Mazabuka Mumblings

Fields Of Magnectic Fields - Not only are we surrounded by fields of sweetness in Mazabuka but with the onset of the cell phone explosion in Zambia, we are also surrounded by fields of radio masts, with Celtel, Zamtel, various other tels. .. and now Telecel who recently constructed their very own wannabe-Eiffel Tower in the Golf Club grounds. Sadly, It does not, in any way help as a direction finder for golf balls . They wing their way in the direction of the hole on the sixth green, which is closest to the Tower, but somehow they still manage to make a quick detour into the nearest bunker where they bury themselves comfortably in the sand. If they're not having any effect on our balls, are these magnetic fields affecting our brains one wonders? It was noted by onlookers that during the evening of the Brains Of Mazabuka competition that took place at Maz Club in early November, the sky above the club was a mass of colourful sparks and flashes - a collective explosion of Maz brain cells perhaps?

Material For Widows And Orphans Needed - The Ndekeleni Development Foundation that was founded at the Ndeke Community Centre to help empower widows and orphans in the area would be grateful for donations of material and wool scraps. They can be dropped off at the Centre or with me, Glenda Thompsonat Nakambala.

Moorings Campsite Going From Strength To Strength!

It's great to see small businesses survive and thrive in Mazabuka. Moorings Campsite on Tom and Thea Savory's farm, which is situated between Mazabuka and Monze (11 km north of Monze) is one of those little businesses.

Moorings recently hosted 250 people at the Southern Province Car rally. The rally took three routes on the farm through the fields and bush, and the campsite was the service HQ and base. Seminars and Workshops have also been held at the tidy and well sited campsite and the Savory's have had requests from folk wanting to hold wedding receptions and other functions at Moorings. The campsite is also the perfect spot for Overlanders and other travellers on their way to or from Livingstone. Contact Thea or Tom on 032 50049 or Email tsavory@zamnet.zm

The Amazing Ginger Bush!

At a course that I attended on herb guru Margaret Roberts’ De Wildt Farm near Pretoria recently, I discovered something extremely interesting about an old friend. My old mate is the beautiful winter flowering (it has clouds of

misty lilac flowers) Ginger Bush or Tetradenia riparia (Iboza riparia) and grows prolifically here in Mazabuka and in and around Lusaka. You cannot mistake it. It has a lovely gingery scent when in flower and if you rub the leaf with your fingers it lets off a strong gingery smell. I had always thought that the Ginger Bush was an exotic but in fact it is indigenous to Africa and the leaf has been used for hundreds of years by indigenous tribes in Southern Africa, including the Zulu, the Tswana and the Venda to treat coughs, colds and respiratory ailments. They pour boiling water over a handful of leaves and leave it to stand for five minutes before drinking the "tea". Of greater interest perhaps is the fact that the leaves have been used for centuries, by the tribes mentioned, as a malaria remedy (once again a tea is made) and for treating gall sickness in cattle. The bush makes an excellent hedge as it is very fast growing. It grows brilliantly from cuttings and if anyone is interested in propagating it, I have a garden full of this lovely bush.