JANUARY 2025
Oh My Goodness this has been a glorious January!
Rain has poured down almost every day this month, it has been an invigorating, ebullient month for the community.
I even overheard a farmer's wife saying 'I will never complain of too much rain ever again'.
Possibly one of the most exciting community inspirations has been the 'Zimbabwe Rain Records' WhatsApp group. With 134 members, Patriotic Zimbabweans rush to post their daily rain gauge booty!!
We are so focussed on our water privileges that we even post the 1mm readings!! However the falls are usually much more - 20 mm, 30 mm 40mm, in some places 102mm!!
The total readings vary from area to area, from suburb to suburb. Much competition is involved ! HeeHoo cannot wait to compare his daily rain swag calibrations with like minded rain-loving folk at the office!
Possibly one of the most exciting aspects of La Nina's largesse is that our desolate dams are filling, some faster than others according to the rainfall gods. The little dams are first to fill - Hillside Dams, Lakeside in Lochview, Maleme in Matopos, resulting in hordes of day trippers streaming out to witness these miraculous happenings first hand. And we watch with great trepidation as the Ncemas, Inyankuni, Mtshabezi, Mayfair, slowly fill millimetre by millimetre. Here I am being horribly parochial as these are only the dams around Bulawayo that I am mentioning.
Lake Kariba is an icon all of its own. It has a horrifying recent history of drought, unwarranted spillage, mechanical and gigantic structural problems and we hold our breath that the catchment area in Zambia can result in a new era of relief with Nyaminyami looking after us.
Zoom Earth is our most watched app as we scan the rainfall patterns with meticulous precision. Mind you we are not all addicted to technology, many of us Boomers still hold fast that it is the Rain Cactus aka Queen of the Night that is the still the unequivocal rainfall predictor!!
The snails are exceptionally happy, some as big as a fist, they parade triumphantly through the gardens, munching contentedly on delicious water logged plants.
'Life isn't like waiting for the storm to pass, it's about learning to dance in the rain!!
Dance Zimbabwe dance!!
Watchdog
Dear Friends of Hillside Dams and Corporate Community,
We are reaching out to you in urgent need of assistance. The recent rains have brought life to Hillside Dams Conservancy, but unfortunately, it has also led to an overgrowth of grass and shrubbery. Our walking trails, which were once a haven for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts, are now impassable.We are appealing to your generosity and community spirit to help us restore the conservancy to its former glory. We require assistance in two key areas:
1. *Grass Cutters*: We need reliable and efficient grass cutters to help us clear the overgrown vegetation. If you have equipment or can donate funds to purchase or rent machinery, please let us know.
2. *Manpower*: We require volunteers to help us clear the trails and restore the conservancy. If you can spare a few hours or days to help us, please join our efforts.
We are grateful for any assistance you can provide. Please contact us to discuss how you can help.
Thank you
Bernadette
Conservation Manager
0772943798
Balletomanes Return
As young children growing up we certainly all loved our ballet and I read with interest your article above - bringing back many happy memories.
I started (and was never built to be a ballerina!) my dancing in Chakari and was taught by Gillian Coombes. I need to ask my sisters if I am correct in my memory and certainly if I have got this wrong or if they can add anything I shall ask them to put me straight. Our ballet lessons were always a delight and we did participate in the Royal Ballet School exams which I think were taken in Gatooma (now Kadoma). I think Gertrude Chimavitz (spelling) may have owned the Ballet school there. Somewhere I think I may have a book and the odd certificate so, one day if I can dig them out I can send a photo if you are interested.
In the meanwhile, thank you for bringing back fond memories of our ballet lessons and also shows, all those many years ago! I remember my mother (and her friends whose daughters also attended the classes) spending many hours making costumes and tutus, sewing on shiny threads and sequins for Christmas end of year shows. Many years after the dancing had stopped, the hall in Gatooma became the Gold Star ( ) Sugar Distribution depot and for some reason my grandparents ran that for a few years. I delighted returning there to see the stage where once we danced! I wonder what has become of that now
Diana Calderwood