Twiza, Twiga, Giraffe

Don't Bother Me!

The Maponga Family

The Maponga family were good friends in Gweru, Zimbabwe. Baba Maponga managed the Baptist Camp just over the mountain from the Baptist Seminary where I taught. Amai Maponga studied at the seminary and earned a Certificate in Theology. The older son, Simbarashe, was an outstanding student at boarding school. Prosper, the younger son, was a good friend of my older son. Daughters Mufaro and Kudzai rounded out the family.

The world could use more families like the Mapongas!
Here they are posing in front of one of the camp rondavals.

Harare Variations

Harare, Zimbabwe was a beautiful city in the 1980s. Here are some views from the kopje.

The jacaranda trees (above) coloured the city in the spring. Flamboyant, bauhinia and flame trees also added colour.

This view overlooks the old part of town near the train tracks.

Watch out!

A Chiure Homestead

This is the homestead of my friend, Pastor Rodrigues, in Chiure, Moçambique. The first picture shows his home and the following two show his children. It's been about 5 or 6 years since the pictures were taken, so I'm sure the children are much bigger now. That's the nature of children. They tend to grow up.

Caídas de Lúrio

In northern Moçambique in the Chiure District there is a picturesque waterfall on the Lúrio River known as the Caídas de Lúrio. It is practically inaccessible during the rainy season. I visited in the dry season when the water flow was low. Even with low water, it is a beautiful waterfall. I can only imagine what it is like when the water is high.

Enjoy these impressions of the Caídas de Lúrio.

ANC is denied two-thirds majority

Good news for South Africa. At least for now the ANC cannot become a ZANU-PF.

Read: ANC is denied two-thirds majority

Every country needs a strong opposition to protect the majority party. Pray that the ANC will govern on behalf of the people and not themselves.

First albino buffalo spotted in Kenyan park

This is a facinating story. Read:

First albino buffalo spotted in Kenyan park

Banjo Roots: U.S.-Mali Fusion

U.S. banjo player Bela Fleck has done a documentary and made an album tracing the American banjo to its African roots. He was recently on NPR with Malian kora master Toumani Diabate discussing the project and playing together.

Visit: Bela Fleck And Toumani Diabate: Banjo Roots at NPR to hear some of the studio music and tracks from the new album Throw Down Your Heart.

This is some great fusion music.

Profiting from Zimbabwe's 'blood diamonds'

Mugabe got involved in the Congo war in order to enrich himself and his friends with mineral wealth. Many leading soldiers began to seek diamonds. Now diamonds are found in Zimbabwe and he uses the military and police to seize control of them and to enrich himself and friends even more.

Read the BBC report "Profiting from Zimbabwe's 'blood diamonds'" for the story. Stop the sale of blood diamonds worldwide.

Meanwhile, Botswana is cutting diamond production. Read the BBC report: "Gem producer Botswana cuts output".