When the clouds start massing in Zimbabwe, something strange happens.
When the earth is damp and puddles form along the roadside, a
distinct change encompasses the land and its urban people.
The leaves on the trees are fresh and clean, the plastic bags which
normally festoon the verges are covered in verdant green grass. Wild
flowers spring from nowhere and frogs and chongololos abound.
But the people also become different. Suddenly there are oxen in the
fields and entire families are seen, hoes in hand, picks in place,
wheelbarrows carrying the days repast, heading for the vacant fields
around the towns.
Where there was once grass, suddenly there is a frantic melee of
raking, hoeing and digging. Sundays after church sees a determined
exodus of folk down to the "lands"
Each urban dweller has a sort of unwritten title to a small plot
where traditionally, year after year, he has planted a small crop of
maize.
Mothers fathers grannies and children, all repair to the plots in
their spare waking moments, tilling, furrowing, harrowing and weeding.
Makeshift scarecrows abound, sticks tied with waving strips of gaily
coloured plastic to scare away the menacing doves and queleas.
Who know where one plot ends and one plot begins ? Who knows which
plots belongs to the Sibandas, the Moyos or the Dubes ?
There are very strict and unwritten urban laws which control these
tiny small holdings. No leases, no title deeds, no written rules and
regulations.
Of course the time to plant is the big question on every ones lips..
full moon ?... after the first rains ?
Will we have early rains or late rains this year ? Will we have rain
at all ?
Some folks' mealies are sprouting already, some are a foot high, some
are barely embedded yet, in the soft brown soil.
Last year was an excellent season. There were smiles a-plenty at
harvest time. There was much to go around, much debate on how and
when and where the best deals were to be found as far as nearby and
available grinding mills. And the best bonus of all, enough seed left
over to be planted for this years crop.
Of course one always comes across the ever present theft once the
cobs appear. It is the only topic of conversation when the maize
tassels start waving in the wind.
Some folk sit back and watch craftily, knowing there will be easy
pickings after dark, for very little of their own toil and graft.
There is very little "Honour amongst thieves" for the indolent. And
so co-operatives are formed, pennies are pooled together and security
guards are even hired to guard the crops.... !!
What will this season bring ? Promising so far.... long range weather
signs are scanned .... are the masked weavers building their nests
high in the trees this year ? Are the cactus flowers blooming early
or late? Which way are the termites flying ?
Its a cottage industry to equal no other, its a way of life, its a
comforting sight to behold this annual urban agricultural pilgrimage.
Most crops are in the ground now, all that is left to do, is to wait
for seventy odd days of steady rain, and to see what Mother Nature
and the Government, have in store for us this year !!
Pete and Alison Grant Fletcher welcome the safe arrival of their
first granddaughter born in Harare on the 7/12/06 at 7.50pm.
Congratulations to Lionel and Hayley on the arrival of the first of
their 6 anticipated children!. Well done you two. Love Dad and Mom G
F.
Graeme and Philippa Futter are pleased to announce the arrival of
Francesca Kate and Sophie Ella born at the Portland Hospital in
London on the 13th November. Two younger sisters for Isabella and two
new granddaughters for Betty.
Condolences :
Greg Shadwell : Husband of Pearl, father of Angela and Douglas,
brother of Terence, Declan, Laurence, Cecilia and Kevin passed away
in Port Elizabeth, South Africa on 22nd November 2006.
De Chalaine - Jono
Our very special cousin and nephew. We will miss you so much and are
thinking of you all the time. You are now safely in God's hands and
will be in our hearts and thoughts forever. Taken so suddenly on 28
November 2006. - All our love - Uncle Gerald, Aunty Gaby, Ingrid and
Catherine.
De Chalaine-JONO. Our dearest nephew and cousin. Taken so young and
so suddenly. Words cannot explain how we will miss you. You will be
in our hearts and our memories forever. Fond memories of happy days
together. We love you and miss you- Uncle Gerald, Aunty Gaby, Ingrid
and Catherine - UK
De Chalaine-Jono . To our dearest Patrick, Leesa and Alix. Our
thoughts are with you all. We are so sorry for the loss of such a
special little boy. We were so far away during your terrible time,
and wish we could have been with you to comfort you a little. We
will all miss Jono so much. Remember BE BOLD Da. We love you all
and are thinking of you all the time. Gerald, Gaby, Ingrid and
Catherine.
"I was shocked and very upset to hear that Graham had passed away
suddenly in Johannesburg. My heartfelt sympathy to Cheryl and the
kids and I just wish I had kept in closer contact since our times
together at Bulawayo Tech college. He was a great guy, always happy
and definitely game for a laugh and I know he will be sorely missed
by all who knew him-
from your buddy Ian Cooper in London"
From: Ianinbeds@aol.com
