bath/ shower – applying a cold compress to the affected area may also help. Avoid all sunlight and cover up the affected areas until the skin has fully healed. Contact your GP if : •The sunburn is over a large area. •There is blistering or swelling of the skin. •You have chills or a high temperature. •Symptoms of dizziness, headaches and feeling nauseas. (possible heat exhaustion) Drink plenty of 昀氀uids to bring the temperature down and prevent dehydration. Apply water based creams to keep the skin cool and moist. If necessary, take painkillers such as ibuprofen or paracetamol. 1 4 5 6 2 3 Below are some tips on how to treat mild sunburn. Heat exhaustion causes extreme tiredness as a result of a decrease in blood pressure and blood volume. It is caused by loss of body 昀氀uids after being exposed to heat for a prolonged period of time. If you suspect you have heat exhaustion you should go immediately to a cool place and drink plenty of water. Remove excess clothing and you should start to feel better within half an hour with no long term complications. Immediately move the person to a cool area. Increase ventilation by opening windows or using a fan. Give water to drink – but do not give medication such as asprin or paracetamol. Shower skin with cool but not cold water (15-18C) ; alternatively, cover the body with cool damp towels or sheets. If you suspect heatstroke you should Heat stroke is more serious and occurs when the body’s temperature becomes dangerously high. The body is no longer able to cool itself and starts to overheat. Young children, the elderly, people with diabetes or kidney, heart or circulation problems are at more risk of developing heatstroke. Signs of heatstroke include dry skin, vertigo, confusion, headache, thirst, nausea, rapid shallow breathing and muscle cramps. Suspected heatstroke should always be regarded as an emergency, and you should get to a Doctor or Trauma Centre. If left untreated, heatstroke can lead to complications, such as brain damage and organ failure. It is also possible to die from heatstroke. 1. Stay out of the hot sun, particularly between 11am and 3pm. 2. Walk in the shade, apply sunscreen and wear a hat. 3. Avoid extreme physical exertion. 4. Have plenty of cold drinks. 5. Take a cool shower, bath or body wash. 6.Sprinkle water on skin or clothing, or keep a damp cloth on the back of your neck. Tips to avoid the risk of getting heat exhaustion and heatstroke Ace Medical Advice Heat Exhaustion & Sunburn
61 www.nzira.co.zw Road Trip essentials that make a di昀昀erence Licence, registration, a copy of your car insurance policy and the relevant contact numbers Do NOT leave home without them. They are the ultimate road trip essentials! Hopefully you won’t need to use your insurance, but keep a copy in the car just in case. A full Gerry can, your car’s manual and a spare tyre. You never know what light might refuse to turn off when you’re out of Wi-Fi range! – and always check if the tyre you have is in good condition before you set off. Roadside Emergency Kit This car emergency kit contains Battery Booster Cables, 2 Light Sticks, Re昀氀ective Vest, Emergency Rain Poncho, Warning triangle, Whistle, Tyre Pressure Gauge, Window Breaker, Torch etc. This all-in-one kit has you covered for any possible eventuality. Paper maps Paper Maps – because there isn’t cell service everywhere (if there was, you could easily rely on Google Maps). Spare money Cash is still king in some places – and in particular for parking meters and road tolls! First aid kit with Pain killer and anti in昀氀ammatory medication Basic supplies such a band-aids, bandages, antiseptic and safety pins can be invaluable when the closest town is 100km away! Moreover, being in the car with a headache and/or muscle strain/injury is neither fun nor comfortable. Bug Spray Bugs in the car are not fun and essential on a summer road trip. Umbrella To be honest, having one of these in the car – regardless of destination – can only be a good thing! Phone chargers/USB chord A portable charger is essential. Even when you are not going on a road trip! The ideal road trip playlist Think rock and roll classics and sing-alongs and belt out your favourites at the top of your voice! It’s one of my top must have essentials for a long car ride and you can even throw in some audio books for a bit of variety! Your favourite camera + charger Have a Go to Favourite camera for travel and also make sure it is handy with all its accessories. A good book or two Depending on how long your journey is, but not good for those who are susceptible to car sickness. Travel Games Perfect for family road trips to keep the kids entertained when there is a lot of time in the car! (Family Travel) Sunglasses Driver or Passenger, nobody likes to squint when they’re in the car. Blanket and Travel Pillow For cosying up during a daytime nap, using as a picnic blanket or for extra warmth should you get stranded somewhere after the sun goes down. Warm people = Happy people. And if you’re planning on sleeping in the car, sleeping bags wouldn’t go amiss! Travel Mug and Large Reusable Water Bottles Great for hot and cold drinks, and with a seal-able lid to avoid spillages. Reusing your water bottle is better for the environment. Extra Jumper/Wrap Back on the warm and comfortable thing again, but I do hate being cold. And an extra layer doesn’t take up that much room. Reusable Shopping Bag For popping to the shop whilst on the road – avoid using unnecessary plastic bags and pack a reusable one. They fold up small and can be thrown in your handbag after your road trip for everyday use. Suitcase Stories Article Chelsy Maumbe
62 Issue 14 - 2019 Book Review By Chelsy Maumbe Borrowdale Branch: Open daily including public holidays 7:30am to midnight. 1 Borrowdale Lane | Borrowdale | Harare | Zimbabwe Tel: +263 4 882 228/ 886 922-3 | +263 783 910 004 Airport Branch: Open Monday to Friday 8:30am to 5:30pm Saturday & Public holidays 8:30am -12:30pm. Sunday closed. Tel: +263 4 575 630/ 575 640 | 08677107409 [email protected] | facebook.com/whitecrosspharmacyzw The Long Grass Whispers, The Hunter’s Cave, Where The Leopard Passes, The Singing Chameleon Geraldine Elliot An anthology of Ngoni African folk tales, these books contain short stories of jealousy, greed and indeed all the emotions that af昀氀ict the human condition - but, these are tales with a twist as they are all about wild animals: meet Kalulu the rabbit, Kamba the tortoise and a host of other characters. In the rich and timeless tradition of oral storytelling, these stories have been passed down from one generation to the next. Now, recorded in print, they tell of relatable human emotions and are entertaining reading for both adults and children alike, a must read for anyone who has grown up in Africa. Rules Of The Wild Francesca Marciano Set in East Africa, this story is one of love and loss. Examining the lives of a tightly knit group of expatriates living in contemporary Kenya, the novel dwells on the life of the central character, Italian-born Esme as she struggles to make sense of her identity and her own place in Africa. Esme is torn between her love for second generation Kenyan Adam, who shows her the beauty of the remote wild spaces of the country, and Hunter, a cynical, jaded British journalist stationed there. This novel is haunting, evocative and beautifully written. Treatment of the characters by the author is sensitively handled, as is the theme of the search to 昀椀nd a place to call home.
SABLE PRESS HALF What to expect A modern clean and well appointed house with large windows and sliding/stacking beach front doors. All 5 bedrooms have air conditioning, en-suite bathrooms,hair dryers and fitted wardrobes. The 6th is a bunk room with 3 bunks,also air conditioned & attached is a crib with changing table,Mosquito net attachment for the crib,high chair feeding table & moveable stairs barrier. The main bedroom's bathroom has a bath & large shower. The kitchen is well equipped with two Minus 40 fridges, 2 additional stand by fridges (1 has icemaker),stand alone ice maker,chest freezers,dishwasher, washing machine and tumble dryer. There is a gas stove / oven. The property comes with a large braai & Weber BBQ. From the veranda you can see the start of the bazaruto archipelago with Paradise Island and Bazaruto Island in view. During the right season you are also likely to see whales, dolphins and turtles when out at sea. The property overlooks the Indian Ocean with amazing sun rise views. No internet/wifi provided; however there is a vodacom aerial near the house which provides good cellular and data signal. Guest access The property can be accessed by dirt road behind the dunes and it is a short 8 minute drive from the centre of Inhassoro. The road from Inhassoro is unpaved 4x4 vehicle recommended GPS co-ordinates Latitude -21,5813 Longditude 35,2460 Guest services There is a management team available that service the house. They can be called when needed. Management can ,sometimes, arrange extra services, such as home help, cleaners, maids etc at an additional cost.Its recommended you inform them if required early as it's not always available. Please ensure you get a quote for these services. Sue Dunlap - [email protected] +25 88 4300 5592 Debbie - [email protected] +25 88 4417 8388 Other things to note You can hire boats from local companies in Inhassoro which are ideal for day trips to Paradise Island and the Archipelago. This is perfect for deep sea fishing, snorkeling or scuba diving if you have the equipment. We recommend MARLIN FISHING CHARTERS (Charles Lee - +25 88 4706 6784) who have competitive rates. Weblink: https://abnb.me/FpCBgse3NP What to expect Guest access Guest services Sue Dunlap Debbie Other things to note Charles Lee https://abnb.me/FpCBgse3NP Mango de Tzondzo Email :- [email protected] Tel :- +27 790 390 824 MOZAMBIQUE
64Issue 14 - 2019 Mobile 0784486295 | Email [email protected]
65 www.nzira.co.zw ACROSS 1.Tried National Trust initially to get this three pronged spear(7) 5. Keep us tied to the seabed (6) 9. He held up the world so travellers could look through its pages(5) 10. A country full of silver (9) 11. As glee becomes birds (6) 12. Ha! Fool! You’re back for scrubbing (6) 15.Sing to sleep on Broadway (7) 17. Not Tolkien’s Middle-earth (7) 18.No basic US biscuit brand (7) 20.Pakistanis hack air in this city (7) 22.This nut won the Fifa World Cup 昀椀ve times (6) 25. Two gentlemen from this Italian city (6) 28. A blunt oar to row to Mongolia (4,5) 30. In big Emma you’ll 昀椀nd the actress, Jones (5) 31. A chance to watch and photograph big game (6) 32. Fossey’s silverback (7) DOWN 1. Tourists and others do this (10) 2. Moving abroad without a passport is illicit (7) 3. This clue can come after (5) 4. England’s favourite cuppa (3) 5. This spiritual being is a vital part of Los Angeles (5) 6. He agrees in unity (9) 7. Find a wok in a Japanese island (7) 8. A tax on a container (3) 13. Pretty Roman holds a beginner (4) 14. Dad is a Abba fan in Ethiopia (5,5) 16. To assume you know the answer makes a donkey of you and me (3) 17. Create (4) 19. Eden is where I dream of Jeannie (7) 21. A honey meadow in County Tipperary (7) 23. You might see one on 30 (5) 24. Italian hotels provide these (5) 26. This composer could be regal (5) 27. It’s wheels go round and round all day (3) 29. This scrap of cloth with time became popular with jazz bands (3) 3 5 1 8 7 6 4 7 1 7 9 5 4 8 4 2 6 3 2 1 3 7 1 4 6 5 6 5 9 7 ACROSS 1. Trident 5. Anchor 9. Atlas 10. Argentina 11. Eagles 12. Loofah 15. Lullaby 17. Midland 18. Nabisco 20. Karachi 22. Brazil 25. Verona 28. Ulan Bator 30. Gemma 31. Safari 32. Gorilla DOWN 1. Travelling 2. Illegal 3. Ensue 4. Tea 5. Angel 6. Concorder 7. Okinawa 8. Vat 13.Tyro 14. Addis Ababa 16. Ass 17. Make 19. Barbara 21. Clonmel 23. Zebra 24. Letti 26. Elgar 27. Bus 29. Rag SOLUTION Crossword by Marry-Anne Sudoku Dif昀椀culty Medium Games
66 Issue 14 - 2019 The Bark of the Urban Baboon F Article and Images MAFUNGI ire! The very word, simple though it is, is enough to engender fear or excitement into our lives. And comfort, too. Who can forget the warmth that a home 昀椀re, correctly burning in a purposebuilt 昀椀replace, can bring to a family, toasting marshmallows, during the cold harsh months of winter? I can clearly remember to this day, the time that I burnt down my father’s farm and a couple of neighbouring ones as well. Luckily, I didn’t burn any buildings, just all the grazing, the surrounding hills and, of course, the many trees that did not survive the con昀氀agration. Today’s politically correct way of dealing with such errant children did not apply back then. A severe whipping was the inevitable result. The 昀椀re started so suddenly. We were roasting some dry maize kernels on a piece of 昀氀at tin on a little 昀椀re we had built in the middle of the farm road. The 昀椀re was going out and I grabbed a handful of thatching grass to add before the 昀氀ames died out completely. With one gust of wind, whoosh!, and the 昀椀re was on its way. We had to run and so, too, did the 昀椀re, uncontrollably, until it had exhausted itself on the hills around us two days and some 2 500 hectares later. I remember the fear I felt probably more than anything else. There was no hiding from this little problem. When you were in trouble, my father would polish his spectacles before applying corrective measures. That day they were sparklingly clean. So, these days we are extra careful about 昀椀re. When we bought our family home in 1980 and enjoyed the 昀椀rst winter nine months later, we were fastidious about putting out the 昀椀re. We would pour water on it until it was well and truly dead. Maybe the lesson wore off on our kids as none of them followed in my footsteps. In fact, we have not had an uncontrolled 昀椀re on our property for the subsequent 39 years to date. However, in nature, 昀椀re has its place. I don’t mean the rampant 昀椀res that we see in this part of the world as the tall indigenous grasses mature and dry and are burnt deliberately to encourage new grass growth, or worse, to drive out small wildlife and make it easier for poachers with their dogs to hunt down or dig out, the hares, rats and mice that normally live in the dense undergrowth of a natural grassland. Fires can come in many forms. The 昀椀erce out-of-control ones that can sweep all before them are well known to us. And ours are not as bad as those you get in the eucalypt forests of Australia, for instance. There, dryness and volatile oils in the vegetation make for truly frightening events. A couple of years ago, we were camping in a dense natural forest in the Chimanimani Mountains and when breaking camp in the morning, we found that the thick soft 昀氀oor of the forest had ignited and was slowly smouldering. We had very little water and there was none nearby and it was with some trepidation that we left the site, the 昀椀re still burning deep underground despite being covered with rocks. Thankfully, the forest survived. Fires of course do not only occur in obvious places and materials. Families and friends can have 昀椀res slowly burning away and if left untended, they can engulf lifelong relationships. While we can all easily start a 昀椀re, perhaps the greatest skill we can have is knowing when and how to douse the 昀氀ames. Acting promptly is almost always the best way. In these trying times in Zimbabwe, there are 昀椀res everywhere and we each have a collective responsibility to keep our eyes and ears open and be ready to put out the 昀椀res before they engulf us all. Just like the family of baboons pictured above left, taken at Chitake Springs near Mana Pools. They are sitting tight, in the comfort of shade, but everyone is on a state of high alert watching for the bush to erupt with hungry predators keen to douse their own 昀椀res of hunger in their bellies. NZ RA Bark of the Urban Baboon
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