The Lowdown - 2015-12 Christmas

Vol. 21, No. 12, 2015

Christmas Special

Christmas

A Shopping Spree Book Review Sherman’s Shoe Boxes Santa Paws Star Gazer In the Garden Birds, Bugs and Bushes Fool On The Hill

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Mole In The Hole When a Warthog Attacks Day in Dubai What’s Happening Restaurants Employment Sought Small Adverts

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Front Cover Photograph: Baobab Tree (Adansonia digitata)

by H Bender Chalcraft Decorated for Christmas by L Chalcraft 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. +260 211 236-637 1

A Shopping Spree Searching the internet for Christmas gift ideas, I stumbled across a picture of a sidewalk chalkboard. “When you buy from a small local business you are not helping a CEO buy a third holiday home. You are helping a little girl get dance lessons, a little boy get his team jersey, and a mom or dad put food on the table”. Wow - what a message. And something we should strive for year round. What a wonderful time to start - with Christmas right around the corner.

So where should you start looking for gifts?

Right here.

Starting with The Village on Leopards Hill Road just before AIS if you’re coming from Crossroads. Dollar rentals have seen some tenants moving on but there are still three great stores there. Another plus is that shopping there can be quite leisurely; no crowds, ample parking and a pizzeria for solid and liquid refreshment. Tana Africa is tucked away in a corner, a small store but outfitted with love by owners Tana and Ryan Walsh. They hail from Zim but seeing as it is the season of goodwill and in the spirit of good neighbourliness (not forgetting a supporting advert) The Lowdown is including them in an article which was geared towards supporting local businesses over the festive season. Tana Africa specialise in handbags and belts made from crocodile & other wildlife hides. Tana and Ryan run a game farm in North Eastern Zimbabawe. Being male handbags don’t quite fit into my dress code but from a purely visual perspective I was suitable impressed by the bags on display. Tana’s almost spiritual approach to design is evident … the handbags are eye catching, functional and … (if I may

say) quite funky. Tana Africa is also home to a range of delicate and incredibly soft knitwear from Amayi – wraps, shawls and headwear – perfect for overseas family.

Around the corner is Nzito. Again we’re talking about people who work with love.

This time with wood. Already quite famous for their wooden doors, window frames and furniture, Nzito also carry a range of smaller items that will fit quite nicely in the Christmas stocking. Aside from finely finished wooden plates, bowls, coasters, salt and pepper bowls, salad bowls … and stuff!

Nzito also carries toys from Little Ndaba, beadwork from African Heart and jewelry from Katy Valentine. One could well spend some time there. Factor that in.

Still at The Village, there’s Afrikolor – truly Zambian! - fashion and soft décor made with Chitenge and other local fabrics.

Colourful and visually busy…another shop where one can waste time happily browsing.

They also do custom tiles and pottery. And the pizzeria is right next door.

Boys Toys. Unfortunately for The Village, Mudpackers is moving across the road and a bit further east to Leopards Hill Business Park. And it is a pity as owner Trevor Smith is a good man to have on your team. Hailing from Port Elizabeth Trevor and his wife Charmaine moved up here some years back to run a commercial refrigeration business. They still run it but have expanded into offroad accessories and camping equipment. They’ve got it all … and if they don’t have it they’ll get it. Bullbars, winches, recovery kits, roof tents, camping fridges and freezers, camping catering gear

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December is the Christmas bash! Bring your kids and instil a love of books!

Next door is the landmark Sugarbush Farm.

There’s Sugarbush Café which is under new management but more important is the Jackal and Hide Shop. “Bespoke, handcrafted leather bags and accessories made from Zambian leather incorporating African textiles and beads” Well, that’s it in a nutshell. It is always an experience to wander around J&H … some seriously talented and creative minds at work here, evident in both products on display as well as the décor. J&H has crafted choices for men and children as well. Keep eyes and ears open for a whole menu of Christmas happenings at Sugarbush – take a gander at their Advert for more details.

including gas appliances, bottles and a gas bottle refilling service. Trevor has also further expanded into a portable solar range of power and lighting. He carries battery packs and inverters as well. Camp at home when Zesco is off duty.

Continuing on that theme, African Wildtracks in East Park Mall is your best bet for fishing gear (everything!), camping (the more portable type of equipment) and outdoor wear. A well-stocked shop run by the genial brothers Imran and Sajid Choham. Always a pleasure to shop there.

If you’re in Makeni and are looking for something along the same lines, stop in at Makeni Mall at Pro Angling and Pet Accessories. Or are you looking for a Christmas gift for your pooch? I’m sure they’ll have something great for Fido and Human alike.

Back in Leoaprds Hill, further East is Mary’s Bookshop. Books old and new and a Christmas bash where Santa comes with prezzies. Not me this year. Saturday 5

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Here’s an interesting one – Chitenge Life – a luxury clutch purse line combining leather and chitenge fabric. Conceived by Nankhonde Kasonde van-den-broek and inspired by both her African heritage and globetrotting experiences working for the UN amongst other organisations. She has exhibited her products at the Zambian Fashion Week for the last four years as well as this year’s African Fashion Week in Amsterdam. The clutch purses are currently available at Kutowa Designs and VALA Designs. Nankhonde expects to have her own flagship showroom in Ibex Hill up and running next year. For further info contact Nankhonde on 0978 277-361.

Now for the Christmas table. Vegetarians you may want to skip the next couple of sentences. Majoru Butchery. Been operating since 1984 and preferred butcher for many.

Their Christmas menu includes Gammon (order now!), smoked pork neck – green, offthe-bone and cooked, beef rib-eye roast, leg of lamb, lamb rack and rolled lamb shoulder.

They have one of the finest selections of cold meats in the country as well as a range of sausages - from chorizo to game sausages with much in between. Find them at their factory off Kafue Road and at Crossroads Mall. See their advert for contact details.

We’ve identified two home bakers who are offering Christmas specific breads.

Christmas is a stocking stuffed with sugary goodness - Mo Rocca

There’s Swiss baker Reto Schaufelberger who lives somewhere near Kafue town.

He’s offering a special Swiss designer bread called Gritibaenz; a braided Christmas bread shaped like a human torso. Cannibals of the world shudder. He also offers a good white bread, a light and mild rye, sourdough and brown breads. I recommend the latter. He makes fruit bread per order and you can choose your own fruit. Not too sure if all breads freeze well but his does. Contact Reto on 0976 245-553. He sells at the Dutch Reformed Market, does take orders and does deliver (within reason).

The second home baker, Stefanie Elischer of Stef’s Sourdough Basket, I first encountered at this years’ ZADS event. I got there at 9.30 am, saw her stand, liked what I saw and booked a Rye Bread, a white sourdough and a multigrain sourdough and continued to wander returning about an hour later only to hear her apologising to potential customers; “All gone, sorry, I’m sold out!”

Say no more. Her Christmas speciality is the famous Dresdner Stollen, “ My German Christmas Cake”. Stef’s is a much larger home bakery as she supplies the German Embassy. She also supplies the Health Shop at Sugarbush and The Deli in Lunzua Road twice a week - Tuesdays and Thursdays.

I’m on a personal mission to find a good rye bread made in Lusaka (got 50% Polish genes) and up until I met up with Reto and Stefanie was constantly disappointed at what was available. Stef’s rye thus far comes out tops; a much stronger and heavier rye in comparison to Reto’s, so … thin slices … but as near as damn to the real thing. Still have to try out another German lady called Claudia who advertises at the Majoru factory butchery. Ordered and going to collect.

Stef has a whole range of sourdough breads including ‘Alice’s Sourdough Bread’ which also has rye as an ingredient. Look forward to trying. She does German Pretzels (Neil Diamond – Crying in your pretzels) and German Sourdough and Yeast Buns. On the subject of Sourdough Breads, Stef’s beats Pick n Pay’s imported from SA option. Which is still good though. But don’t feel bad guys, home baking professionally done will always beat the commercial offerings. Primarily because of that extra ingredient called ‘love’.

Step takes orders gladly and is reachable on 0968 220-381.

Ashlee’s Gourmet is run by Ashleigh Henderson - a passionate, kind, inspiring young woman. They offer gourmet and gluten free food stuffs. A look at their website (www.ashleesgourmet.com) offer’s you Fudge & Sweets, Biscuits, Cookies & Rusks, Jams, Chutneys & Sauces, Daily Basics and Gifts & Hampers. As a trained graphic designer, Ashleigh takes pride in her product and all the labels are beautifully designed. Growing up here fudge was always just a sweet lump of sugar. I tried some of her funky fudge flavours at the recent ZADS. The milk tart fudge tasted like milk tart and was sooo yummy! But why not try the vanilla fudge or the rosemary and salted almond fudge, or the salted caramel and dark chocolate fudge. If you’re visiting a friend for Christmas lunch or dinner, take an offering of a jam or chutney for the dinner table - Sweet onion relish or maybe Pear and onion relish or Strawberry and Lavender Jam. Place your Christmas order before 16 December so it’s ready on time 0976 929-762.

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The Wine Shop at Embassy Mall and Arcades sells - well wine, and other alcohol. And has a huge selection so if you like to adorn your table with something to keep everyone smiling, stop off here.

For local and other crafts and gifts, visit Ethnic Creations Gift Shop - they have a huge range of gifts including cushion covers, key rings, magnets, table linen, wind chimes, beautiful glass animals, and more! They are on Kudu Road in Kabulonga - or call them on 0971 041-125.

If you’re looking for something more crafty, consider visiting ‘All Kinds of Everything’ in Makeni Behind Sandy’s Creations. They sell - well - all kinds of everything - including soaps, bath salts, skin things and more.

They also offer classes through ‘A Life Well Crafted’ including soap making, baking, candle making, fun art and more. Contact Sue on 0966 565-374.

If you like funky signage, and wooden furniture and would like to support a good cause, stop off at Streetwise Craft Co, located

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along Alick Nkhata Road. Call them on 0962 778-842.

If you like to give gifts of Body products, instead of supporting international producers, support Essentials. They have a HUGE range of products infused with the spirit of Africa.

They use organic components where ever possible and everything is put together in Zambia. Their Catalogue tells you what percentage is organic and what percentage is naturally sourced. This way you know what you’re feeding your skin. Essentials products are available in various stores - call Paola on 0965 989-727 if you’d like more info or want to place an order.

Maybe you’d rather pamper your loved one?

Senses At Sensorium on Nalubuto Road, off Addis Ababa Drive offers wonderful spa packages and does do gift certificates.

Contact Ika on 0211 257-330.

If you’re buying for a book buff, check out the next article – A book review of 3 ‘local’ books!

Expectancy is the atmosphere for miracles - Edwin Louis Cole

All three books have been published over the past year, and cover a varied readers’ interest.

Lusaka Punk And Other Stories (The Caine Prize for African Writing 2015) In ‘Lusaka Punk’, the collection of short stories is presented in two sections; in the first are the five short-listed candidates for what is being described as ‘Africa’s most important literary award’. In the second part of the book are twelve stories that come out of an annually organised workshop by Caine, in different locations across Africa.

The 2015 volume features Zambian-born Namwali Serpell who eventually took first prize for her story ‘The Sack’. Among the workshop contributions to the book is a short story by another Zambian (-Ghanaian) Efemia Chela who was shortlisted for the prize in 2014. Chela’s contribution to the 2015 anthology ‘Lusaka Punk’ wins the cover page-title slot.

Any enquiring reader will find the stories move from being entertaining to disturbing, penetrating and impatient; considering our roundly conservative societal norms.

This new writing of Africa is quite different from the old literature lists of former British colonies like Zambia. The writing is exploratory and unapologetic. The short stories are set over a wide range of countries in sub-Saharan Africa and are for an adult or mature adolescent audience.

While opening up the old wounds of Apartheid in ‘A party for the Colonel’ (South Africa), there is comic humour in ‘Wahala Lizard’ (Cameroon) and the contemporary question of corruption dramatised in ‘# Yennenga’ (Ghana). The range and quality of the writing is due endorsement for Namwali Serpell’s win but you won’t be picking out this anthology just for ‘The Sack’. The collection leaves you contemplating the judges’ responsibility for the final choice.

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Finding a Flame Lily (A teenager in Africa) The second book you might like to consider for a Christmas present is, ‘Finding a Flame Lily’. Amongst family photographs and drawings from the author there is a portrayal of life in Northern Rhodesia for the British that arrived before independence in 1964.

Judy Rawlinson’s memoir speaks mainly to the period from the 1950’s. Recognisably prominent are social relations, boarding school for their children, work preoccupations in the government administration and an appreciation for the wonders that the African bush can throw up including the account of leopards at the Boma at the end of Chapter 12. Readers wanting to recheck their history of the District Commissioners of Mansa (then Fort Rosebery) will do well to get a copy of Rawlinson’s account.

Zambia (Celebrating Zambia’s Golden Jubilee) ‘Zambia’ is jam-packed with Ian Murphy’s photographs, in a coffee table book that is going to be exclusively available in paperback from Shoprite stores across the country. The book is also published in hardback and was designed to “help proud Zambians show off their country to their friends.” Daniel Metcalfe of BBC fame put together the contributions for the fifteen chapters and a competent team of Zambians, including Simon Zukas checked the manuscript before going to press. The format is recognisable, ‘of presidents and provinces,’ but very tastefully put together.

The three books are available locally from Planet Books Arcades and Gadsden Books.

I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year - Charles Dickens

Sherman’s Shoe Boxes

I belong to a book club that has for quite a few years done some sort of charitable thing every Christmas. Four years ago, I suggested doing Christmas boxes for 12 girls who lived at Seko House in N’gombe Compound. We have continued to do this every year since then.

This is such a fun and good way of helping those less fortunate than us, and after last year’s boxes, I thought it was time this was expanded to more orphans.

After our son died in 2012, I have been searching for something to do in his name, and it soon became clear to me that this is what I wanted to do.

My vision was to find small orphanages that get little or no funding. All the orphans had to live in a full orphanage as opposed to those living with guardians, as the giving of a box to those children could lead to abuse and more heart ache, which is not what I intended.

by Trish Anderson

I have identified 4 orphanages this year: Blessed Emmel Children’s Home in Freedom Compound Kabwata Orphanage in Kabwata Seko Village in N’gombe Compound

WONS Ministries Orphanage in Matero Compound All these orphanages feed, clothe, educate and care for the children living there. They all battle to find the money to do these things, often living from hand to mouth. In some of these orphanages there are days when there is no food at all.

The children living in these orphanages have probably never been given a present of their own, so a shoe box filled with goodies will bring extreme joy to them.

And so “Give a Little Joy with a Sherman’s Shoe Box” was born.

If you would like to contribute, please visit the website: www.shermanshoeboxes.com All you need to do is to create an account and then pick a child. All the information of what to pack in the box is on the website, so go out and enjoy buying some things for your child.

I envisage that this will grow year on year, with the number of orphanages increasing.

In addition, throughout the year, I will be collecting any old clothes, books, furniture, kitchen utensils and the like for distribution to these same orphanages. We all have things that we no longer need or use, and there are so many that can make use of what we don’t want anymore.

This charitable giving of boxes is dedicated to the loving memory of Malcolm “Sherman” Anderson.

Christmas is doing a little something extra for someone - Charles M. Schulz 9

Santa Paws

Are you looking for a way to spend a fun day with your pooch and stand a chance of winning some great prizes for your four legged friend? Want to spoil your pet by allowing them to meet and greet other four legged friends? Why not join the Lusaka & District Kennel Club on Sunday 6 December at 9 am for our Santa Paws Fun Day. Is your dog Santa’s favourite little or BIG helper or a Grinch? There will be a dress up competition for dogs and their owners, with a festive theme! Have a dog with a big appetite? May he or she will win the “mince pie seek” competition?

Is your dog good on a lead, does he or she do nice sits – then the musical sits competition to your favourite carol is just the competition for you!

There will be light snacks for sale on the day and our bar will be open.

All you need to participate is a small entry fee of K30, your dog on a lead, a valid rabies certificate and most importantly, a sense of fun!

All dogs, big and small, furry or bald, young and old, pure and mixed breed are welcome! It will be the PAW-fect way to start the silly season! Enquiries?

Please call Rochelle 0965 548-693

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The Sky at Christmas The Milky Way is pronounced in the Summer night skies of the Southern Hemisphere. Orion is directly overhead at midnight. Notably, the Orion Nebula, the Pleiades, and the Larger (LMC) and Smaller (SMC) Magellanic Clouds are visible looking towards the South Pole.

The Orion Nebula is in the Sword of Orion.

The Pleiades, M45l, or the Seven Sisters is visible nearby in Taurus. It is a beautiful open cluster visible to the naked eye and with binoculars.

The Magellanic Clouds look like faint clouds and are visible in dark sky areas near the Southern Celestial Pole in the constellations of Mensa and Tucana respectively. They are near 47 Tuc in the above image. Ferdinand Magellan sighted the Magellanic Clouds on his voyage in 1519, and his writings brought them into common Western knowledge.

The LMC is now recognized as a disrupted barred spiral galaxy. It is about 14,000 light years across and contains several million stars and is roughly 1/100 as massive as the Milky Way. The SMC is classified as a dwarf irregular galaxy and is about 7,000 light years across and contains several million stars. It is about 200,000 light-

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by Gwyn Thomas Summer Skies

years distant, it is one of the Milky Way’s nearest neighbours.

There are other features in the midnight sky to look out for such as: • • • • •

NGC 2632 - the beehive cluster, Sirius, the Dog Star, near Orion, the brightest star in the sky.

Canopus, the Second brightest star in the sky The pointers, Hadar and Rigel Kent will be rising at midnight.

Betelgeuse and Rigel are the Shoulder and knee of Orion.

Diary of Astronomical Phenomena

During December the 5 major planets: • Mercury is moving from Ophiuchus into Sagittarius, barely visible just before sunset.

• Venus is moving from Virgo into Libra, visible in the early morning.

• Mars is moving through Virgo, visible in the early morning.

• Jupiter is moving through Leo, visible in the morning.

• Saturn is in Ophiuchus, not visible till mid December, when it will be visible again in the early morning.

d 2 3 4 6 6 7 7 7 8 10 11 14 18 19 20 22 23 24 25 29 29 31

Event Regulus Near Moon Last Quarter Moon (09.8h) Jupiter Near Moon Mars Near Moon December Phoenid Meteor Shower Max Venus Near Spica Venus Near Moon 4.0° At Noon Spica Near Moon Venus Near Moon 7.2° At Noon Saturn Near Moon New Moon (12.4h) Geminid Meteor Shower Max First Quarter Moon (17.2h) Mercury Near Pluto Uranus Near The Moon Summer Solstice (06.48) Aldebaran Near Moon Mars Near Spica Full Moon (13.3h) Regulus Near Moon Puppid-Velid Meteor Shower Max Jupiter Near Moon 13

In The Garden

Trees 4 Africa is a nursery on Chifwema Road a long way from the town centre but a relatively easy drive. Take Leopard’s Hill Road to the police barrier before State Lodge Road. Stay on Leopard’s Hill then take the first tar road on the right. After a couple of kilometres, you will find Trees 4 Africa signed on the left. This nursery specialises in indigenous trees. They have an interesting selection of smaller perennials including groundcovers most of which are indigenous. All their plants are likely to survive with minimum watering, provided of course that they are planted in large holes full of good quality compost and given ample water (hopefully rainfall) to get them started.

On your way back you might decide to stop at Green Fingers Nursery, on the left as you return to town and exactly where the electricity pylons cross Leopard’s Hill Road. Turn onto the dirt road below the pylons and the entrance is immediately on your right. Later you could divert down Chindo Road to Bishop’s Road and then first right onto Roan Road, the new location of our old favourite, The Rose Garden. Apart from being the best place to buy roses, this nursery has an excellent selection of tried and tested garden plants. These premises are smaller than their old ones and the entrance is tricky because it is a narrow driveway. But the Anglican Church decided to clear a large piece of land on Bishop’s Road to make way for yet another (can you believe it?) shopping mall; so the Rose Garden had to move. Even this religious institution seems to value commerce and profit far more than the environment. Did they have to remove not only every tree but every blade of grass? (And what happened to the Blue Headed Agamas that lived in those trees? - Ed) Please, please salve your environmental conscience and set an example by planting at least a dozen trees in a pedestrian area where people can sit and feel human again after their shopping is done. You will find plenty of choice at Trees 4 Africa.

My amaryllis bulbs excelled themselves this year. During the rains, nurture the bulbs with fertiliser and/or EM, until the leaves die back naturally at the onset of winter. This will prepare next year’s brilliant display of flowers. Make sure pots are labelled. When a new shoot appears it is time to water them again. When the flower bud is ready, transfer them to the veranda or wherever you can enjoy these magnificent flowers.

All kinds of flowers are shooting up out of the soil as the rains approach.

This is a great survival mechanism as long as they are not dug up by mistake while dormant. Mark their position with sticks!! Caladiums with their large multi-coloured leaves are one of the best. They are easy to propagate from pieces of root at the end of the rains.

I did find those curly green hosepipes on sale in Lusaka, at several outlets and wildly differing prices. There are complaints that the tap fitting does not suit our taps and the pipes are narrow and only 15m long when extended. You can join two together to overcome the latter problem. But getting a connector to fit these pipes or a new tap to fit the connector provided is more of a headache. At first one might assume that a narrow pipe will have more water pressure. The opposite is true.

A narrow pipe exerts more friction on the water and reduces its speed through the pipe. So if you have a choice, go for 19mm pipe rather than 12mm hosepipes.

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Snake Season

With the return of the rains, we can expect to see a lot more snakes, and that stirs a good portion of the population into a blind, shovel-wielding panic that, more often than not, is actually directed at completely harmless - and often beneficial - snakes.

There is some reason for this. First, being small, relatively slow-moving and harmless is a good way to get eaten, and so many harmless snakes go to lengths to convince attackers that they’re not harmless; one way of telling whether a snake is venomous is to watch it when surprised: if it gives a warning - an inflated neck, a hollow hiss,

or a spread hood, it is usually dangerous; if instead it immediately strikes out at any attacker, it’s (usually) harmless. Because usually isn’t quite reliable enough, I’d like to introduce you to three harmless snakes that you are likely to encounter over the next few months.

First up, because it is constantly mistaken for a Black Mamba and summarily decapitated, is the unassuming, frog-eating Herald Snake.

We all know, by now, that the Mamba has a coffin-shaped head, but just to be clear: a mamba’s head is long, slender, and coffin-shaped. The herald snake, in contrast, is none of these things. Still not sure? Look at the eyes, a mamba has dark eyes with round pupils; a herald snake has pale, greenish eyes with vertical slits for pupils. And then perhaps I should have started with this - there’s the size.

The Black Mamba is a large snake; year-old snakes can reach two metres in length, and occasionally, adults may top out at over four metres in length. They do start out relatively small, of course: a hatchling black mamba is around 60cm long, or roughly the size of the very

Peace cannot be kept by force; it can only be achieved by understanding - Albert Einstein

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largest of herald snakes; most herald snakes in built up areas are nowhere near this, rarely exceeding 40 cm.

Another common victim of the shovelwielding housewife is the unimaginatively named Brown House Snake. Like the mamba, this harmless eater of rats, bats, lizards and, yes, other snakes, shows a coffin shaped head - which is sometimes blamed for the misidentification, and subsequent execution. If their small size - within the same range as the Herald Snake - and rich, reddish-brown colouring - as opposed to the various shades of steely-grey through to purplish-olive of the black mamba - don’t give it away, rely on the conspicuous, creamcoloured patterns of its head. Like the herald snake, it also has vertical, slit-like pupils to set it apart from all similarly-built, seriously venomous snakes in the region

as with so many of our harmless snakes, the Egg Eater has vertical slits for pupils.

Up until this point, I have pointedly left out mention of the position of fangs, or the colour of the mouth, as if you can see this, it’s usually too late for the snake to be helped. But with the egg-eater, there is an exception; as soon as this snake is alarmed, it opens its black-lined mouth wide and, strikingly repeatedly, will attempt to subdue its predators with its wet, toothless gums.

The black lining may cause some confusion with mambas, again, but the toothless mouth, patterned skin and squat form should immediately end this confusion.

Last, we come to the African Egg Eater. Approaching 1 metre in length in fully gown females, this species turns away predators by closely mimicking the Rhombic Night Adder; a snake that is also not particularly threatening, but by virtue of having any venom, is more threatening than the EggEater. The Egg-Eater isn’t quite such a dumpy snake, but they can be very difficult to separate at a glance; most reliably, the Night-Adder has just a single V-shaped mark at the nape of its neck; the egg-eater has two; locally, the night-adders are also a much paler, more faintly marked snake, with rounded pupils 17

What I know about sport could be summarised in fewer words than this sentence. But if writing about subjects I know nothing about is reason not to be published then the last seven years of Lowdown articles have been an utter waste of time for both of us. I’m hunkered down in the shadow of a pine tree and a looming deadline both, at the Italian School of Lusaka watching another swimming gala. I must confess that of all the sports parenting has forced upon me, swimming is the least enjoyable.

In their caps and goggles children are as individually recognizable as spermatazoa and I constantly find myself cheering on swimmers, who I then discover are standing next to me.

I grew up in Hong Kong, swimming every day at the Ladies Recreation Club across the Old Peak Road from Glenealy Junior School. I would sign for my lunch (a burger and fries and a full fat coke when this was a balanced diet) followed, after a respectable pause to avoid the cramps, by a half hour or so of Marco Polo or diving for fifty cent pieces. Eventually most of my schoolmates joined the LRC swim squad. I did not. I loved my Mum for not pushing us into swim teams or piano or any other extracurricular activities. I thought her wise and kind for allowing us to choose instead to sit at home awaiting the invention of television or at least it’s introduction to the Colonies.

She would berate my Auntie Pat for living vicariously through my cousins and tirelessly rushing from gala to rehearsal to netball match, ferrying her three kids around the island. Later one of them swam for Hong Kong in the ‘84 Los Angeles Olympics.

Another picked up a guitar 15 years after putting down his violin and within 6 months was gigging around London pubs with his own band. I know this was only possible because Auntie Pat sometimes had to force them to go the extra mile. I now know that my mother was a clinical depressive and a sociophobe whose fear of being part of any group, even an innocuous group of parents encouraging their children’s endeavours,

was insurmountable. Pat was without doubt the better parent and I’ll take my lead from her.

Being asportive is a self-fulfilling handicap. The less sport you do the less sporty you are. First the coaches bench you and then pass you over for team selection and before you know it you’re the last kid to be picked, even for playground kickabouts. (My son just came first in the under 12’s breast stroke .... excellent!)

Without encouragement you become discouraged. I once went to thank Mr Nixon my PE master for giving me an unusually laudatory report after my first term of playing cricket, when we moved to England. He took the report card from my hand and read aloud his own scrawled comment.

“Da Motta shows some promise as a wicket keeper”. “Thanks Sir” I repeated “I’ll keep trying hard.” A veil of confusion lifted from his eyes and he said “Aaah!

You’re da Motta are you?” He ran a red line through his words, handed me back my report and walked away; leaving me with no comment at all.

By the time I hit my teens I was so out of the loop that I didn’t even own a pair of trainers. I didn’t know the difference between a scrimmage and a scrummage (or indeed a cribbage). Between a ruck, a duck or a puck, how the scoring works in tennis, how many balls in an over or indeed what game league and union are different versions of. At thirteen I discovered that for PE you could go to the Dolphin Leisure Centre down the road where they had squash and badminton courts and an Olympic swimming and diving pool. They also had four pool tables, a tuck shop and a cigarette machine (this was the 1980’s) and from then on whenever we had PE and I would sign out for the Dolphin, Mr Kelly the PE Master would shout after me. “Don’t forget your chalk and your matches da Motta”. At least 19

is talking about cricket. But I have no idea where or why England would be playing this game or against whom and whether these numbers represent a good or a bad thing.

Another dad Ivan who personally coaches all his three kids in every sport known to mankind says something to indicate that this is a surprisingly positive result for England and I nod sagely. I would have like to have responded with “Let’s cross our fingers, see where they are at fifty and hope that Willey and Woakes will bowl like bastards” but I can’t Google “Clever things to say about cricket” quick enough, so I slide away to the tuck shop for some water. As a man and as a father knowing bugger-all about sport ranks only slightly below wearing lady’s underwear (and nothing else) as an enormous social handicap in polite company.

he knew who I was. (Second in backstroke ....Good man Gabu!)

In lieu of PE I took it upon myself to become involved in the performing arts and always tried to get a part in the school play. I discovered that this meant I got to spend more time with the girlfriends of all the school jocks than they did, making me even more unpopular amongst my male peers. It also meant that by the time I left university and joined the adult world I had never once played in a team sport, represented my school even on a D team, or received a single medal apart from a contested bronze in a sack race at the age of six.

This left me ill prepared to become a grown up and always uncomfortable to this day in the company of proper men, normal men.... real men. As I write this Richard whose kids are also at the gala, looks up from his smart phone and says to me “England are 170 for 1!” I raise my eyebrows in what I hope is the right expression and start wracking my brain. I am pretty sure that he

I am determined that my boys will get the full benefit of being competent and engaged athletes and involving themselves in team sports for all the character-buildingcamaraderie and life lessons this will teach them, and for the advantages it will give them as young men going out into the world.

For this reason we will go the boarding school route (SA and then UK so that they can go to Uni as locals hopefully) knowing that the facilities and opportunities they will be offered far surpass anything on the cards in Lusaka unless polo, motocrosse or swimming are your chosen sports. And hopefully unlike me, they will be able to pass themselves off as men when they are older and reap the rewards and enjoyment that seem to reside in the world of sports even for a spectator. Wrong as it may be that the Board Rooms of the world are still peopled largely by golfers and much as I hope the guitarists and sculptors get more of a look-in; I still want my guys to have every possible edge. (First in crawl......they don’t get it from me) Somewhere in the genetic mix on their mother’s side there must have been an athlete as the first two seem to be naturally quite gifted although they all lack a certain killer instinct which I suspect should have been instilled by me from an earlier age.

Oscar the littlest is yet to show his true

I love the excitement, the childlike spirit of innocence and just about everything that goes along with Christmas - Hillary Scott 20

colours on the field of competition. I watch him in a football match (Yes I’m sure..... they don’t seem to be picking the ball up and there are no horses or bats involved thus far). He is in defence, but he looks for all the world like he may be composing a sonnet. His chin is up and cradled in his left hand whilst his right moves from side to side conducting the clouds, as deep in thought he sidesteps a member of the opposition bearing down on his goal with the ball, and continues his ruminations. Oh Lord please let him take after the other side!

I’m wrapping this up the next day and wanting to wish you ALL a wonderful holiday season. Yes, it’s a Christian thing but we all get time off with our families even us agnostics, atheists, animists and infidels.

But look at the news today and what’s happening in Paris. Here we go again. Six sites and 158 plus people killed in a coordinated terrorist attack. That’s a lot; sure it’s eighty or so less people than have been shot in USA schools since 2000, but it’s still a lot. Europe’s right wing will canvas for the closure of borders and the turning away of

the tens of thousands of refugees from Muslim countries who can no longer stomach their own homelands and governments. Washington will use this as an excuse to oust their mild mannered and ineffectual leader, saddle up NATO like John Wayne and partay their way across the oil producing states spurred on by gas-hungry Detroit, the NRA and a home grown hillbilly foreign policy which puts puppet governments in place, arms them to the teeth and then is surprised when a few years later they turn around and bite the hand that feeds them, when it dares to slap them for brutalising their own people. Once again Christian kids will grow up thinking all Muslims are all terrorists and this polarity will creep back into everyday life and in response third and fourth generation peaceful Muslim communities around the world will feel vindicated in allowing fundamentalist rhetoric and hate preaching in their communities and mosques and be proud of their sons joining the Jihad.

Welcome back to the Crusades!

Happy Christmas y’all.

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I had to play Teddy, watching with unrequited lust and jealousy as Andy Pandy and Looby Lou did things that were never seen on children’s television.

Treading the Boards

“In this same interlude it doth befall that I, one Tom Snout by name, present a wall.”

So started my lines in my first speaking part upon the stage. You could not count being a crowd in “The Merchant of Venice” even though you had to mutter “Rhubarb” all the way through poor old Shylock being robbed of his pound of flesh.

How did I get the part? Was it my good looks, wit, intelligence or sheer presence.

I fear not. I was dragooned into it by the English teacher in the vain hope that involvement in the production of “Midsummers Night Dream” would arouse a love for the works of the Immortal Bard.

Why was I chosen for this particular role? I was typecast; in the words of the producer I was built like a brick shit house and twice as thick!

My stage career then went into limbo; there was no time for acting when you were surveying the grotty parts of Letchworth or measuring the longshore drift on the beach of Lyme Regis in February.

It was not until opportunities arose when safely ensconced in Kalulushi that allowed my thesbian abilities to flower.

My breakthrough started with the involvement in the “Chibuluma FootRug Show” an annual satirical show, lampooning some of the managerial staff (all taken in very good part by them, otherwise we would have all been fired) and containing other skits.

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It became a tradition that we Round Tablers performed an “ice breaker” sketch at the start of each FootRug show. A parody of Snow White was presented in which I was one of the dwarves; another involved 6 of the largest, hairiest of us dressed up in tutus, equipped with wands, singing the little ditty:“Every Little girl would like to be The fairy on the Christmas tree Up above the party dressed in white Shining in the Candlelight.

Every little boy has lots of fun With his trumpet and his gun But every little girl would like to be The fairy on the Christmas tree.”

That sketch, very short but sweet was a show stopper. It was so popular that the golf club demanded a rendition of it for their children’s Christmas party. The captain, Keith Shaw, and I were tasked with the matter. We changed in the ladies change room and emerged to an astonished but delighted crowd of kids. An encore was demanded, we obliged but then retired to the change room to return to normal.

Keith, drunk with success, noticed that the toilet door was shut, went up to it and said, in a falsetto voice “Excuse me, but if I slip it under the door, would you hold it over the pan for me?” All very funny until a lady emerged out of what we had thought had been an unoccupied loo, gave us two fairies a withering look and swept out. A retreat to the bar was made to recover our composure.

At that time Kalulushi had a flourishing amateur dramatic society. Productions were staged at the government primary school which had an excellent hall with stage etc.

Back stage the school kept its old records and, whilst waiting to appear, one could read of the activities of children long grown up, a few of which were still living in the village (as Kalulushi was known on the Copperbelt).

At Christmas play and make good cheer, for Christmas comes but once a year - Thomas Tusser

There were many eager participants, dreadfully keen but, alack, some were hopeless. One such was a storekeeper by the name of Henry Dyer. A magic man, he had represented Ghana at the Olympic games as a water polo player, was a stalwart of the swimming club where he used to display, standing on one leg, the correct action for breast stroke to all the kids; a man of many talents but he could not remember his lines. He was given bit parts where this failing could be minimized but his rendition of a sentry where he shouted ‘Halt!’ followed by an agonizing pause through which the prompt could be heard whispering “Who goes there” nearly put paid to any chance of further appearances.

After being the back end of a horse, then a whole cow, I achieved greatness as a pantomime dame. Over many years, first in Kalulushi and, later, in Kitwe, I appeared as Jack in the Beanstalk’s mother (twice), Widow Twankey, the ugly step mother along with two brilliant Zambian ugly daughters in Cinderella, etc. My poor long suffering wife had to construct a series of female apparel to fit me and an enormous bra was given me by a Mrs Strong (Strong by name, strong by nature). The whole affair palled after a while, I felt typecast and the Madam refused to make me any more dresses. Sadly, with the diminuation of the expatriate population so the shrinkage of the pool of people prepared to put on the annual pantomime occurred. The last time that I was backstage at the Little Theatre, when the Madam was producing a production of Buggsy Malone for the school, it seemed that the place was

populated by the ghosts of actors past.

The “Grand Belle’ of Kitwe, Nel Cornelius, whose rendition of “Danny Boy” brought tears to the eyes of a nostalgic audience, is long gone as is Crispin Quarmby, stage manager par excellence, who , it was adjudged, organized productions that would not have disgraced the London stage.

Adjudication occurred at the annual TAZ (Theatre association of Zambia) festival where all the societies would put forward a play that would be watched and then assessed by prominent, imported, theatrical critics.

Kalulushi entered into the competition with a sort of murder mystery called “Dead on Nine”. Four days before curtain up the chief actor lost his bottle and ran away. Muggins was brought into the breach. Now there was no way that I could learn all the lines to be word perfect but I thought that I could convey the gist of the plot. This led to the prompt tearing her hair out as the odd chunk of the play got missed. Poor Marie Wicks, playing the housemaid, came on offering coffee at the wrong moment and was told, “Not now, you stupid woman”, and the coffee had to be called for later in strident terms. The play was completed, more or less intact.

The adjudicator was sympathetic, she had been told of the problem, but then said that the play had supposed to be of serious content but had been reduced to a farce by the understudy.

It would be better if I did not give up the day job!

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When a Warthog Attacks It was whilst on an afternoon drive from Musekese Camp, Jeffery & McKeith Safaris in north central Kafue National Park, that we witnessed the most unexpected and as far as we know, as yet photographically undocumented, sighting ever …

We had just had the first brief rain storm of the season and the wildlife was noticeably excited and full of energy, with young animals running around merrily and the migratory birds in their hundreds picking off the newly hatching ants and termites.

As we rounded a bend in a very attractive stretch of miombo woodland our guide Tyrone heard the frantic alarm calls of a herd of impala. Putting his binoculars to his eyes he shouted almost immediately, let’s go! As we moved further along the track to get a better look at what the commotion was all about he was explaining that he had seen a grey shape tussling with what looked to be an young impala, Tyrone assumed it was a baboon snatching an easy kill (as sometimes happens at this time of year). What we found however was absolutely not a baboon, but a lone, single warthog acting rather frantically; but what was it doing exactly? The other guests in the vehicle were asked to use their camcorders to record this moment, which they did. We sat and watched as a still very much alive and kicking young impala was set upon, attacked and gored to death by the warthog. In what seemed to be a frantic rage, the warthog would tusk and stab and throw the kicking body of the impala around the woodland, all the time the mother of the baby was alarm calling and frantically running to and fro in an attempt to distract the killer warthog. It was so very strange to watch this unfold, it was a typical scene and setting, one that you might expect to find from a ‘typical’ predator.

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Tyrone explained that it was not wholly uncommon to find warthog (and a number of other unexpected species) feeding on carcasses or carrion, especially at this time of year (the end of the dry season, when wildlife is a little more stressed and certain minerals and salts may not be so readily available in the bush). But to witness a warthog actively catch, kill and consume a baby impala was something that was very hard to explain away. One wonders how often this may actually happen but we simply do not see it? We did feel sorry for the impala mother however as who needs enemies when you’ve got friends like the warthog!

Larger than Kruger, Kafue National Park is the largest National Park in Zambia as well as being relatively unknown and unexplored.

It is one of the last real wilderness areas left in Africa, home to vital global carnivore population including wild dog, lion, leopard and cheetah as well as one of Southern Africa’s most important elephant populations.

The sighting took place at Jeffery & McKeith Safaris, Musekese Camp. For enquiries please contact them by email on info@jefferymckeith.com, or through their website at www.jefferymckeith.com or give them a call on 0976 215-426.

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A Day in Dubai

Flying Emirates from Lusaka to anywhere in the world means a stopover in Dubai for the connecting flight. The mini city that is Dubai International Airport (DBX) is a story in itself.

At last count more than 70 million people passed through DBX incoming and outgoing in 12 months. It is huge! And if you’re flying from Lusaka/Harare you’re in for a long bus ride from the plane to the airport after landing. Well, it always seems long to me as I’m itching to bolt into the nearest available smoking zone. Anyway, that bus ride is a good indicator of the size of DBX. Right, connecting flight to the next destination. If only a couple of hours DBX has more than enough to keep you occupied be it merely resting before the next leg, shopping, eating or drinking… it’s all there including smoking zones (we really have become pariahs – DBX offers tiny cubicles with limited seating which do not accommodate the numbers of people who don’t want to live to a ripe old age. Bit rude. (But nobody seems to care) And lots of toilets. Suggest more as in my experience they’re always very busy.

If you’re stuck for longer Emirates offers the option of checking into a hotel at their expense (up to 24 hours) They also help with visas and transfers to and from. Longer than 24 hours you’re on your own but Emirates will still help with visa, finding a hotel that suits your budget and transfers.

My wife and I tried that on our last trip to Europe. We decided to spend a day in Dubai.

Emirates duly helped with the visas, transfer and hotel booking. Flying from Lusaka you land at somewhere around 06:50hrs in the morning. Out of the airport within an hour (if you’ve checked your luggage on to your next destination), on the bus and into Dubai.

Pretty easy.

Welcome to Dubai! We both watched movies for the entire flight in so minds are a bit sluggish, yawning and rubbing eyes if they could. So on the journey in there was a

by Marek Patzer

feeling of detachment and unreality about everything we saw. Really tall buildings though. Checked into an older hotel which has smoking rooms. Great. A quick breakfast. No bacon here. Then a 2 hour sleep but not before buying tickets for the ‘hop-on hop-off ‘ Big Bus Tour.

The Hop-on hop-off Big Bus tour is possibly the best way to get an introduction into the mind-boggling world that is Dubai. The Big Bus – it is big, a double-decker with the upper deck being open all round – offers two comprehensive tours (24 or 48hr options as well) throughout the city touching on pretty much everything that a visitor would want see or experience. The service runs from 9am to 7 pm but they do offer night tour options. The tour has designated drop off and pick up points throughout the tour route and always at or near one of Dubai’s attractions. You choose where you want to hop-off. And when you want to hop-on a Big Bus comes along every 30 min. Show them your ticket and you’re back on the bus. There’s no limit to how many times you can hop-on and off . Your ticket also includes a Dhow cruise, a walking tour and a Wafi (shopping mall) discount booklet labelled ‘Eat, Drink, Shop’.

We choose the city tour combined with the beach tour and hop-on at midday. Very bright out. Top deck, open air, comfortable seats and headphones providing tour guide commentary in a bunch of different languages. Late November so for us coming from Zambia the temperature is just OK but very dry. After all we are in a desert. We’re in a part of the city where the buildings are of an average height. Possibly an older part of the city. Relatively close to Dubai Creek (Creek? Isn’t that an American word? If so, what’s it doing here?)

So, settled in. Armed with a map with all the stops marked, information, discount voucher for Wafi Mall, water, nibbles and an E-cig we move off. Bit buggered so not doing any hopping just yet. First attractions en route are the Dubai Museum, the Old Souk (market), Old Watch Tower, Heritage Village,

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Shindagha Museum and the Gold and Spice Souks. The heady smell of the latter making an olfactory impact well before getting there. Still not hopping anywhere. Pass what looks like a river not a creek and the drive under it but according to the map the creek doesn’t go very far and was enlarged to accommodate the industrious Dhow traders.

Saw lots of those even laden with brand new fridges and freezers. Where from? Or where to? Plenty of water taxis as well. First thing to sink in were the mosques. First the number – apparently one every kilometre- the clean designs only broken by the distinctive Arabic filigree (for want of a better word) trim and onion-dome minarets. That’s worship convenience for you. No excuses.

Motoring along a busy but fast moving multilane highway that runs along the creek. The Riviera according to the map. Interesting contrast having the dhow wharfage to the right with that unmistakable sweeping shape of the dhows and their lateen sails – unchanged over centuries - being loaded and unloaded and on the left is the commercial hub of Deira with the first of Dubai’s ultra modern, creatively designed buildings starting to make an appearance.

Not the really tall ones yet but eye-catching nonetheless. The crisp desert air also seems to add to a clean visual flavour to the spectacle.

Comfortably numb but starting to feel that we should start putting our legs to use. We swing around the river/creek which turns to the right and hit the ‘Connecting Station’. Might as well jump off. Need more liquids. Stumble into Egypt. Hello? Yup, Egypt. Well, a big piece of it. Wafi City. A mall decorated with an Egyptian theme but these guys weren’t playing around. They went the whole hog.

Hang on, just realised that the last sentence might not be politically correct in Dubai …

Ok, so they went the whole camel.

The exterior of this particular mall is adorned with hieroglyphs and huge statues that look like pharaohs … it actually looks like the

exterior was brought in from Egypt … except for the fact that it also looks brand new.

Inside the mall are shops and more shops but I’m distracted by a huge pyramid shaped stained glass skylight. Beautiful!

Half an hour later and we’re back on the bus and off to Dubai Mall – the world’s largest shopping centre – but we’re not shopping rather visiting the 3 story aquarium in the mall. En route it’s heads-up and neckstretching time. Dubai’s famed skyline of skyscrapers dominated by the world’s tallest building – the Burj Al Khalifa – thrusting in the sky like a javelin. Surrounding it – seemingly paying homage – an array of shorter skyscrapers all boasting of ultramodern architectural styles with more than a nod to location as many buildings have combined Arabic or Islamic elements into their designs. The visuals are spectacular and minds accustomed to living in the bush start reeling with the overload. Let’s hit that aquarium. But there’s no respite. The impressive aquarium is also daunting in its size and we stagger out of there all shark and fish fatigued. Hop on the bus again heading towards Palm Island. Time to collect thoughts and impressions. And rest.

They weren’t lying about a mosque every kilometre. We pass the Burj Al Arab – that famous sail-shaped highrise. Looks awesome but function is somewhat missing as only 40% of the building is habitable. But still looks good and looks count. Interesting to note that Dubai gets practically all its drinking water from the sea – 90% - all via desalination plants. Very clever.

Turning into Palm Island we pass through a corridor of top-end apartment blocks but with still a fair amount of construction happening … workers bustling, machines moving … apparently 80% plus of Dubai’s population are foreign workers – mostly from Asia. A good chunk of that percentage must also be reserved for the expat component.

Interesting to see the mix of people moving on the streets – mostly in Western garb but

always the almost regal Arabs in their brilliant white flowing robes and intricate headgear standing out.

An elevated rail line separates the highways going into Palm Island. Right at the end one can see the Atlantic The Palm Hotel with its huge minaret-shaped arch boasting a blend of East and West architectural and offering a through view to the calm waters of the Arabian Gulf. Don’t get to see much of Palm Island itself but that’s most probably because we didn’t try hard enough. We hop off at a mall close to the hotel for a caffeine boost.

Starting to flag in tune with the day as late afternoon creeps up.

Back on the bus and back to the city proper.

A different route. Highway all the way. A we turn towards the city I notice on my right another large cluster of skyscrapers fronted by one doing ‘The Twist’. Ok, store that one into my memory bank.

With the sun behind us the spectacle of Burj Al Khalifya and surrounding highrises is spectacular. The highway is busy but all traffic is moving fast. Lots of palm trees around. That figures. Bus stops are really funky. Aero-dynamically shaped – almost like a speed-cyclist’s helmet – they are apparently also air-conditioned.

We can only stare in amazement at the weird and wonderful skyscrapers that define this metropolis. Moving doesn’t allow for enough time for the visuals to really sink but it does offer a tantalising starter course.

We’re in the world where the buildings blot out a good portion of the sky. Another mall.

Last hop-off. More coffee and time to take pictures as the light is good. See a building that owes something to London’s Big Ben. Another with a debt to the Empire State Building. Occasionally a cynicism creeps in talking ‘theme park’ but it’s got to be said and facts bear this out; Dubai has only small oil reserves basically enough to kick-start this thriving economy … the Al Maktoum monarchy that rules Dubai used that oil kickstart to initiate a “western-style of business” and create a hugely successful economy and “transport hub driven by tourism, aviation, real estate and financial services”. So, it works and works well. Cynicism take a hike.

Hop on. We’re on our way back to the hotel. Early night and a very early start for the next leg of our journey. On the way the sun sets and Dubai’s incredible skyline is silhouetted against the twilight sky. Thanks for that. And I have the pictures to prove it.

Hop off. It’s a short walk back to the hotel but we stop off a restaurant with pavement seating. It’s also a bakery specialising in German/Austrian delicacies. We enjoy a fine meal at a leisurely pace…so comfortable that we actually get a bit hung-up there. But make it back to the hotel eventually.

One of those rare moments of complete agreement in a marriage; a day in Dubai is not enough.

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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 Monday 30 November - Tuesday 1 December: Senses at Sensorium is hosting a presentation on new techniques done by Dr Clark. Take the opportunity to ask all about all aesthetic procedures from the expert with years of professional experience. Call to book your seat. INFO: 0211 257-330 or 0969 740-440.

Tuesday 1 December: World AIDS Day Wednesday 2 December: International Day for the Abolition of Slavery Thursday 3 December: International Day of Persons with Disabilities Saturday 5 December: International Volunteer Day for Economic and Social Development Saturday 5 December: World Soil Day [FAO] Saturday 5 December: Mary’s Bookshop Christmas Bash. Venue: Mary’s Bookshop, Leopards Hill Road. Time: 9.30am - 4.30pm.

Father Christmas comes with wrapped presents at 11 for the Kids. Tea, Coffee, Cakes and Hamburgers all day. Christmas Goodies available for your Christmas stockings and presents. INFO: 0966 767-704, 0966 860-594

Saturday 5 December: Mud Run 4 Cerebral Palsy Zambia. Venue: Eureka Park. Time: 9.30 am. Come and join us for an amazing day of food, fun and lots of mud! Participant Entry: Corporate Teams; K1,200 (max 6) | Family/Kids Teams; K600 | Individual Entry K100. Spectator Entry: Adults; K20 | Children; K10. No Coolerboxes. Full cash bar and fabulous food available. All proceeds to the Cerebral Palsy Centre in Chisamba.

INFO: mudrun4cpzambia@gmail.com Saturday 5 December: The Lusaka Book Club is reading ‘Wonder’ by RJ Palacio.

INFO: 0979 454-765.

Sunday 6 December: Santa Paws Fun day.

Venue: Lusaka and District Kennel Club, Showgrounds. Time: 9am. A fun day out with your dog. Competitions including a festive theme dress up for dog and owner.

INFO: 0965 548-693 Monday 7 December: International Civil Aviation Day [ICAO] Wednesday 9 December: International AntiCorruption Day Thursday 10 December: Human Rights Day Thursday 10 December: Carols by Candlelight. By Baobab College. Venue: Anglican Cathedral. Time: 6pm. Including the Secondary School a capella choir.

Thursday 10 December: Caroling by Candlelight. By Leopards Cub School.

Venue: Lazy J Ranch. Time: Caroling begins 31

at 6 pm. Dinner, treats and cocktails for sale.

Entrance Free.

Friday 11 December: International Mountain Day Friday 18 December: International Migrants Day Sunday 20 December: International Human Solidarity Day Friday 25 December: Public Holiday.

Christmas Day. MERRY CHRISTMAS! ‘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

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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 791-414.

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 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.comoremmswood@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

If you haven't got any charity in your heart, you have the worst kind of heart trouble - Bob Hope

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.

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

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

Eternal Life Fellowship: Venue: Old Black Velvet Building, The Groove. Time: Sunday 9am. INFO: 0211 294-430 or 0977 853-298.

Zambezi Toastmasters. Would you like to improve your public speaking? Venue: Lusaka Hotel. Time: Twice Monthly (Second and fourth Thursdays, 6.15pm - 8pm).

Toastmasters in an international organisation that builds communication and leadership skills. INFO: 0978 390-464, 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 419005, 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

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

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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 | Thorn Park, 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 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) ‘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) 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)

Christmas makes me happy no matter what time of year it comes around - Bryan White

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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 790-900, 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 860-797, 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 35

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

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 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 Mountain Biking Club Leopards Hill.

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

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‘whole’ naturally. INFO: 0955 / 0966 847777, optimyse@gmail.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 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 783-537, shihanray@hotmail.com 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 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.

Social Bowls. Venue: Central Sports Club.

Bowling section. Time: Saturdays. 2pm. New bowlers welcome.

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

Christmas is a season not only of rejoicing but of reflection - Winston Churchill

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

& 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

Touch Rugby. Venue: Gymkhana Club, Showgrounds Time: Monday and Thursday 6pm. All welcome (Male & Female) INFO: 0965 126-200

Umoyo Natural Health | Woodlands Shopping Centre | Live Blood Analysis Test - daily - K300. ‘Reclaim Your Health’ Talk Thursdays, 4pm. INFO: 0967 800-313

Trichotillomania (pulling hair, picking skin) Free Support Group. Time: 3pm, Third Saturday, Monthly. Venue: Ibex Hill area. INFO: 0975 240-592, dsavvidou95@gmail.com

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

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

Wellness Classes. Venue: Sunningdale near DG Office Park, Chila Road. Free.

Aimed at nurturing the self through courses on personal awareness and meditation, nourishing yoga, Inch loss yoga, kids yoga, Satvik cooking and nutrition advice. INFO: 0965 494-744, yogarays9@gmail.com

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DON’T MISS:

January

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 ‘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: davidmbrown55@ntlworld.com French Storytelling Workshop. 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 K100 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. Venue: Nena’s Restaurant.

Time: Friday Dinner, Sunday Lunch.

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 39

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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

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

Employment Sought: Cook / Housekeeper.

Young lady with certificates. Please call 0976 085-318

Citrus Tree Trimming. Improve the health of your citrus and other trees. Contact 0966 747-990

Employment Sought: Driver. Class C license.

25 years experience. Able to maintain swimming pools. Please call 0955 222-556, 0976 568-281

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: Garden Boy / Pool Maintenance / General Cleaning. Five years experience, references, certificates in above.

Please call 0967 779-879, 0975 242-901

Electrician. House wiring, electric fencing, submersible pumps, maintenance and repairs. Please call George 0963 409-643 or 0977 961-859

Employment Sought: Gardener / Office Assistant / Cleaner. Seven years experience.

Please call 0976 289-988

Employment Sought: Cleaner / Nanny / Housekeeper. Please call 0977 924-004

Employment Sought: Maid / Housekeeper / Office Cleaner. Please call 0979 226-058, 0963 259-368 43

Employment Sought: Nanny / Waitress / Cleaner / Shop Attendant. Please Call 0979 791-761 Employment Sought: Nun / Housekeeper / Caretaker / Cleaner. Kalingalinga based female, fourteen years experience, references. Please call 0977 483-348 Employment Sought: Painter doing solo piecework, excellent standards, crack filling and painting. Needs piecework or employment. Please call 0966 336-231 Employment Sought: Secretary / Sales Lady / Waiter / Cleaner / Office Orderly / Housekeeper / Any Related Jobs.

Kalingalinga based. Please call 0972 621-365 Employment Sought: Self Security Guard / Cleaner / Swimming Pool Maintenance.

Kalingalinga based male. Three years experience. Please call 0961 645-842, 0974 693-112 Employment Sought: Shop Attendant / Office Cleaner. Please call 0964 829-517 Employment Sought: Waiter / Salesman / Field Project Representative. Please call 0972 813-863 English Language Tutor. For SAT, IGCSE and GCE preparations, Cambridge Checkpoint. Contact: 0950 228-130 marthe1030@yahoo.fr Nail Training by Vera’s Spa and Salon. Learn how to perform and remove CND and other brands Shellac, Manicure and Pedicure treatments! Located at Sure Slim, 5 Omelo Mumba Road, Lusaka. Don’t miss out! Book your place at 0966 807-538 / 0955 178-997.

Farm Fresh Full Cream Jersey Milk for Sale from Yieldingtree Farm Head Office, 176 Luanshya Road, Villa Elizabetha, Lusaka.

Price K6.50 per litre. Booking done by dropping off your container (Minimum 2 litre) and arranging for a collection day.

Available Monday to Friday. Free deliveries (Lusaka only) available for bulk orders of over 100 litres. Call 0211 220-020/55 or 0967 289-765.

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-la-carte restaurant available by arrangement at nearby Flatdogs camp. Contact jakedamotta@gmail.com 0211 213-841 jake@buckskinmoon.com 0977 897-779 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-a-gardens.

Karin Monge 0977 716-954.

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 265197 / 0968 883-284/ 0976 080-387 / petvetzambia@gmail.com | Lilayi Road; 0977 401-813 / davidzuludr@gmail.com Showgrounds Vet Clinic - Dr. Liza Oparaocha | For Veterinary / Grooming: 0977 770-940, showgroundsvet@gmail.com | For Pet Shop (Spoiled Pets): 0967 764-825, esuesta@yahoo.com 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

Thank you for making it all the way through the Christmas Special of The Lowdown - Merry Christmas!

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