Beware!

Comment from a Reader


Hi All,

A couple of weeks ago we placed ads seeking a house to rent. We were contacted by people claiming they had a house to rent in Twickenham Dr, Mount Pleasant. We arranged to meet with them and were shown the house which we loved. We met up with them the following Monday and signed a lease and paid them the deposit and have not heard from them since. We have since found out that they DID NOT EVEN OWN THE HOUSE! Please be advised that it’s a group of four people (2 males and 2 females) all very well dressed and articulate and very confident whilst showing us around the property. The chances of us getting our money back are slim but we’d feel a lot happier if we can prevent this from happening to anyone else!

We have the following details :
They drive a white Toyota Corolla/Sprinter

Four people claiming to be siblings

Using the surname MUCHENA

Using mobile numbers : 0778 655 859 / 0772 554 046

They have an ID of a ROSEMARY MUCHENA which we suspect doesn’t belong to them (ID # 63-1098655 Y 50) and she claims to work at the UN.

They use the address of 46 Tomlinson Ave in Gunhill as their “home” address which doesn’t actually exist – we checked!

Please please do take care, when we reported this to the police, they told us that we were not the first to make such a report so obviously this scam is working well for them! Take every precaution when viewing properties privately and get as many details as possible such as licence plates of vehicles and even take pictures with your phone if you can!

We really hope this doesn’t happen to anyone else! If anyone is contacted by them please do let us know so that we can pass info onto the police in the hopes of catching them!

Watch out!

On Thursday the 19th of April, I parked my car in George Silundika Avenue between Angwa and First Streets, on the north side of the street just before Executive Chambers. I have a Shurlock alarm system which I activated.


When I got back to the car, I opened the door but was unable to get the car started as the remote to release the alarm lock would not work. I then had a number of “pavement mechanics” stop to help me – I went and bought new batteries for my alarm remote, we tried jump starting from another car but nothing would get it started. My car is an automatic and was in “park” so we could not push it. After 3 hours spent in the street, a friend of mine went and collected the technician from the alarm company and he came and immobilized my alarm. I was then able to get it started.

I was told by a couple of people in the street that the booster on the top of Executive Chambers put there by PowerCell was the problem. However, I am told by my alarm installation company that it was not put there by PowerCell but by government (what for?) and that Potraz have given them the same frequency used by certain car alarms. As a result of this and complaints by customers, I understand that there is to be a meeting between Potraz and the car alarm companies to try and resolve the problem.

I have now had to have something installed that I can use to override my alarm should I be caught in the same situation again.

I think this information should be made available to people so that they are aware of what to do when their alarms are frozen in town.

Regards

R

Notices

Cautionary Statement: Please be advised that Nuffield Funeral Home is in NO way associated with Francis Hamer-nel. He is not employed by us nor is he an agent for Nuffield Funeral Home. For any queries or assistance please contact Ray Monson 0774 845 387 or 04 793545. monsonlm@yahoo.co.uk


Bobby Ervine Wake: Informal Irish Wake @11.45am Fri 27/04, to celebrate his life. at Main Club house, Old Georgians, cnr The Chase & College Rds, Groombridge, Harare. All Family & friends welcome.. (cash bar available) Wear happy clothes & bring hats! pembs@mango.zw

Death Notice Charles Frederick Des Tombe (Snr): Died peacefully at his home on Monday 16th April 2012, aged 84 Years. A dear dad to Rien & Kim, Charles & Pat and Paul & Kathy. A dear Oupa to Nikita, Daniel, Samantha, Benjamin, Sacha, Julie & Emma. We will love and miss you forever. A Memorial Service is to be held at St. Columba’s Presbyterian Church, Mutare on Thursday 26th April at 11 am. All Welcome. Charles & Pat 0778658547 or 0772730755 charlespat@zol.co.zw

Thank-you: The Harrison family would like to thank you all for your condolences, love and support at this very very sad time in our lives. We would also like to tell you that Worm Man is still in operation and that we have lovely compost for sale. Joan Harrison email eric@bsatt.com phone 0774 735484 or 0773 808106.

For those travelling to SA

PLEASE NOTE! A MASS SHUTDOWN OF THE GAUTENG FREEWAYS IS HAPPENING ON


WEDNESDAY 25TH APRIL 2012. LARGE TRUCKING AND LOGISTICS COMPANIES ARE

PLANNING TO BLOCK OFF ALL MAJOR INTERSECTIONS AROUND GAUTENG. BOTH

DIRECTIONS WILL BE AFFECTED. THE COMPANIES AIM IS TO SHUT DOWN

GAUTENG FOR THE DAY, THUS CREATING HOURS OF TRAFFIC BACKLOGS AND

BILLIONS OF RANDS IN LOSSES. THIS, THEY HOPE, WILL SHOW THE

GOVERNMENT THAT THEY CANNOT JUST DO WHAT THEY LIKE AND THAT THE TRUE

POWER OF THIS COUNTRY DOES NOT LIE IN THEIR HANDS. PLEASE STAY OFF

THE HIGHWAYS ON THIS DAY OR BE PREPAIRED TO SIT IN TRAFFIC THE WHOLE

DAY... THE MAJOR INTERSECTIONS THAT WILL BE AFFECTED ARE: FLYING

SAUCER - PTA (N1/R21) BRAKFONTEIN - PTA (N1/N14) PROEFPLAAS - PTA (N1/

N4) GILLOOLYS - EAST RAND (N3/N12)?RIETFONTEIN - EAST RAND (N12/R21)?

AIRPORT - EAST RAND (R21/R24?? BUCCLEUCH - JHB (N3/N1) READING - JHB

(N12/R59) ELAND - JHB (N12/N17/N3)?CROWN - JHB (M1/M2) GELDENHUYS -

JHB (N3/M2)?10) PERSONAL COLUMN

Bobby Ervine

Death – Bobby Ervine: After a long 6 month struggle in ICU in a coma Bobby Ervine finally gave up the battle on Easter Sunday. Barbi his wife is looking for a cottage to rent with her precious dog – minimal rent please as she has had such enormous medical bills.  0772236006.  She also had to feed bobby with meal supplements whilst in hospital which she had to get from SA and now has 6 tins she needs to sell please.  They are a good brand Lifegain Advanced, 1KG tins x 6 at $40 each.  comfihome@zol.co.zw

Zesa under fire for excessive tariffs

http://www.theindependent.co.zw/

Friday, 13 April 2012 09:53
Chris Muronzi



ZESA Holdings, which now has a notorious habit of sending customers
disproportionately huge bills and cracking down on the poor while allowing
VIPs to consume electricity without paying, has come under fire from the
Competition and Tariff Commission (CTC) for its exorbitant charges not in
line with services the utility is offering.An anti-monopoly investigation by the CTC unearthed excessive pricing of electricity by Zesa which the commission feels has a direct adverse effect
on the operations of businesses in the country and on consumers’ disposable
incomes.
The CTC launched an investigation into allegations of abuse of monopoly in
the production and distribution of electricity by Zesa and its subsidiaries
Zimbabwe Power Company and the Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and
Distribution Company ZETDC. Although it charges are exorbitant, Zesa’s
services are unreliable.

Among some of its findings, the commission unearthed that the pricing
formula used to calculate the price of electricity did not inculcate
discipline of efficiency, and the cost of sales comprised both power costs
from local power stations and imports.
The investigation also observed that the figure representing the imported
power component in the calculations was much higher than the actual costs
because it was based on budgets and estimates were consistently used evenwhen actual contract supply prices had been concluded.

“Operational costs have a very high fixed proportion with salaries as a high
component,” the report reads. “A more detailed study would show the
activities which caused these costs and the value they bring. The impact of
business culture on cost levels is also not known as this tends to lead to
high costs where transparency is weak.”

“It was evident during the investigation that assets are operational below
capacity, the calculation includes all fixed assets yet there was some under
utilisation of the assets.”
The commission says from its findings, only 47% of established capacity was
being utilised by Zesa.

“The use of low load factor in calculating the unit cost of power has the
effect of increasing the unit price charge. This is not in line with best
practice,” the report says.

Apart from this, the commission also noted Zesa was not able to account for
the quantity of power lost during transmission and distribution.
The report says an analysis of transmission and distribution losses showed
material losses ranging from 20% to 24% of power supplied.
“The normal acceptable loss should be 10%. This was explained as being
attributable to old transformers and power thefts that are not registered in
meters,” the report says.

“An analysis of cash received by the generating companies and how it was
applied is quite revealing. For the 18-month period which was covered by the
investigation, it was observed that most of the cash received was spent on
Hwange operations even though there was no performance. It would seem the
organisation was allocating cash to cover fixed costs, mainly human
resources related costs even though electricity generation was not taking
place at a reasonable level.”
The report recommends that tariff levels be determined on the basis of what
the market can realistically pay for. It also says the tariffs industry and
commerce pay should also be affordable to enable economic recovery.

“It is recommended that pricing of services should be decided on a policy
basis and not left to the companies and organisations on their own,” it
indicates.
“The fact that the organisation can send bills every month which are known
to be higher than incomes of their consumers, and may not necessarily be
recoverable, should raise concern. It is notable that external auditors of
some of these organisations have reasonably forced the organisations to
provide for bad debts as it is not prudent to account for some of the debts as assets carrying value.”

The commission says there is need for an independent study to restructure
service providers in order to impose transformational pressure on them to
rid them of poor practices. Its report notes that while Zesa recovered full
costs, there was no matching service.
“Bearing in mind that the fixed costs of these organisations are very high
in comparison with variable costs, it is logical that fixed costs should
have been trimmed in line with the level of service that was provided and
the level of economic performance,” it said.

The commission also observes that the capacity of utility providers was
designed to support a certain level of economic activity. For instance,
Zimbabwe’s GPD of US$9 billion in 1999 has not been achieved since
dollarisation with last year’s GDP estimated at US$8 billion.

“Wealth created was therefore not able to support infrastructure supported
by a GDP of US$9 billion. The utilities are high fixed cost/ low variable
costs organisations. During the period, fixed costs, mainly human resources,
were not rationalised to be at the level of services provided, yet their
tariff structures carried a full load,” it says.

The CTC has also launched an investigation into allegations that TelOne, the
state-owned fixed line operator, was also abusing its monopoly while the
cities of Harare and Bulawayo were abusing their positions in the water
utilities services and administration of rates and levies system.

Death Notices

Death - Elsie May Sandford: 29 March 1926 – 7 April 2012: It is with deep sadness that I announce that my Mother, Elsie, died peacefully at 5:30am on 7th April in St Annes Hospital. She was a loyal sister to Mabel and a true friend to many who enjoyed her lively mind, witty comments and dry humour. I will miss her. Christine. marketing@moldon.co.zw


Death - Sandy Youngleson: The family wishes to announce that Sandy passed away on Thursday 12th April 2012. Service details will be announced shortly. Contact Pam on pamh@zol.co.zw or 776827 or 0772310354.

THE 4X4 CLUB – ZIMBABWE

THE 4X4 CLUB – ZIMBABWE


Newsletter No: 90

APRIL 2012

P O Box HG 594 Highlands Harare Zimbabwe The Motor Sports Club House, 2 Annan Road, Eastlea, Harare.

The Chairman and Editorial Team:

CHAIRMAN: Tim Thorburn 498723 / 0772.645.518 thorburn@mweb.co.zw

EDITORS Mike & Pat GILL 494028 / 0712.400.243 / 0712.440.794 gill@zol.co.zw

4x4 Club Website http://www.4x4.co.zw Face Book Site: 4x4 Zimbabwe

The 4x4 Club is affiliated to the Zimbabwe Motor Sports Federation - ZMSF

Our Club is a member of the Mashonaland Motor Sport Association Club House, situated at: 2 Annan Rd. Eastlea. It is available for hire for weddings, conferences, kid's parties, 21st birthdays, etc.

News, comments and opinions expressed in this newsletter are not necessarily those of the Club or the Committee

THE EDITOR’S DESK - Michael and Pat Gill

Just a short "Editors Desk" this month because we have already reached 7 pages of this newsletter.

Our Club workers are all very busy right now. The Jamboree is in full swing and will be even bigger and better this year. The Club toilets are getting their final touches after a major make over. Plans for the Hwange Park track clearing project is going well and we have SIX groups from S. Africa wishing to join us which could be fun.

The Course Building Weekend and The Motor Show are in preparation stages. Etc. Where do we find the time?

NEIL GREENWAY LOOKS BACK ON THE CLUB HISTORY

The 4x4 Club will be celebrating its 20th year of formation in 2013.

The 4x4 Jamboree has its 20th year of running in the year 2014.

The 1st Jamboree was held at Brondesbury Park, Juliasdale, 25th & 26th Feb. 1995, with sponsorship from Toyota, Castrol and Carguard, to name a few.

2,000 people came through the gate and we had 64 entrants.

I am of the opinion that a group of interested persons, associated with both events, should get together and plan a strategy. This could maximise celebrations for the Club, the event, and our Sponsors.

We have the time to initiate clothing, additional events, displays, etc., if the Club Committee so decide! Possible theme at the Motor Show?

Let's have some discussion. Neil



NEW MEMEBRS:

Ozzie and Tania Peel: Drives Ray Walker's Daihatsu Rocky

Grant and Glynis CHADWICK: Rodney Beckley's co-driver in the Nite Xtreme

We welcome you to our Club.



JAMBOREE LAUNCH

The Jamboree will be held on 25th to 27th May 2012.

The launch of this year's Jamboree was held at Donnybrook on Saturday 31st March.

And the following sponsors have confirmed their participation.

H P Lubes - Castrol Platinum

Clover Leaf Gold

Toyota Gold

Premier Auto Gold

VW Silver

Silverstone Silver

Tubestone Silver

Control Instruments Extreme

Big Sky Mud Run

Davies Events See-Saw

We are also expecting a beverage sponsor, Delta Breweries.

The Jamboree to be bigger and better than ever before, with well over 30 vehicles competing and will have something for everyone.

None of this would be possible without the continued commitment and sponsorship of HP Lubes, the CASTROL agents, who have been a major sponsor of the Jamboree since its inception. The involvement of Davies Events last year and again this year has proven to be beneficial to the Jamboree. It has brought a new level of professionalism to the marketing and presentation of the event in a manner that makes sponsors want to participate.

As a result of the improved sponsorship levels our 4x4 Club now has funds to improve and maintain the site and its facilities. For example the recent upgrade of the ablution block and the industrious movement of earth for the Night Extreme and Jamboree.

Many club members, as well as Marshals and other unsung heroes, come together and offer their time and effort selflessly in order to make this event the success that it has become. They deserve a huge vote of thanks from all those who come to drive or watch the Premier Motorsport event of our calendar. My sincere thanks to them all.

Mark Benzon. Jamboree Chairman

REMEMBER OUR TRAIL DRIVE TO BALLY VAUGHAN?

We have just been to lunch and a look around Bally Vaughan. While there I chatted with one of the ladies who received our 4x4 Club donations. She remembers us well and was so pleased to say they are still using some of our donation.

Dave Rock.

(Thanks Dave, and thanks to all those people who made that such a special day. Ed)

4X4 NIGHT EXTREME

Well done to Trevor Butler and his team for a slick and popular event. Seventeen entries, including two from Mutare, a well stocked commercial display and many spectators, lots of music and good flood light all added up to a great event. Then there was the usual carnage, nobody hurt, but same cannot be said for the cars. We had 4 "rollovers", several broken mechanicals and lots of cars pulled out of sections.

Kelvin Weare had fun on the public address system and kept all well informed.

We started with a "Thank You" to the sponsors for the Jamboree in May and then got on with the tests, being am Extreme, Trevor made sure they were hard.

Results: Specials: Trevor Butler and Nigel Weller – Jeep look-a-like

Ralph and Greg Stead – Jeep look-a-like

Peter Dobropolous and Mickey Lottering – Jeep look-a-like

Std. Mods: Mike Mass and Tyron van Helsdingen – Land Rover.

Gareth and Ashley Geach – Land Rover.

Dale and Lyle Kiggen – Land Rover.

The event would not have been possible without the support of our sponsors and we thank them all for their participation. These included: Mr. Cruiser - Belts and Hoses – Stihl – Kiggen Construction – Zimbabwe Spring Steel – Redan – Fuchs Oils – Imex Tyres.

SUBS AND DONNYBROOK

If you pay your subs and get your Membership Card you can go and play at Donnybrook for just $2 entry. If you do not pay your subs and want to go there you have to pay $20 entry. Now tell me, which is better. PAY UP OR SUFFER!!
RECORD CONVOY AT SA LANDY FESTIVAL

South Africa's 1st. Landy Festival delivered a World record with 1001 Land Rovers. The 27km convoy beat the previous "Most Land Rovers on Parade" by 653.

Land Rovers of every type and age came from Cape Town, Kimberley, Durban, and Bloemfontein. Still more came from Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Swaziland and Namibia.

The oldest Land Rover at the festival was a 1949 Series 1 owned by Rick Mason.

The convoy took place on a Sunday. At 2pm the convoy of 1007 Landies got underway. One vehicles did not start, three crashed into each other and two dropped out, leaving 1001 in the convoy which took two hours to pass.

Two World records - the Biggest Land Rover Convoy (1001) and the Largest Number of Land Rovers in One Place (1007).

FORTHCOMING EVENTS:

HWANGE TRACK CLEARING PROJECT – 5th – 9th July 2012

Preparations for Hwange are hotting up. We had our appeal published in the South African E Zine newsletter and so far we have had half a dozen inquiries from there. I think their response has been great. Muzza will be putting out a bulletin up-date soon to keep us all informed of the progress he has made. The dates are 5th to 9th July. Put a note in your diary now and make every effort to join us on this worthwhile project. Please advise if you can join us. gill@zol.co.zw

JAMBOREE COURSE BUILDING WEEKEND and THE MOTOR SHOW - May 12th – 13th

These two important events are on the same weekend and we are manning both.

Now. We ask you to split yourselves into two. We need the strong, fit, young men to do graft at Donnybrook in preparation for the Jamboree two weeks later. And the not so strong, not so fit and not so young to help us man the stand at the Motor Show. Flyers will go out but make a note in your diary now.


4x4 DRIVER COMPETENCY CERTIFICATE for South Africa

This is a Certificate needed by 4x4 drivers before they can venture into certain areas in S. Africa; it may not apply to 'foreigners'.

The Driver Competency Certificate is a reality in South Africa.

Isibonela Adventures offer training under a TETA registered training service provider with DCC trainers, assessors and moderators.

Training - a maximum of 10 people, no passengers.

The course is an evening for the theoretical aspects and a practical day on a professionally built track.

The format of the course is:

• An intro to the SETA / SAQA regulations and the accreditation process.

• Technical Theory - 4x4

• Technical Theory - Driving obstacles & the associated techniques.

• Practical discussion / demonstration / training on obstacles - 1 vehicle, complete class.

• Driving obstacles in own vehicle

• Once confident - agreement on readiness for assessment.

• Written test (multiple choice & written answers)

• Verbal Interview.

• On track - Observation & Evaluation

Course fee R1 350 per person.

For full details, email isibonela@mweb.co.za / 4x4offroad@mweb.co.za

PETE CLEMENCE APPEAL TO HELP ANTI POACHING

Pete and son Bryce Clemence have undertaken a programme to assist National Parks in up-grading the training of their Rangers and Anti-poaching Units.

Due to constraints these young Rangers were coming out of basic training and going straight into the field without the proper skills or equipment.

Pete and Bryce are taking groups and up-grading their skills in tracking, tactics, weapon handling, communications and other vital knowledge, needed if Parks are to succeed in controlling poachers. The results have been encouraging and there are now success stories in taking out poachers and their network based in Zambia and other places.

They are appealing to the Public for help. If you only one item on the list below, it is one more than they had before. They are grateful for any donations in kind or cash.

Many members could have odd bits and pieces of equipment lying around.

RADIOS RADIO BATTERIES GPS UNITS AA BATTERIES

RAINCOATS BOOTS SLEEPING BAGS BACK PACKS

OVERALLS GROUND SHEETS 2 OR 3 MAN TENTS FIRST AID PACKS

SPOTTING SCOPES BINOCULARS HIKING WATER BOTTLES DIGITAL CAMERAS

TYRES FOR LANDROVER DEFENDERS 110 SPARES FOR LANDROVER DEFENDERS 110

FUNDS FOR RATIONS ` FUNDS FOR FUEL

CONTACT BRYCE CLEMENCE ON 0773 032 532 or e-mail: trackingspecialists@gmail.com

Please look through your garage and sheds. People accumulate stuff and then forget about. It could be of enormous help and it's no good rotting in a dark corner.


YOUR 4X4 COMMITTEE FOR 2012.

CHAIRMAN TIM THORBURN timthorburn.zim@gmail.com

TREASURER KELVIN WEARE weare@telfordmica.co.zw

SECRETARY CAROL WEARE theweares@zol.co.zw

VICE CHAIRMAN MASS KIRK kirk@afriglobal.com

CHIEF MARSHAL / EVENTS ROGER ELLIS ellisr@barzem.co.zw

MEMBERSHIP PAT GILL gill@zol.co.zw

EVENTS / EQUIPMENT GARETH GEACH garethg@sunlite.co.zw

EVENTS PETER BENZON petebenzon@hotmail.com

EVENTS JASON YOUNG jason@telfordmica.co.zw

ENVIRONMENT MUZZA BLACK muzza@zol.co.zw

NEWSLETTER MICHAEL AND PAT GILL gill@zol.co.zw

OFF THE RECORD

Radiator Services in Kaguvi Street. Supply small 'rubber' pressure hose, LPG type; Air and Fuel types; Also Heavy Power cable. The type used for welding but also very good for connecting batteries. $7.00 pm for red/black double.

IMTEC Sales on Coventry Road have a 2 x bolt pin type tow hitch which has a 50 mm ball on the top bar. They also have the Tractor / Implement working lights, again useful for our off road types looking to the rear. Not sure if they are single or double filament,

PETROL HEADS RELAX

With all the nasty things that the Eco Friendly have to say about motorists it is good to hear that we are a long way down on the blame scale for global warming.

Cattle are flatulating the world into oblivion. In fact cattle release more Methane than all the cars, boats, planes, trucks, etc., put together.

Methane is 23 times more potent than CO2 as a heat trapping gas. So the sins of the gas guzzling 4x4's seem almost mild. One way to reduce this gas output would be to cut out the meat we eat. Sadly I do not think there is a cure for the vast amount of Methane that the melting Permafrost is releasing in the Arctic Circle.

No need to feel too bad when you rev that motor.
4x4 Club Diary - 2012

These dates change as the year progresses, but flyers will be sent out before each event.

May 12-13 Course Building Donnybrook

12-13 Motor Show for info

May 25-27 HARARE JAMBOREE Donnybrook

June 24 Club Day TBA

July 5-9 Road Clearing Project Hwange

August 13-14 Expedition Gonarazhou Blue Cross, Eastern Highlands for info

September 15-16 Bush Pig Beatrice

September 29 / 30 Hwange Game Count for info

October 20/21 Three Hills (full moon) Makumbi

November 10 Corporate Day Donnybrook

November 18-20 (TBC) Mutare Dungbeetle Mutare

December 9 Christmas Run Local
DONNYBROOK

To enter Donnybrook on a non-event day it will cost you $2 per car, providing you have you membership card. Non-members will be charged $20 per car. You must sign the book at the gate and put your name, your Club and membership number. Do not pay without signing the book.

Please note: If you wish to go to Donnybrook to play and there is another event on, then the organizing club can charge what they like for you to enter. They will have hired the entire complex for that day. Please don’t try and argue with the gate attendant, they will just be doing their job. Either pay-up or go away and come back on a free day.


WEB SITE / FACE BOOK

Have you had a look at our Web Site? Grant Weare, Kelvin’s son has done a really good job of updating it. Go to: http://www.4x4.co.zw

We have a Face Book site and for those members, who are on Face Book, feel free to join the site: 4x4 Zimbabwe

Motor Sports Association Club House

MSA Membership: The Club House bar works on a Swipe Card basis and any member of an affiliated club can join. Pay your $20 Club House subscription and get your card. Bar prices are double for non-cardholders.

Hall for Hire - Hire our affordable Club facilities for parties, Wedding Receptions, meetings, seminars, courses and other functions. Assist us in this way to obtain funds for the Clubhouse.

Till next time.

Michael and Pat GILL

BRIDGET, BEEBS, BRIDGIE

BRIDGET, BEEBS, BRIDGIE


Loving wife of Malc, Mother to Wayne Col & Dan

Beebs passed away on the 15th of April 2012 and is now at peace

A private family cremation will be held on Friday 20th of April followed by a CELEBRATION OF HER LIFE on Tuesday 24th of April at 5:30 pm at 44 Aberdeen Road, Avondale to which all friends are most welcome

Reps Reporter – April 2012

Greetings to members and friends of Reps as we leave the first quarter of the year behind and head towards HIFA 2012.

AGM elects new Executive Committee

The Repertory Players’ AGM was held on March 25, and for the first time in a while there was an election for places on the Executive Committee. Stan Higgins and Sue Bolt were nominated to stay in their posts of Chairman and Vice Chairman respectively, and with no other nominations for these posts were duly elected (and each will be chairing the sub-committee chaired during the past year – Marketing and Publicity for Stan and Production for Sue). There were 10 nominations for the eight remaining places and the following were either re-elected or elected for 2012-2013 (their specific areas of responsibility in parentheses): Marc Thomas (Training and Development), Tim Garrard (Membership), Ryan Lawrence (IT), Sue McMillan (Finance), Mike Southall (Office and Property Management), PJ Smyth (Stage Director, chairing the Backstage sub-committee), Mike Blackburn (Technical Management) and Jenni Ferguson (Bar Management and Social Events). They will be going through the 2011-2013 Strategic Plan with members of staff in the near future, ensuring the plan is on track and seeing where modifications and updating are needed.

Theatre Upstairs upgrading well under way

As members know, the Beit Trust has kindly provided funding to enable a substantial and much-needed upgrading of Theatre Upstairs and work is in progress. The air conditioning unit has been repaired and this is now working again for the first time in many years; seats are being replaced and should be in place for HIFA. Additional work will continue when these are complete, and the end result will be a much more comfortable and popular venue. Theatre Upstairs has gained a reputation for the excellence of productions staged there and the changes being made will overcome the obstacles to complete enjoyment on the part of audiences.

Members’ Bar gets a facelift

With the kind donation of paint from Rory White, we have repainted the Members’ Bar and Mike Blackburn is undertaking upgrading of electrics there. We shall soon be receiving a donation of carpeting from Meikles Hotel (thanks to their own refurbishment programme) and we shall then have a revamped bar that is all spruced up and clean. Thanks to the members who came along over the Easter weekend to help out with the clean-up prior to painting, and special thanks to Jenni Ferguson for spending hours and hours planning and overseeing the exercise. Also new in the bar are brand new speakers so that announcements from backstage will now be heard clearly. Come along and have a look at the changes well under way and enjoy a drink in the convivial atmosphere of the venue. Come along, too, to all or some of the many social events now taking place in the bar and on the Tada Terrace. Nearby, the garden area of the Reps north side is looking much better after a great deal of input from Sue Charnley and her staff.

Repteens on stage this week

Sue Bolt has directed the Repteens in a very funny show called The Hysterical History of the Trojan War, running from April 12 to 14 (four performances only!) on the Main Stage. Well worth seeing, this will be a good piece of fun in the holiday season, so come along to enjoy and to support the Repteens.

Two chances to see Move It

Two performances on Saturday April 21 (2.30pm and 7pm) are all you can catch if you want to see Move It, a musical show with a number of Reps regulars and new faces singing, dancing and making mirth. It’s a show for all the family and it is hoped good audience numbers will come along to enjoy and to help keep funds rolling in to run Reps. Names like Mande Snyman, Patrick Barrett (on holiday from the UK), Nigel Hopkins, David Bvumbe, Faith Ganyau and many more are in the line-up for this show.

HIFA comes calling

HIFA is back and from May 1 to 6 both stages at Reps will feature productions from this year’s festival, which has the theme A Show of Spirit. ZB Bank will be venue sponsor and various organisations are supporting the productions, which include the Repertory Players’ own staging of Danai Gurira’s acclaimed drama Eclipsed (Main Stage, but with a post-HIFA run in Theatre Upstairs in mid-May). Another highlight will be a show from Germany called Leo, very well received at the Edinburgh Festival last year and with a series of technical requirement that will make our techies’ heads’ spin!

Mario Ciampi gets us ready to rock

Mario Ciampi is directing a new musical show called The A-Z Of Rock … featuring a live band and a string of singers belting out some great songs from the world of rock. This show is to receive sponsorship from Mega, and will be a great piece of entertainment for people who like rock in all its shapes and forms. The show runs from May 24 to June 9.

National Ballet brings their HIFA dance show in May

After HIFA, the National Ballet will present On The Rise, a dance show inspired by the exercise to rebuild the Ballet Centre next door to Reps. This will run from May 9 to 12 and will, as always, be a wonderful show with Zimbabwe’s best dance talent giving of their best.

Did you know …

… that the Avondale Scouts run the confectionery and soft drinks bar in the Reps foyer through most of our productions? They do so to fundraise and because of their hard work they have been able over the years to send disadvantaged scouts to several world jamborees. They serve soft drinks, sweets, crisps and chocolates, and during the winter add tea and coffee to their sales list. This supplements the iWayAfrica Foyer Bar, which is run by Reps’ own bar staff and serves alcoholic beverages and soft drinks to the public.
Until next time, keep well and don’t miss out on any of the superb productions on or coming up at Reps!

Regards
Exco

ORCHID - Adrian.

Beloved Husband of Dawn, Father to Scott and Mark, passed away Saturday 7th April.Will be missed sadly by all he knew. Contact donnarose@mango.zw

ORCHID - Adrian.
The Funeral Service for the late Adrian Orchid will be held at the Prince Edward Chapel on Saturday 14th April at 10 a.m. Friends and family please
accept this intimation. donnarose@mango.zw
GLORIA IVY JORDAAN : Passed away on 8th April 2012


Mom in my arms I held you tight
Through the hardest part of life
In my heart the memories clear
Of the greatest mum I love so dear.
I held you so close to my heart
Praying that we'll never part
But God saw you getting tired and a cure was not to be.
So he put his arms around you and whispered "come with me"
With tearful eyes I watched you, and saw you pass away Although I loved you dearly, I could not make you stay A golden heart stopped beating, hard working hands at rest.
God..broke my heart to prove to me, he...... only takes the BEST
Thank you mom, for being so brave and strong.
And for all that you have done for me,
You loved me from the very start,
with your warm, kind, and loving heart.
You'd lift me up, when I was feeling blue, Thank you mom, for I could always count on you.
You were such- an awesome mother,
it was a privilege to call you Mom.
The love you showed was like no other.
Now I know you'll watch over me from heaven above.
And a tear I will shed for you every day.
You my bright shining star.
Love always your heart broken daughter
VAL

DEATHS & CONDOLENCES

CHRISTOPHER WILLIAM PRENTICE of Palm Springs, California, passed away on Tuesday 27 March 2012, after a long three year battle with cancer.


Born in Tanzania in 1945, the son of the late Alec and Peggy Prentice, he is survived by his brothers, Andrew and John and his partner, Bill. Loving uncle to Sally, Fiona, Alec, Nicholas and Kirsty, and great uncle to Hazel, Dennis and Hugo, may he rest in peace.
++++++
Rudi Jordaan
The Chairman, Secretary and Members of the now defunct ZCA would like to convey their sincere condolences to Gwen and family on the sudden demise of Rudi. Many a happy caravanning weekend have been spent with the Jordaans involved; and they indeed tried their best to keep the caravanning clubs going. MHDSRIP.
Carol MacKenzie

++++++
RUDY PETRUS JORDAAN - 5th April 2012
A memorial service for the late Rudy Jordaan will be held on Wednesday 11th April @ 12:30 at 1B Old Gwanda Road Four Winds BULAWAYO .
Please bring a chair, plate of eats and a cooler box . Tea & Coffee will be provided .

Brian Moorcroft

Brian Moorcroft Sadly Passed: On Tuesday evening, 4 April 2012, Brian Moorcroft sadly passed away after having been in a hospital in SA since December from a stroke. A son, father, friend to many and our grandpa. there will be a service for Brian in Port shepston and one in Harare next week, to be confirmed.  blinds4africa@gmail.com

Memorial Service - Late John Singer

Memorial Service - Late John Singer: will be held on Thursday 5th April 2012 at Athol Evans Chapel - Chiremba Road, at  10 am. dawn@propertyshop.co.zw

Passing OF H.E. Pilar Fuertes Ferragut:

Passing OF H.E. Pilar Fuertes Ferragut: The Embassy of Spain wishes to inform you of the tragic passing away of H.E. Pilar Fuertes Ferragut, the Ambassador of Spain to Zimbabwe, Zambia and Malawi in a car accident yesterday afternoon. A Book of Condolences is open from today till Thursday this week and Tuesday April 10^th from 8 AM to 4 PM at the Embassy (16, Phillips Avenue in Belgravia). romee.fisher@maec.es

Comments

it may be helpful to travelers to SA for the holidays etc. We have just returned from a trip to South Africa – while there we were stopped by a Metro policeman on Rondebuilt Road in Boksburg. He was very rude and issued us with a fine of R500 for not carrying an international drivers licence – Graham did produce his Zimbabwe drivers licence at the time but the man insisted that it was not valid.


We called several authorities on this and we ended up seeing Inspector Van Heerden at the main station who said the Zimbabwe licence was valid. He then directed us to the Chief Prosecutor who confirmed that a Zimbabwe licence is a valid document in South Africa – as long as the licence is in English and has a photograph – all the officer that stops you needs to determine is what classes you have.

Would anybody who was at the Tin Roof Bar the early hours of Saturday, 31st March,2012 , who saw the beating of two youngsters, kindly come forward if they have any idea who any of the perpetrators were. This kind of senseless beating up is unacceptable in a supposed civilised country.
I can be contacted on 0773300516. Many thanks , One Extremely Irate Mother

……………..

I don't know if readers are aware of the situation with regards claiming medical expenses at the Trauma Centre. (The Trauma Centre was previously AMI and previous to that was The Trauma Centre).
Our son needed treatment a few weeks ago and we were told to pay cash, they did not accept medical aid cards. I then sent in my claim to Cimas, who wrote back and told me that the The Trauma Centre is not registered and they cannot process my claim.
I went to the Trauma Centre today to find out what the situation is. They are not registered and are strictly cash only. I did ask about claiming from medical aids eg. Bupa, Cimas etc and they told me that the only medical aid that can claim from them is Health International.
Maybe it might be a good idea to find out what readers think about this and see which Trauma Centres have been used lately, which ones can be recommended and who will accept cards like Cimas etc.