MOTIVATION Ashley Thaba

THE Bible has a plan for literally every aspect of our lives. This plan is for our personal benefit and that of society.

One particular plan of God is outlined in Titus 2. It’s a long chapter so I won’t quote it, but I really encourage you to read it!

The premise is that older men should be pouring wisdom and practical daily tips for a productive and godly life into younger men. (The same goes for ladies, but today I am focusing on men)

My husband and I frequently lead parenting and marriage seminars.

A recent conversation in a marriage seminar got me thinking about the lack of discipleship that is haunting the young men we see in our societies.

As a professional parenting consultant, I also have a Facebook forum where I freely offer tips to parents in order to encourage them in their role as parents.

I then used my Facebook page, Mom to Mom: Parenting Consultations, to voice my concerns and encourage the 4 200 plus readers that frequent that page.

What happened next astounded me! Over 23 000 liked and shared the post I wrote.

Clearly, I had struck on an issue that resonated with thousands.

I decided to use this column as another forum to share this word of encouragement with especially fathers.

My genuine prayer is that we would have men who come together for the good of the country and selflessly offer their love and support to those young men who are a part of their families, churches and neighbourhoods, among others.

Here is the essence of what I wrote on the post that went viral:

I am sitting at home alone because my husband took my son to watch a big soccer match. He frequently takes Caleb and they do “man” things together.

All day Thursday, over the holiday, I mean from 7:30 am to around 7pm. – he took Caleb to the farm and the two of them built a chicken coop.

Last week, they were slaughtering a chicken and goat together. On Fridays, Percy takes him to soccer and cheers him on at practice.

Every morning, they get up together and clean out the brooder where the newly-hatched chicks sleep and give them fresh food and water.

Caleb beams with pride and joy when he is useful and helpful to his father! You can see how proud he is! Percy is intentional about spending time and pouring into our son. He is intentional about bonding with the girls also, but in different ways and right now, I want to talk about the father/son relationship.

I hope what I am about to say I will not come out wrong. I was leading a marriage workshop today and one of the ladies was commenting on how, as a single mother, she felt that her son was missing some of the masculine touch a man could bring to his life.

From a strictly objective and psychological perspective, statistics prove that boys do miss out on something without a father or at least a very strong father-like figure in their lives.

Here is my challenge to you men: Can you identify a single mother and volunteer to go play soccer with her son, take him to the farm with you or in some intentional way, bless that mother by loving her son? Surely, some of you have sisters who you could pull up your socks and be intentional about you playing a father role in your nephew’s life.

If your children have age mates who you know are being raised by a single mother, could you and your wife be intentional about having that son in your home and including him in activities with your own children?

Could you identify a little boy or young man at church and make a point to greet and ask him about his week? Is there something you can pray to God for him?

Does the little boy have a big school match coming up that you could go and offer support to him or a big test that you could help him study for?

Does the young man have a woman he has his eye on that you could take him out for coffee and offer guidance on how to enter into a healthy relationship?

Even if it is just greeting him at church and showing interest – it is something worthy the while!

Today, at the marriage workshop, one of the ladies said African men are not good at commitment and being good fathers. But then, as we chatted, we realised that most of the people in the room were raised by single mothers.

Maybe our men just don’t know how to be good fathers because they have never saw a model of one.

Those of you who were blessed to be in healthy marriages should invite the young men into their homes and pour into them!

Share life with them. Let them see what it can look like! If one-by-one, you and I can pour into the boy child and the young man who is starting to think about starting a family, we could make a difference and conversations like we have had today may not be so common anymore.

I am not trying to point fingers at the single mothers, but rather challenge the older men to disciple the young men and boys around them to rise and lead our families! Remember the old African proverb – it takes a village to raise a child!

Next week, I will offer some very specific ways older men can pour into younger men based on the guidance of Titus 2.

Let me, for now, just say for those of you fathers who are doing their best and are pouring into their children, you can’t begin to imagine the priceless gift you are giving your children and us, the community, who will have to live with the child you nurture.

Thank you so much for your services – your loving selfless sacrificial service to raise sons who will bless us as a nation in the generation to come!

Send questions to askthaba@gmail.com or Facebook page – Mom to Mom: Parenting Consultations.

MOTIVATION Ashley Thaba

THE Bible has a plan for literally every aspect of our lives. This plan is for our personal benefit and that of society.

One particular plan of God is outlined in Titus 2. It’s a long chapter so I won’t quote it, but I really encourage you to read it!

The premise is that older men should be pouring wisdom and practical daily tips for a productive and godly life into younger men. (The same goes for ladies, but today I am focusing on men)

My husband and I frequently lead parenting and marriage seminars.

A recent conversation in a marriage seminar got me thinking about the lack of discipleship that is haunting the young men we see in our societies.

As a professional parenting consultant, I also have a Facebook forum where I freely offer tips to parents in order to encourage them in their role as parents.

I then used my Facebook page, Mom to Mom: Parenting Consultations, to voice my concerns and encourage the 4 200 plus readers that frequent that page.

What happened next astounded me! Over 23 000 liked and shared the post I wrote.

Clearly, I had struck on an issue that resonated with thousands.

I decided to use this column as another forum to share this word of encouragement with especially fathers.

My genuine prayer is that we would have men who come together for the good of the country and selflessly offer their love and support to those young men who are a part of their families, churches and neighbourhoods, among others.

Here is the essence of what I wrote on the post that went viral:

I am sitting at home alone because my husband took my son to watch a big soccer match. He frequently takes Caleb and they do “man” things together.

All day Thursday, over the holiday, I mean from 7:30 am to around 7pm. – he took Caleb to the farm and the two of them built a chicken coop.

Last week, they were slaughtering a chicken and goat together. On Fridays, Percy takes him to soccer and cheers him on at practice.

Every morning, they get up together and clean out the brooder where the newly-hatched chicks sleep and give them fresh food and water.

Caleb beams with pride and joy when he is useful and helpful to his father! You can see how proud he is! Percy is intentional about spending time and pouring into our son. He is intentional about bonding with the girls also, but in different ways and right now, I want to talk about the father/son relationship.

I hope what I am about to say I will not come out wrong. I was leading a marriage workshop today and one of the ladies was commenting on how, as a single mother, she felt that her son was missing some of the masculine touch a man could bring to his life.

From a strictly objective and psychological perspective, statistics prove that boys do miss out on something without a father or at least a very strong father-like figure in their lives.

Here is my challenge to you men: Can you identify a single mother and volunteer to go play soccer with her son, take him to the farm with you or in some intentional way, bless that mother by loving her son? Surely, some of you have sisters who you could pull up your socks and be intentional about you playing a father role in your nephew’s life.

If your children have age mates who you know are being raised by a single mother, could you and your wife be intentional about having that son in your home and including him in activities with your own children?

Could you identify a little boy or young man at church and make a point to greet and ask him about his week? Is there something you can pray to God for him?

Does the little boy have a big school match coming up that you could go and offer support to him or a big test that you could help him study for?

Does the young man have a woman he has his eye on that you could take him out for coffee and offer guidance on how to enter into a healthy relationship?

Even if it is just greeting him at church and showing interest – it is something worthy the while!

Today, at the marriage workshop, one of the ladies said African men are not good at commitment and being good fathers. But then, as we chatted, we realised that most of the people in the room were raised by single mothers.

Maybe our men just don’t know how to be good fathers because they have never saw a model of one.

Those of you who were blessed to be in healthy marriages should invite the young men into their homes and pour into them!

Share life with them. Let them see what it can look like! If one-by-one, you and I can pour into the boy child and the young man who is starting to think about starting a family, we could make a difference and conversations like we have had today may not be so common anymore.

I am not trying to point fingers at the single mothers, but rather challenge the older men to disciple the young men and boys around them to rise and lead our families! Remember the old African proverb – it takes a village to raise a child!

Next week, I will offer some very specific ways older men can pour into younger men based on the guidance of Titus 2.

Let me, for now, just say for those of you fathers who are doing their best and are pouring into their children, you can’t begin to imagine the priceless gift you are giving your children and us, the community, who will have to live with the child you nurture.

Thank you so much for your services – your loving selfless sacrificial service to raise sons who will bless us as a nation in the generation to come!

Send questions to askthaba@gmail.com or Facebook page – Mom to Mom: Parenting Consultations.

MOTIVATION Ashley Thaba

THE Bible has a plan for literally every aspect of our lives. This plan is for our personal benefit and that of society.

One particular plan of God is outlined in Titus 2. It’s a long chapter so I won’t quote it, but I really encourage you to read it!

The premise is that older men should be pouring wisdom and practical daily tips for a productive and godly life into younger men. (The same goes for ladies, but today I am focusing on men)

My husband and I frequently lead parenting and marriage seminars.

A recent conversation in a marriage seminar got me thinking about the lack of discipleship that is haunting the young men we see in our societies.

As a professional parenting consultant, I also have a Facebook forum where I freely offer tips to parents in order to encourage them in their role as parents.

I then used my Facebook page, Mom to Mom: Parenting Consultations, to voice my concerns and encourage the 4 200 plus readers that frequent that page.

What happened next astounded me! Over 23 000 liked and shared the post I wrote.

Clearly, I had struck on an issue that resonated with thousands.

I decided to use this column as another forum to share this word of encouragement with especially fathers.

My genuine prayer is that we would have men who come together for the good of the country and selflessly offer their love and support to those young men who are a part of their families, churches and neighbourhoods, among others.

Here is the essence of what I wrote on the post that went viral:

I am sitting at home alone because my husband took my son to watch a big soccer match. He frequently takes Caleb and they do “man” things together.

All day Thursday, over the holiday, I mean from 7:30 am to around 7pm. – he took Caleb to the farm and the two of them built a chicken coop.

Last week, they were slaughtering a chicken and goat together. On Fridays, Percy takes him to soccer and cheers him on at practice.

Every morning, they get up together and clean out the brooder where the newly-hatched chicks sleep and give them fresh food and water.

Caleb beams with pride and joy when he is useful and helpful to his father! You can see how proud he is! Percy is intentional about spending time and pouring into our son. He is intentional about bonding with the girls also, but in different ways and right now, I want to talk about the father/son relationship.

I hope what I am about to say I will not come out wrong. I was leading a marriage workshop today and one of the ladies was commenting on how, as a single mother, she felt that her son was missing some of the masculine touch a man could bring to his life.

From a strictly objective and psychological perspective, statistics prove that boys do miss out on something without a father or at least a very strong father-like figure in their lives.

Here is my challenge to you men: Can you identify a single mother and volunteer to go play soccer with her son, take him to the farm with you or in some intentional way, bless that mother by loving her son? Surely, some of you have sisters who you could pull up your socks and be intentional about you playing a father role in your nephew’s life.

If your children have age mates who you know are being raised by a single mother, could you and your wife be intentional about having that son in your home and including him in activities with your own children?

Could you identify a little boy or young man at church and make a point to greet and ask him about his week? Is there something you can pray to God for him?

Does the little boy have a big school match coming up that you could go and offer support to him or a big test that you could help him study for?

Does the young man have a woman he has his eye on that you could take him out for coffee and offer guidance on how to enter into a healthy relationship?

Even if it is just greeting him at church and showing interest – it is something worthy the while!

Today, at the marriage workshop, one of the ladies said African men are not good at commitment and being good fathers. But then, as we chatted, we realised that most of the people in the room were raised by single mothers.

Maybe our men just don’t know how to be good fathers because they have never saw a model of one.

Those of you who were blessed to be in healthy marriages should invite the young men into their homes and pour into them!

Share life with them. Let them see what it can look like! If one-by-one, you and I can pour into the boy child and the young man who is starting to think about starting a family, we could make a difference and conversations like we have had today may not be so common anymore.

I am not trying to point fingers at the single mothers, but rather challenge the older men to disciple the young men and boys around them to rise and lead our families! Remember the old African proverb – it takes a village to raise a child!

Next week, I will offer some very specific ways older men can pour into younger men based on the guidance of Titus 2.

Let me, for now, just say for those of you fathers who are doing their best and are pouring into their children, you can’t begin to imagine the priceless gift you are giving your children and us, the community, who will have to live with the child you nurture.

Thank you so much for your services – your loving selfless sacrificial service to raise sons who will bless us as a nation in the generation to come!

Send questions to askthaba@gmail.com or Facebook page – Mom to Mom: Parenting Consultations.

XOLISANI NCUBE

Harare City Council workers have declared a deadlock with their employer over a cost of living adjustment in the wake of recent spates of price hikes.

Minutes of the joint finance and human resources committees approved last week reveal that talks by the two sides reached a deadlock, with the matter now
before an arbitrator.

Council had offered workers a 5% increment on top of the 2,5% arbitral award they won for a pay rise beginning January 2019.

“The 2018 collective bargaining agreement and the 2019 hardship allowances were both before the arbitrator, following deadlocks on both sides. The acting human
capital director (Mathew Marara) also highlighted that council had a backlog of the collective bargaining agreement negotiation increment of 2,5% for the year
2017, which would be effected from March 2019 and backdated to January 1, 2019,” the minutes read.

Council owes its workers salaries backdated to February 2019 and this has been attributed to declining revenue collection.

“This has been necessitated by the recent rise in the general cost of living in the country. Council, however, was also incapacitated because of budgetary
constraints,” read the minutes.

After a lengthy debate, council tasked its representative to the works council to engage the workers for the 5% offer, while new revenue streams were being
exploited.

The bid for a salary hike comes as service delivery has dwindled and revenue collection is at its lowest ebb due to the negative economic phase the country is
passing through.

XOLISANI NCUBE

Harare City Council workers have declared a deadlock with their employer over a cost of living adjustment in the wake of recent spates of price hikes.

Minutes of the joint finance and human resources committees approved last week reveal that talks by the two sides reached a deadlock, with the matter now
before an arbitrator.

Council had offered workers a 5% increment on top of the 2,5% arbitral award they won for a pay rise beginning January 2019.

“The 2018 collective bargaining agreement and the 2019 hardship allowances were both before the arbitrator, following deadlocks on both sides. The acting human
capital director (Mathew Marara) also highlighted that council had a backlog of the collective bargaining agreement negotiation increment of 2,5% for the year
2017, which would be effected from March 2019 and backdated to January 1, 2019,” the minutes read.

Council owes its workers salaries backdated to February 2019 and this has been attributed to declining revenue collection.

“This has been necessitated by the recent rise in the general cost of living in the country. Council, however, was also incapacitated because of budgetary
constraints,” read the minutes.

After a lengthy debate, council tasked its representative to the works council to engage the workers for the 5% offer, while new revenue streams were being
exploited.

The bid for a salary hike comes as service delivery has dwindled and revenue collection is at its lowest ebb due to the negative economic phase the country is
passing through.

Lake Kariba is a special place of incredible beauty, which is a nature lover’s dream.

The scenery at this African holiday spot also makes it a photographer’s paradise. A visit to Lake Kariba is highly recommended. It is a most relaxing form of holiday.

Along the Zambezi River is Lake Kariba. The lake was created when a dam was built across the Zambezi in the early sixties to provide hydro-electric power.

The building of the dam was controversial as many people lost their homes and thousands of animals had to be rescued in something called Operation Noah,
organised by a man called Rupert Fothergill.

Animals of all sorts were saved from drowning, with many having to be rescued as the waters rose around them.

Now, the lake, which covers an area of 5 000 square kilometres is a wildlife paradise, both in the water with crocodile and hippo, including as some of the
world’s best fish, especially the tiger, which fishermen have to really fight to catch, and on the shores where the Matusadona Wildlife Reserve has the highest
number of lions per square kilometre of any reserve in the African continent.

The most iconic image of Lake Kariba is of the fish eagles, who sit in the fossilised trees in the lake, hunting for fish and whose haunting cry is a sound you
will never forget.

Visitors can stay in one of the game lodges along the shores or perhaps enjoy a few days in a houseboat, just drifting along and enjoying the spectacular
scenery and watching the wildlife come down to the shores to drink.

Lake Kariba is a special place of incredible beauty, that is a nature lover’s dream. The scenery at this African holiday spot also makes it a photographer’s
paradise.

Lake Kariba is among the four largest man-made lakes in the world and the second largest in Africa.

It lies along the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe. The dam wall was built across the Kariba gorge to harness the river’s flow to provide hydroelectric power
for the growing industries of Zimbabwe and Zambia.

Although both the local people and wild animals were initially displaced when the dam was filled between 1958 and 1963, safe relocations were made and the new
ecosystem provides life in many forms. Villagers and their livestock have constant access to water.

Covering an area of nearly 6 000 square kilometres, the lake has also become a year-round source of water for an abundance of animal and bird-life, and a
popular travel destination for both local and foreign tourists.

The main town that lies at one end of the massive lake is Kariba Heights. It is carefully situated 600 metres above the lake, up a steep hill.

The area generally has very hot summers, averaging 38 degrees Celsius (100 degrees Fahrenheit), and an average rainfall of 660 millimetres.

The winters are usually warm, with an average temperature of 25 degrees Celsius (77 degrees Fahrenheit). Wintertime, from April to August, is the best time to
go to Kariba.

Several stories have been told to explain the origin of the name Kariba. Some elders in the area note that close to the dam wall lies a rock that resembles a
traditional stone trap, riva, hence Kariva, literally meaning “little trap”, later mispronounced by Europeans to Kariba.

Another version is that the rock was named “Kariva” due to the fact that when the river flooded the rock, it trapped water, thereby making it difficult for the
locals who often crossed the river to return to either side of the Zambezi River.

Whatever the origin of the name, it is generally agreed that the name Kariba is a mispronunciation of the rock which lies beneath the water surface, close to
the dam wall.

Lake Kariba is a tremendous wildlife experience. Gamefish, particularly tiger fish, which was among the indigenous species of the Zambezi river system, now
thrive on kapenta, a small species of sardine-like fish that was introduced into the lake as a commercial fishery venture. Fish eagle, cormorant and other
water birds frequently visit the shorelines.

Elephants, crocodiles and hippos are also commonly seen.

Experience Zimbabwe

Lake Kariba is a special place of incredible beauty, which is a nature lover’s dream.

The scenery at this African holiday spot also makes it a photographer’s paradise. A visit to Lake Kariba is highly recommended. It is a most relaxing form of holiday.

Along the Zambezi River is Lake Kariba. The lake was created when a dam was built across the Zambezi in the early sixties to provide hydro-electric power.

The building of the dam was controversial as many people lost their homes and thousands of animals had to be rescued in something called Operation Noah,
organised by a man called Rupert Fothergill.

Animals of all sorts were saved from drowning, with many having to be rescued as the waters rose around them.

Now, the lake, which covers an area of 5 000 square kilometres is a wildlife paradise, both in the water with crocodile and hippo, including as some of the
world’s best fish, especially the tiger, which fishermen have to really fight to catch, and on the shores where the Matusadona Wildlife Reserve has the highest
number of lions per square kilometre of any reserve in the African continent.

The most iconic image of Lake Kariba is of the fish eagles, who sit in the fossilised trees in the lake, hunting for fish and whose haunting cry is a sound you
will never forget.

Visitors can stay in one of the game lodges along the shores or perhaps enjoy a few days in a houseboat, just drifting along and enjoying the spectacular
scenery and watching the wildlife come down to the shores to drink.

Lake Kariba is a special place of incredible beauty, that is a nature lover’s dream. The scenery at this African holiday spot also makes it a photographer’s
paradise.

Lake Kariba is among the four largest man-made lakes in the world and the second largest in Africa.

It lies along the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe. The dam wall was built across the Kariba gorge to harness the river’s flow to provide hydroelectric power
for the growing industries of Zimbabwe and Zambia.

Although both the local people and wild animals were initially displaced when the dam was filled between 1958 and 1963, safe relocations were made and the new
ecosystem provides life in many forms. Villagers and their livestock have constant access to water.

Covering an area of nearly 6 000 square kilometres, the lake has also become a year-round source of water for an abundance of animal and bird-life, and a
popular travel destination for both local and foreign tourists.

The main town that lies at one end of the massive lake is Kariba Heights. It is carefully situated 600 metres above the lake, up a steep hill.

The area generally has very hot summers, averaging 38 degrees Celsius (100 degrees Fahrenheit), and an average rainfall of 660 millimetres.

The winters are usually warm, with an average temperature of 25 degrees Celsius (77 degrees Fahrenheit). Wintertime, from April to August, is the best time to
go to Kariba.

Several stories have been told to explain the origin of the name Kariba. Some elders in the area note that close to the dam wall lies a rock that resembles a
traditional stone trap, riva, hence Kariva, literally meaning “little trap”, later mispronounced by Europeans to Kariba.

Another version is that the rock was named “Kariva” due to the fact that when the river flooded the rock, it trapped water, thereby making it difficult for the
locals who often crossed the river to return to either side of the Zambezi River.

Whatever the origin of the name, it is generally agreed that the name Kariba is a mispronunciation of the rock which lies beneath the water surface, close to
the dam wall.

Lake Kariba is a tremendous wildlife experience. Gamefish, particularly tiger fish, which was among the indigenous species of the Zambezi river system, now
thrive on kapenta, a small species of sardine-like fish that was introduced into the lake as a commercial fishery venture. Fish eagle, cormorant and other
water birds frequently visit the shorelines.

Elephants, crocodiles and hippos are also commonly seen.

Experience Zimbabwe

Lake Kariba is a special place of incredible beauty, which is a nature lover’s dream.

The scenery at this African holiday spot also makes it a photographer’s paradise. A visit to Lake Kariba is highly recommended. It is a most relaxing form of holiday.

Along the Zambezi River is Lake Kariba. The lake was created when a dam was built across the Zambezi in the early sixties to provide hydro-electric power.

The building of the dam was controversial as many people lost their homes and thousands of animals had to be rescued in something called Operation Noah,
organised by a man called Rupert Fothergill.

Animals of all sorts were saved from drowning, with many having to be rescued as the waters rose around them.

Now, the lake, which covers an area of 5 000 square kilometres is a wildlife paradise, both in the water with crocodile and hippo, including as some of the
world’s best fish, especially the tiger, which fishermen have to really fight to catch, and on the shores where the Matusadona Wildlife Reserve has the highest
number of lions per square kilometre of any reserve in the African continent.

The most iconic image of Lake Kariba is of the fish eagles, who sit in the fossilised trees in the lake, hunting for fish and whose haunting cry is a sound you
will never forget.

Visitors can stay in one of the game lodges along the shores or perhaps enjoy a few days in a houseboat, just drifting along and enjoying the spectacular
scenery and watching the wildlife come down to the shores to drink.

Lake Kariba is a special place of incredible beauty, that is a nature lover’s dream. The scenery at this African holiday spot also makes it a photographer’s
paradise.

Lake Kariba is among the four largest man-made lakes in the world and the second largest in Africa.

It lies along the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe. The dam wall was built across the Kariba gorge to harness the river’s flow to provide hydroelectric power
for the growing industries of Zimbabwe and Zambia.

Although both the local people and wild animals were initially displaced when the dam was filled between 1958 and 1963, safe relocations were made and the new
ecosystem provides life in many forms. Villagers and their livestock have constant access to water.

Covering an area of nearly 6 000 square kilometres, the lake has also become a year-round source of water for an abundance of animal and bird-life, and a
popular travel destination for both local and foreign tourists.

The main town that lies at one end of the massive lake is Kariba Heights. It is carefully situated 600 metres above the lake, up a steep hill.

The area generally has very hot summers, averaging 38 degrees Celsius (100 degrees Fahrenheit), and an average rainfall of 660 millimetres.

The winters are usually warm, with an average temperature of 25 degrees Celsius (77 degrees Fahrenheit). Wintertime, from April to August, is the best time to
go to Kariba.

Several stories have been told to explain the origin of the name Kariba. Some elders in the area note that close to the dam wall lies a rock that resembles a
traditional stone trap, riva, hence Kariva, literally meaning “little trap”, later mispronounced by Europeans to Kariba.

Another version is that the rock was named “Kariva” due to the fact that when the river flooded the rock, it trapped water, thereby making it difficult for the
locals who often crossed the river to return to either side of the Zambezi River.

Whatever the origin of the name, it is generally agreed that the name Kariba is a mispronunciation of the rock which lies beneath the water surface, close to
the dam wall.

Lake Kariba is a tremendous wildlife experience. Gamefish, particularly tiger fish, which was among the indigenous species of the Zambezi river system, now
thrive on kapenta, a small species of sardine-like fish that was introduced into the lake as a commercial fishery venture. Fish eagle, cormorant and other
water birds frequently visit the shorelines.

Elephants, crocodiles and hippos are also commonly seen.

Experience Zimbabwe

Lake Kariba is a special place of incredible beauty, which is a nature lover’s dream.

The scenery at this African holiday spot also makes it a photographer’s paradise. A visit to Lake Kariba is highly recommended. It is a most relaxing form of holiday.

Along the Zambezi River is Lake Kariba. The lake was created when a dam was built across the Zambezi in the early sixties to provide hydro-electric power.

The building of the dam was controversial as many people lost their homes and thousands of animals had to be rescued in something called Operation Noah,
organised by a man called Rupert Fothergill.

Animals of all sorts were saved from drowning, with many having to be rescued as the waters rose around them.

Now, the lake, which covers an area of 5 000 square kilometres is a wildlife paradise, both in the water with crocodile and hippo, including as some of the
world’s best fish, especially the tiger, which fishermen have to really fight to catch, and on the shores where the Matusadona Wildlife Reserve has the highest
number of lions per square kilometre of any reserve in the African continent.

The most iconic image of Lake Kariba is of the fish eagles, who sit in the fossilised trees in the lake, hunting for fish and whose haunting cry is a sound you
will never forget.

Visitors can stay in one of the game lodges along the shores or perhaps enjoy a few days in a houseboat, just drifting along and enjoying the spectacular
scenery and watching the wildlife come down to the shores to drink.

Lake Kariba is a special place of incredible beauty, that is a nature lover’s dream. The scenery at this African holiday spot also makes it a photographer’s
paradise.

Lake Kariba is among the four largest man-made lakes in the world and the second largest in Africa.

It lies along the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe. The dam wall was built across the Kariba gorge to harness the river’s flow to provide hydroelectric power
for the growing industries of Zimbabwe and Zambia.

Although both the local people and wild animals were initially displaced when the dam was filled between 1958 and 1963, safe relocations were made and the new
ecosystem provides life in many forms. Villagers and their livestock have constant access to water.

Covering an area of nearly 6 000 square kilometres, the lake has also become a year-round source of water for an abundance of animal and bird-life, and a
popular travel destination for both local and foreign tourists.

The main town that lies at one end of the massive lake is Kariba Heights. It is carefully situated 600 metres above the lake, up a steep hill.

The area generally has very hot summers, averaging 38 degrees Celsius (100 degrees Fahrenheit), and an average rainfall of 660 millimetres.

The winters are usually warm, with an average temperature of 25 degrees Celsius (77 degrees Fahrenheit). Wintertime, from April to August, is the best time to
go to Kariba.

Several stories have been told to explain the origin of the name Kariba. Some elders in the area note that close to the dam wall lies a rock that resembles a
traditional stone trap, riva, hence Kariva, literally meaning “little trap”, later mispronounced by Europeans to Kariba.

Another version is that the rock was named “Kariva” due to the fact that when the river flooded the rock, it trapped water, thereby making it difficult for the
locals who often crossed the river to return to either side of the Zambezi River.

Whatever the origin of the name, it is generally agreed that the name Kariba is a mispronunciation of the rock which lies beneath the water surface, close to
the dam wall.

Lake Kariba is a tremendous wildlife experience. Gamefish, particularly tiger fish, which was among the indigenous species of the Zambezi river system, now
thrive on kapenta, a small species of sardine-like fish that was introduced into the lake as a commercial fishery venture. Fish eagle, cormorant and other
water birds frequently visit the shorelines.

Elephants, crocodiles and hippos are also commonly seen.

Experience Zimbabwe

BY Brenna Matendere

THE Nelson Chamisa-led MDC has urged the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec) to guard against all electoral malpractices, including vote rigging during the Bikita ward 31 by-by-election set for today, claiming the opposition party will romp to victory if the playfield is level.

The by-election is to fill the council seat left vacant following the death of Zanu PF councillor Patrick Marozhe on April 15 this year.

MDC is being represented by its Bikita district chairperson Moses Maphosa, while Thomas Mataga will stand for Zanu PF.

In an interview with Southern Eye yesterday, MDC secretary for elections Jacob Mafume said his party was confident of winning the poll.

“We have done two rallies there and our teams worked throughout last weekend to drum-up support. We are confident that if Zec is impartial, independent and
does not allow people to be intimidated, does not allow people to be bought, (does not allow) assisted voters to multiply, food to be distributed on election
day, then we will win the Bikita by-election,” he said.

MDC held the seat from 2008 to 2013 when it lost it to Zanu PF.

Mafume said the party had done its homework and is set to win back the seat.

“Previously (2013 elections), it was affected by double candidates. Now, we have a single candidate. We have got our own agents who are trained. They are ready
to stop any mischief,” he said.

Mafume claimed that the opposition had become more popular due to Zanu PF’s bad policies.

“It is now clear to all and sundry that Zanu PF has failed. They no longer allow those in rural areas to sell their maize. There are no jobs. There is no
education, and there is no electricity; there is also no good healthcare. With all this, no person in their right mind can vote for Zanu PF,” he said.

MDC organising secretary Amos Chibaya also expressed optimism the party will win the seat.

“Prices of basic commodities continue to skyrocket. There is no shop that sells cheap things to Zanu PF supporters. We all buy in expensive shops. So, even
Zanu PF supporters are also feeling the pain. They want change,” he said.

“We won the seat before, so we are taking it back. In fact, we have plans to win all the other by-elections in future.”

Zanu PF spokesperson Simon Khaya Moyo poured cold water on MDC’s assertions.

“If the MDC is arguing the bad economy will make Zanu PF lose, let them win if they are saying so. What they think is not what we think. We are prepared to
win,” he said.