The Lowdown - 2015-08 August

Vol. 21, No. 08, 2015

August

One Drum, Many Beats

3

Surviving Zesco

30

AC DC ANC

7

Reality Check

34

Growing Art Gracefully

9

Lusaka’s Park

36

Star Gazer

11

With a Passion for Primates

39

In the Garden

13

Attack on Saisi

41

Birds, Bugs and Bushes

14

What’s Happening

45

Fool On The Hill

17

Employment Sought

56

Mole In The Hole

22

Restaurants

57

Getting Started

24

Small Adverts

59

Beat A Broken Heart

28

Front Cover Photograph: Carpenter Bee Robberfly - (See Page 14) (Hyperechia bifasciata)

by William van Niekerk Editor: Heather Bender Chalcraft Layout & Design: Louann Chalcraft Published by: LH Publications Limited, PO Box 36666, Lusaka, Zambia. +26 0966 821-290 / +26 0965 821-290 editor@lowdownzambia.com www.lowdownzambia.com Winners of the 2011 Africast Tourism Journalist of the Year Award Advertising, Subscriptions and Distribution: ads@lowdownzambia.com Printed by: New Horizon Printing Press Ltd, PO Box 38871, Lusaka, Zambia. +26 0211 236-637 1

One Drum, Many Beats During August, Zambians, and especially Lusakans, will be treated to a week of theatre, dance, music, art and other festivities as part of the Barefeet Youth Arts Festival.

This is the ninth time that Barefeet Theatre, the 2012 Ngoma Award winning theatre company, will be entertaining the public with different performances, interactive workshops, exhibitions and a carnival. The festival also offers young people an opportunity to interact with local, national and international artists.

Barefeet was founded by a group of young Zambian artists and charismatic Irish theatre maker, Adam McGuigan.

Many of the founding members of the organisation grew up on the streets and in orphanages. They felt they wanted to bring something positive to the lives of their younger peers and started to use theatre, dance and arts to show how they could change their lives, get off the streets and into school. The Barefeet Festival started as a small celebration in the parking lot of the Lusaka Playhouse where the children showed what they had learned. From this, it has grown into a two week festival with a range of activities and national and international artists that perform side by side with the vulnerable children under the Barefeet umbrella. This year’s theme is One Drum, Many Beats which celebrates diversity, knowledge and respect The Festival gets going on 10 August with community performances at 40 different venues across Zambia. These will go on until 15 August when events will move to Lusaka. The first event in Lusaka will be at Pestalozzi Children’s Village (Twin Palm Rd) on 20 August with a play entitled Miss Mathematics. This is a fun, joyful musical tribute to Michael Jackson.

The Festival runs until 29 August.

The cost of admission to the various events is as listed below. Or you could buy an all access pass at K350. For more info on this, contact Andrew by email at andrew@barefeettheatre.org or by phone on 0978 954-948

Forth Fires - 13 to 17 August This year Barefeet are invoking the spirit of power, inclusion and change with ‘One Drum Many Beats’, promoting unity, diversity and acceptance as well as fighting stigma against marginalised groups. Barefeet facilitators will be creating 3 performances in each of their 40 partner centres in 40 communities across the country. Each performance will be based around Street, Refugee or Disabled Kids.

Admission: FREE Location: around Zambia Artists: Local Heroes Miss Mathematics - 21 and 22 August Miss Mathematics tells the story of six young children who grow up in a troubled country in Central Africa. Despite daily challenges, the children still find time to play, dance and sing.

One of the children is a fan of Michael Jackson and dreams of one day going to America to visit the Neverland ranch. An unfortunate event separates the chidren from their families and forces the children to escape. Once separated from everything they once knew, the children embark upon an adventure to ‘Find Neverland’.

This journey takes them across difficult and dangerous terrain in search of a safer destination.

Along the way they meet dangerous, magnificent and magical characters who both help and hinder them. Throughout ‘Miss Mathematics’ uses her extraordinary mathematical skills to guide and rescue the children from a series of desperate situations. The piece is set to the rythm, dance and spectacle of Michael Jackson’s music, in a new musical event that uses all the ingredients of a rock concert including 200 performers to create a moving, beautiful and life affirming adventure.

Time: Friday 21 August, 7 pm; Saturday 22 August, 2 pm and 7 pm Admission: Adults K50, Children K30 Location: Pestallozi Children’s Village Artists: Maureen Lilanda.

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Bring It On Zambia - 24 August Being held at Chawama grounds, Barefeet dares everyone to bring their best moves; bring a smile so that we Bring It On Zambia.

National artists and local heroes show their best in this dynamic road Time: 2 pm to 6 pm Admission: Free Location: Chawama grounds Film Night - 24 August Barefeet Theatre in collaboration with Kilimanjaro Film Institute Zambia and Sunshine Project, will be showing four short films by Barefeet Childrens Council. The short films from BCC and KFIZ will focus on themes that hope to inspire change with other youths in the country. Also featuring at Film Night is Ngosa Chungu’s production, ‘Eighteam’, a film which tells the incredible story of the Zambian Chipolopolo 2012 victory which occurred years after the national team perished in the Gabon air disaster.

Time: 7 pm Admission: K50 Location: Freshview Cinema, Manda Hill Workshops - 25 August Join in one of our workshops and learn what it takes to be a true performer or artist - be it dance, drumming, acting, poetry or song.

Time: 9 am Location: Barefeet HQ and Lusaka Playhouse Admission: K30 Artists: Princess Mhoon (USA), Brooke Ciardelli (USA), Kalentura (Holland), Cocoloco (Australia), Dance Africa (UK), Kwaai (Sweden), Barefeet Acrobats (Zambia), Street Culture (Zambia), Brouhaha (UK), Artscape (South Africa).

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Comedy Night - 25 August Ready for a nights of laughs and fun? Last years Comedy Night was an absolute hit so this year they are doing it again! Different Zambian stand up comedians will make sure your belly will hurt from laughing too much. They will be joined by Barefeet young heroes, the children from the different centres Time: 7 pm Location: Lusaka Playhouse Admission: K50 Artists: to be confirmed Revolution Children’s Performances - 26 August This is where Barefeet Festival started and the roots of the festival. Barefeet is all about producing an army of youth artist advocates and this is their day to shine. This year over 2000 children will show what they have been doing with Barefeet over the last months. With dancing, singing and music, the children will share their messages with us using the power of entertainment to inspire, build and change lives.

Time: 9 am - 5 pm Location: Government complex Admission: Free Artists: 2000 young stars Barefeet Innovation Event - 26 August Barefeet Children’s Council is ready to confront the nation again with the issues of young Zambians. Through a mixture of performance, interactive discussion and exchange they will explore important topics such as xenophobia, climate change and teenage pregnancy.

Time: 9 am - 4 pm Location: Government complex Admission: Free

A Night to Remember - 26 August What would Barefeet be without Theatre?

Just a pair of naked feet! On this night, they bring you the best of current theatre around the world. The headline of the evening is Princess Mhoon with ‘The Mhoon Show’ directed by Brooke Ciardelli, an evening of cabaret, dance, comedy and theatre.

During the first half of the evening will be a ‘Brouhaha’, between Barefeet (Zambia), Kalantura (Holland), Brouhaha (UK), Artscape (South Africa) and Cocoloco (Australia).

Time: 7 pm Location: Lusaka Playhouse Admission: K50 Artists: Princess Mhoon, Barefeet (Zambia), Kalantura (Holland), Brouhaha (UK), Artscape (South Africa) and Cocoloco (Australia).

Treasure in Chibolya - 27 August Growing up in a compound that is known to be one of the most notorious in Lusaka isn’t easy for the many youth there. But these boys are different. Treasure in Chibolya moves beyond the common negative stereotypes and finds stories of wonder and awe from some of the most inspiring Chibolya residents.

This group of acrobats have worked hard for years and travelled the world to perform at the UNICEF headquarters in New York as well as festivals in Poland, Ireland, Holland, Belgium and the UK. These young men are back where it all began to share their journey through a unique display of film, acrobatics, circus, animation and original music while they guide you on your journey to find the hidden treasure ... with a little help from the friends they met along the way.

This first-for-Lusaka will be a journey that starts at Levy Mall (top floor car park). Leave your vehicles and Barefeet will transport you on this treasure hunt. Featuring support from Barefeet Zambia, Chibolya youth, Princess Mhoon (USA), Kalantura (Holland), Dance Africa (UK), Burundi Drummer (Burundi), Hiwot (Ethiopia), Artscape (South Africa).

This will be a night never to be repeated and never to be forgotten.

A Map. A Secret Location. X marks the spot.

Time: 6.30 pm Location: Levy Mall (Experience starts here) Admission: K100 Artists: Featuring support from Barefeet Zambia, Chibolya youth, Princess Mhoon (USA), Kalantura (Holland), Dance Africa (UK), Burundi Drummer (Burundi), Hiwot (Ethiopia), Artscape (South Africa).

Open Mic night - 27 August Our famous open mic evening is where we leave the stage to some upcoming and settled Lusaka based artists. Let yourself enjoy the creativity Zambia has on offer and open your mind to new art forms.

Time: 8 pm Location: Chit Chat Café, Omela Mumba Road Admission: K50 Artists: Various Barefeet Beats Weekend of Music ‘Friday Fire’ - 28 August Join the best talent Zambia has to offer including Mampi, Zonefam, Slap Dee and J.K. with special performance by 20 person hip hop ensemble ‘KWAAI’ from Sweden and South Africa. An insane night of talent and live music mixed with special performances from national and international dance groups, carnival 5

costumes and the best music topped off

by DJ Eleftherios Mukuka. Do not miss this night of Zamfire.

Time: from 7.30 pm Location: Gymkhana Club Admission: K100 (VIP K150) Artists: Mampi, Zonefam, Slap Dee, KWAAI, Eleftherios Mukuka, JK Barefeet Revolution Carnival - 29 August Join the Carnival of kites, creatures and over 2,000 children and young people from across the country making their way to the Showgrounds for a day of music, street theatre, family activities, food and other surprises. Carnival goers should gather at Manda Hill Mall for the midday start and prepare to make their way in a colourful and vibrant parade of floats and afro-beats from Manda Hill to Arcades and then back to Gymkhana Club, where there will be a family concert with live music, drumming, dancing and prize giving at Gymkhana Club. As you enjoy your family picnic the music continues into the evening concert. In collaboration with ZOCA Dance Time: Noon Admission: Carnival - free, Entry to Gymkhana Club - Adults K100, Children K30 Location: From Manda Hill to Gymkhana Club Barefeet Beats Weekend of Music ‘Saturday Sun, Sounds & Stars’ - 29 August A full family day of activities leading into the final night of the Barefeet Beats Weekend. Enjoy your picnic amidst music and performances

by Chef 187, Macky 2, KWAAI. Dance performances

by Dance Africa (UK) ‘Brouhaha’ featuring Barefeet (Zambia), 6

Kalantura (Holland), Brouhaha (UK), Artscape (South Africa) and Cocoloco (Australia). Comical walk around theatre by street performers Cocoloco and Barefeet.

As the sun goes down the evening moves to an Afro-jazz, Afrobeat vibe as Maureen Lilanda, Uncle Rex and the band and the energetic showmen from Zimbabwean, Mokoomba. The night culminates in a unique performance by Femi Kuti and The Positive Force Band. This 14 member 4 time Grammy nominated band from Nigeria will bring the stars to life in their first ever Zambian show.

Last on the programme is Burning Drum where all the artists join Femi Kuti on stage to close the festival with a flare.

Time: from 2pm Admission: K100 (VIP K150) Location: Gymkhana Club, Showgrounds.

One Drum After Party Are you the one who always stays until the very end? Then this party is for you!

Wind down in Barefeet style with the artists themselves. Enjoy the beats from the Barefeet DJ and dance till you drop.

The party isn’t over until the fat lady sings!

Time: from 11 pm Admission: K50 Location: Bongwe Barn

AC

Alternating Current

DC

Direct Current

Loadshedding! Loadshedding! Loadshedding!

The words on everyone’s lips from the leaders of industry to the lowly paid piece worker. It is impacting the lives of each and every person in this country, even those who live off the grid! In short, it is a National Disaster and should be declared as such!

It all seemed to start on 24 June without any warning or even a small indication that all was not well with our electricity supply. Sure, we all know the official line - low water levels. But there are still many unanswered questions. We also all know that when in the midst of a national crisis, if questions are not answered frankly and forthrightly Kachepa, the rumour mongerer, will get going. Zambia’s people will take these rumours and decide, correctly or incorrectly, which is rumour and which is fact.

So what do we know to be fact: • water levels at Kariba and other dams are low • we did experience lower levels of rainfall during the last wet season But we have experienced much lower rainfall levels previously and these have not resulted in a national electricity crisis before.

So why now? Partly, this is because, since 1994, Zambia’s electricity consumption has doubled and Zesco’s customer base has more than tripled. But what no one is saying is that whilst new customers were being connected and consumption was growing, we were late out of the starting blocks for building new power stations.

And people want facts, not ‘stories’ ... a Zesco employee told me there is only one turbine working at Kariba ... Zesco is exporting power to South Africa ... to Zimbabwe ... to Namibia ... to Tanzania, a rumour exacerbated by the news that we would be exporting electricity

ANC

Absolutely No Current

to Mozambique ... in the midst of our own electricity crisis ... the two new turbines at Kariba need four times as much water to generate the same amount of electricity ... Kariba North Bank is using 35% more water for electricity generation than their quota ... on 24 June, South Africa experienced a breakdown at the sub-station where they receive power from Cahora Bassa so have had to import power from elsewhere We will never know what is fact and what is rumour, but suspect that in every rumour there is some truth, even if it is just a smidgen. And there are still many questions being asked ... ... with the recent commissioning of additional generating capacity at Kariba, have we exceeded the capacity of Lake Kariba? In other words, when the dam was planned and built, there was a finite amount of electricity that could be generated by the amount of water being impounded until the water levels dropped below the minimum retention level. The generating units that were originally installed would have been sized around this projected capacity with room for limited expansion. We have now expanded the generating capacity, but did someone forget about the additional water that would be used to generate this additional electricity? Is this what has happened - we have had all the generating units running and in the process have ‘emptied’ the lake?

The other question is what do we do about the power being exported when we are in the middle of a crisis which is having a severe impact on Zambia’s industries, especially mining, agriculture and our small manufacturing sector. Surely it is more important that we keep our industries going before we worry about those in the region.

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What sort of contracts do Zesco have? Surely there must be escape clauses for situations such as this. Or do we have to declare this a national emergency so that the Force Majeure clause (which should be in these contracts) can be invoked.

oft quoted ‘the water levels will start rising when it starts raining’ - it takes a few months for the water to reach the lake. In addition, the weather phenomenon, El Niño, is hanging around in the Pacific Ocean, and El Niño usually means drought for us.

Regardless of the questions and whatever the answers are, loadshedding is with us.

And this has not been implemented very well either. On 13 April, the Zambezi River Authority revised the water quotas for Zambia and Zimbabwe. Yet when severe loadshedding started around 24 June, it was a complete shambles. Some schedules were available, but these had to be changed and amended and altered a number of times over the following three weeks. And even now there seem to be blips. Surely, with two months to do it, from April to June, schedules could have been finalised.

Yes, loadshedding is here to stay for the foreseeable future. So best everyone who can invests in inverters, batteries, solar panels, generators (assuming diesel remains available), gas cookers (assuming gas remains available), candles (assuming the candle factories can keep operating), mbaulas and malasha. Malasha will undoubtedly remain available, but our already enormously depleted forests are going to bear the brunt of this.

But it is what it is. Things may improve towards the end of the year when Maamba comes online. But is this going to generate sufficient electricity? And don’t believe the

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Postscript: As we go to press, we see that the schedules for loadshedding seem to have changed again ... it seems we are back to eight hours from the advertised six hours

Growing ART Gracefully Sculptor Owen Shikabeta is best watched from a respectable distance. There are more than a few sparks as he methodically builds his metal pieces with standard welding equipment.

Over several years I have had glimpses of his talent at the National Museum, private gallery exhibitions and on routine walk-throughs at the Art Academy Without Walls in the Lusaka Showgrounds. Academy Without Walls is an ongoing project of the Visual Arts Council which supports the work of Zambian artists through training and exchange programmes through the Insaka Trust.

projects such as the Art 4 Art sensitisation for HIV/Aids. So if you want to finally let go of some scrap and see it transformed or even if you would like to have a look at work-in-progress contact the artist for an appointment on 0978 532-712.

His work inspires you to want much more than the four wrought iron chairs and table standing in the back garden.

The steely-eyed ostrich currently at his temporary work-space in Roma is enduringly beautiful and a clear testimony to the fact that Zambian artists are in the running with others in the region.

With mostly recovered metal Owen crafts Jurassic-styled dragonlizards which stare back at you with a life-like intensity. Even his ‘series’ of musical instruments have a magnetism that tickles the artlovers’ imagination to draw invisible hands to pluck the rough strings. Old keys and locks, gears, springs and sheet metal find a place in many of this young sculptor’s life-size subjects.

Owen, like many other Zambian artists moved from formal training at Evelyn Hone’s school of art and design to working in studio with other sculptors such as Tom Phiri at Roots of Expression. He found a permanent working space with the Visual Arts Council artists in residence programme by 2011 but still looks forward to continuing his formal training.

While art is his full-time occupation, he also takes time to collaborate with

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by Gwyn Thomas

The Sky in August New Horizons Encounter With Pluto The New Horizons probe was launched 19 January 2006, as part of the NASA’s New Frontiers programme. It was launched to study Pluto, its moons and the Kuiper Belt, performing flybys of the Pluto system and one or more Kuiper Belt Objects.

On July 14, 2015, the Pluto system was visited by spacecraft for the first time. The New Horizons probe performed a brief flyby during which the probe took detailed measurements and images of Pluto and its moons.

The cost of the mission is approximately $650 million over 15 years (2001–2016). It was primarily built by Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) and the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory. Alan Stern, the former NASA Associate Administrator of the SwRI is the mission’s principal investigator.

New Horizons was originally planned as a voyage to the only unexplored planet in the Solar System. When the spacecraft was launched, Pluto was still classified as a planet. It has since been reclassified as a dwarf planet.

In addition to the science equipment, there are several cultural artifacts travelling with the spacecraft. These include a collection of 434,738 names stored on a compact disc, a piece of Scaled Composites’ SpaceShipOne, and a flag of the USA, along with other mementos. About 30 g of Clyde Tombaugh’s ashes are aboard the spacecraft, to commemorate his discovery of Pluto in 1930.

The mission’s science objectives are to: • map the surface composition of Pluto and Charon • characterize the geology and morphology of Pluto and Charon • characterize the neutral atmosphere of Pluto and its escape rate • search for an atmosphere around Charon • map surface temperatures on Pluto and Charon • search for rings and additional satellites around Pluto • conduct similar investigations of one or more Kuiper Belt objects

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The Science payload instruments are: • Long-Range Reconnaissance Imager (LORRI) • Solar Wind At Pluto (SWAP) • Pluto Energetic Particle Spectrometer Science Investigation (PEPSSI) • Alice - an ultraviolet imaging spectrometer • Ralph telescope • Student Dust Counter (SDC) • Radio Science Experiment (REX) On the way to Pluto New Horizons briefly encountered asteroid 132524 APL. Then in February 2007 approached Jupiter, which provided gravity assist that increased New Horizons‍ ‘ speed by 4 km/s (14,000 km/h). It

then went into hibernation mode and then was brought back online in December 2014 in preparation for the Pluto encounter. On July 14, 2015 11:49 UTC , it flew 12,600 km from the surface of Pluto, making it the first Earth spacecraft to explore Pluto. Hours later, at 00:52:37 UTC, NASA received communication signals from the probe, indicating that the flyby was successful.

At the time of writing this article we are awaiting the first close up images of Pluto.

Below are the available images of Pluto since 2002.

Pluto at present is in the constellation of Sagittarius near ξ2 Sgr (HIP 93085).

Left: Pluto as seen by the Hubble Space Telescope 2002-2003

Pluto as seen by New Horizons Probe. Left 11/07/15.

Right 14/07/15

Diary of Astronomical Phenomena

During August the 5 major planets: • Mercury will move from Cancer through Leo into Virgo. Visibility: early evening.

From 06/08 - 08/08 it will join Venus and Jupiter near Regulus.

• Venus will move through Leo into Cancer.

Visibility: evenings until 13/08 | mornings, just before sunrise from 19/08.

• Mars will move from Gemini into Cancer.

Visibility: early mornings.

• Jupiter is moving through Leo. Visibility: early evening until 16/08. Behind Sun and not visible until mid-September.

• Saturn is moving from Scorpio into Libra.

Visibility: until midnight.

Meteor Showers Piscis Australids

Visible 19/07 - 17/08

Peak 28/07

Southern delta Aquariids

21/07 - 29/08

29/07

alpha Capricornids 15/07 - 25/08

30/07

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d 5 6 7 7 8 9 11 13 13 14 14 14 15 15 16 19 22 22 23 25 29 29

Event Uranus near the Moon Jupiter and Mercury near Regulus Last Quarter Moon (04.1h) Jupiter and Mercury near Regulus Jupiter and Mercury near Regulus Aldebaran near the Moon Jupiter near Regulus Mars near the Moon Comet 67P Churyumo Gerasimenko at perihelion New Moon (16.9h) Venus near the Moon Venus-Moon 6.7° at noon Jupiter and Regulus near the Moon Venus-Moon 10.0° at noon Mercury near the Moon Spica near Moon First Quarter Moon (21.4h) Saturn near Moon Saturn near Moon Comet 141 P Machholz at perihelion Full Moon (20.6h) Mercury at aphelion

The backdrop to your garden is usually a wall of some description if you live in town. And more often than not the wall is unattractive. You have two options – spend money plastering and painting it; or cover it with creepers.

Plastering the wall is essential to hide those ugly concrete blocks that are almost universal. A brick wall is fine as it is. Both brick and concrete block walls need to have a coping on top to protect them from rainwater. It is money well spent and coping stones are available at the road side in Kalingalinga. Look for the well-made ones where a dirt road joins Kamloops. They are 60cm long and cost K12 each. No wall looks finished without a cap of coping stones. The wall will also last far longer.

Painting the wall is much more expensive as good quality outdoor paint is not cheap. It can also be tricky to choose an interesting colour. White does not stay white for long so think of a beige or “stone” colour. I once saw a very successful terracotta wall so stronger colours can work well but something neutral is safer. A strong colour will also make the garden look smaller.

There are many creepers that can cover a garden wall effectively. Ficus pumila, known as the tickey creeper, will cover the wall with a pretty lacy filigree before thickening up in its second and third year to cover every square inch of the wall.

Thereafter it will need to be clipped back to keep it near the wall.

Virginia creeper is another evergreen plant that will hold onto the wall without support. It looks great when the new shoots grow after winter. It grows fairly fast too and rarely needs clipping. Ivy (hedera) is another plant that will hold onto the wall. The large variegated leaves are the best in my opinion. But the plain green with a large leaf is also suitable for a wall. Note that if you decide to remove these creepers, the wall will be badly scarred where the suckers held onto it.

Most other creepers will need supporting with horizontal wires or vertical strings. The canary creeper, while not the most beautiful, is fast and rapidly covers a large area. Its clusters of bright canary yellow flowers are eye-catching. The white seedheads that follow are less pleasing and can be removed if the creeper is in a prominent position. My favourite creeper is still the Rangoon vine (quisqualis) with its drooping heads of hanging white and maroon flowers. It is sweetly scented in the evenings. With support it can grow 5 or more metres high. But you can train the growth to go sideways on a normal 2m wall. Plumbago is native to South Africa so suits our climate and will survive the dry season with ease. In addition the flowers are a lovely light blue (or sometimes white). Petrea is extremely attractive and easy to care for. It can be either purple or white and looks great when the colours are intermingled. Less common creepers are the bright pink coral creeper, the dramatic golden shower, the exotic thunbergia mysorensis with its long ropes of yellow and brown flowers, and the honey suckle that will do well in shade. Spoilt for choice!

TIP: If you need a competent bricklayer, ring Peter on 0961 300-837 13

It’s not what it looks like...

by William van Niekerk Honesty is not always the best policy.

Just ask the insects illustrated here. With the exception of the unfortunate lunch of the Sand-Wasp Palurus latifrons, none of them are bees.

There are a number of reasons to look as much like a bee as possible. A great many can sting - and as unwilling as most solitary bees are to do so, most overcome their more pacifist tendencies when something tries to eat them, with the eventual result that a great many animals learn not to try quite quickly; and if you are lucky enough to look enough like a bee to convince those same animals that you’re not worth the pain, you could live a little longer. The hoverflies - family Syrphidae - almost all mimic wasps or bees to some degree; typically, the more

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aggressive the model, the less accurate the mimic has to be.

Many of the most accurate mimics, however, are not trying to fool their predators, but instead their victims; like the cuckoos of the bird world, many insects lay their eggs in other insects nests, and need to look similar enough to not raise suspicion - the massive Carpenter Bee Robberflies not only use their appearance to slip unnoticed into carpenter bee nests to lay their eggs; their resemblance, in flight and form, for female bees makes the males particularly easy prey.

Many sand wasps and bee wolves of the family Crabronidae often have a similar pressure to blend in; capturing honeybees to feed to their young requires getting close without getting stung. They do have an advantage where it comes to looking like bees; bees actually evolved from them.

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I’m fortunate to have a mate who is very widely read, has an excellent analytical mind and is something of a style fundi with his own writing, having a natty turn of phrase and never allowing his syntax to stumble nor fumble with his grammar. Usually he will proof-read an article I have written and by return email correct my own clumsy mistakes in style, suggest more elegant phrasing and give the piece an unerring thumbs up or down, complete with an accurate probability of legal repercussion. However July 2015’s Fool on the Hill with its sermonising on animal rights and unnecessary animal cruelty in modern food production and manufacturing stirred him to surprising levels of ire!

Well-read-Rod, was cross that I appeared to assume you, my audience, was either ignorant or uncaring of the way animals are treated across all of the world in almost every relationship we have with them be it consumptive, sustainable (such as wool production) or for entertainment.

He reckoned most readers whose opinion I sought to change “would have seen a PETA video or two” but I still maintain they probably haven’t. Certainly none of the other people in the small circle of friends I asked have watched any and they were all horrified by the things I recounted. I still believe that even without becoming a vegan or turning the garden into a smallholding one can do a lot to reduce the payload of suffering we have, through

burgeoning population and cut-throat economics, heaped on our fellow passengers of planet earth. I maintain that whilst most people can rationalise eating meat and wearing wool and leather with what they trust are reasonable and humane practices in their production, this trust has been betrayed by corporate imperatives and our own expectations of cost; and that if the majority of consumers knew the price in anguish and cruelty of these expectations they would support legislation against them. Rod reckons that most people do know about this but are victims of “issue fatigue” and can’t decide what to be appalled by any more. He says...

“For example – we fill our cars with fuel from countries where women are systematically treated atrociously and could be publicly flogged for having the misfortune to be raped, wear clothes stitched together by Bangladeshi child labour and brandish fancy phones and electronic wizardry made in factories with conditions that a Victorian workhouse owner would baulk at. Drink out of plastic bottles that take seconds to imbibe and hundreds of years to breakdown and are poisoning our planet in every way imaginable However, incredibly we consume these things although we are conscious of the truth and so are tacitly approving of it all

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- (which is pretty extraordinary when you stop and think about it) - consumerism has become the over-riding human right which trumps everything else and big business is the new superpower – things are without doubt very awry and some people are making a noise about it - but are we listening? And possibly the more noise is made the more the message is lost – it is all rather depressing really…” ...or nihilistic if you allow yourself to be so overwhelmed that you care about nothing.

It’s easy for me to decide what to be horrified by as I’m extremely callous when it comes to human suffering and apart from my immediate family and friends would be hard pressed to care less about the ills which befall H. sapiens. I’m of the opinion that as a species, however bad it gets (be it disease, famine, or natural disaster) we’ve got it coming to us and deservedly so.

Rod encouraged me to read “The Covenant of the Wild - Why Animals Chose Domestication.” (Stephen Budiansky 1992) for the counter arguments to what he saw as my animal rightist bleating. I did so immediately, and what a good read it is. Budiansky quoting numerous reliable sources explains how the domestication of both plants and animals was unlikely to have come about through the “taming” of these species by man over millennia but almost certainly through the adoption of man and his settlements and lifestyle by plants and animals whose very nature made them candidates for a domesticated relationship with mankind.

The traditional view of cultural progress gave us first the Savage; hunting and fishing worrying

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only about the day that is. A realisation of “tomorrow” supposedly resulted in taming of orphans of the hunt to become the Herdsman. Thirdly abandoning nomadism and taking up a fixed dwelling saw the rise of the Agriculturalist. Finally with coined money, written language and division of labour mankind became a Nation. But archaeological findings do not support this, giving a different chronology with the domestication of dogs coming first around 12500BP, the first sign in the archaeological record of grains, sheep and goats around 9500BP, Cattle appearing 7000BP and horses (the last domesticated animal) around 5000BP And hunting continued for over 1500 years after settlements and agriculture were recorded. Agriculture was not embraced as a revolution. As a lifestyle it required far more work, carried more risk of injury (as shown by forensic examination of skeletal remains) and provided a much less nutritious and varied diet for a far greater energetic investment than the omnivory of hunting and foraging. San bushman and Australian aborigines spend only 20 hours a week hunting to satisfy their nutritional needs, which explains why they have so much time left over for alcoholism when the opportunity presents itself. Only when our hunting techniques (the desert kites which were funnel traps constructed along the migration paths of antelope in the Middle East and the cliff sites used by North American Indians to herd mastadons to their death) had resulted in mass

extinctions, was agriculture reluctantly embarked upon as a backup plan. Before agriculture became a necessity humankind was living high on the hog or at least the wild boar. As our numbers grew and extinctions occurred (sorry! ... those noble savages killed far more animals than they could ever hope to eat or preserve for later) we could no longer rely on what we could hunt and forage.

There are numerous examples of relationships between man and animals which demonstrate co-evolutionary characteristics (house mice, seagulls and fishing boats, swallows and barns) but are not domestication. So how did domestication occur?

The blip of a million years or so, called the Pleistocene when successive ice ages swept south and receded every 100,000 years concluded around 8500BP, around the time that domesticated ruminants appear in the archaeological inventory.

Prior to this, the northern hemisphere was in a flux and favoured those species which were highly mobile and adaptive, able to colonise new habitat and tolerant of being condensed into smaller areas with other species. Known as R Competitors they occupy marginal and varied habitat and are typically generalists and not very specialised in their habits or appearance.

They are fast breeders and able to populate a new niche rapidly with their own kind.

They also exhibit neoteny which is loosely the appearance (short lower jaw, domed forehead, large eyes) and the behaviour (docility, curiosity, fearlessness, fast learning, exploratory, non-discriminatory in mixing with other species) associated with the juvenile of the species. These are the exact traits which allowed these animals to become the camp followers of mankind for the benefits of safety in numbers, protection from other predators, foraging scraps etc, and to be tolerated and “selected for” by man who would have allowed the “friendlier” individuals to hang around and banished or killed the “aggressive” individuals in any pack or herd

that associated itself with man’s group. Had mankind tried to actively breed livestock with these myriad characteristics it would never have happened. But in selecting for the general characteristic of “tameness” by chasing away the snappy individual in a pack of wild dogs that hangs around your camp you are effectively selecting for the whole package of traits which are best suited to domestication. And in doing so you are making a new life strategy available to the pioneer and inviting a domesticant to (as Budiansky puts it) come in from the cold.

This then is the elegant mechanism by which certain eligible species (wild goats, sheep, cattle, pigs, fowl, cats, dogs and horses) threw in their lot with the bipedal upstart who was to rule the world and in doing so not only dodged the extinction which befell their wild brethren across the majority of their range but became, by number and biomass, the most successful species ever to inhabit the planet, since for the feeding of every one of the 7 billion 19

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average consumer and a fairly pragmatic relationship with death) is why there still has to be so much suffering involved in the production of what in many cases are totally unnecessary goods.

Can we not after all this time lower the bar on permissible animal suffering and agree that with more humane husbandry and slaughtering techniques, more synthetic products which replace materials formerly only available from natural harvesting, better drug testing methodologies and a better standard of living for more people we are able to be more humane and stop pretending that we are not behaving in a terribly shabby manner?

people on earth around 25 domestic animals a year are required.

In evolutionary terms then, domestication is a fabulous strategy for proliferation which is the nature of a game in which the fate of the individual is of no relevance to the success of the species. As I pointed out last month, the fact that at any time there are 50 billion chickens on earth makes them the most successful vertebrate species to have ever existed. The fact that almost all 50 billion of them will have been killed and replaced by the time you’re reading this article on the toilet in 2016, is a disaster for chickens who had hoped to die of old age but nevertheless a triumph for the species. Budiansky also continually refers to the hardship and cruelty in wild nature compared to captivity, the compassion of farmers towards their charges despite the fact that they are ultimately doomed and the callousness of the average consumer.

What Budiansky and Rod both fail to explain satisfactorily to me (with more blood on my calluses than that 20

Budiansky’s talk of the compassion of farmers towards their beasts does not apply to the whole class of people in the chain of handling animals who are not husbanders but processors and who have no emotional attachment to the creatures whose fate they control. They are poorly paid to do the most degrading work and are soon inured to the suffering of their charges.

Nobody needs a pair of gloves so cheap that the bludgeoning and skinning alive of dogs and cats is justifiable. Nobody needs a new leather jacket to cost $25, requiring a cow to be transported on the hoof for hundreds of miles without food or water and to have chilli and tobacco rubbed in its eyes to make it get up and keep walking.

Nobody needs to wear Angora wool so badly that ripping it out by the roots from a live rabbit every three months is an acceptable practice. How do we know that nobody really needs these things?

Because these things are the uniform of the homeless who find them discarded in skips and rubbish bins on every city block in any first world capital. The homeless, who are incidentally the perfect pioneer R Competitors and would survive admirably the next ice age with their ability to feed on scraps and breed like rabbits, and with their big doe eyes ... if they would only volunteer themselves to be domesticated and subjugate themselves to our will.

Doom and Gloom

It’s the cold season, the wind whistles about the place. On some days it all clouds over, for heaven’s sake it RAINED the other day, definitely it’s time to stay indoors by the fire with a nice cup of tea. The fire goes out, the lights follow, load shedding has hit us again. Go for the cup of tea and a hot water bottle, there is no water, Lusaka Water and Sewerage have imposed rationing (we cannot pump out of the boreholes because of load shedding), find a drop, get the gas ring out to make tea, the gas has run out, and there is none in town so all you can do is find someone warm to cuddle (I’m not having any of that, thank you!), or shuffle off to bed and stay under the blankets until October.

Load shedding happens every year. Those selfish swine, the mining companies, keep gobbling up all the power and the little left for the poor people of Lusaka is not up to the demands of everyone trying to keep warm and cooking dinner.

One solution to the problem was put forward by a clever lady who “knows about these things”.

quite believe that the Mining Industry on the Copperbelt and out in North Western province is where all the money really comes from, one way or another. It is all very well to look at tourism, it brings in very little indeed; Farming is a vital industry, it feeds the people but exports hardly anything in comparison to those tonnes and tonnes of Copper that go out every day. I am sorry, you all try to ignore the mines, but do so at your peril. As a tiny example of a closure effect let us suppose that you shut Konkola. No more water would come out of the wettest mine in the world, all of which is pumped into the Kafue River, from which the towns of Chingola, Mufulira and Kitwe take all their water supply. As it is the situation is tight, without the Konkola water those towns would run dry!

What to do, how to dispel the doom and gloom about the place. I thought long and hard about it as I drove into town, past the brightly lit and well watered Los Angeles Boulevard to search out for some more gas.

The electricity problem can be solved in the long term. Maamba Colliery is to have a coal fired power station. It will be a bit of an environmental mess but not much greater than the place is already. Western Power is planning to build another power station at the Sioma Falls on the Zambezi.

That should help but whether it will brighten the lives of the local residents is another matter! The power station at Iteshi Teshi is under construction and that should help.

“Shut the mines, these foreign investors are just ripping us off and Zambia does not benefit at all from the proceeds. We would then have plenty of spare electricity, load shedding would be a thing of the past and we can sell the surplus and make huge amounts of forex. Who needs Copper?!”

Another solution is to get all the munda wungas together and get them to do a rain dance that would fill up all the rivers and Kariba and the problem will be solved.

The trouble is that you just cannot get the calibre of witch doctors anymore; judging by the adverts in The Post we seem to be importing them as well now.

Poor deluded lady, like so many other people in The Big Smoke, she cannot

No, it is time to think big and reduce our dependency on water for power generation.

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What about going nuclear?

Now there is a good idea. Instead of buying second hand Japanese motor cars we could buy a second hand nuclear power station; it might be slightly salt damaged but otherwise OK. It should be placed where all the power is required, on the Copperbelt and if, heaven forbid, an accident happened then it would just be those pesky miners who glowed in the dark afterwards!

It is all very well to talk about the long term, what about now! Well, we must look to our own resources. For those with money, generators can be bought or hired. On every street corner, it seems, there are signs telling you to “Ring This Number” and a generator can be yours (at a price).

The only trouble with generators is that they are alcoholics, they drink a lot of fuel and do not give that much electricity.

Clever people invest in inverters and batteries that get charged up when the power is on so that you can have a bit of light and your TV on during those long cold dark load shedding nights but, beware, do not let the Madam try to use her hair dryer or the kettle via the inverter; things tend to go bang.

Solar lights are cheaper and keep the dark at bay but you cannot cook the evening meal with them. No, with no gas in town it’s back to the mbaula and charcoal!

I will not extol the merits of Solar geysers, if you have no water, you cannot get it hot!

Now, as the main attractions for poor rural peasants to migrate to our cities are bright lights and potable water on tap we are not doing very well.

There seems to be sufficient water in the Kafue River to allow more of it to be pumped up to town and sort the shortage of water supply out. Goodness, let us use our Eurobond money on something sensible rather than tarting up the airport.

By supplying the water in this fashion the boreholes, currently depleting the water table, could be switched off (saving a spot of electricity).

It does seem strange that, with all that water in Lake Kariba, we have not got enough of it.

Surely, you would say, power generation cannot take all that much, and you would be right. One of the major losses from the lake, if not, in fact, the major loss, is through evaporation. I can remember being told, many years ago, that Lake Malawi loses more water from evaporation than anything else. I did a tiny bit of investigation and became mired in all sorts of technical jargon and some strange facts, like the Orange and Limpopo catchment areas lose up to 90% of their rainfall through evaporation!

Of course, when you go into scientific papers you come across words that are utterly strange. One was Leptokurtic! I rushed to the bookcase and got out the Shorter English Dictionary; the closest I could get to it was Leptas, an ancient Greek coin worth one hundredth of a Drachma and that, as anyone in the European Central Bank will tell you is worth as much as a Greek politician’s promise of fiscal reform!

As luck would have it the power came back on and, surprise, surprise, so did the Internet. I looked up the word and this is what the World Wide Web told me. It is “A statistical distribution where the points along the X-axis are clustered, resulting in a higher peak (higher kurtosis) than the curvature found in a normal distribution.”

Related words were Mesokurtic and Platykurtic. So now you know, but just to help you consider the matter in relation to men’s appreciation of the female form the following examples are given.

A flat chested lady can be described as having a platykurtic bosom.

A mesokurtic lady has delightful breasts.

A lepokutic lady is bountifully endowed.

The platykurtic problem can be solved by the application of that magic garment the Triumph Wonderbra!

If only our power and water supply could be solved so easily and cheaply!

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Saving Power & Water

I hear you. I hear your complaints.

Why can’t ZESCO get their act together? The question is though, are you helping? Do you want to be part of the solution?

I get it, it’s winter, you’re cold, the electricity comes back on, you run to turn on the heater. No, no, no! Grab a blanket, your partner or a cat. You’re wasting around 1kW - 3kW of electricity that could be going to reduce the ‘national deficit’. Have you thought of how many light bulbs could be powered off that Kilowatt?

So, to help you on your way to becoming a considerate human being, here are some tips on ways to save power and water.

Light Fittings - In the house where I live, most rooms are fitted with directional fittings, each ‘sporting’ 2 or 3 bulb holders. Try taking a few bulbs out.

Light Bulbs - What are your choices? Halogen, Incandescent, CFL (Compact fluorescent lamps), LED (Light-emitting diodes). CFLs use 75% less energy to produce the same amount of light, and last about 10 times longer than traditional incandescent bulbs. LEDs last even longer than CFLs and consume less energy. CFLs contain small amounts of mercury and should be

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disposed of carefully. However, LEDs and CFLs are more expensive than Incandescent bulbs. Check that you buy the right voltage and type of low energy bulb for your fittings - LED bulbs also come in DC (direct current) voltages that can run off batteries.

Commit yourself to using only the more energy efficient bulbs. Don’t go back to an incandescent when this CFL bulb blows, spend a little more, it will last longer.

Oh, most locally available CFLs don’t like dimmer switches or power spikes. ZESCO is offering a swap - six incandescent bulbs for six CFLs.

Movement Sensors / PIR (Passive infrared sensor) Lights - Another option is to install movement sensor fittings. Why I hear you ask? Save your energy turning the light on? Seriously, I walk around the house turning lights off during the day. Apparently men need light to make sure they are aiming straight. It’s ok, I understand, I’d rather you didn’t pee on the seat too. Anyway, back to my idea, install movement sensors in bathrooms, (it will certainly make night time trips to the bathroom easier) and corridors, (no one wants gran to trip over the dog), and everywhere basically, I love the idea of them, install them by the gate, by the front door, everywhere! You’re saving yourself running a light bulb all the time, but you have light when you need it. Who needs light to watch TV? And, it’s great for security, if you have them around your house, and someone is creeping around,

you will know where they are as the lights outside turn on. Suntech (0211 229-758) stock LED PIR and sound controlled light bulbs so instead of putting in a new fitting, just change the bulb.

automatically turn off your security lights make sure they get sunlight though, I have seen a number of them high up under the eaves of the roof where it’s dark all the time so the lights remain on all the time.

Task Lights - Install ‘task’ lights over desks, tool benches, craft tables, kitchen counters etc. This way you don’t have to illuminate whole rooms to do what you need. This can be as simple as installing a cup hook above the area and hooking on a little solar light when needed.

Standby Power - Also known as vampire power (I vaant tooo suuck yourrre blurd powwer). I argue about this regularly, and even though I keep being told it makes little to no difference, it makes a difference in my mind. Why must I power that stupid little LED that tells me the TV is off? Apparently, in the United States alone, vampire power costs consumers billions of Dollars a year.

Not going to argue or explain myself, just turn your appliances off at the wall. The way I see it, the only thing I can think of which needs to be charged up and ready to go at a moment’s notice is a defibrillator.

Natural Light - During the day open a curtain rather than turn on a light!

Reflection - Place floor, table and hanging lamps in room corners. The light can reflect off 2 walls instead of one! While you’re at it, polish things and choose lighter colours in the room for better reflection. Clean your light fittings - dust reduces the reflector’s efficiency.

Day / Night Switches - Install photoelectric controls (or timers), to

Shower or Bath - Shower always - it uses less water which also means it uses less hot water so you have to reheat less hot water. You can bath if everyone in your house shares bath water. Also, use the 25

bathroom closest to the geyser. Why waste the 20 metres of water in the pipe waiting for hot water when you can waste 4 metres of water in the pipe? Also look for shower heads that are water saving / low flow when you have to change yours.

Washing Machines - Top loaders use more water. Use cold water - you spend less reheating the geyser. Do a full load - a half load may use less water, but it uses the same amount of electricity.

Tumble Dryers - Avoid them if you can.

Air drying is better for clothes too but direct sunlight isn’t great. I cheat, I do use the tumble dryer because I don’t iron, so after the clothes have air dried, I chuck them in the dryer for 10 minutes on a high heat, I then hang them immediately so I don’t have to iron - saves the electricity I would have used on the iron.

Dishwashers - I can’t afford one so I can’t really comment. However, from my reading, they do use less water than hand washing. However, the water has to be hot, so if you normally hand wash with cold water and dish washing liquid, you may be better off on the electricity usage front.

Make sure the dishwasher is full. Use the air drying setting rather than heated drying.

TVs - Replacing your TV? Replace Plasma or LCD TVs with LED TVs - they use less power while on. Quick start options are great but can use 25 to 50 watts more power. Turn the setting off and wait a few extra seconds. If you can, turn down the 26

brightness on your old TV - it will reduce the electricity usage a little.

Computers - Screen savers may save screens, but they don’t save power. Rather set your computer to go to sleep - you can wait a few seconds for it to wake up. If you’re not using it for a while, turn it off and unplug it when you can. Turn off and unplug Game Consoles, DVD players, stereo’s and more - if there is a power surge, you’d rather it was off and unplugged.

Geysers - I’m not sure which uses more electricity - keeping your geyser at a constant temperature or reheating it after it’s been off. It very much depends on how much hot water you use in a day. I will suggest you turn the thermostat down to between 40ºC and 45ºC this not only means you’re not heating the water up as much, but it will also reduce the lime scale build up in the geyser as the hotter the water the more lime scale forms. Whenever your geyser element blows, take the time to try and clean out some of the lime that has fallen to the bottom. If your geyser has the facility to have the thermostat separate from the element, use it. Lime will build up on the outside of the element, slowing the time before the thermostat kicks in and out.

Insulate your geyser - wrap it in a blanket or sisalation. Consider installing separate geysers for separate rooms. Showers only need a small geyser - 50 litres is plenty install a timer with an override for the times when your household showers. Kitchens don’t need much, enough to fill a sink or 2.

For those who refuse to shower, install a solar geyser for baths. Solar is obviously better everywhere, but it is nice to have an electric one for times when it’s overcast for weeks - some solar geysers come with a built in electric element for just such occasions! Don’t run the water while brushing teeth and shaving.

Ovens - Take the time to learn how to use a microwave. They use less power for less time. Fill ovens up when you use them, cook as much as you can at once, adjust time for temperature if you have to. Plan in advance, want to bake cookies? Do it on a day when you plan to have a roast - chuck them in straight after - no point heating the oven twice. Don’t preheat for too long - 5 to 10 minutes is usually enough to reach temperature - and only preheat for baking.

Look through the glass - don’t let the heat out when checking the food - also get your shelves in the correct place before turning it on - why lose the heat.

Stove Tops - Use the correct sized pot or pan on the correct ring. Use lids when cooking - they keep heat in the pot! Or use a slow cooker for stews, soups, and other single pot dishes. Pressure cookers reduce cooking time dramatically.

Fridges & Freezers - Prior to the serious load shedding, we had 2 fridges - 1 was full of bottles of water - the other was for food and vegetables. Realising that it’s winter and we all drink less anyway inspired me to decommission the water fridge. I filled 2 shelves in the food fridge with water bottles, this helps to keep the fridge cold when the power is off. The remaining bottles of water are in the bottom of the 2 chest freezers - this keeps them cold when the power is off, and holds cold and makes them more thermally efficient when the power is on.

Fill ALL free space in freezers with large bottles of water. If you suddenly need more space, take a couple out. Cooling water is better than cooling air - water holds cold better. Clean the condenser coils regularly, dust impairs the thermal efficiency. Check

door gaskets and make sure they seal nicely.

Fans & Cooling - Fans are more efficient than air conditioners.

Ceiling Fans are great for cooling whole rooms while standing fans are great for work areas. Couple your fan with a dehumidifier and you will feel cooler still.

Unplug your appliances - they give off heat - as do the lights. Close the curtains to stop the sun spilling in. Or plant tree’s in the summer sun’s path to protect the house.

Install ventilation in the ceiling space to get rid of the built up heat. Solar fans will help here too. What do you do if there’s no electricity? Make use of natural air flows - open windows! Dress down while at home - trousers are hotter than shorts or skirts and cotton allows sweat to evaporate.

Keep a stock of damp frozen face cloths in the freezer for when it’s all just too much!

Install Sun screens or awnings to help shade the walls, shade cloth will work or even hanging chicken wire from your fascia boards and planting creepers up it will help shelter the walls. Dampen a sheet and use it to cover you when you go to bed; it will at least help you fall asleep!

Energy Efficient Appliances - When it comes time to change your appliances, go for energy efficient appliances or A+ rated appliances. And don’t go for something bigger than you need - it usually ends up being a waste.

Think about the environment, think about the other people that share our wonderful country. Make some small changes, it might help you sleep at night!

Do you have a topic you are knowledgeable about that you’d like to share information on? Or perhaps you’d like to learn something and share while you teach yourself. Write us a Getting Started on what interests you!

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Beat A Broken Heart Rheumatic Heart Disease (RHD) is the most common heart problem in young people in Zambia. It causes fatigue, breathlessness, swollen limbs, and frequently requires surgery. Left untreated, it can lead to premature death. Rheumatic heart disease has traditionally received little attention in Zambia but that is now changing.

University Teaching Hospital (UTH) in Lusaka has launched a new multi-faceted initiative called “BeatRHD Zambia” with the aim of eventually eliminating RHD. The group, along with the Zambia Paediatric Association, is heading the commemoration of World Rheumatic Heart Disease during the week of 3 to 7 August to increase public education and awareness about the disease.

The BeatRHD Zambia team is led by Dr John Musuku, a paediatric cardiologist at UTH, and is a joint effort with the Ministry of Health; Ministry of Education; Ministry of Community Development, Mother and Child Health; University of Zambia; University of Cape Town; and Novartis.

BeatRHD Zambia is an extension of a broader initiative led by the Pan-African Society of Cardiology since 2006 to combat RHD throughout Africa. As part of these activities, WHO and the African Union Commission have recently endorsed RHD policy roadmaps.

“We are partnering with government clinics and schools in Lusaka district to educate families

“Dr John Musuku from University Teaching Hospital demonstrates to Lusaka district schoolteachers the state-of-the-art handheld echocardiography device that is being used in a large research study to detect children with rheumatic heart disease.”

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about how a sore throat can lead to a broken heart,” said Dr Musuku.

“A bacterium called Strep is a frequent culprit that causes sore throats in children.

Left untreated, Strep throat can lead to a condition called rheumatic fever and then to rheumatic heart disease. It is entirely preventable.

All we must do is ensure that our children with sore throats receive prompt medical attention.”

Symptoms of Strep throat include pain, redness, or white patches in the throat.

Also, the neck glands may be swollen and children may complain of stomach pain.

The treatment is an antibiotic. The most commonly used antibiotic for Strep throat is penicillin. A single injection is all that is needed to treat Strep throat and prevent the risk of RHD. Dr. Musuku is head of a large research study to measure the prevalence of rheumatic heart disease in Zambia. This will be the first time in 25 years that such

“The van used by the BeatRHD Zambia team helps to spread the educational message that untreated Strep sore throats can lead to rheumatic heart disease.” an investigation has been conducted.

In the study, teams of doctors, nurses, and ultrasound technicians will screen several thousand children in 50 Lusaka schools using state-of-the-art handheld echocardiography. The results will help advocate for health services that can prevent RHD. Children who are identified as having RHD will receive treatment in a local health clinic and long-term medical care at UTH. The BeatRHD Zambia team is also working directly with Lusaka health clinics to improve the diagnosis and treatment of Strep throat. This has been facilitated by a donation of 25,000 vials of penicillin antibiotic to the MoH by Sandoz, a Novartis division and maker of generic medicines.

The BeatRHD Zambia team hopes to be able to work with health clinics across the country over the next year.

RHD Week is held annually in Zambia in order to raise public awareness about the disease. RHD Week activities will include a speech by the Minister of Health; display of educational posters and distribution

of educational materials (at Arcades on Wednesday 5 August); and a March Pass from the Department of Paediatrics & Child Health to Ndeke House on Saturday 8 August.

“In the effort to eliminate RHD, we all have essential roles to play,” said Dr. Musuku, “it is up to parents and guardians to seek medical attention for their children when they complain of a sore throat. If all children with Strep sore throat are treated promptly with a single injection of penicillin, Zambia can stop RHD in our lifetime.”

Symptoms of Strep Throat include: Sudden fever | Sore throat (red throat with white patches) | Headache | Chills | Loss of appetite | Swollen lymph nodes in the neck | Trouble swallowing.

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Surviving Zesco It’s quite simple really – demand has outstripped growth. Zesco has not kept up with demand. Load-shedding is here to stay.

Zesco is ripe for criticism but we’ll leave that for others to do. Thing is they’re not alone.

Power utilities all over the world are either taking strain or buckling under. Again our personal opinion – way too many people.

Got to give breeding a break. Moving on and echoing countless voices of reason … we have to look at alternative options and now is as good a time as any.

We’re lucky; our home is entirely solar powered and gas fired … but as I write at 5 in the morning I’ve just had to switch the system off as I stupidly switched both fridges and the freezer on after waking up.

So operating now on laptop battery and portable lights both solar powered and rechargeable … oh, and candles. And the kettle is boiling on the gas stove so we’re OK until the sun comes to work.

The house we are renting – Nyumba Ya Maplanga – was built and wired with solar in mind. The solar water-pump was installed before we got here (by Suntech, I believe) but I watched the house solar system being installed by the industrious Oriental folk at Zamgreat. Interesting experience due to language barriers. It got more interesting after the system was finalised and they left.

Now what? They didn’t supply a manual so living at Maplanga became a process of trial and error. It still is … the fact that I’m blonde might have something to do with that.

Our system is the Sokoyo A3000. We have ten 250w panels on the roof facing East. A 3000W inverter and four 250ah batteries.

Appliance-wise we are running two fridges and a freezer constantly. Our solar doesn’t like that – running things 24/7. So, like us, fridges and freezer go to sleep at night. So far that seems to work. We have loaded the base of our freezer with ice-packs though.

We run a washing machine most days but never a toaster at the same time. Our system 30

has a complaints department which is quite vocal when too much power is being demanded. Same applies to ironing clothes; system not keen in the mornings when my wife irons a shirt for work. Got to switch other stuff off. I don’t bother ironing – my shirts match my face. Wrinkled. Otherwise it’s pretty much standard fare in terms of appliances; LED lights, laptops, various things like phones, batteries and lamps that require recharging … important thing – like making hay – is that the power demand of our system must be done during the day when and if the sun is shining. As soon as the sun sets the freezer is switched off, the fridges follow one by one as the night progresses. Water tank must be full when the sun sets. Night time we use only lights, computers, TV … sometimes a toaster (got a thing about toasted sandwiches.) Come bed time everything including the system is shut down. It doesn’t like being left on 24/7.

For emergency lighting we use independent little lights with built-in panels that I bought at Shoprite. They’re iffy, needing electrical battery charging top-ups every couple of days. We have those rechargeable lanterns (Energiser) which have served us well and are readily available … and trusty candles for romantic stuff. I am exploring further options with independent lighting while researching this article.

The solar geyser was also installed by Zamgreat. Works fine except we should have got a bigger one. With 120lt capacity it’s a bit tight for showering and washing dishes (2 people). It can’t do much more than that.

If the water tank is empty before the sun rises then the solar pump likes some time to sunbathe before it starts delivering. Makes sense.

But things get weird when the sun doesn’t shine … and even weirder when it doesn’t shine for a couple of days. The solar system still works during the day but come nightfall pretty much everything must be shut down

… even the lights eventually … before bed-time. We moved into Maplanga in March this year so only experienced the tail-end of the rainy season but had enough difficulties to warrant a serious look at back-up options for the next rainy season.

And the first on the ‘to do’ list is to put up more solar panels. Our panels were put up in February, facing the sunrise and that time of the year were enjoying direct sunlight for most of the day. Not any more. So rather than move existing panels and after much consultation we have decided to put in two more panels on the Western side of the roof to catch the Winter sun. Logic is we can run more appliances during the day and have more battery capacity left over for the night.

(There is a web page which tells you exactly in which direction solar panels should be facing based on your geo location - Ed http://www.solarelectricityhandbook.com/) Now the solar pump seems to work quite well irrespective of the weather but I had one scary morning when it was REALLY overcast and the bugger refused to get out of bed. Having no water and not being able to do much about it due to our isolation inspired me to set up a back-up water tank which catches the overflow from the main tank. Now we rotate the two tanks so one is always full in readiness for a no-sun day. Most solar product companies supply a range of solar water pumps … understandably the most sought after solar product.

The solar geyser does work on cloudy days but not at optimum so in that scenario we leave the hot water taps alone and save everything for showering. When the sun is doing its thing then we can use the entire solar geyser capacity as long as we refill well before nightfall … say around lunch.

Downside of this particular solar geyser is that one needs to run the taps for a bit before the hot water starts coming through. Bit of a waste.

Solar Geysers are readily available from the various companies that sell solar products 32

as well as hardware stores like Mica and Handyman’s. I hear that the trick with Solar Geysers is in the installation – get it installed professionally. Considering the amount of power that electric geysers eat it would seem that solar geysers are the way to go … if showering is important to you. Bathing could well be a thing of the past in the foreseeable future (interesting phrase) as water rationing seems to be on the cards as well.

We have a gas stove which works hard.

Aside from cooking we use it to heat water for dishes when there’s a geyser shortfall.

Gas seems to be a way to go for both cooking, heating and refrigeration . Gas stoves are readily available from 2-plate burners to professional restaurant-style stoves. At the moment there seems to be a run on the two-plate gas burners … makes sense … keep the electric stove for the times that Zesco is visiting and use the gas when there’s no power. I’m busy looking at gas freezers and fridges and the only company that seems to offer the best option is Matra with a range that is covered with full warranties and service. I will come back to you on that as I plan to buy a gas freezer.

Gas also offers lighting options … but for me that’s expensive and best left for camping.

The only worrying thing about gas is that the suppliers can run out. It has happened in the past and will happen again. The good news is that there is more than one supplier of gas in the country and, with a bit of luck, they won’t all run out simultaneously. The other bit of good news is that with the increase in demand there are more places where one can get gas cylinders refilled. Personally I’m really happy that I don’t have to drive to Afrox anymore as there are two places on Leopard’s Hill Rd that offer a refilling service – Mudpackers at The Village - who are supplied by Oryx Energies with immediate cylinder turnaround (a deposit is required for an Oryx Energies cylinder if you don’t have one) and Lusaka Angling Centre at the Petroda filling station – that offer a 24 hr service and are serviced by Cadac.

A generator came with the house. We’ve been a bit reluctant to use it but needs must and I’m looking at the option of using the generator to charge the solar batteries when the sun is off duty. Will come back to you on how that works out. Generators seem to be the most popular choice for alternative power. See them, hear them everywhere and all the time. The good folk at Autoworld were very helpful in explaining the pros and cons of using generators in terms of size and capacity and what one can run off the various models. If you are planning on buying a generator do some research as you are spoiled for choice. Shop around. Mica Arcades also seem to have their act together in terms of helpful advice.

It’s been interesting talking to people as to how they’re surviving the load-shedding.

It would seem that for most it’s candles, malasha and cold water bathing. And keeping their mobiles charged. For me a mobile is just a phone but I’m missing out on something here (not too sure whether I care as I’ve passed my Sell By date). It would seem that mobile phones are essential survival tools – aside from communication, music and camera/video they are used for banking and moving money. Stuff!

International companies like ToughStuff are winning awards for producing solar powered devices that provide 3 essentials; light, radio and phone charging … specifically targeting the downtrodden masses so … affordable.

Just yesterday I had 2 encounters with a new device which I haven’t had time to find out more about. A pocket-sized chargeable battery pack for charging mobiles.

There’s a whole industry out there coming up with solar solutions for the disadvantaged and the focus is Light and charging phones.

The organisation Sunnymoney is a case in point … bring light to the dark and do it cheaply.

I feel that I’ve only scratched the surface of alternative power/energy options. The fact is those options are there. We just have to adapt. Think differently.

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Reality Check OK Folks, this is where it’s at; ZESCO is not lying about the water levels in Kariba Dam. They’re very low and it’s only August. It’s already hot … and despite the Zambian Government solution to ‘Pray for rain’ on a national scale. Well, when I watched footie on DSTV and watched members of the opposing team go through these weird rituals imploring God for goals I thought OK, which team is he/she going to favour? Short thought. I don’t watch DSTV anymore. So I don’t get those arbitrary thoughts anymore except when the government recommends divine intervention to sort out ZESCO’s problems.

No comment.

The bottom line is that this is going to get worse.

Speaking to Fred Anderson from the security company of the same name, we asked him about security during loadshedding.

Advertising Space donated by the Lowdown

“There’s two kinds of homes; the smart home and the not-so-smart home. The smart home is factoring-in the worst case scenario – no power. If you don’t already have these … get them. Battery packs powered by either gensets or solar. As it stands now there’s enough ZESCO time to power-up a battery pack … the genset steps in when ZESCO steps out. Get your

More Info? See One Drum, Many Beats, Page 3

numbers right and the battery-pack (plus inverter) can power electric gates and fences, security lights, alarms and your basic household. It’s important to liase both with your genset supplier as well as your security company. Compare information from other suppliers of gensets … remember a salesman is always motivated by commission. Most security companies will be able to advise on battery-packs and inverters. It’s in their interests to do so. Bearing in mind that criminals are opportunists, load-shedding and blackouts provide rich-pickings … if you are not a smart home. That’s a fact.

Also available are solar powered security lights, with movement sensors. These are effective if there is someone lurking around outside as it will show you in which sector the lurkers are. Get a few of these and install them on all sides of your house.

Get yourself a strong torch and keep it to hand during loadshedding so that you can shine it out the windows to see what your dogs are barking at or if you hear a noise outside.

The most important thing is to be able to light up the area outside. But one should not forget the other basics (which should already be in place) - make sure there are no tall bushes and trees near your house behind which burglars can hide; make sure that door locks are the right type and make sure you lock them before dark; don’t keep money at home, keep it in the bank; etc.

“So, do your research, surf the web, talk to people in the business of alternative power options … not one but as many as possible.

Talk to security companies, get advice and options.

And when arriving home at night be alert, before you get home, if there are any vehicles following you; make sure there is no one hiding behind bushes or trees in the street. If you are followed, keep calm and drive to the nearest Police Post. Already there have been incidences of armed robberies in the Kalundu/Roma area.

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Lusaka’s Park

It has been on our list for two or three years, but each time we asked about visiting, we were told ‘not yet’. But finally, the Lusaka National Park has, with a fanfare of publicity, been opened to the public.

Created in 2008, gazetted in 2011 and opened in 2015, the 4,900 hectares set aside for the Park was previously two forest reserves which had been so badly deforested that today there are only small trees; no big shady trees under which animals can rest and certainly no tall trees on which the giraffe can browse; instead they will be bending down to eat. But there are many trees and they will, in time, grow.

According to the information from ZAWA, there are twenty or twenty two species of game in the park, depending which of their two brochures you read including some white rhino, various antelope, zebra and giraffe and the non-indigenous, Axis Deer, which we believe are from India. We only saw a small herd of impala leaping and disappearing into the bush. But we also did

36

not stop at the sanctuary area where, we believe, the rhinos are kept under constant supervision.

Facilities at the park include a pleasant picnic/braai area with ablution facilities as well as a camping area. But if you are planning to picnic, please ensure you carry with you everything that you need; only braai stands are provided. And please make sure, before you leave, that any fires are extinguished. And, of course, any rubbish picked up and put into the bins that have been provided - this should go without saying but experience tells us

that it is still necessary to remind others of this. And whilst you are there, do climb up the observation tower for a panoramic view of the bush beyond the park boundaries.

Access to the Park is either via the Leopard’s Hill Road or through Lilayi on the road that leads to the Lusaka South MFEZ. We came from the Leopard’s Hill Road side.

Proceed along Leopard’s Hill Road, past the Council barrier. A couple of hundred yards after the barrier, turn right into Chifwema Road (it is signposted). Continue down Chifwema Road until you get to the entrance to the MFEZ where there is also a signpost for the LNP. Turn right onto this road and proceed until you find the next signpost for the LNP on the left hand side.

But you will have to look hard for this sign as it faces the opposite direction. Turn left down that road and continue until you find the next sign on the left. Continue

down that road until you get to the gate of the LNP. The park is open from 6 am to 6 pm, although we do understand that often the gates open late as the ZAWA staff transport seem unable to get there on time.

Admission is K 30 per person regardless of whether you are a citizen, resident or tourist. We did feel that this was high when compared with other parks. When I questioned the ZAWA personnel, they proudly told me this was ‘on promotion’; no one seemed to understand when I said that ‘on promotion’ usually means a lower rate, not a higher one. So, at this stage, we cannot tell you what the admission fees are going to be long term.

Gaining entrance to the park is also a lengthy procedure - park your vehicle, go into the office, wait while a receipt (just smaller than A5) and a Permit (A4) to enter a national park (together with all the ‘how do you spell that?’) are completed. And probably all in triplicate. Surely we should be reducing paperwork. Why not install a cash register and print out a small till slip? At the end of the day, you can tally the amount of money and also get your statistics of how many people entered the park.

There were also no maps available, except for the one on the wall. Now this doesn’t

37

help when one gets lost on one of the loops. Perhaps maps could be printed ion A4 paper and handed out instead of the Permit to enter the park. I borrowed one of their A2 maps and used that to navigate around the park, returning the map when I left the park. And a word of warning - some of the loops are not conducive to low-slung vehicles, although this problem could easily be solve with a couple of workers with a wheelbarrow and some tools to dig out the rocks and toss them off the road.

We only spent a few hours at the park and saw very few animals. Towards sunset, we had planned to park within sight of two of their boreholes hoping that some animals would come down to drink. But the watering holes were dry. We asked about this on the way out and were told that since

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it was Sunday, they didn’t pump water. Like animals don’t drink on a Sunday - ?

But we did enjoy the beautiful rock formations which are found in that area and also the wild flowers. The aloes are blooming at this time of the year and another plant which I believe was Kalanchoe was also in bloom. This is also a good place for bird watching.

It’s early days yet and we are hopeful that ZAWA will sort out what are obviously teething problems. This park is well situated for day trips by Lusaka residents especially those who can’t afford to visit our other national parks. It is also well situated for visits by school children so that they can start to learn about the need for conserving our wildlife and our wilderness areas.

Photo’s by Marek Patzer 0979 611-823

With a Passion for Primates The illegal trade in bushmeat is a serious threat against Zambia’s primates. Cosmas Mumba from GRI - Zambia Primate Project (ZPP) is working to rescue, rehabilitate and release these animals back in the wild.

by Ulrica Hansson

Cosmas Mumba was only a child the first time he saw a captured monkey being abused. “During a holiday I was visiting a friend in a village. A monkey had been chased up in a tree by some dogs. A big group of people stood around the tree, stoning the monkey until it died. I tried to tell the people to stop but they did not listen to me because I was only a boy. That monkey died a horrible death. I still remember that bleeding, dying monkey.”

This was many years ago, but Cosmas still remembers how he felt when he saw the monkey being tormented. With many family members, including a brother, working for Zambia Wildlife Authority (ZAWA), Cosmas grew up with a passion for animal welfare and a desire to work with wildlife and conservation. After finishing school he went to stay with his brother, and started to work in Munda Wanga Wildlife Sanctuary as a casual worker. “I found that they had rescued primates, and I realized that I wanted to work them. I worked really hard to please my boss. Finally I was offered a permanent position in the primate section, and after a while I got an opportunity to start working with the release of the primates back in the wild”.

ZPP was established by and with critical, ongoing support from the Born Free Foundation (BFF). In May 2015, Game Rangers International (GRI), a Zambian NGO working with conservation and animal

welfare, took over the management of ZPP. Cosmas is the Project Manager, working alongside ZAWA to rescue, rehabilitate and release illegally held Vervet monkeys and Baboons.

The great majority of primates that are rescued by ZPP are victims of the growing bushmeat trade in Zambia. While the mothers are slaughtered for their meat, the babies are sold into the illegal pet trade. In Zambia, it is illegal to keep wild animals in captivity and you need special permission from ZAWA. However, many people are keeping monkeys illegally, without ZAWA’s approval. In small cages, tied to trees and without sufficient food and water they get sick and malnourished. They are often tormented, harassed and even stoned by people or village dogs. Many are found injured in poachers’ wire snares.

Rescuing these animals is not an easy task.

When Cosmas receives information about

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an illegally held monkey, he pays a visit to the suspect together with a ZAWA officer and demands to see the legal documents that shows that the owner is entitled to keep the animal. For many people it is hard to accept that primates are special. They are not like dogs that you can keep as pets, but wild animals that need to be protected.

“Sometimes releasing a monkey is very difficult, with threats of physical violence.

When I get information about the primate I always find out what the compound looks like, in case the situation would become dangerous. I also prefer to conduct the rescue operations at night because of security.”

When a monkey has been rescued, it is immediately put under quarantine for 30 days. It is receiving adequate care by a vet, who closely monitors its health. The ZPP release protocol has been developed over many years. When the project was new the success rate was very low. But as the staff gained more experience and more primates were released, things started to change. Today the survival rates are very encouraging, 98 % after a year. Since the start of the programme, more than 450 primates have been released.

After the quarantine, the monkey is placed in a facility together with other rescued primates. The animals are monitored and their behaviour registered. It can take up to six months to form a solid troop and for the animals to get to know each other, which is an important part of the preparation before release. They are also trained to protect themselves from birds of pray, snakes and

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leopards. The release season is in November, when food is abundant and easily accessible for animals that have spent a big part of their lives in captivity. Two males and two females are issued with tracking collars and the primates undergo a final health check before the release permits are issued.

The monkeys are installed in the release site, carefully chosen and with access to water sources and food. For seven days they are fed by the staff, but after that the food is scattered outside and the gates are opened.

From now on, the staff is only observing the primates to see how they adapt to their new life in freedom.

The best part of the job, says Cosmas, is the release. “Some of these animals were kept under horrible conditions: tied up, malnourished and physically abused. I am just a human, seeing these things make me feel very bad. When I see them back in the wild I am very happy, because they are free”.

To learn more about Game Rangers International and the Zambia Primate Project, visit www.gamerangersinternational.org/

Attack on Saisi

Almost from the start of World War I in 1914 and for most of 1915, what is today Zambia’s Northern and Muchinga Provinces were the scene of an offensive attack by the German Schutztruppe (army) under the command of Colonel Paul von Lettow-Vorbeck.

With Kasama as the major settlement in this area, the Northern Rhodesia Police Military Branch had two officers and 99 men of ‘D’ Company stationed there. The towns of Abercorn (Mbala), Fife (Mwenso), Luwingu, Mporokoso and Fort Rosebery (Mansa) fell under the command of Kasama. With the outbreak of war, the garrisons at Abercorn and Fife were strengthened with men from Kasama and an NRP officer and 20 men started patrolling the border.

Across the border at Bismarckburg (now Kasanga) the medical officer, Oberarzt Westhofen led 4 Germans, 52 Askari, 60 armed porters and around 250 irregular troops named Hilfskrieger or Ruga Ruga’ in an attack on Abercorn on 5 September 1914. This attack was repelled by Rhodesian forces comprising 40 men, under the command of Lieutenant J J McCarthy.

Lieutenant-Colonel Stennett, who was in overall command of the Northern Rhodesian forces was enroute to Abercorn with reinforcements of 100 men, but only arrived there on 9 September, having marched 99 miles in 72 hours. On 26 September, a Belgian Battalion consisting of 500 African soldiers under European officers, arrived in Abercorn. This Battalion was to fight with the Rhodesian forces until October 1915. On 25 November, reinforcements of European Volunteers and Northern Rhodesia Police under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel F A Hodson, Commandant of the Northern Rhodesia Police left Broken Hill (Kabwe) for Abercorn.

From September 1914 until June 1915, a number of small engagements took place in the area along the border with German East Africa (now Tanzania).

The distance between the Abercorn and Fife garrisons was about 150 kilometres, and the British/Rhodesians decided to construct a post between those two towns. This was in order to prevent infiltration by Ruga Ruga groups who attacked villages in the area.

The location was chosen on a rocky hillock between the Saisi and Mambala Rivers. The British name for the location was Saisi but the Germans called it Jericho Farm. The post at Saisi overlooked the river crossings of the Stevenson Road; the road that linked Lakes Tanganyika and Nyasa. The farm house was converted into a strong fort surrounded by a ring of trenches.

Colonel Hodson, led over 430 Allied troops including 214 officers and men from the NRP, 14 European volunteers from the Northern Rhodesia Rifles, a British South Africa Police detachment with a 7-pounder muzzle-loading mountain gun, 206 officers and men of the 1st Belgian Battalion.

Towards the end of June 1915 it was reported that the Germans, intended to attack the Rhodesian position at Saisi. At 6 am on 28 June, taking advantage of the early morning mist, Saisi was attacked by about 100 Europeans and 300 Askari with machine guns and about 100 Arabs and Ruga-Ruga. With enormous determination, the Rhodesians held back the attack until the Germans retreated at 3 pm. The following morning the Germans were back but retreated again after a short while.

Rhodesian casualties were one European killed, two Africans who died of wounds and nine wounded. The German losses were estimated to be fifteen killed and sixty wounded. Following these skirmishes, the following were specially mentioned by the commanding officer, Colonel Hodson: Lieutenant Dickinson, for ability and good leading.

2nd Lieutenant Allport, for the manner in which he worked his Maxim gun all day and at night carried despatches to Abercorn.

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Rifleman Pemberton, Northern Rhodesia Rifles, for the fine example he showed the native troops.

Corporal Africa, Northern Rhodesia Police, for locating snipers at great personal risk.

Belgian Forces - Lieutenant Hollants, for assistance rendered, and Premier Serjeant Bepelle, who, though wounded, remained in the firing line, showed great ability and courage, shooting two Europeans and three African enemy soldiers.

Captain J J O’Sullevan followed-up the enemy withdrawal and found some graves in German territory. These were opened and ammunition boxes containing 5,000 rounds were found but no bodies were in the graves.

During early July reports reached the Rhodesian forces that a large force of Germans, together with African and Arab troops had landed in Bismarckburg, and that a section of the Garrison stationed at New Langenburg was moving west.

Expecting a further attack, Colonel Hodson increased the garrison at Saisi. On 26 July, after destroying the telegraph wire and thus isolating Saisi from Abercorn, the enemy attacked. The attack was sustained for eight days until 3 August 1915.

The following is an account of the defence of Saisi, as published in the London Gazette: “The attacking force, which was under the command of General Wahle, is believed to have been composed,of the 18th, 23rd, 24th and 69thField Companies, four other companies, and the Tabora and Rukwe contingents of 400 Europeans and 200 Arabs. A German field company, when up to strength, consists of 10 officers, 10 volunteers, and 200 Askari. The strength of the garrison was 470 Rhodesian and Belgian native troops, with 19 Europeans. The garrison had but little food, and depended for water upon supplies obtained at night under fire and between pickets from the rivers. On the 31st July a Parlementaire arrived from the German lines with a white 42

flag and a letter- inquiring whether the Commandant was prepared to consider terms of surrender. Major O’Sullevan’s reply was an emphatic negative. The total number of casualties sustained by the garrison was nineteen, all natives, including five soldiers and four carriers killed, and one native servant who died of wounds.

A relief party under Belgian Major de Koninck, which attempted unsuccessfully to get into touch with the garrison, lost five native soldiers killed, ten wounded, and three missing. Major O’Sullevan estimates that of the enemy, at least forty Europeans and from fifty to sixty Askari and Arabs were killed. About 216 shells and at least 90,000 rounds of ammunition are reported to have been fired by the enemy. It is believed that one German gun and one Maxim were put out of action. The Belgian troops rendered most valuable assistance. The despatches express special appreciation of the services of Lieutenant Clynmans and of Sous Officier Derycke, both of whom were at Saisi during the siege. The CommandantGeneral considers that much of the success of the defence was due to the fine soldierly qualities, indefatigable endeavours, and personality of Captain (temporary Major) J J O’Sullevan. This officer has been promoted to the rank of Major in the Northern Rhodesia Police for good service on the present and, other occasions, and has been appointed to be a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order in recognition of his conduct of the defence of Saisi.”

The Commandant-General’s despatches make special mention for gallantry of the following officer and men: Lieutenant H. Allport, Northern Rhodesia Police. This officer displayed both energy and ability, and handled his Maxim in a masterly manner, transferring it from position to position in the trenches.

No. 1709 Trooper Hadath, British South Africa Police (gun layer). Mentioned for good gun-laying, coolness, and ability; also for working the helio under heavy Maxim fire.

No. 452 Colour-Serjeant Zidana, Northern Rhodesia Police. Mentioned for carrying round orders under fire and for general good behaviour.

No. 053 Serjeant Geza, Northern Rhodesia Police. Mentioned for good conduct in commanding a section, keeping his men well together, and showing initiative and ability under fire.

No. 399 Corporal Chikusi and No. 345 Private Piyo, both of the Northern Rhodesia Police. Mentioned for good service in securing water under fire and showing coolness in action at a critical period.

No. 4267 Private Kavuti, British South Africa Police. Mentioned for sponging out a gun under heavy Maxim and rifle fire at night under no cover.

On the German side, the troops were led by retired General Kurt Wahle (26 December 1855 – 19 June 1928) had been visiting his son in GEA when war broke out. He immediately volunteered to serve under von Lettow-Vorbeck, who first employed Wahle to organize the Lines of Communication and then placed him in charge of the southern area of operations. It was General Wahle who planned the second and larger attack on Saisi. General Wahle, who first joined the army in 1867, was the oldest combatant of any nation in World War I

the two rivers from which water was normally drawn. It was only through the courageous actions of the African troops who crawled down to the rivers at night to fill the water bottles.

The Germans made no further attacks after their withdrawal from Saisi although raids on the telegraph wire continued. The captured telegraph stores were used to run a new line between Neu Langenburg and Iringa in Tanzania.

Despite BSAP reinforcements arriving it was decided that Saisi could not be held and it was evacuated before the end of October 1915.

Note should be taken that the NRP alone could not have kept the Germans out of Northern Rhodesia. It was only with the Belgian military assistance which was effective and efficient that this was possible.

Despite BSAP reinforcements arriving, it was decided that Saisi could not be held and it was evacuated by the end of October 1915.

Sources www.kaiserscross.com www.archive.is Wikipedia London Gazette

During the attack on Saisi, water was the biggest problem.

The German troops dominated 43

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2015 - 2024: International Decade for People of African Descent 2015: International Year of Light and Lightbased Technologies 2015: International Year of Soils Saturday 1 August - Friday 7 August: World Breastfeeding Week [WHO] Saturday 1 August: All Breeds Championship Dog Show (During the Lusaka Agricultural and Commercial Show).

Venue: Lusaka & District Kennel Club, Showgrounds. Although there are 461 recognised breeds of dogs regrettably you won’t see them all at the show - but you will see ‘The Poor Man’s Racehorse’, the ‘Epagneul Nain’! You may not own one of these breed of dogs but if you own a Registered Pedigree dog, why not enter.

Why not just come and watch! INFO: lusakakennelclub@gmail.com Sunday 2 August: Mulungushi Mountain Bike Challenge. Venue: Mulungushi Boat Club, Kabwe. Race Entry: 80km; K300 | 40km; K300 | 20km; K250 | kids race; K150. Entries close 20/07/15. INFO: 0977 415-214, lesleyann@iconnect.zm Sunday 2 August: All Breeds Championship Dog Show (During the Lusaka Agricultural and Commercial Show). Venue: Lusaka & District Kennel Club, Showgrounds.

Although there are 461 recognised breeds of dogs regrettably you won’t see them all at the show - but you will see ‘The Poor Man’s Racehorse’, the ‘Epagneul Nain’!

You may not own one of these breed of dogs but if you own a Registered Pedigree dog, why not enter. Why not just come and watch! INFO: lusakakennelclub@gmail.com Monday 3 August: Public Holiday. Farmers’ Day Monday 3 August - Friday 7 August: Nyimbo Music Fest (AISL Music Camp).

Venue: American International School of Lusaka, Leopards Hill Road. A varied program of musical activities. Instrumental ensembles, individual music tuition (strings, wind, percussion, orff) choir, song writing, African drumming, dance (Salsa, hip-hop and African) and drama. Our beginner musicians, or children who like music but do not play an instrument, spend the day in groups, learning marimba pieces, songs, dance, drumming. They also have the option of joining the more advanced instrumental ensembles if they have the interest and ability. Culminating in our music in the park concert, where our international and local instructors will perform alongside the participants. Lined up are an amazing team of international and local instructors Namvula Rennie 45

(UK/Zambia), Chel Illingworth (US/ Zambia), Jason Winikoff (US), Aaron Dunn (UK), Matt Giles (UK), Simon Kalomo (Botswana), Adnan Mufaya (Zambia), Nomakanjani Arts (Zambia). INFO: nyimbomusicfest@aislusaka.org Thursday 6 August: My Land, My Life Screening. Buildup to Lusaka International Film Festival. Time 8pm. Venue: Levy Junction Mall’s Fresh View Cinema. Ticket K30. INFO: 0211 285-394, 0968 033-957 Sunday 9 August: International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples Wednesday 12 August: International Youth Day Friday 14 August: The Lowdown September Edition Deadline.

Saturday 15 August: The Lusaka Book Club is reading ‘The Goldfinch’ by Donna Tartt.

Next month is ‘The Hundred-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out of the Window and Disappeared’ by Jonas Jonasson. INFO: 0979 454-765.

Saturday 15 August: 11th Alexswill Bonsmara Stud Production Sale. Venue: Alexswill Farm, Kalomo. Time: Viewing; 8.30am. Auction; 11.30am. On offer will be approximately 32 Bulls and 50 females.

INFO: 0977 796-722, 0977 796-744, alexswillfarm@gmail.com

Thursday 27 August: Mama Africa Screening. Buildup to Lusaka International Film Festival. Time 8pm. Venue: Levy Junction Mall’s Fresh View Cinema. Ticket K30. INFO: 0211 285-394, 0968 033-957 Saturday 29 August: International Day against Nuclear Tests Sunday 30 August: International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances Sunday 30 August: Dog Training!

Next Introductory Training Course.

Venue: Lusaka & District Kennel Club, Showgrounds. K280 for four weeks. 10.30 start but come early to register and settle your dog in. Don’t forget the valid rabies certificate!

Sunday 30 August: 7th Laws Crazy Golf Day and Potjie Competition. Venue: The Lusaka Golf Club. INFO: Golf - 0977 773854, prittysunilm@gmail.com | Potjie - 0979 510-219, juries84@gmail.com Thursday 3 September: Education, Education Screening. Buildup to Lusaka International Film Festival. Time 8pm.

Venue: Levy Junction Mall’s Fresh View Cinema. Ticket K30. INFO: 0211 285-394, 0968 033-957 Saturday 5 September: International Day of Charity

Saturday 15 August: Elephant Epic.

Mountain Bike Challenge From Lusaka to Lower Zambezi. In support of Game Rangers International. INFO: www.elephantepic.org

Monday 7 - Tuesday 8 September: Senses at Sensorium hosts Dr Clark for Restylane and Botox treatments. US$ payments only.

Appointments: 0211 257-330, 0977 798282, 0969 740-440

Wednesday 19 August: World Humanitarian Day

Tuesday 8 September: International Literacy Day [UNESCO]

Thursday 20 – Saturday 29 August : One Drum, Many Beats, Barefeet Theatre Youth Arts Festival. See article on page 3 for full details of events and performances.

Saturday 12 September: United Nations Day for South-South Cooperation

Sunday 23 August: International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and Its Abolition [UNESCO] 46

Saturday 12 September: The Lusaka Book Club is reading ‘The Hundred-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out of the Window and Disappeared’ by Jonas Jonasson. Next month is ‘Incidents in the Life of a Slave

Girl’ by Harriet Ann Jacobs. INFO: 0979 454-765.

Tuesday 15 September: International Day of Democracy Tuesday 15 September: The Lowdown October Edition Deadline.

Saturday 19 September: Dinner Dance hosted by Lusaka and District Kennel Club. Venue: Dream Valley Conference Centre. Time 6.30pm. Tickets: K300 includes 3 course meal and live entertainment. Dresscode: Smart.

INFO: 0965 548-693, 0962 001-686, lusakakennelclub@gmail.com Thursday 24 September: Give Us The Money Screening. Buildup to Lusaka International Film Festival. Time 8pm.

Venue: Levy Junction Mall’s Fresh View Cinema. Ticket K30. INFO: 0211 285-394, 0968 033-957 Sunday 27 September: The Crazy Dog Show & the launch of ‘Kapenta & Lerish & Other Fishy Tales’ Book. Venue: The Lusaka & District Kennel Club -Show Grounds. INFO: 0977 773-854, prittysunilm@gmail.com Saturday 24 October: Public Holiday.

Independence Day Friday 30 October - Friday 6 November: Lusaka International Film and Music Festival. Theme: Inclusive Communities.

INFO: 0211 285-394, 0968 033-957 ‘Craft Markets & Markets’ Dutch Reformed Craft Market. Venue: Dutch Reformed Church, Kabulonga. Time: Last Saturday of the month.

Foxdale Court Farmer’s Market: Venue: Foxdale Court, 609 Zambezi Rd, Roma.

Time: Sundays; 7am - 5pm. Locally grown fruit, vegetables, cut flowers, plants, fresh and dried vegetables. Support your small scale farmers. INFO: 0973 315-185, 0211 295-793, info@foxdalecourt.com, www.foxdalecourt.com

St Columba’s Craft Market. Venue: St Columba’s Presbyterian Church, Nangwenya Rd. Time: First Saturday of the month. Come buy and sell, all welcome. Proceeds to church projects and community.

Konzani Gardens Market Day. Venue: Plot 7053/M Lusaka West. Buy and Sell vegetables, chickens, eggs, clothes, toys, books, paintings. Time: Monthly, Last Saturday, 9am on. Stands: K20. INFO: 0976 549-777, konzanigardens@gmail.com Waterfalls Precinct Gourmet Market.

Venue: Portico Restaurant, Lusaka Showgrounds. Time: Monthly, Second Friday, 7pm. A community event where you can buy and sell authentic food.

A platform for local farmers, organic merchants, bakers, butchers, artisan producers and more. INFO: 0969 442-753 oscar@waterfallsprecinct.com ‘Business Associations & Community’ The Association of 41 Clubs of Zambia.

Meetings: First Wednesday of the month, (except Chingola - first Friday). Lusaka: No 1 Kunzubo Guest Lodge, Zambezi Rd, Roma, 6pm; Kitwe: No 2, The Ravens Country Club, 6pm; Ndola: No 3, Table Hall, Ndola, 7pm; Chingola: No 4, Golf Club, 6.30pm.

All ex-tablers welcome INFO: 0955 791414.

Chishawasha Children’s Home has a regular stall at the Dutch Reform Church Craft Market. Available are hand-made crafts and quality second-hand books. Don’t miss this opportunity to support Zambian orphans.

INFO: 0211 214557, philplusm@gmail.com Diplomatic Spouses Association (DSA).

Meetings: Last Tuesday of the month.

Members and spouses from diplomatic / international missions, honorary consulates & expatriate community accredited to Zambia are all welcome. INFO: soraya.king@hotmail.com HI Alumni. Lusaka Chapter. Time: Monthly third Saturday, 8am - 9am. Venue: Ndeke 47

Hotel, Longacres. INFO: 0977 774-168, 0977 792-424 InterNations: Expatriates, expand your social and business network, join the largest fastest growing online community, mingle with other expats at our monthly events. Activities include lunch groups, dinner groups, Sunday afternoon coffee groups, photo walk groups etc. INFO: ireen.shalom@gmail.com or emmswood@gmail.com or sarahe@tinytimandfriends.org International Women’s Club. Meetings: First Wednesday of the month. Venue: Poolside, Southern Sun Ridgeway. New members welcome.

Lusaka District Business Association.

Meetings: Last Wednesday of the month.

Venue: ZCSMBA offices, Showgrounds.

Time: 2pm. A member of the Zambia Chamber of Small and Medium Business Associations (ZCWMBA). Come and enhance your business integrity. An ideal forum for sharing business knowledge, ideas, skills etc.

Rotary Club Meetings. Mondays: RC of Nkwazi; Barclays Bank Sports Club; 6pm.

Tuesdays: RC of Lusaka; Holiday Inn; 12.30pm. Wednesdays: RC of Maluba; Radisson Blu; 12.30pm. Thursdays: RC of Lusaka Central; Taj Pamodzi Hotel; 12.30pm. Fridays: RC of Pamodzi; Taj Pamodzi Hotel; 12.30pm. Saturdays: RC of Kusinta; The Courtyard Hotel; 9am.

Stuttering Association of Zambia. Meetings: Monthly, Second Saturday. Time: 2.30pm.

Persons who stutter or stammer, spouses of people who stutter, parents of children who stutter, speech therapists and anyone with an interest are welcome to join.

INFO: 0977 863-363, 0977 841-576, stutteringz@gmail.com Zambezi Toastmasters. Would you like to improve your public speaking? Venue: Lusaka Hotel. Time: Twice Monthly (Second and fourth Thursdays, 6.15pm 48

- 8pm). Toastmasters in an international organisation that builds communication and leadership skills. INFO: 0978 390464, 0979 454-765, or like ‘Zambezi Toastmasters’ on Facebook.

Zambian Women’s Institute: Meetings: Every Wednesday morning. Venue: Longacres (next to the Red Cross Building).

INFO: 0977 419-005, 0977 760-375, reginafinni@gmail.com ‘Faith-Based’ American Orthodox Catholic Church: Desire to celebrate the old Catholic Divine Liturgy (not Vatican). INFO: 0977 707-367.

Bahá’í Devotional Gathering: Venue: Bahá’í Centre, Alick Nkhata Rd, beside Mass Media Complex. Time: Sunday 10.30am 12pm. All are welcome. Children’s classes and Junior Youth Groups. INFO: 0975 179-967.

Baptist Mission of Zambia: Venue: Baptist Guesthouse, Corner of Nangwena Rd, Margrat Tembo. Bible Study. Time: Sunday 4.30pm. Times are tough, Life doesn’t seem to be getting easier, troubles everywhere you look - But there is hope. Classes for all ages. Come join us as we study God’s Word - the only hope for our daily lives! INFO: 0211 292-143 Eternal Life Fellowship: Venue: Old Black Velvet Building, The Groove. Time: Sunday 9am. INFO: 0211 294-430 or 0977 853298.

Gospel Outreach Fellowship: Venue: GO Centre, Nangwenya Rd. Time: Sunday 8.30am or 11.30am. INFO: 0211 255-234, 0955 451-271 www.go.org.zm Greek Orthodox Mass: Venue: Hellenic Association Club, Kafue Rd. Time: Sunday 10am - 12pm.

Ladies Interdenominational Bible Study Group: Venue: St. Columba’s Church, Nangwenya Rd. Time: Wednesday 10am.

INFO: 0977 799-623.

Lusaka Family Church: Venue: Mulungushi Conference Hall, Mulungushi Village. Time: Sunday 9am - 11am. Children’s Church: 6 -12 yrs, Toddlers Zone: up to 5 yrs. Youth Life: Sunday 11am - 1pm, Life Groups: Thursday 7pm. INFO: Arnold 0211 293367, 0978 090-982, Gisela 0976 722-892, www.lusakafamilychurch.org Miracle Life Family Church: Venue: Miracle Life Family Church, Zambezi Rd, Roma.

Time: Sunday 8am or 10.30am. Dynamic children’s program for ages 3 - 12. INFO: 0211 292-286, www.mlfc.org Ngombe Family Church: Venue: Flying Angels Academy, Zambezi Rd. Sunday 5.30pm - 7pm. Wednesday evening Pastors Bible Study 6pm - 7pm. INFO: 0978 090982, 0977 607-087, 0978 959-571 Quakers who would like to contact other Quakers in Lusaka call 0966 761-754.

Redeemed Christian Church of God: Sunday Service: Venue: Chrismar Hotel Sable Conference Room, Longacres. Time: Sunday 8am - 10.30am. Bible Study. Time: Wednesday 5.30pm - 6.45pm. INFO: 0977 866-066 Rehoboth Assembly: (Redeemed Christian Church of God). Venue: Plot 7449 Cnr Katopola & Twikatane Rd, Rhodespark. Time: Sundays, 9am 11.30am, Thursdays, 5.30pm - 7pm.

INFO: 0955/ 0966/ 0977 710-440, rehobothassembly@gmail.com South City Church: Venue: Baobab College Hall, Sunday 9am | Zebra Crossings Cafe, Sunday 10.30am | Chisamba Congregation Martin House School, Sunday 9am. INFO: 0978 289-998, info@southcitychurch.net, www.southcitychurch.net Zambia Messianic Fellowship: Venue: 34285 Shantubu Rd, Rock-field, Lusaka.

Sabbath meeting. Time: Saturday 10.30am - 12.30pm. INFO: 0977 858-061 zmf@microlink.zm | www.zamf.org

‘Four-Footed, Feathered and Environment’ BirdWatch Zambian meets once a month for a bird walk in the countryside. BWZ members, their families and friends head to the woods and wetlands around Lusaka and beyond. Walks are led by experienced birdwatchers who guide both newcomers and long-term birders through a morning of observation and exploration. INFO: 0977 485-446, www.birdwatchzambia.org Dog Training. Venue: Showgrounds, Lusaka & District Kennel Club. Sundays. Learn to teach your dog good manners, general obedience and some seriously impressive tricks! Bring along your dog with his lead, collar and valid rabies certificate (and some patience) and join us for some fun dog training! INFO: 0962 001-686 lusakakennelclub@gmail.com Lilayi Elephant Nursery (Game Rangers International). Elephant viewing times: daily 11.30am - 1.30pm, all year. Venue: Lilayi Elephant Nursery, Lilayi Rd, 6km off 49

Kafue Rd. Watch the elephants feeding and playing from the viewing platform. No fee, donations gratefully accepted. INFO: www.gamerangersinternational.org 0975 615-149, sarah@gamerangersinternational.org Lusaka Animal Welfare Society (LAWS).

Donate K100 to become a member of the only organization in Lusaka that takes care of abandoned or neglected domestic animals. You also get a LAWS key ring and 20% off all LAWS functions. INFO: 0966 005-297 (0966 00LAWS) Nature Trails for Conservation. Raising funds for Game Rangers International.

Time: Monthly, Third Saturday, 8am 11am. Venue: Lilayi Lodge. Come and enjoy 2.5km, 5.5km or 10km trails.

Children and bicycles welcome. Price: Adults K30 | Children K10. INFO: sarah@gamerangersinternational.org ‘Health and Sporting’ 12 Step: Adult Children of Alcoholics (ACA).

Time: Saturday, 4pm to 5.30pm - 17:30 Cathedral of the Holy Cross (Upper Room, East Wing), Ridgeway. A program for men and women, who grew up in alcoholic or otherwise dysfunctional homes. We meet to share our experience and recovery in an atmosphere of mutual respect. INFO: 0967 980-229, aca.lusaka@gmail.com (Int website, www.adultchildren.org) 12 Step: Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) Lusaka. Time: Monday, 6pm & Friday, 5.30pm - Cathedral of the Holy Cross (Upper Room, East Wing), Ridgeway | Tuesday, 12:30pm – Kalemba Hall. INFO: 0973 154-222, 0954 210-446 12 Step: Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) Livingstone. INFO: 0962 804-137 12 Step: Al-Anon. Time: Wednesday, 5.30pm to 6.30pm - SHARPZ, 220C, Mutandwa Rd, Roma. A group for relatives and friends of alcoholics where they can come together to share their experiences, strength and hope. INFO: 0977 697-628, 0966 621-806, lusakaafg@gmail.com (Int website, www.alanon.org.za) 50

12 Step: Codependents Anonymous (CoDA) Women’s Support Group. Time: Thursday 5.45pm to 7pm - SHARPZ, 220c Mutandwa Rd, Roma. A fellowship that helps women learn to look after ourselves, share experiences, strength and hope. INFO: 0962 213-708, coda.lusaka@gmail.com (Int website, www.coda.org) Aerobics by a Personal Trainer: Venue: Kaingo Leisure, Barclays Sports Complex, Club Rd (Showgrounds). Time: Tuesdays, Thursdays 6pm - 7pm. K25 / session. INFO: 0977 174-140.

Aikido Classes: Beginners welcome.

Venue: Central Sports Club, Longacres.

Time: Monday, Wednesday 5pm – 6.30pm.

Price: K20 / month INFO: 0972 260549, chisangakaluba@yahoo.com (1 Dan ITAF China).

Ashtanga and Pre-Natal Yoga classes. In the comfort of your home. Individual classes: K300 per class. Group sessions: K100 per person, per session. Contact: 0978 507-986, 0966 507-986.

Beginner Belly Dancing. Venue: Shakespeare Court, Leopards Hill Rd. Time: Wednesdays 6.30pm - 7.30pm. Saturdays 10am - 11am. Cost: K50 - Small classes designed to give all women the opportunity to learn. No previous dance experience required. INFO: www.shimmyglisten.com or elisabeth@shimmyglisten.com Beginners Polocrosse. Venue: Leopards Hill Polocrosse Club. Time: Tuesdays.

Introducing riders of any skill level to Polocrosse. Age 12+. The clinic will give you an easy, no pressure, leg up to start you playing. INFO: 0965 801-256 Bump, Birth & Beyond Special Events.

Time: Fridays. Venue: 4145 Nkanchibaya Rd, Rhodes Park. INFO: 0974 148-856, bbbzambia@gmail.com Chilanga Hackers Golf Society welcomes golfers of all abilities to join in the fun of convivial golf and interesting social activities in a pleasant atmosphere with

emphasis on friendship and enjoyment.

INFO: 0211 290-818 (evenings), 0977 790900, seawing@coppernet.zm Children’s Playgroups and educational activities. Baby groups, toddler and pre-school. From 0 - 7 yrs. INFO: kidsclub.lusaka@gmail.com Counsellor / Therapist: For handling Depression, Stress and Anxiety, Drug or Alcohol abuse, quit smoking, etc - using Hypnotherapy and NLP. INFO: 0955 999727, priyabala@microlink.zm Cricket. Venue: Lusaka South Country Club, Mukwa Rd, Lilayi. Country & Districts cricket. Home and away matches, Kids coaching, tours and T20 tournaments.

Time: Practice Wednesdays, Fridays 5pm.

Kids coaching, Saturdays. INFO: 0977 860797, 0966 437-808, 0966 751-643.

Daily Children’s Playgroup. Venue: Bump Birth & Beyond, 4145 Nkanchibaya Rd, Rhodes Park. Daily Educational activities and children’s playgroups, music classes, arts & crafts, ballet and more! Ages: 0 to 6. INFO: 0974 148-856, bbbzambia@gmail.com, kidsclub.lusaka@gmail.com Dynamic Diabetes Support Group. Time: 2pm - 4pm, Fourth Saturday Monthly.

Venue: Umoyo Centre, Great East Rd. A safe place where those who are Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetic can meet and share their experiences and learn about new medical research, as well as alternative therapies.

Different endocrinologists and specialists will be brought in as speakers. Diet, recipes, exercise, stress, symptoms and treatments will be discussed. INFO: 0978 028-146 Inside Story. Ante-Natal Classes, Postnatal care and baby massage classes.

INFO: 0977 446-054 / 0211 274-985, margotbham@gmail.com Karate & Weapons Training. Venue: Lusaka Showgrounds. Luke 5th Dan. 0977 314-511 / 0978 710-102, lukphiri@yahoo.com 51

Lusaka Dolphins at Lusaka Amateur Swimming Club. Venue: Olympic Pool.

Group training for competitive swimmers; ‘learn to swim’ for non swimmers; or ‘swim at my own pace’. INFO: 0966 761-547 Lusaka Hash House Harriers. Time: Saturdays, 3pm. Meet new friends and join us for a run or walk in the bush. INFO: lusakahash@zambia.co.zm, G2S 0971 946937, CM 0977 159-935, Thickette: 0978 532-744, or visit our facebook page.

Martial Arts. Karate Classes. Weapon classes for brown and black belts. Monthly self defence classes. INFO: Raymond (7th Dan) 0977 783-537, shihanray@hotmail.com

Polo X. Venue: Lusaka South Country club, Mukwa Rd, Lilayi. All skill levels welcome.

INFO: 0979 505-152.

Running Group. Time: Sunday 6.30am.

Trail & road. Mixed running ability.

Options to modify distance (between 10 - 17 km). INFO: 0977 801-463, c_ngoma@yahoo.com Salsa Dance Classes. Mondays and Fridays 6.30pm Intercontinental Hotel. Thursdays 6.30pm Melsim Lodge, Alick Nkhata Rd Cost: K30. INFO: 0979 400-538

Mazabuka Tennis Club. Ladies tennis every Tuesday morning at 07:45. Mixed tennis every Saturday afternoon at 16:00.

Self-Defence (Short Courses): Practical, easy to learn for youths, women or security personnel. Children & adult Karate Classes also offered. The instructor is the All Japan Martial Arts Federation - Zambia President & Chief Representative. INFO: 0977 783537, shihanray@hotmail.com

Meditation. Brahma Kumaris Raja Yoga Meditation Centre. Opposite Northmead shops. Monday - Saturday 5.30pm and Sundays 2pm. Free introductory courses. INFO: 0211 250-685 / 254-518 bkrymc@zamnet.zm

Skydive Zambia (ZUSC): Special offer on Tandem dives, no prior training required. INFO: antoinettedurand46@gmail.com, 0966 622-516, rowles.dave3@gmail.com, 0977 790-500, edmund@skytrailszambia.com

Motorbike Lessons Best of Bikes Academy.

Venue: Central Park, Cairo Rd. Time: Sundays 9am. Learn to ride a motorbike safely in a controlled space, with experienced instructors. INFO: 0211 236912/3, 0964 584-778, 0973 584-778

Soccer For Kids: Little Eagles Soccer.

Time: Saturday / Sunday 9.30am. Ages 3 - 12: Barclays Sports Club. Ages 6 12: Bump, Birth and Beyond Zambia.

Outdoor soccer-based fun for kids. INFO: littleeagles@zambia.co.zm, 0976 135-788, 0950 265-989.

Mountain Biking Club Leopards Hill.

Open to adults for Saturday morning fun mountain bike in the bush. INFO: mtblusaka@gmail.com

Social Bowls. Venue: Central Sports Club.

Bowling section. Time: Saturdays. 2pm.

New bowlers welcome.

Optimyze Kare Health. Time: Last Thursday of the month; 5pm. Advice on all aspects of health (fitness, diseases, nutrition, mental health, beauty, lifestyle and wellness, and different alternative and complementary therapies) addresses by professional speakers. The purpose is to teach you to be ‘whole’ naturally. INFO: 0955 / 0966 847777, optimyse@gmail.com

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Social Cricket and Polocrosse. Time: Thursday. Venue: Leopards Hill Polocrosse Club. New members welcome. All experience levels welcome. Family, friendly environment. INFO: 0963 881-149 Swimming Teacher. All Ages. Venue: Swedish Embassy School. INFO: 0955/0977 328115 Tennis Section, Lusaka Club. Invites players of all ability levels to join in social tennis.

Venue: Lusaka Club. Time: Saturdays, 1pm - 6pm. Cost: K20 for court use, balls, coffee and snacks. Last Saturday of the month: Half Price Social Tennis; K10. You can be signed in for up to 3 sessions by members thereafter you have the option of joining the club. INFO: 0977 964-121, lusakatennis@yahoo.com Touch Rugby. Venue: Gymkhana Club, Showgrounds Time: Monday and Thursday 6pm. All welcome (Male & Female) INFO: 0965 126-200 Ultimate Frisbee. Venue: Lusaka Gymkhana Club; Wednesdays 5.30pm - 7.30pm | American International School; Sundays 9.30am - 11.30am. Everyone welcome.

INFO: 0973 370-973.

Umoyo Natural Health | Great East Rd near Munali Roundabout | Live Blood Analysis Test - daily - K300 | Zumba - Mondays to Fridays, 6pm - 7pm | Baobab Shots Wednesday Mornings - K15 each | ‘Reclaim Your Health’ Talk - Thursdays, 10am - Free & free samples | Fit Club - Full Body Fitness - Mondays to Thursdays, 5pm to 6pm or 6.30pm to 7.30pm | Therapeutic Yoga Mondays to Saturdays, 9am. INFO: 0966 800-600 Umoyo Natural Health | Woodlands Shopping Centre | Live Blood Analysis Test - daily - K300. ‘Reclaim Your Health’ Talk Thursdays, 4pm. INFO: 0967 800-313 Umoyo Natural Health | Weightloss Wednesdays! Visit one of our Shops for 5% off all Herbex Weight Loss Products every Wednesday! Locations: Arcades Shopping Centre, Foxdale Court, Woodlands Shopping Centre and at Umoyo Health Clinic on Great East Rd near Munali Roundabout Yoga with Iyengar slant. Mats available.

Contact for location and times. INFO: 0966 728-911, towani@kuthuta.com Zambian Cancer Society. Venue: Independence Avenue. Time: Last Friday of the month. 6pm - 7pm. Female cancer

survivors support group. Support offered via telephone or email. 0955 226237, info@zambiancancersociety.org / zambiacancersociety@gmail.com Zambia Taekwon-Do Association. Venue: Municipal Sports Club. Time: Saturday, Sunday: 10am. Tuesday, Thursday: 5.30pm.

INFO: 0211 254-090.

ZOCA Dance: Looking for dance classes for yourself or your kids? ZOCA dance fitness is a fantastic and fun way to exercise and maintain a healthy lifestyle. You will groove to popular African and Caribbean beats to get in shape! 3 convenient locations.

ZocaMAX classes are great for toning and sculpting. Classes for Kids 3-12 years old too. INFO/Schedule: www.zocadance.com, 0967 795-816, zocadance@gmail.com Zumba Keep Fit: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays. Venue: Alliance Française of Lusaka. Time: 5.30pm - 7.30pm. Entrance: K30 per session, K150 per month. INFO: 0976 100-727 or register at reception.

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DON’T MISS:

September

‘Leisure’ Alliance Francaise Cine Kids. French Movies, English subtitles for kids 3 - 10 years and parents. Venue: Alliance Francaise, Lusaka. Time: Saturdays, 9am.

Alliance Francaise Cine Night. French Movies, English subtitles. Venue: Alliance Francaise, Lusaka. Time: Monthly, Second Last Thursday, 7.30pm. Entrance: K10.

Alliance Francaise ‘Poete Spring’ Poetry Show. Venue: Alliance Francaise, Lusaka.

Time: Monthly, Last Friday, 7pm. Admission Free. An open mic multilingual show in which poets and lovers of literature can present and perform their own poems, as well as those written by others in a mature and appreciative atmosphere. With a monthly theme.

Art Classes. Venue: Zebra Crossing Café, Ababa House, Twikatane Rd. Time: Wednesdays, 9am - 12pm. All Mediums Sketching, Painting in oil, acrylics, water colours and more. Beginners welcome! Art supplies available at The Art Shop. INFO: 0974 279-107, info@theartshopltd.com Camera Chat Group. Venue: Coffee Gallery, Nangwenya Rd. Meeting: Third Saturday, monthly, 9.30 am. Relaxed discussions for DSLR enthusiasts who want to improve their technical skills. INFO: rosegarden@hudzam.com Evening Art Class. Tutored by Richard Kirby.

Venue: Zebra Crossing Café, Ababa House, Twikatane Rd. Time: Thursday Nights. Cost: K50 per session. An extension of the regular Wednesday workday sessions to suit afterhour artists. Beginners are welcome. INFO: 0974 279-107 info@theartshopltd.com French Storytelling Workshop. Reading to children. Venue: Alliance Française. Time: Wednesday, 2.30pm - 3.30pm. Children aged 5 - 16.

Helen O’Grady Drama Classes: Afternoons & Saturdays. Kiddy programmes Tuesday, Thursday & Friday mornings. Public

speaking courses, Tuesday & Thursday evenings. INFO: carlyn@dramaafrica.com or janet@dramaafrica.com International Wine & Food Society. The Lusaka Branch hold regular themed events in both Restaurants and Members’ homes.

Interested in hearing more? INFO: Ken 0977 829-467 or 0979 473-555.

Irish Wild Geese Society. We’d like to welcome anyone from Ireland who has arrived in Zambia. Fun monthly events and St Patrick’s ball in March, (proceeds to local charities). INFO: 0979 875-097 Lusaka Bridge Club. Venue: Main Lounge, Lusaka Golf Club. Time: Monday, 6.45pm, Duplicate bridge. Monthly & international tournaments held. INFO: 0211 264-432, money@coppernet.zm Lusaka Garden Club. Meetings: Second Saturday of the month. Members visit different gardens, Garden information and talks. Flower Shows in February for members only and during the Agricultural Show in August open to all. Subscription K60 per year. INFO: 0977 741-996, 0977 784-448.

Lusaka Road Bikers. Venue: La Mimosa, Arcades. Time: Sundays, 9am. Meet for a chat, coffee/breakfast and a ride to various venues. INFO: 0966 766-896 gintym@seedco.co.zm, 0955 801-954 murryfieldfarm@zamtel.zm, 0966 858-733 mcrop@zamnet.zm Serbian Buffet Lunch. Venue: Nena’s Restaurant. Time: Monthly First Sunday.

INFO: 0211 239-541.

Singing. Lusaka Music Society. Do you like singing, have you sung in a choir, or would you like to sing in a choir? The Lusaka Music Society meets once weekly for rehearsals and perform three concerts a year. Meet new people and learn new music. Musicians welcome. INFO: molly.care@gmail.com or 0977 780-883, annew@iconnect.zm 55

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Small Ads; 01 - 20 words: K40 / 21 - 40 words: K80 / 41 - 60 words: K120 | Property Prowl: K400 Deadline: 15th of the month preceding publication

11th Alexswill Bonsmara Stud Production Sale. Takes place on Saturday 15 August 2015 at Alexswill Farm in Kalomo.

Viewing starts at 8.30 and the auction will commence at 11.30; on offer will be approximately 32 Bulls and 50 females.

For more information or to receive a sale catalogue please contact Graham or Kitty Mulders; 0977 796-722, 0977 796-744, alexswillfarm@gmail.com Carpenter available to do odd jobs around the house, make furniture and repair broken furniture. Can also do tiling and roofing. Contact 0974 347-255 Centricia Lodge - Kasama | Travelling to Kasama and need excellent, affordable accommodation? Join us at Centricia Lodge, located in the residential area of Mukulumpe. We offer state-of-the-art accommodation with en suite bathrooms, DSTV, bar fridge, kettle, comfortable workstation for business travellers, a lush relaxing garden in which you can enjoy our tasty braaied signature T-bone.

Reservations: 0976 702-063, 0963 708-306, centricialodge@gmail.com Builder: Builds house and builds swimming pools. Please call 0979 446-452 or 0966 006-191 Citrus Tree Trimming. Improve the health of your citrus and other trees. Contact 0966 747-990

Compost & Manure: Quality guaranteed!

Compost: 25kg bag for K45. Manure: in 50kg bag for K25. More than 10 bags free delivery in Lusaka. Shaun 0976 030-311.

Employment Sought: Cashier / Receptionist & General Cleaner.

Female, 8 years experience, mature, self motivated. Please call 0977 444-107 Employment Sought: Catering / Chef / Waitress / Housekeeper. Young lady, traceable reference, formally trained. Please call 0976 203-149.

Employment Sought: Driver / Mechanic. 11 years experience. Please call 0962 788-603.

Employment Sought: Houseboy / Cleaner / Chef / Gardener. Young man, very humble. Please call 0972 525-032 Employment Sought: Housekeeper / Chefs helper / Maid. Mature female, 18 years experience. Please call 0969 481-732 Employment Sought: Housekeeper / Cleaner / Chef. 3 years experience, traceable references.

Please call 0976 451-222 Employment Sought: Nanny / Housekeeper / Cook. Able to Bake and cook Zambian, Finnish dishes. Please call 0973 462-350 Employment Sought: Sales Lady / Receptionist. Female, just completed secondary school. Please call 0976 261-841 Employment Sought: Sales Rep / Receptionist / Shopkeeper / Cleaner / Messenger. Male, just completed secondary school. Please call 0972 813-863 Employment Sought: Waitress / Housekeeper / Receptionist / Maid / Cleaner. Female, 26 years old, with experience. Please call 0966 351-373 Employment Sought: Waitress / Receptionist / Office Assistant / Cleaner.

Please Call 0978 007-432 or 0967 022-386 59

English Language Tutor. For SAT, IGCSE and GCE preparations, Cambridge Checkpoint. Contact: 0950 228-130 marthe1030@yahoo.fr For Sale: Good second hand sofas going cheaply. Call 0974 044-818 For Sale: Round Rhodes Grass Bales. Collection from farm on Great North Road. Great for stock feed.

Contact Bruce 0979 002-897 Luangwa Valley Private House for Rent | Jake and Gillie’s Valley Retreat. Large family home (8 adults, 4-6 kids) five minutes from Park Gate in Mfuwe. Three bedrooms, two bathrooms, large upstairs area, nursery, self contained cottage. Great Wildlife, Swimming pool, ZESCO, furnished, equipped and staffed. Activities, a-lacarte restaurant available by arrangement at nearby Flatdogs camp. Contact jakedamotta@gmail.com 0211 213-841 jake@buckskinmoon.com 0977 897-779 Martial Arts: Karate Kids (age 6, or above) and Girl Power classes! Saturdays 8.30am -10am. French School Gym, Alliance Francaise. By Private Arrangement Exclusive Japanese Sword classes for small groups (executives and ladies). Raymond has trained in Japan and is a student of Grandmaster Roy Hobbs (USA) and Atsushi Shimojo (Japan). Call 0977 783537 or email shihanray@hotmail.com Mukambi Safari Lodge is a comfortable 270km (3 hour) drive from Lusaka and the closest lodge to Lusaka in Kafue National Park, the biggest National Park in Africa. Elephant, hippo, all the big cats and antelope are common sightings at Mukambi. Please visit our website www.mukambi.com or call reservations on 0974 424-013 or email reservations@mukambi.com for our unbeatable rates for residents!

Need Landscaping, Digital landscaping design, manure, compost, maintenance of private offices and parks? Design-agardens. Karin Monge 0977 716-954.

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North Kafue National Park. Mayukuyuku Bush Camp offers full board, and camping. Excellent game viewing and fishing. Access for two-wheel drive vehicles, 4 hours from Lusaka on good roads. www.kafuecamps.com | info@kafuecamps.com PetVet | Pet Travel - Import, Export and Micro-chipping. Pet Parlour - For all your grooming needs. Pet Boarding - In our country kennels. Contact Us: Kabulonga, Roan Road; 0211 265-197 / 0968 883-284/ 0976 080-387 / petvetzambia@gmail.com | Lilayi Road; 0977 401-813 / davidzuludr@gmail.com Showgrounds Vet Clinic - Dr. Lisa Oparaocha | For Veterinary / Grooming: 0977 770-940, showgroundsvet@gmail.com | For Pet Shop (Spoiled Pets): 0967 764-825, esuesta@yahoo.com Soft Furnishings and Interior Remake.

Professional, custom-made; curtains, cushions, roman blinds, festoons, chair covers, bed linen, bedcovers and mosquito nets. Wallpaper application, various flooring installations, polishing etc. For corporate, private residences, lodges, hotels. Office near Makeni Mall.

Contact 0955 / 0966 / 0977 776-824 Therapeutic Counselling: Relationship issues, crisis, abuse, anxiety, life changes?

A safe confidential place to explore the way forward. Available services include face to face, skype, email, house visits. Contact: 0975 240-592 Worker Hire: House-keepers, Maids, Gardeners, Chefs, Caretakers, Poultrymen, Piggerymen, Plumbers, French Teachers, Contractors, Pastel Accountants, Accounts Preparation, Auditing and Taxation, Vat and Payroll, Reconciliation, Secretaries, Gym Instructors, Estate Agents, PSV Drivers, Mechanics, Auto Spares Specialists, Agriculturalists, IT Specialists, etc. We offer assistance for you. Please do not panic or overwork.

Money can work for you. 0977 146-524, 0975 574-204, derricky08@yahoo.com