DECEMBER 2007

Your verified, online Newsletter for Rhodesians & Zimbabweans Worldwide.

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THE MISSING PERSONS BUREAU

Member: indabainkosi   Real Name: Terence Kerr About Me: Ex Bulawayo 1971 to 1982. Greenfield Junior 1971 and 1972. Hamilton High 1973 to 1977. Worked for Railways till 1982. Searching for Edward 'Eddie' Chandler From Bulawayo and later KwaZulu-Natal. Dad Ted and Mom Jean. Has a sister Janett and brother John. Last I heard was a rumor he had gone down under to Aussie. If anyone knows of his whereabouts please let me know

Member: kim.h  Real Name: Kim Hillier
About Me: born in rhodesia in 1962 maiden name Pepper, went to Hatfield High now living in UK.
I am looking for Wayne Lennard who went to Cranbourne Boys High and left to come to the UK in about 78. he had an older brother and a younger sister i cant remember their names though. also looking for Smiler Lambard {Paul} who went to Prince Edward School. I would appreciate any leads thanks


Member: rhodierocker  Real Name: Carl HAM
About Me: Left a fair land many many years ago, and it will never leave my heart and soul
Looking for Kieran and Simon Carpenter looking for these two guys. Last seen in Waterfalls in 69. Left Rhodesia in 73, and so never been able to keep in touch

Member: lizzie  Real Name: Elizabeth (Liz) Norman (Watson)
About Me: Now living in Galashiels Scotland with my daughter Lynda and her family. Yes I now have 3 children in 3 continents

I would like to get in touch with Chris Warner who lived in Bulawayo and went to Hamilton School in the 60's. If anyone knows his contact address or phone number or can tell me where he now lives I would appreciate it so much

Member: glendam  Real Name: Glenda MacMillan
About Me: Married with 2 children and now living in Pietermaritzburg South Africa.
Looking for George and Edie Griffin who used to live in Burns Road Bulawayo. Lost contact with them after we left in 1980.We believe they may have gone to the Eastern Cape region in South Africa.We were told their son Mike and his family settled there and they perhaps followed.If anyone knows their whereabouts and some contact details I would appreciate it

Member: rigeback  Real Name: Phil Macchia
I WOULD LIKE TO HEAR FROM ANYONE IN CONTACT WITH THE PLATTEN FAMILY, FRED PLATTEN WAS A TOBACCO FARMER IN THE MACHEKE MTOKO AREA AND HE HAD 3 DAUGHTERS KATHY, LORRAIN & JEAN. ANY CONTACT INFO APPRECIATED

Member: dartin  Real Name: Em Clifford
About Me: Born in Rhodesia, went to Chaplin High, moved to SA where I lived for many years and am now a resident of the USA
Looking for Denise Bailey, married Nathan Hess - they farmed in Karoi. Two sisters who I remember were Karen & Sally

Member: Toes  Real Name: Tonino Margani
About Me: Lived in Salisbury from 1958 through to 1975. Best years of my life. Now in Toronto Canada, self employed, married (she is also Rhodesian)with 3 kids and 2 grand children. Somehow I still feel that "HOME" is back there

I am trying to locate someone that went to the Boeteshoff High School - 1961 - 1969 during the years mentioned. If you attended the above school please contact me and you could possibly assist in the locating of my friend.

Member: Bugs  Real Name: Peter Gill
About Me: Lived in Bulawayo from 1973 till 1981
Looking for John Montgomery from Bulawayo (1979) was in RAR Inyanga same year. Last I saw of him, he was living in Johannesburg, South Africa in 1982

Member: Pippa1001  Real Name: Philippa Owens
About Me: Born in Zim 1970, left in 1983 for SA. Been living in the UK for 12 years now. Married to Alun, 2 beautiful girls, Amy is 9 and Darcy is 3. Would to hear from anyone who remembers me or the Maritz family. Mom and Dad are Maggi and Philip and my sisters are Maggi and Elsa
Looking for Julia Clarke - from Gwelo.  Found Julie earlier in the year living in Oz. Have lost contact again, I know her mom sadly passed away in Wales late last year. Would dearly love to make contact again. She is married with 2 boys

Member: Annie  Real Name: ANN ARNOTT

About Me: Am now retired but in my previous life was a PA. Worked at Nat.Bank, and solicitors in Gwelo. Hubby was with the PWD. Returned to UK in 96 after living in Cape Town for 30 odd years. Was in Gwelo/Que Que for 2 yrs.  My hubby and myself worked for this company - anybody out there who worked 1970/72? We lived in Msasa Park

Member: JK  Real Name: Jean Keeling
About Me: Proud Rhodesian now living in UK
Looking for Karen Benningfield ex Byo Lost contact when Karen moved to South Africa. Can anyone please help me find my best friend from school (Greenfield).

Member: mands  Real Name: Mandy Bennett
About Me: Born in Byo, went to school at Convent. Now living in Perth
Hi Am looking for Stewart Williamson, he used to live in Harare, has three children, two daughters and a son, Adam I think who used to do a lot of swimming as a child. Stewart used to come down to Byo on business, maybe something to do with the mines. Lost touch with him and his family when I moved to Australia in 1989. Would love to find him and see what he is up

Member: Tony.B  Real Name: Tony Ballinger
About Me: 51 year old male, born in Salisbury Rhodesia, currently living in Salisbury UK (mud Island) and have just visited Salisbury in USA !! Author to the book A walk against the stream Info in the posting room(messageboard)
I am looking for Cliff (Clifton) Kelly, formerly of Salisbury, Rhodesia. He went to Churchill and left school in '72 or thereabouts. Went to SA and worked on mines I believe

Member: nadinerice  Real Name: Nadine Rice
Still looking for. Pauline Williams from Devizes road in M'belriegn.
Lynn Walters, Gilian Mc Cree she has a brother John who lives or lived in UK. Cheryle Rylander was married to Johnny but i believe they have divorced and she has remarried she has a son JJ. Riki and Stephan, they farmed in Bindura years ago, would love to get in contact again with Riki. Hope and Hank Dejager they lived at Madziwa mine

Member: Zenith.Mick.J  Real Name: Michael Slater
About Me: Ex PTC Byo 1978, now living in Paraguay, South America
Looking for Margaret Stevenage ex PTC Byo and Looking for Bill Booyse ex PTC Byo and Nick Van Rensburg ex PTC Gwelo


Member: marybchennell  Real Name: Mary Chennell (Trueman)
About Me: Raised in Malawi, A levels at Queen Elizabeth High in Salisbury, 23-year journalism career in UK, Libya, Texas, Malta. Now company director in family security systems firm UK & Malta. Husband Malcolm, two sons, three grand babes
Been looking for years for Diane Edgar, my best friend at Queen Elizabeth High, Salisbury, in the early/mid 60s

Member: wslyclly  Real Name: Patricia Wesley-Colley

About Me: Ex Harare.  Looking for David & Gill Van Rensburg

Member: wika1wika  Real Name: Wim Pietersen
About Me: I am en ex Rhodie. 58 - 79
I am trying to find the whereabouts of Sheena Glover and Marjory Square. These were their maiden names back in the '70s.  Sheena's father owned a small cattle ranch behind the then called Rhodesian Leaf Tobacco Company.  Marjory used to be a school teacher at Southerton Primary School and later joined the Rhodesian Air Force.


Member: tracygrobler  Real Name: Tracy Grobler nee Ashley

About Me: I was born in Salisbury, and grew up in Gwelo, went to CJR junior schl and then to Thornhill High, went to Speciss College in Bulawayo and worked at Founders Bldg Soc. Left for SA in 1985 and UK in 86 and 87. Immigrated to UK in 2005
I'm looking for my long lost buddy Janice Macdonald, we went to CJR school in Gwelo, her family then immigrated to Scotland where i still was in contact with her, I visited her in Scotland in 1986 and then I returned to SA, I've lost all contact with her and would love to see her again, her brothers name was Alex and her mothers name was Mary. Please if someone knows where I can get hold of her please let me know,. My maiden name is Ashley, she will remember me, thanks regards Tracy

Member: zimbabwe_bird  Real Name: Kathy Orrell
About Me: I'm 42, grew up in Rhodesia/zimbabwe, lived in the UK for 18 years and now am living in Tennessee, USA
Looking for Patricia Evans. Patsy and I went to Oriel Girls' High in Chisipite until 1982/3. Last I heard she had moved to Durban, SA and was running her own bakery/cake shop. I would love to find her and get in contact so if anyone knows of her whereabouts please let me know. Thanks

Also Looking for Ashleigh Carter (nee Robinson) The last time I saw Ashleigh was when I visited her and her family, hubby Nick and daughters, Toni and Lucy back in 1994 on their farm about 100 km north west of Harare. After all the troubles, the last phone call I had with her she said something about going to Zambia and managing a farm up there. Does anyone know where she is or how I can contact her? Her Mom's name is Valerie, she has an older brother, Michael who went to Saint Georges and a younger sister, Lisa. She'd be 41 years old now with a birthday in December. We went to Oriel Girls' High in Chisipite until 1982/3. If anyone can help I would really appreciate it.

Member: peter.newbery  Real Name: Peter Newbery
Looking for Anne (nee Breach) Cooper. My sister Elaine (nee) Newbery would love to be back in contact with Anne somewhere in the UK. Lost contact knows Anne is married to Steve ex BSAP and knows Anne has three children possibly Wiltshire area though not too sure
Also looking for Nella nee Bresler now known as Nella Cox.  Lost contact when they left Fopogena Farm Chegutu would love to be back in touch really sad when lost contact so very sorry to hear about Joe. Saw it in the newspapers here in the UK.

Member: mrgksg  Real Name: Mike Greer
About Me: Live in Kentucky Three children, a daughter 19, two boys 16 and 13. Married to Kim
Looking for Peter Morris, lived in either Marlborough or Mablereign. Served with 5 Indep Umtali, intake 162. Where are you Pete

Member: slackytambo  Real Name: Geoff Crimes
About Me: Ex Fairbridge boy.then ex Customs and Excise, Livingstone Textiles, Rhodesia Snailways, Palace Hotel and various other bars, Main Motors, then for 25 years undetected leisurely earning a living with Clan Transport in Byo, Que Que and finally Kariba. Now in london
I'm looking for an old friend from Bulawayo days,Cyril Leach. He worked for Nigel Webbs in Main St. After he got married we drifted apart and I think he's back in the UK, can anyone help? Slackytambo

Member: terrymck54  Real Name: Terry McKeown
About Me: Went to Prince Edward. Worked for Lyons Brooke Bond. Recce Platoon 1st Batt. Now live Perth W Australia
Looking for Howie Bell, believed to be working in the diamond industry in South Africa. His father owned Bells Jewelers in Salisbury/Harare.

Member: SheilaB Real Name: Sheila Blamire
About Me: Born in Zim and grew up in Goromonzi area. Am now 43 and have 2 children who are 20 and 15. Happily married and living in the UK. Married Robbie Blamire
I have been trying to locate Lynette Duncan who went to CCC College in Harare 1979-1980, Joy Campbell who went to GHS in Harare 1976-1979 and the Smithdorfs who lived in Greendale Avenue early 1970's. Also trying to track down Gina Shaw and her daughter Kim who lived in Mutare around 1986. Does anyone know Frank Moltino who used to hunt in Zim and neighbouring countries in the early 1980's?


Member: AnnFairs  Real Name: Ann Fairs nee Flatman
About Me: I live in Surrey, England. I went to Marandellas High and served with the RWS. I also worked in Archipelago Night Club. I have two sons, my husband is English and has never been to Africa. One son lives at home, the other is a lecturer in Staffs
Still looking for any of the Pargeters. I've been looking for about 15 years now


Member: Terry.Evans  Real Name: Terry Evans
Looking for Howard Neil ex BSAP.

Member: pambobtilling  Real Name: Pam Tilling
About Me: Born Bulawayo 1945 and lived in Queensdale - Kingsdale Primary School 1951 - 1957 and Northlea School Bulawayo 1958 to mid 1961. Started on a nursing career first at the Bulawayo Infectious Diseases Hospital in August 1961 as a Nurse Aid and then started my training at Salisbury Central Hospital January 1963 - Group W. I failed my exams so left and went back to Byo in September. Worked as a cashier at Edgars in Main Street Byo till I married Bob Tilling in July 1964. We lived in Mablereign and then Bluff Hill in Salisbury and I was on the Committee of the Salisbury Mothers Club for many years. Bob worked first at Lever Brothers and then later at Rhodesia Sugar Refineries. We have three children - Raymond born 1965, Sandra born 1967 and Pamela born 1975. We came to New Zealand in 1977 and have enjoyed 30 wonderful years here. We now have 9 grandchildren and retired last year to continue our love of traveling by way of a motor home. I would love to make contact with anyone who remembers me/us from those happy days.
Looking for Marie and Dave Gerrell previously of Panda Mines in Beit Bridge in 1975/6. would love to catch up with them again. Also Group 'W' of Salisbury Central Hospital

Member: Joey  Real Name: Joanna Totty
looking for any relatives of Wendy (nee) Hall before she married. My husband's mother was her cousin and the family wondered if they are all okay


Member: trooperjason  Real Name: Jason Elliott
About Me: Born (1974) and raised in Rhodesia and then Zim, Lilfordia and then Falcon College, Zim Schools cricket and rugby, University of Cape Town and then Natal (Durban) BSocSci (Hons - Psychology), Teaching English as Foreign Language in Moscow for 8 years now but go home every year. Interests include Rhodesiana and Russian literature, hunting, shooting, fishing, ballet, cricket, rugby, travel, which is very difficult on a Zim passport.
I'm trying to find Simon Winskill. I went to Falcon College with Simon from 1987-92. I believe he's in the UK now and would be grateful if anyone could help me get in touch again as we were really good buddies at school. His parents are Nick and Jill Winskill who were Trelawney farmers

Member: bdee  Real Name: Brian de la Rosa I am looking for some very close friends and would like to make contact with Marion Clarke who lived in Greendale got married to an Officer in the RLI and moved to the Durban area. also looking for Cheryl Milne who lived in Bulawayo, Judy Laing of Bulawayo, Louise Kirsten of Bulawayo and Carol Davies of Bulawayo who married Pete Bailey and is now in the UK

Help with these searches and the many more...post your own "You never know who maybe looking for you"
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The Memorial Service for Ian Smith was held in Cape Town.  Here is a brief report from someone who attended. St John's was PACKED, even the choir loft was full of people and extra chairs in the aisles; yet the back was full-up of folks standing room only. 3 family members spoke. Unfortunately the organ packed up before the service began, as one of the keys/notes stuck, so piano had to suffice. therefore The Post was not as effective. They asked that no photos nor recordings be made during the service, otherwise I would have recorded it as well Neil Gibbs of Rhodesia days gave a good message. "Remember thy Creator in the days of the youth"--don't wait until you are very old to address your maker, giving Him only an 'afterthought'.

 

Join in the Discussion in The Message Boards at Rhodiechat.

Are we making progress?

I am constantly amazed at the number of people I speak to who say they are determined to stick things out but ask, are we making any progress towards finding a resolution to the current economic and political crisis? Amazed at the numbers because I really expect most people with options to throw in the towel and decide to move to greener pastures.

The facts are that we are making progress. Looking back, much more progress than I think any of us expected 18 months ago. In March 2006 the newly divided MDC had just held two Congress's one in Bulawayo for the Mutambara led group and another in Harare for the group led by Tsvangirai. Zanu PF had just settled yet another challenge to the succession issue and Thabo Mbeki had thrown in the towel fed up with the infighting in the main political parties and in the lack of progress and consensus.

The international community had likewise decided to sit on their hands for a while they were deeply disappointed in the split in the MDC ranks, the apparent bickering and also in the seemingly intransigent nature of the Zimbabwe situation. Nothing much happened for the next nine months except that the economic crisis deepened and our gradual slide into some form of a failed State accelerated.

Then came the fateful decision in December 2006 by Zanu PF to try to  postpone the election to the same time as the Soccer World Cup June 2010. Mbeki was galvanized into action and moved to try and establish a new strategy for resolving the Zimbabwe crisis. He swiftly moved to secure the basics of the new strategy get the elections moved back to March 2008 and try to get Mugabe to hold then under free and fair conditions. The preliminary steps seemed too easy to be true Mbeki spoke with Mugabe in Ghana on the 7th March and Mugabe said yes to both issues.

Mr. Mugabe then made a serious error of judgment he ordered his security Chiefs to crush the MDC so that they would not be capable of fighting an election in March 2008. Four days after he accepted President Mbeki's suggestions to resolve the crisis, the leadership of the MDC was arrested and beaten in custody. Television footage of the incident was somehow captured and released and a media blitz ensued which in turn galvanized the leadership of the SADC region to sit up and eventually demand action to settle this dispute once and for all. Mbeki got his multilateral approach to the crisis and Mugabe lost a critical regional support base.

On the 29th March 2007, the SADC leadership met in an emergency session and resolved to work with President Mbeki in seeking a resolution to the crisis. Ten days later the details were thrashed out in Harare and formal talks between the MDC (this hated puppet of the West) and Zanu PF eventually got underway and have been going on for the past 8 months.

That they have taken place at all is a remarkable victory for the MDC and its allies. That the region has supported the process and insisted that the  MDC was a key player is equally astonishing. 18 months ago no one in Zanu PF would have said that this would happen not in a thousand years to recall the words of another tyrant in another era!

Then came the key decision by the MDC to walk out of the process if certain fundamental principles were not recognised and worked into the final agreement. These were principally centred around the issues related to the electoral system and its management, together with the fact that despite the commitment to the talks and to trying to resolve the crisis in leadership democratically, the Zanu PF regime and its thugs had continued to rain down on the MDC and its structures political violence on a scale that threatened the whole process.

The MDC action stirred the South African leadership back into action and last week President Mbeki made a short stop over in Harare to see the main leaders and to resolve the logjam in the talks. The talks resumed immediately after his visit and a revised deadline for the final outcome was set as the 15th of December.

I remain convinced that no one can walk away from this process. The continual praise that Mr. Mugabe heaps on the SADC leadership and South Africa for its role in the process is a smoke screen for what is a very difficult situation for Zanu PF. They simply cannot afford to alienate the SADC and are being forced to accept reforms that endanger their grip on power and their ability to dictate the outcome of the next election. To their fury, the MDC has been given a veto over those issues and we have now used this to force through changes that suddenly make the near impossible seem possible.

We are going to have an election and I still think it will be in March 2008.  We will not have anything like normal conditions for the campaign leading to the elections but at least we will be able to say to the people of this country you can all vote, vote in secret and the recording and reporting of your vote will not be tampered with this time. Perhaps, just perhaps, we will have a chance to change our government democratically.

In March 2006 there was no way we could have envisaged this situation. It is a real victory for the democratic forces here and for the friends we have across the globe. It is also a victory for African leadership and if we can pull it off, it will help put Africa's image back on track as a continent of democratic change and hope. But for this to happen we still have a lot to do and a way to go. On our part we will stick to our position without compromise, prepare for the elections by selecting candidates (over 2000 of them) and putting our policies in place and in front of the electorate.

Then its up to you out there vote and vote wisely. Do not waste your vote on anyone who cannot deliver change and whose policies and stand is not absolutely clear. We have struggled to get us all this chance to resolve the crisis in Zimbabwe without violence, legally and within a recognised political framework. The rest is up to us all of us who live here and hold citizenship.

Eddie Cross
Bulawayo, 27th November 2007

 

SPECIAL NOTE RE CHRISTMAS DEADLINE Memories of Rhodesia & Flame Lily Books Christmas orders have to be in by December 7, if you miss we can offer Express Mail however that gets expensive.

FOUND

I would like to tell you a story, in 1979 I was seconded to the Rhodesia Light Infantry as a weapons instructor from the Royal Marines Commandos, then in 1980 I was with the South Africa Police working as liaison between them, the British and the ZIPRA PF. Apart from falling in love with your Country, I met and fell in love with a fantastic girl. I was in Zimbabwe for three years and was told that one day I would be back, because once it gets into your blood you are hooked. That is true. I have spent the last 24 years looking for Helen, this week I found her and it is all thanks to your help and chat room. Thank you just does not seem enough, I will always be in your debt, if ever I can be of service please call. Gratefully yours Calvin

 

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