Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe owns “in partnership with Zambia”, one of the seven wonders of the world “Victoria Falls”. I lived 34 years of my life in Zimbabwe, and the only times I enjoyed it was when I was visiting the tourist attractions. Anyone is welcome to contact me about Zimbabwe. Ian Stevens lurchandpasta@alice.it

A beautiful country, ruined by an evil dictator.

My mum was born in Zimbabwe and we used to have family there but the violence is so extreme and there is no food available so people are starving. (There is infact enough food but the government isnt giving it to the people and is destroying all the farms)

I dont recommend going there at this present time but maybe after Mugabe is gone. (fingers crossed that will be soon)

I classify this as the day I nearly died. White water rafting can be fun, but on the grade five Zambezi River, in the dry season when the river is low, seemed suicidal.

It started early with huge breakfast at our campsite, then we went into the briefing room to learn how to raft in one easy lesson. I was a little unsure, but I kind of thought ‘what is the worst that could happen?’ What they didn’t tell us was the about 3 people a year die doing this. But maybe it was just as well, because I so wanted to bail out.

It was at the Three Ugly Sisters where I nearly drowned after the raft capsized. My nightmare wasn’t over, I still had 10 rapids to go… Now I can look back as say what an incredible experience.

The pic is of me and (ex) President Kaunda of Zambia. We were on the African Queen a paddle steamer on the Zambezi River, separating Zimbabwe from Zambia in the north.

I was born in Zimbabwe when it was Rhodesia. The country is one of the most beautiful in Africa and only ruined by the idiot dictator Mugabe. The more people who visit and comment on the value and worth of the country and how it is floundering, in fact almost in its death rattle, the more power to do something about restoring this beautiful land to its former position viz “the bread basket of Africa”. Friendly, hospitable people, amazing game viewing and fantastic scenery!

Visit, visit, visit and MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

I used to live in Zimbabwe, in Gweru until I was 9.

It really is the most beautiful country in the world.

And you don’t only miss it when it’s gone, I really appreciated living there.

I think it’s made me a better person than I would have been had I been born anywhere else.

I really want to go back someday, after Mugabe is gone.

Just for the fun of it.

I was born in Zimbabwe and lived there until the age of 12 when I emigrated to the UK to join my mother who had already been living here. I was 6 months old when my mother got the opportunity to come and study in the UK. It was a golden opportunity and one that I now understand she could not let slip. she left me in the care of her older sister who already had several children of her own and other nieces and nephews to look after.

One of my earliest childhood memories was being corrected that my aunt was not in fact my mother and therefore I shouldn’t address her as ‘mama’ as all my other ‘brothers and sisters’ did. I was mystified by this news that I had a different mother whom I would one day be reunited with but was at that time living ‘overseas’ as they liked to call it. As you can imagine at that age I had no concept of geography and the world beyond my extended family and neighbourhood. I eventually accepted this and readjusted my perception of my place within the family. I had no choice in the matter anyway I may have been confused and slightly marginalised but I still felt loved by my older sisters and brothers and they continued to spoil me and call me their baby sister.

When I turned five I was sent away to a boarding school run by a Catholic Diocese in the region. I remember my family going shopping for me and packing loads and loads of clothes and food for me in a trunk. There was so much excitement all around the house because I was starting school. My older cousin brother and I woke up before dawn one day and hopped on an ‘emergency taxi’ (as they were called). We got to the City train station and I boarded the bus along with many other children of varying ages. My cousin waved me off as the bus drove off and I happily waved back.

My first day at school was non-eventful really as I was too young to unpack my suitcase it was all done for me. All i had to do was answer when my name was called out by the staff and follow their instructions. the rest of the time I spent playing. I made a friend on that first day, a little girl called Melanie who was to be in my class and was just as shy and as withdrawn as i was.

Things really started kicking off at night when for reasons unbeknown to me I found myself being tucked into a bed and told to go to sleep. I was in shock and very frightened. I had not understood that I was expected to stay the night at this school. I had been expecting my cousin brother to come and fetch me and take me home again as had happened at pre-school nursery. That night I cried and cried until I could cry no more. I remember seeing what i thought to be an angel who had heard my cries of distress and had come to comfort me. I now suspect it was one of the nuns who used to dress in all white habits. I remained at this school for the following months to come and did not see or hear from any of my family whilst I was there. Needless to say I eventually adjusted. I had no choice.

We were told by the missionaries that it wasn’t the safest place to be… so we walked across the Victoria Falls bridge and snapped a picture that said “Welcome to Zimbabwe” and high tailed it back over the border. I felt so sneaky!! :)

its vey god u get 2 play wid animals its very vey good the best country ever

This is a special place to me. My best friend in the entire world is from here. She loves it; it’s her real home, not Canada. She talks about it constantly. She wants to graduate from here. And I want to graduate with her. We’re going to move to Zimbabwe one day, she tells me. So I can’t wait to see it. I can’t wait to see her home!