Up date

On behalf of the Simms family (in South Africa) - Thank you all so very much for all your offers of help, planes, pilots, support and much more. As you will see below, the plane wreck was found yesterday by a villager in Mozambique. This is a small note from the website and Facebook Page which was set up by the Simms family:

"Yesterday afternoon, the Simms family received the news that the plane wreck was found in Mozambique by a local villager. Neither Bryan nor Robert survived the impact. We are awaiting positive legal identification. The outpouring of support, hope and love from you all has helped to sustain us since the search began 28 Oct. We ask that you please respect the privacy of our family during this difficult time. There will be a wake on Friday for those who wish to pay their respects, details forthcoming."

If anyone would like more information regarding this, please visit the

website: www.operationsimms.co.za   or there is a Facebook Group: Bryan

and Rob Simms.

Thank you very much.

That the rhino in Matobo Hills is within months of complete termination

BULAWAYO DID YOU KNOW ?

That the rhino in Matobo Hills is within months of complete termination?
That your children won't be able to enjoy the heritage on your doorstep in a matter of months?
That Zimbabwe will soon be home to the BIG 4 .... Because we will have no Rhino left?
HOW YOU CAN HELP:
1.Together with National Parks, we are spearheading a fencing campaign so that we can protect the few remaining Rhino left at Whovi Game Park, Matopos.
2.52 kms of fence line is needed. Do you want to sponsor 1 km? Does your company believe in the future enough to sponsor 1 km with full marketing benefits for this cause?
Please contact us below for further information.
Tel: + 263 9 64868/9 Mobile: + 263 (0) 712 215904
Email: sharon@amalindacollection.co.zw
Skype sharon.stead

Domestic Wages

The domestic wages are as follows as from the 1^st of October 2012

Gardener                                                                            $85

Cook or housekeeper                                                    $90

Those looking after the disabled and elderly       $95

With Red cross Certification                                        $100

Accommodation , transport ,lights and fuel and water should be provided and if this is not the case

Accommodation               $50

Transport                            $26

Lights and fuel                   $5

Water                                   $5

Regards

Jackie

jackie@softrite.co.zw

Mall of Zimbabwe Construction Brought Forward

I have just been sent a copy of the permit (23^rd Oct 2012) for the proposed new Mall to be built in Borrowdale West by Augur Investments headed by Mike van Blerk

The email had a quote from “FinX” with the following wording included:

Mall of Zimbabwe Construction Brought Forward

The project will now be completed in October 2014 instead of April 2014. West Properties Managing Director, Mr Mike van Blerk, says construction of the company’s proposed $100 million Mall of Zimbabwe will commence earlier than the initial April 2013 target. This is because the company expects to get environmental certification this week.  West Properties is the property division of Ken Sharpe’s West Group

Sharpe said engagements with EMA were already at an advanced stage for the company to get an EIA certificate which will allow civil and construction works to proceed.

The certification has dragged longer than expected amid environmental concerns with some councillors, residents in nearby suburbs and environmentalists pushing to stop the property venture................

... Contrary to claims that the proposed site was on wetlands , Van Blerk said “If you look at the area where we are developing, you will actually see that it is not a wetland because there are a lot of anthills and termites – anthills do not develop on wetlands”

Earlier yesterday, Environment minister, Frances Nhema, said the biggest mall in Africa, outside South Africa, was not under threat on Environmental  Grounds”.................”.......Nothing stops land development on wetlands as long as standards are met”

Crashed plane

(2012-11-13) The aviation community has come together to provide funding and time to help search for the two South African men whose plane went missing in Mozambique more than two weeks ago. Bryan Simms, 60, of Midrand, and his son, Rob, 22, were last heard of on 27 October 2012, when their light aircraft went missing in Mozambique. They were travelling from Malawi to Lanseria airport, north of Johannesburg. Shortly before the plane went missing, Simms senior said in a radio message that he had problems with one of the engines. They were last heard from when the plane was flying near Beira, in Mozambique. Richard Maier, a pilot who currently heads up the search, told News24 on Monday he doesn’t know the missing men, but felt compelled to keep on searching when aviation authorities called off the search. "If I got lost like that...I would have wanted people to keep on looking for me." Maier’s father-in-law went missing in a similar situation a few years ago. Members of the aviation community have spent around R200 000 from their own pockets to fund the search, with donations helping fill the gaps. Maier is offering a $5 000 (R43 500) reward to anyone who can lead the team to the crash site. The search area is reportedly very remote. "Extremely hot temperatures, low level turbulence, high bird activity and strong crosswinds have made for some challenging conditions," Joshua Househam, who is part of the search party, told News24. "The area is also full of burnt trees and charcoal patches which are making the actual visual search incredibly tough." The rescue team is currently based in Chimoio, Mozambique, where at least five different aircrafts are continuously looking for the men. Volunteers on motorbikes and on foot are also combing the area. (Source: News 24)