Meeting - this might be of interest

Ambassador Makalima will be meeting with the Zimbabwe Minister of Lands and Land Resettlement, Hon H Murerwa on Monday 02 March 2009 to discuss in particular the plight of South African Farmers in Zimbabwe. The outcome of this meeting will be communicated to your shortly after the meeting. The Embassy would like to thank you all for the regular updates we have been receiving and will use this as a basis for the meeting on Monday.

The Embassy of South Africa also wishes to reiterate its commitment to the citizens of South Africa as a key priority in the pursuit of South Africa's Foreign Policy.

Regards,
Mr. Imran Simmins
Second Secretary: Political
South African Embassy
7 Elcombe Road
Belgravia
Harare
Tel (+263-4) 251843/52, 753147-9, 753150/2
Fax (+263-4) 749657, 757908
Cell (+263-912) 573512

Wine Tasting again

In the midst of all the change and uncertainty in the country we still manage to have a bit of fun - I was privileged to attend a wine tasting last week at 'The Stable' a lovely winery in Borrowdale. The selection of wines was terrific and we tasted a good selection of Shirez - ranging in price from reasonable to expensive. We sampled the wine with cheese and had a delightful and informative evening. I understand they do Friday lunches - and I must attend one!

I was thrilled to meet up with a very old friend from travel - who works at the establishment - what a lovely surprise

ANTI-HIJACK UPDATE FOR FEBRUARY 2009

We are hearing of robberies almost every day - with the money changers loosing their 'jobs' there are a lot of people out there with nothing to support their families with - so they turn to crime. this is the Antihijack trust February update:

February has seen a marked increase in the amount of armed robberies with the common denominator being CASH. It seems that now it is legal to trade and carry forex there are many more incidences. We ask you all to be very vigilant and to be aware of your surroundings when cashing up and transporting the day’s takings. Do not leave doors unlocked and keys lying around, this all leads to becoming a prime target. These gangs seem more focused on the forex than any other items, which have been taken in past months. For those of you that are walking keep your money in a safe pocket or place as there is a marked increase in petty theft with victims being held at knife point and their hard earned cash stolen from them. With the high percentage of unemployment in the country there are a lot of very hungry people out there, so be warned, do NOT become a unnecessary victim due to carelessness. It is not wise to keep a large some of money at home you maybe under surveillance and your movements noted so it may be wise to change times and routes when traveling to and from home and business. We all need to become very aware of what is going on out there. Smash and grabs are still happening at traffic lights and please remember to keep all valuables out of sight, i.e. mobiles, handbags, wallets, briefcases, shopping and expensive sun glasses etc it only takes a few seconds and can happen before you even realize that you have become a victim. Your BOOT is the safest place ! Borrowdale, Mount Pleasant, Gun Hill, Milton Park, Mabelreign and Marlborough have been reported this month. To be seen talking on your mobile whilst driving is a sure give away of lack of concentration especially if you are not using the legal correct ‘hands off’ appliances that are available.
Land Cruiser owners please be aware that these vehicles are being targeted and reported stolen in the Highlands, Chisipte, Borrowdale areas

Lets all make a difference this coming month

Let’s fight this crime together - stay ALERT and SAFE !

ANTI HIJACK TRUST: NATIONAL HOTLINE: 091 2 242 512
TEL/FAX: HARARE 04-309870/309800 /091 2 221 921
Email: hijack@mweb.co.zw or hijack@zol.co.zw

When will this stop

I was hoping to write a cheerful note or two today but these plans have been changed by some horrific news.

A friend has just been on the line to me to tell me that her next door neighbour's gardener's wife has died of cholera. she is very worried as she was helping get her into an ambulance when the woman was sick all over her. She lives in the Marlborough area of Harare - a well known and well heeled suburb not far from the city centre. The woman came in from the rural areas last week bring with her two small children one of whom is now suffering with a runny stomach and being sick.

My friend, who I will call, LL has had to have her property and house sprayed by the Health department and she is taking drugs and hoping the cholera will not hit her household.

This means that the city and suburbs are now very much at risk. With no water and rubbish piling up everywhere we can expect cholera to spread into even the most wealthy suburbs.

Malaria is also around - no spraying is being done and stagnant pools of water are everywhere creating an ideal breeding ground. Amazing - no water - but water leaks are everywhere.

Another friend of mine who employs a husband and wife team was helpless while their young child was taken from hospital to hospital to try and get treatment for an undisclosed ailment without any luck. Finally they found a hospital with some staff and the child was put on a drip. the child died later that night as no one had changed the drip! there was no staff on duty!

This is a daily occurrence - something needs to be done to put this country back into a state where it is liveable.

We no longer buy fresh vegetables but live off what we have in the garden.

We have no bills to tell us what we owe on our services - we have little money to pay for those either.

Another day in Zimbabwe? Another day in limbo.

BASIL TERRY

Basil Terry, husband of Betty, kind and loving father to Kevin & Louise, beloved father in law and pops to Lyn, Michael, Jonathan and Matthew passed away on 20th February 2009 peacefully and quietly with all his family with him. A good innings at 88 but the last overs took their toll.

Much loved by us all and will be sorely missed.

Contact: terrys@cabsonline.co.zw

Appeal

This shows what we are all trying to do to help those less fortunate

Brendan lives near our safari camp in the rural areas of Guruve – in November he fell into a pit fire – he has severe 3rd degree burns to his legs and feet. The burns will require at minimum skin grafts.
We have been assisting him at the local clinic with medications and burn creams/bandages etc which have kindly been donated by Australians.

He is in Harare currently and requires assessment by Doctors here – due to the nature of our business we are constantly on the move, rarely in Harare for more than 2 days in a row and can not help with this part of the program.

We are looking for someone who can assist with taking Brendan to Drs etc.

If you can assist please contact me via email or 091 2256434.

Thank you

Janine


VARDEN SAFARIS -RIDING SAFARIS
RIDING IN HWANGE AND MAVURADONHA MOUNTAINS
PO BOX BW 1714 - BORROWDALE HARARE
PH/FAX: (+263 4) 861766
CELL JANINE (+263) 0 91 2256 434
CELL JAMES (+263) 0 912369 294
email: riding@vardensafaris.com
email: admin@vardensafaris.com

WWW.VARDENSAFARIS.COM
WWW.RIDING-IN-HWANGE.COM

skype: janine.varden

Appeal

This shows what we are all trying to do to help those less fortunate

Brendan lives near our safari camp in the rural areas of Guruve – in November he fell into a pit fire – he has severe 3rd degree burns to his legs and feet. The burns will require at minimum skin grafts.
We have been assisting him at the local clinic with medications and burn creams/bandages etc which have kindly been donated by Australians.

He is in Harare currently and requires assessment by Doctors here – due to the nature of our business we are constantly on the move, rarely in Harare for more than 2 days in a row and can not help with this part of the program.

We are looking for someone who can assist with taking Brendan to Drs etc.

If you can assist please contact me via email or 091 2256434.

Thank you

Janine


VARDEN SAFARIS -RIDING SAFARIS
RIDING IN HWANGE AND MAVURADONHA MOUNTAINS
PO BOX BW 1714 - BORROWDALE HARARE
PH/FAX: (+263 4) 861766
CELL JANINE (+263) 0 91 2256 434
CELL JAMES (+263) 0 912369 294
email: riding@vardensafaris.com
email: admin@vardensafaris.com

WWW.VARDENSAFARIS.COM
WWW.RIDING-IN-HWANGE.COM

skype: janine.varden