Msasa 120-A4

February - March 2020 Msasa Mail 1/20

Msasa Flame Lily Foundation
Mail
(Incorporating the Rhodesia Association of South Africa)

PRETORIA BRANCH Vol 38
No. 1/20
NEWSLETTER

KNOW YOUR HISTORY

Ever heard of the Cave Commission?

In 1919 the Judicial Commission of Colonies queried the delay in
the Privy Council in Britain advised Parliament. In response, Sir Julian
that if the administration of Southern Amery replied: “The delay is, I think,
Rhodesia by the attributable to the
British South anxiety of the
Africa Chartered Crown to give the
Company should Commission all
be terminated, possible assistance
the BSA in the case.” In
Company should July 1923, the
receive some British
reimbursement Government
for the years of offered the
administration. Company
The Company £3,750,000 in full
claimed nearly settlement,
£8,000,000. £2,000,000 of
Members of the which was to be
Legislative Council, led by Charles repaid to the British Government by
Coghlan, objected. A commission the Southern Rhodesian Government
under Lord George Cave heard before 1 January 1924. Settlers
evidence in London, then moved to thus purchased the right to
Salisbury in September 1919. Its govern the country which had
findings were that the Company should been bought from the BSA
be awarded £4,436,000. In July 1920, Company.
the Under-Secretary of State for the
(Continued on page 7)

Msasa Mail 1/20 2 February - March 2020

MARY’S MEANDER January I have been catching up on all
the tasks I had planned to do between

John and I had a the posting of the Msasa Mail and the

wake-up call on 3 18th December when we were due to

December when he leave for our holiday. This explains why

took me to casualty certain tasks and emails in December

at1MilitaryHospital were delayed.

to have a flesh A big thank-you to everyone who

wound on my hand sent us greetings and good wishes.

seen to. It turned out We have made a breakthrough with

that it had gone pensions. On 5 February we are

septic. After an X-ray I was put on a bed expecting an official from the Zimbabwe

where I soon passed out. The last thing I Consulate in Johannesburg, who deals

heard was the doctor telling John to go with Zimbabwe pensions, to meet us at

home and get my bag. I woke up in a our office. We are hoping for a response

hospital bed 12 hours later, unable to get toourquerieshandedtohiminNovember

out of bed on my own. The good thing was 2019. As this newsletter will have been

that I passed out in front of the doctor and printed and ready for folding and packing

was immediately given oxygen and an on 6 February, we will only be able to

intravenousdripwithantibiotics.Asseveral add any feedback in newsletters that go

body functions had failed, this left me very via email.

weak. With the care of doctors and Finally, the Msasa Mail is routinely

wonderful family support from my distributed to its members by the RASA

daughters Yvonne, who was visiting us at Highveld branch. This issue of the Msasa

the time, and Lyn who took over from her, Mail may also be copied to members of

I was well enough to spend three weeks in RASA Durban until they are ready to

Swakopmund with Lyn and her family. again produce their own Ridgeback

Whilst I was there I was able to regain my newsletter. Welcome on board. I hope

strength and mobility with the aid of a you find this newsletter interesting and

“walker”. informative.

I am now back in the office, if only for With love,
Mary
fewer hours each day.

On 5 December John and the ‘B-team’ “Keeping the Flame alive”

sent off the Christmas newsletters. I am At time of writing, none of the
grateful that the Lord has given me some Post Offices in the Pretoria or
more time to be able to sort out the work Centurion area could provide us
that suddenly came to a standstill when I with stamps for this newsletter.
went to hospital. Since we got home on 8

February - March 2020 3 Msasa Mail 1/20

MEMBERS’ NEWS Christmas and a wonderful year ahead.

This greeting goes with special good wishes

MAILBOX and it is with a great deal of sadness that I

Pensioners read that you hope to “to let go of things”
(I hope only just a little!), and pass it on to

unaware the next generation. Both of you have done

Mrs M writes as so much to keep us, together, informed of
follows: events and to bring those of us living
outside the main population areas of ex
I was running a bit
short of money so I went to Standard Rhodesians aware of the goings on and
Bank to close a fixed deposit a/c and put developments.Sadlyalsoitismyexperience
the money in saving a/c instead. Then that there are few of the new generation in
the lady queried it and said “you have 28 a position and dedicated and willing to take
thousand rand in ordinary savings that on such a task.
was paid into your a/c in August 2019” Sadly also the situation in Zimbabwe
and then told me it had come from appears only to get worse.
Zimbabwe Pensions. I asked her why I Judging from the ex BSAP members
had never been notified and she could our generation is on the decline and there
not give me an answer. But I really is nobody to take over the reins. My

praise God for undertaking for me. I youngsters are in their late 30s and early

noted in the previous newsletter last 40’s and have moved on. When we left

year you said someone from the Pensions Zimbabwe they were too young to know

Office promised to see what he could do and only any ever visited that country on

for us; well praise God whatever he did holidays.

worked. So to yourself and all those that My wife Charlotte and myself left

have laboured with you in this exhausting Zimbabwe in 1981 and sadly we are now

task of our Pensions I want to say may seeing in Bloemfontein and all around us all

God bless you all too from the storehouse that which my parents experienced in

of Heaven for all your hard and faithful Zimbabwe following our departure.

work. (Editor’s note: This widow first Anyway thanks for your assistance,

applied for her pension in 2013 and Happy Christmas & New Year and hope

reapplied in 2016). to hear a lot more of you in 2020.

GREETINGS PS. I was very sad to read in your
previous newsletter of the death of Lu

From Mike Kettle Walters. He was ADC under Alan Wright

A very special Christmas Greetings the DC, in Nuanetsi in 1963 which was my

to both of you. May you have a lovely fist posting after leaving BSAP Depot.

Msasa Mail 1/20 4 February - March 2020

CONDOLENCES Association of the Transvaal (7651)

for many years, serving also for a
GREGOROWSKI, E.S.W. (Bettie). “In period as Chairman. He is survived by
loving memory of our mom, Bettie Eileen and daughters Bridget and
Gregorowski, aged 88yrs, who lived in Karen. [Submitted by Dave Holmes.]
Rhodesia for 56 years and left Bulawayo
after our father Mike passed away in SLATTER, Donovan (Don), passed
2008. She longed to go back and missed away in Pietermaritzburg on 11

her friends so much!! Reunited with our December 2019 after a long period of
dad Mike and Jesus. From her daughter poor health. He is survived by his wife
Deonie and son Cyril and families.” Denise and brother Hugh.

[Submitted by Deonie Harvey (Dee).] OBITUARY

HALL, Geoff passed away peacefully at

home on 23 November 2019, age 91. He Denis Norman 1932-2019

will be remembered by all the ex (See also the obituary published in

Rhodesia Customs and Excise staff The Times (UK) on 17 January 2020)

having worked for Customs from 1946 Denis Norman’s passing has closed a
to1979. A true gentleman. He will be chapter in the recent history of this
missedbyhis3children,10grandchildren country [Zimbabwe]. His career has
and 10 great grandchildren. [Sumbitted been well documented most especially in
by Lindsay and Stu Baisley.]
his book ‘The Odd Man In.’ He was part

HOLMES, John passed away in Fish of a new wave of commercial farming

Hoek on 5 January 2019 after a leadership at a time when it was essential

prolonged illness. He is survived by his for the survival of commercial agriculture

wife Rosalie and four adult children. that all the old shibboleths of the

[Submitted by Skatie Fourie.] Rhodesian Front were swept away. His

LATILLA, Richard John (Dick) passed influence on the political and agricultural

away just before midnight on New life was immense during the time of his

Year’s Eve, after a long illness resulting public service. His original appointment

in organ failure as a consequence of his stabilized the commercial farming sector

contracting the hospital virus Klebsiella. and his next great achievement was

Dick, previously seriously handicapped convincing the Government of the need

as a result of injuries suffered in a car for a pricing policy that took into account

accident many years ago, fought off all the small-scale farmers. Both Ministries

his difficulties bravely and without ever he ran at different times were well run,

complaining, and this continued even fit for purpose and his Ministerial

when he became seriously ill. Dick appointments meant that competent

served the BSA Police Regimental people ran the parastatals under his

February - March 2020 5 Msasa Mail 1/20

purview. He represented this country Condolence (shortened)

abroad wisely and well. In the meantime, Denis took over as Minister of
his interventions of behalf of any number Agriculture at a difficult period when the
of potential miscarriages of justice, while country was recovering from the effects
unsung at the time, meant a great deal to of a bitter civil war during which farmers
those involved. His jovial extrovert were often in the front line and suffered
character meant that he was well suited badly. So, a fair bit of Denis’s time was
to lead the farming community first of all spent reconciling the farmers and
into the new era and then to shoulder the rebuilding agriculture from the ruins.
burden of Ministerial Office. His ability to Through his leadership farmers regained
pursue issues that at the time looked their confidence and the agricultural
insurmountable was legendary. industry saw its greatest growth period in
its history. He also managed to rebuild the
By the time he left office in 1997 trust between the new government and
preparations were being made for the farmers during the difficult dissident period
issuance of Acquisition orders by the shortly after Independence.
Ministry of Lands and by November of
that year a flurry of Acquisitions of Land He has set an incredible example for
orders were gazetted and by 2000 the both the older, and particularly the younger
land grab was under way. Denis Norman’s generation to follow. In his book, which
family were not exempt and ultimately his Jim refers to above, it showed how he
son-in-law and daughter were forced off started from nothing and succeeded in
their farm as was his son. The end of the setting himself up as a successful farmer
dream was in sight and ultimately, he and and businessman. He will be missed but
June left for England in 2002. As a man of most certainly never forgotten. It has
great integrity, he made no attempt at been encouraging to read some of the
special pleading for his family and quietly many recent condolence messages to him
made a new life with June in England. He recently, particularly the one from
is greatly mourned by his many friends President Mnangagwa, as all of them
here and by those in the diaspora and show the greatest respect which is still
fondly remembered by those who had the held of this great Zimbabwean farmer.
honour of working with him during the Our most sincere condolences to his family
exciting and challenging years of early and may his dear soul now rest in peace.
independence of this country. All our Andrew Pascoe
sympathy and love go out to June, Kathy, President, Commercial Farmers’ Union.
Diana, Deborah and Howard and their

families.

Jim Sinclair (Extracted from the Bulawayo Morning

Past President, CFU Mirror, No. 862)

Msasa Mail 1/20 6 February - March 2020

THIS N THAT 5. Also in September 2019, veterans of

Rhodesian and South African Security

Commemorations and Forces assembled at Dickie Fritz to
Celebrations commemorate the 40th anniversary, to and
honour those who lost their lives during

People tend to recall a past event that Operation Uric in 1979.

applies to themselves. To start with, most 6. Rhodesians gathered in their hundreds at

people celebrate their own birthday, wedding Dickie Fritz on 10 November 2019 to

anniversary (especially when ending with a remember loved ones and friends who lost
ZERO), and so on. Then there are events that their lives during the Rhodesian war and in
come around annually when we commemorate defence of freedom in two World Wars, 40
battles, wars, massacres, victories and losses. years after the last Remembrance Sunday
Centenaries get special treatment. ceremony took place in Rhodesia.

Some people tend to forget or see no

significance in these occasions, especially if So,whatcelebrationsorcommemorations

they were not directly involved themselves. can we expect to see in 2020?

Let us take a look at some of the more * 9 February 2020
significant events that have recently taken
Air Rhodesia Viscount Umniati - there
place, or will take place on a 'macro' level.
will be a small intimate gathering to
1. The South African Air Force has just remember the victims of the Umniati at
celebrated its Centenary, being the second
oldest air force in the world. (The British 10:00 on Sunday at the Viscount Memorial
Royal Air Force was the first.) Several in the grounds of the Voortrekker

Rhodesians served in or with the SAAF. Monument. Please bring chairs for your

2. Several heads of state or government own comfort. Contact Marcus Main-Bailey

recently joined with a few remaining for details: [email protected]

survivors on 27 January 2020 to * 10-12April2020
commemorate the 75th anniversary of the
liberationofAuschwitzdeathcampin1945. Rhodesian Air Force 50th Anniversary

3. Today (1 February 2020), the Rhodesian For further details contact Cheyl Grover by

Light Infantry Regimental Association is email: [email protected]

celebrating the Regiment’s 59th ‘birthday’ * 15 August 2020
with a parade followed by a party at Dickie
Siege of Elands River Commemoration.
Fritz MOTH Shellhole.
4. In September 2019, the BSAP Regimental The 12-day long siege, in which

Association (Transvaal branch) celebrated Rhodesians and Australians ‘held the line’

the 130th anniversary of the founding of the in the face of a heavy Boer artillery

BSA Police. The Force was raised to bombardment, took place 4-16 August

provide protection for the Pioneer Column 1900. A new privately-owned museum and

in1890andbecomethemainlineofdefence memorial is situated on a farm overlooking

thereafter. The bronze statue of a policeman the town of Swartruggens in the Northwest

now stands alongside ‘The Trooper’ at Province. Battlefield tours are planned for

Dickie Fritz. this event. More about this in future.

February - March 2020 7 Msasa Mail 1/20

KNOW YOUR HISTORY August 1919, and by Colonel Amery (Under
Secretary for the Colonies) in the House of
(Continued from page 1) Commons in March 1920. Colonel Amery said:—

Native Affairs “I believe this House can with confidence endorse

the very high testimony of Lord Buxton to the
No radical change was made in the system of native administration of Rhodesia and the attitude
nativeadministrationinSouthernRhodesiaduring of the civil population generally towards the
1910–21. The office of Secretary of Native Affairs natives. It is a model, not only in Africa, but for any
was filled by the administrator and in each district part of the world where you have the very difficult
acommissionerwasappointedtodirectandprotect problem of the white settler living side by side with
the natives. The conduct of the white settlers and the native.”
of the Chartered Company towards the natives AnOrderinCouncilwaspassedgivingsanction
was the subject of strict scrutiny. Cases of grave to the Coryndon commission’s recommendations.
injustice had occurred in the earlier history of the
territory and in the period under review further Thechangesitrecommendedweregraduallycarried
charges were brought against the Company in out and gave rise to little friction. Lord Milner

connexion with the rearrangement of the reserves. (then Colonial Secretary) set forth in an official
Settlers complained that certain lands in native despatch that the settlement reached was regarded

reserves were not being beneficially used by them; as final, not only as to the present, but also the
the natives made similar complaints. In 1914 a future requirements of the natives. To ensure them
commission under the chairmanship of Mr security of tenure the reserves were vested in the
(afterward Sir) R. T. Coryndon, then resident high commissioner for South Africa and would be
commissioner of Swaziland, was appointed by the inalienable save for certain limited purposes and
Colonial Office to inspect and report upon the only in exchange for other land.
reserves. The commission concluded its sittings at ThegeneralconditionofthenativesofSouthern
the end of 1915. It recommended that 5,610,595 Rhodesia had distinctly improved between 1910
acres should be assigned as additional reserves or and 1920, and their value as an asset of the country
extensions to existing reserves, but that 6,673,055 became generally recognized. They were not only

acres then included within the reserves were not producers on their own account, but considerable

required for that purpose. The total reserve area purchasers of European goods. They paid an

recommendedwas19,428,691acres,anetreduction annual poll-tax of £1—the only levy made upon

of 1,062,460 acres. The Imperial Government them by the administration. In 1911 several

decided to accept these recommendations in their ordinances designed to secure better housing,

entirety in 1917. There was, however, owing to feedingandmedicalsupervisionofnativelabourers

warconditions,delayinadoptingthecommission’s outside the reserves came into effect. Steps were

recommendations and attacks were made on the also taken to provide agricultural and industrial
Company’s native administration during the training, and to cope with cattle disease in the

greater part of 1919. A Parliamentary White Paper native reserves.

issuedinFebruary1920containedcorrespondence Vaccinationandmedicalexaminationofnatives

between the Aborigines’ Protection Society and applying for domestic service was made

the Colonial Office on the subject. The charges compulsory and the Bulawayo municipality

against the Company were replied to by Lord introduced by-laws providing for a standard of

Buxton (then high commissioner) at Salisbury in housing accommodation for native servants.

Msasa Mail 1/20 8 February - March 2020

Development William H. Milton, a man of great experience

and tact in his dealings both with the white

The outstanding feature of the history of residents and the natives. After over 16 years’

the territory in the period 1910–21 was the service in the territory Sir W. H. Milton resigned

steady growth of political consciousness on in Oct. 1914 and was succeeded by Mr.

the part of the white residents of Southern (afterwards Sir) Drummond Chaplin. But while

Rhodesia. The framers of the constitution of the administrator and his executive could do

the Union of South Africa left open the door much to make the machinery of government

for the adhesion to it of Rhodesia. The ultimate work smoothly, there was no power, locally,

joining of Rhodesia to the Union was taken to shape policy. Disputes arose between the

for granted by most South Africans, but the Company and the settlers, who desired a still

actual formation of the Union in 1910 seemed larger share in the administration. The
to have a contrary effect. It appeared to give controversy became acute in view of the fact
a distinct stimulus to the already nascent that in Oct. 1914, under the terms upon which
desire of the Southern Rhodesians for the charter was originally granted, the Crown
would have the right to revise its terms with
independent self-government. A distinct regard to administration. Sir Starr Jameson,
advance in that direction was made in May Mr. Rochfort Maguire and other
1911, when, by Order-in-Council, the elected representatives of the Chartered Co. visited
members were given a majority of the seats in Rhodesia in 1913, when a further increase was

the Legislative Council, provision being made announced in the numbers of elected members
for safeguarding the interests of the British of the Legislative Council. As to the financial
South Africa Company.
position the directors said that, as “the land

Legality and minerals belonged to the Company,” no

The legal position at that time was that the debt in respect to past deficits would be
British South Africa Co. exercised under its placed on the country when the Company
relinquished its administration. Mr. Maguire
charter sovereign rights subject only to such described the Company’s proposals as a
control as was exercised by the Colonial means for bridging the period antecedent to
Office through the high commissioner for self-government, the ideal towards which, he
South Africa and a Resident in Rhodesia. claimed, the Company was working. In
While the Company’s administrative accordance with the promise given, a
expenditure was by this time slightly exceeded redistribution ordinance was passed, the
by the revenue, there was no means of making elected members being increased to 12, while

good the heavy losses incurred in opening the number nominated by the Company was

up the country save by the sale of unalienated fixed at six. At the general election in March

lands. Of their ownership of the land and of 1914, of the 12 elected members returned, one

their rights of disposal the Company later pledged to support the maintenance—

entertained no doubt and this fact had much for the time being—of the Company’s

influence upon the attitude of the directors. administration, but, the Council declared, its

Sir Starr Jameson, on resigning towards the continuance should not affect the right “at

close of 1912 his leadership of the Unionist any time” thereafter to the institution of self-

party in the South African Parliament, became government.

president of the Chartered Co. and retained In the preparation of this article the writer

that position until his death in Nov. 1917. The is indebted to G. H. Lepper, of the Trade

administrator in Southern Rhodesia was Sir Supplement to The Times.

February - March 2020 9 Msasa Mail 1/20

CONTROVERSY led to believe. The hottest records in the USA
and Greenland were in the 1930s due to a

How well has the media and strong solar cycle. It became cooler from 1940
government informed the public to 1970. This was due to a weak solar cycle. It
about CO2 levels in the air? has again become increasingly colder since
2006 due to another weak solar cycle. The

We all learnt the composition of the air in Sun’s magnetic storm activity has now moved

both primary and high school but because to an extended minimum so the next 2-4

most people don’t use science in their day to maximums are expected to be much weaker

day living, they have forgotten this. than the last few have been. By 2011 the solar

Also, the vast bulk of the population have cycle should have risen half way back to its 11

very little knowledge of science so they find year maximum but it hasn’t! It’s only just

it impossible to make judgements about even started. The last time the Sun acted this way

basic scientific issues let alone ones as was during the Dalton Minimum from 1790 to

complex as climate. This makes it easy for 1830 which produced 40 years of very cold

those with agendas to deceive us by using winterswithsubdued,wettersummersglobally

emotive statements rather than facts. For a - just as we are expiring now. From 1450 -1750

detailed breakup of the atmosphere go to: a more intense Maunder Minimum occurred

h t t p : / / e n . w i k i p e d i a . o r g / w i k i / which caused the Little Ice Age.

Atmosphere_of_Earth#Composition
The climate has always been naturally For details see:

cyclic and variable due to numerous natural http://wattsupwiththat.com/2010/02/02/
driversofwhichCO2isnotone.Overmillions solar-cycle-24-update, and
of years the climate has shown far greater http://www.climatechangedenier.com.au/
changes in the geological record than we have climate-change/another-dalton-minimum/

seen over the last 200 hundred years - and

there was no industrialization back then. The Popular beliefs are not fact ... We were told

very minor variations we have witnessed over CFCscausedtheOzone‘hole’yetafterbillions

the last 100 years have all occurred several of dollars were spent removing CFCs over 30

times even in that short period. Today’s years, the slight depletion of Ozone at the

changesinclimatearecommonandcompletely South Pole has not changed. Scientists now

natural. There are now over 50 books that think it is natural. Popular beliefs are often

provide numerous reasons why man-made basedonblindfaith,ideologyandprofitrather

global warming is false. than proven scientific evidence. History is

The Effect of the Sun on Earth’s climate has littered with popular consensuses that were

long been known. The Sun is by far the major wrong.

driver of all weather on Earth because it is the Source: Gregg D Thompson - Climate

source of all heat and energy. There is Researcher, Astronomer, Business Manager

absolutely no real-world evidence that the and Director of three companies and author

temperature has continually risen as we were of two science books.

Msasa Mail 1/20 10 February - March 2020

The Flame Lily Abridged Gazette

FLAG No. 1/20

Supplement on Zimbabwe

Highlights in November 2019, translating to implied (pre-
ZWL$ base) year on year inflation of 481.1%.

• Approximately 7.7 million Zimbabweans are Grain subsidy retained
food insecure - WFP.
• Cabinet resolved to reverse presidential election Government retained subsidies on selected

running mate clause. goods, including maize meal. Earlier, the 2020

• November 2019 poverty datum line increased national budget had proposed the lifting of such

by 15.7% to ZWL$731.30 per person. subsidies, citing their draining effect on national

• Zimbabwe’s human development ranking accounts. The policy reversal threatens overall

improved by three places to 150/189. policy certainty, though seemingly necessary

• ZSE total market capitalization retreated 5.5% and rational in the context of prevailing drought

to ZWL$29.790 billion in December 2019. and associated food shortages.

Food insecurity Sanctions debate worsening

The World Food Program (WFP) estimates that The 2019 Human Development Index (HDI)

7.7 mn Zimbabweans (about one in two) are food by the United Nations Development Program

insecure, mostly due to drought conditions. The (UNDP) ranked Zimbabwe 150 out of 189

WFP warns that about US$300 million is required countries. In the previous year, Zimbabwe ranked

in aid, as the country faces its worst hunger crisis 153, suggesting a slight improvement in human

in a decade. The risk of famine has been amplified, development. The UNDP classified Zimbabwe

amid concerns the WFP could run out of funding as in the Medium Development category, together

early as February 2020. The Famine Early Warning with Cameroon, while countries such as Rwanda

Systems Network classified Zimbabwe at Phase and Nigeria are classified as Low Development.

Three food crisis - signaling ‘widespread acute Norway leads global development standards,

malnutrition’. being classified as Very High Development.

Drought effects on households are exacerbated The HDI is based on three development pillars;

by broadly challenging macro-economic conditions long and healthy life (measured by life

- characterized by a tight fiscal and monetary stance expectancy), access to knowledge (expected and

towards policy re-balancing. Resultantly, the average years of schooling) as well as standard of

combination of depleting savings, rising consumer living (GNI per capita). The UNDP noted that

prices and dry fields suggests a harsh near-term between 1990 and 2018; Zimbabwe’s life

outlook for the average household. expectancy improved by 3.1 years while expected

Galloping inflation… years of schooling increased by 0.7 years.

Weighing on development though is GNI per
Public service employees threatened industrial capita (standard of living), which shrunk by an
action alleging government’s failure to honor earlier estimated 1.2% over the same period.
promises; particularly citing a ‘festive season cost
of living adjustment.’ Meanwhile, the monthly Constitutional amendment

poverty datum line for an urban family of five The ruling ZANU-PF’s annual conference

increased by 15.7%. Monthly inflation was 17.5% endorsed President Mnangagwa as the party’s

February - March 2020 11 Msasa Mail 1/20

sole 2023 Presidential election candidate. appointment of the Englishman to agriculture to
Meanwhile, the government gazetted the reassure the white community and prove to Britain,
Constitutional Amendment Bill - repealing the Commonwealth and the rest of the world that
sections of the new (2013) constitution on Mugabe was sincere about his declared wish to
Presidential running mates. Resultantly, the Bill nurture racial and political reconciliation in a war-
empowers the president to hire and fire his torn country. “Denis Norman’s appointment was
deputies on various grounds, such as and not inspired,” said John Laurie, one of Zimbabwe’s
limited to physical incapacitation. The Bill is best-known farmers. “He was apolitical and, with
envisioned to go through public consultation, his agricultural experience, he immediately set about
followed by Parliamentary debate in April 2020. the task of building agriculture up to be the leading
Source: Old Mutual Monthly Economic Brief, sector of the country’s economy.” ...
December 2019
Norman soon became one of Mugabe’s most
Athletics Legend Dies respected and listened-to ministers. So much so
that Mugabe entrusted this dedicated white man to
Widely regarded as the fastest man in escort the communist despot Nicolae Ceausescu
Zimbabwe’s pre-Independence era (Rhodesia), around Zimbabwe during his five-day state visit in
Artwell Mandaza, grabbed global attention in 1983. He suggested that the visitor, his wife and
1970, when he became the first African to large group of officials be shown around farms.
break the 10-second barrier after clocking a “Which ones?” asked Norman. “The best,” said
world record-equalling 9,9 seconds in the semi- Mugabe. Norman showed the Romanian one of the
finals of the 100 metres at the South African country’s finest dairy farms. After a thorough
Bantu championships at Welkom, South Africa. inspection of the farm and its immaculate herds,
Ceausescu turned to Norman and said: “I’ll take it.”
The record was disallowed because of a Norman realised that Ceausescu was under the
following wind of 4,27 metres per second (2m is impression a farm would be Mugabe’s way of
the maximum allowed).Although not recognised, saying thanks for the military and other support ...
Mandaza’s 9,9 seconds did make him the fastest Norman passed this particular buck to Mugabe.
man in the world that year, along with Cuban
Pablo Montes while his legal best of 10,2 seconds
put him in joint eleventh in the world for 1970.
He was also Rhodesia's’s first black Sportsman
of the Year, a feat he achieved in 1970 . However,
for all his achievements both locally and abroad,
Mandaza never realised his full potential as
Rhodesia was under sanctions, which effectively
disqualified the pariah state from the Olympic
Games.

Mandaza is also famous for having competed
against a horse over 60 metres at the Borrowdale
Race Course in 1984 as part of a fundraising
campaign for the Zimbabwean team ahead of the
Olympic Games later that year.

Denis Norman Left to right: John Laurie, President of the CFU
with June Norman and Denis Norman who in
Few knew that it was Lord (Christopher) 1981 was awarded the prestigious Farming
Soames, the last governor of Southern Rhodesia, Oscar for his services to agriculturee in
who virtually ordered Mugabe to make the Zimbabwe (Picture courtesy of Alexander Joe).

Msasa Mail 1/20 1 2 February - March 2020

From the word The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my
savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find
protection.

He is my shield, the power that saves me,
and my place of safety.

Psalm 18:2 (NLT))

TAILPIECE / HUMOUR OBJECTS

Ye Olde Librarie To provide or facilitate
residential accommodation for
persons over the age of 60, in
particular for those former
residents of Rhodesia/
Zimbabwe who have settled
legally in the RSA.

With recent events in the Middle East/ To give help in particular to the
Iran in mind - and with acknowledgement aged and the disabled.
to the 700-odd books now gracing our
FLF-RASA Reference Library in Pretoria To preserve the history and her-
- the following spark of history might itage of Rhodesia.
serve as a peace offering:
MEMBERSHIP
“In the 10th century AD the Grand
Vizier of Persia [Iran] took his entire Rhodesians and South Africans
library with him wherever he went. over the age of 18 who subscribe
The 117 000 volume library was to the objects of the Foundation.
carried by camels trained to walk in
alphabetical order.”(Sourceavailable) Single: R80,00 - Couple: R100,00
Subscription to 31 March 2021
Contributed by Phil Garbett,
Hon. FLF Librarian CONTACT PERSONS

EDITORIAL Secretary: Mary Redfern
Tel: 012 460 2066 (office hours)
John and Mary Redfern Fax: 086 648 4794

The views expressed in this newsletter are Chairman: Spyro Blismas
not necessarily shared by the Editors or the Tel: 012 667 6647
Management of the Flame Lily Foundation.
Postal address: E-mail:

PO Box 95474

[email protected]

0145 Waterkloof Website

South Africa www.flf-rasa.co.za

Registered in terms of the Nonprofit Organisations Act, 1997: Reg. No.: 001-747 NPO