Mazabuka Mumblings

There is nothing like a Presidential visit to get the side walks swept off, grass cut around the railway line, roads with mine-shaft-pot- holes repaired, hedges trimmed, uniforms pressed, hair straightened/permed/coloured, bald pates polished - et al! This all happened when Mazabuka town, Zambia Sugar, the hospitals, and the farming community was graced by a visit from President Levy Mwanawasa and his entourage on February 23 and 24. The seed for the President's visit to Maz was sewn in mid 2004 when a group of Mazabuka farmers, together with representatives from Chief Mwanachingwala's Trust visited State House to present a cheque of K25,000,000 to go towards one of Mrs. Mwanawasa's Charities. While they were there, they invited the President down to Mazabuka for an official visit. This invitation was backed up by a second from local farmer and President of the Zambia National Farmers Union Guy Robinson who visited the President on his Teka Farm in Ndola in November last year to discuss the 2004/05 season and whilst there, broached the subject of the President's visit to farming communities in the Southern Province.

At a luncheon organised for the President at Lubombo Polo Club, HE thanked local farmers for their commitment to the agricultural industry in Zambia and more specifically in the Mazabuka district. He assured farmers that his government was "very open" to any difficulties that farmers were having and these should be brought to government's attention. He ended his address by inviting farmers to discuss all farming related problems at a meeting to be arranged at State House in either April or May of this year.

Local farmers were extremely encouraged by President Mwanawasa's visit and assured him of their support in developing agriculture in the district.

Musikili School - Capturing The Sunlight And Magic Of Zambia!

A large pat on the communal back was received recently by Musikili School who last year were asked to submit a contribution to go towards the UK based Millennium Golden Tapestry. Commonwealth schools from around the world were asked to make contributions and Musikili was the Zambian school chosen to do so. In a letter thanking them for their efforts, Chief Executive of the project, Lizzie Owen said a comment made by HE Tim David, British High Commissioner to Zambia was that "Musikili Primary have captured all of Zambia - the wildlife, natural wonders and above all, people in a tapestry that mixes sunlight with magic." Ms. Owen said that Musikili's contribution was "undoubtedly one of the very best seen from any school in the commonwealth!" The tapestry can be viewed on www.millennium-tapestry.co.uk

Ndekeleni Farm Visits

Ndekeleni Development Foundation would like to thank those farmers in the Maz district who have responded so well to their farm visits. They have been very well received wherever they have been and have been encouraged by the response by the farm workers. A group from NDF "Centre of Hope" for widows and orphans in the Mazabuka community visits the farms and performs plays on HIV AIDS , STI's and NDF's Home Based Care programme. After the drama session they have a talk on HIV/AIDS and there is a question and answer session, with men and women in separate groups. They also encourage people to attend the clinic or hospital for voluntary testing. Contact NDF through Chairperson, Rita Nyirenda on 097 663 695 e.mail ritanyirenda@yahoo.co.uk or Trustee Glenda Thompson.

Moontalk!

I constantly get emails from exMazabukans pining after the good old days in Maz and asking if much has changed. I was amazed and impressed to receive an email recently from none other than computer genius, billionaire and Moonman Mark Shuttleworth. Mark's Grandmother used to live in one of the Railway houses in Mazabuka and he was a regular visitor here during his school holidays. He is passing through Maz on a trip to the Falls on the first Friday in April and wanted to know what interest there would be in a talk on Moon Tourism. As you may have read, he and Virgin's Richard Branson are part of the group organising Celestial Tourism trips - for the very wealthy but of great interest to the not so wealthy and those who may, one day, in the not too distant future, be part of the Very Wealthy Set - who knows? Whatever! Come and find out more about it!!! What's behind the Cheese story one wonders? I had a long hard look at the moon the other night and was convinced that I was being stared back at by a large round blob of mature cheddar. Interested in the talk?? Contact Glenda Thompson on 03 230-025 or thomo@zamnet.zm

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