20 August 2008

Zimbabwe has lost a friend

Zimbabwe has lost a friend with the death of Zambia's President Mwanawasa. May Zambia be blessed with an equally courageous successor.

Obituary: Zambia's Levy Mwanawasa

19 August 2008

The Wisdom of Baba Nyemba


There had been a lot of petty theft at the Baptist Theological Seminary of Zimbabwe and the surrounding neighbourhood. Whereas previously people freely took shortcuts across each other's property, now everyone was viewed with suspicion. How could the thieves be thwarted without falsely accusing and insulting innocent passers-by?

[The late Saul Nyemba (in the suit) was a teacher at the Baptist Theological Seminary of Zimbabwe when I taught there. He taught me much about Shona culture and life in Zimbabwe when it was Rhodesia. This is another one of my favorite stories. I miss him.]

One morning as students and staff were leaving the chapel and heading to tea, a stranger was seen walking along the drive near some staff houses across the field in front of the chapel. Baba Nyemba waived a broad friendly greeting to the walker.

Some students asked, "Baba Nyemba, who is that?"

Baba Nyemba replied, "I don't know, but he knows that I saw him."

17 August 2008

Chiure Sunrise

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Sunrise in Chiure area of Moçambique.

16 August 2008

Kathy and Friends

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My wife, Kathy, and two of her friends in Gweru, Zimbabwe.

14 August 2008

Tsvangirai Don't Do An Nkomo


Tsvangirai must be careful not to pull an Nkomo in the current power sharing talks. Nkomo tried to end the violence between ZAPU and ZANU-PF through a power sharing agreement. He accepted a vice-presidency and Mugabe consolidated power even more while pretending to be conciliatory. Tsvangirai must not allow Mugabe to retain any real political power or MDC will join ZAPU in obscurity and Mugabe will continue to misrule the country.

For a good analysis of this issue read:

Nkomo's ghost haunts Zimbabwe talks

08 August 2008

Sabi Star

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The Sabi Star (Adenium Multiflorum) is one of the beautiful flowers of Southern Africa. Usually they are found in hot areas. This photo was taken in the Liwonde Game Park in Malawi.