is one of my two favourite countries. Formerly known as Rhodesia, Zimbabwe gained its independence in April, 1980. It is located due north of South Africa and is also bordered by Zambia, Botswana, Mozambique and Namibia.
I have recently uploaded to YouTube a selection of videos I made in Zimbabwe between 1987 and 2004. They provide some insight into life in rural Africa over a period of almost 20 years.
Happy villagers in earlier times with a good crop of maize. The maize cob, chibage, is ground into upfu. This flour is then cooked to produce sadza, the staple food of Zimbabwe.
Cattle play a vital role in the rural economy. They are too valuable to be consumed as
food, except on the most special of occasions. Their main role is to pull the plough to till the fields. They can also be harnessed to the scotch cart when goods need to be brought to market.
Zimbabweans are keen travellers. The rural buses are often overloaded. Unfortunately this
does not prevent them traveling at breakneck speed - even on the dirt roads!
Bus schedules are amongst Zimbabwe's greatest works of fiction!! As a result waiting is
an unavoidable part of daily life. So patience is essential for intending passengers.
At least there is plenty of time to catch up on the latest gossip!!
Gum trees (eucalyptus) are not native to Zimbabwe. However their rapid rate of growth
makes them an attractive option for timber, shelter and shade.
Perhaps the most amazing feature on the landscape are the balancing rocks.
Exfoliation of the granite occurs as a result of the daily cycle of heating and cooling. Layers of rock peel off, almost like the skins of an onion, leaving the most improbable of balancing structures.
In recent year supermarkets have sprung up all over the country - even in rural areas.
However the cash-less society is not envisaged here in the near future!!
The hours of daylight vary little throughout the year in Zimbabwe. Sunrise is around
6.00am and darkness falls at 6.00pm. But business continues by candle-light.
Thomas Mapfumo is Zimbabwe's leading exponent of Chimurenga music.
is one of my two favourite countries. Formerly known as Rhodesia, Zimbabwe gained its independence in April, 1980. It is located due north of South Africa and is also bordered by Zambia, Botswana, Mozambique and Namibia.
