travelling & touring:with Burzil Dube
a song by one prominent musician forced me to do a proverbial volte-face on this week’s instalment where a comparison of the great Chaminuka and a chief from this side of the provincial territory was to take centre stage.
This musician, whom I shall not mention for personal reasons, compares his survival to that of fish and water and goes on to liken his supporters as the precious liquid who contribute immensely to his survival.
He appeals to God to bless his followers (read “enthusiasts”) who will always be with him to the bitter end.
The same scenario also applies to all the readers whose comments concerning my Travelling and Touring column are much appreciated and your contributions are second to none.
All your contributions both on the positive and on the lampooning side are an indication that the column would not have survived without the input and support such as that of the proverbial water and fish. It is a universally given fact that any type of fish will not survive without water sustenance.
Most of the comments were very constructive, hence yours truly is the legendary fish while my dear readers are like water as espoused by the artist whose description is mentioned earlier. Hence, the abrupt decision to shelve the near Chaminuka replica of an article. Barring any unforeseen challenges, make sure to get hold your next copy of Standard Style as we seek to untangle the myth behind one of the “forgotten” structures in Hwange.
Now let us get into the fish survival and the water issue.
- Chamisa under fire over US$120K donation
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Pension funds bet on Cabora Bassa oilfields
- Councils defy govt fire tender directive
Keep Reading
My inaugural column was on how yours truly was given royal treatment in the form of accommodation atop a tree at Sikumi Tree Lodge in Dete near the town of Hwange. The first person to compliment me was one Nkosilathi Sibanda, the defending champion of the Tourism Reporter of the Year award.
Sibanda, who goes by the moniker of Sibhijo, was full of praises for my article about this particular bungalow where all the necessary household and ablution facilities are found on top of a tree.
“It is well in time that we get to read such insightful articles about local tourist destinations,” said Sibanda in one of the emails he wrote to me.
“The good thing is that this entices residents to appreciate local tour and travel, especially to places that seldom get advertised, yet they have enormous tourism value.”
His sentiments were also echoed by Tabitha Muntanga, a businesswoman from Mashonaland West province who would have sampled the Sikumi Tree Lodge hospitality during the recent Easter holidays.
“Following the haven on a tree ( Sikumi Tree Lodge) story, I had discussed with my husband on having a family outing at Sikumi,” said Muntanga The proposed excursion never came to fruition because of the country’s lockdown as she was in the process of preparing bookings for the whole family.
However, there are two articles that continue to gravitate on both social media and in some households in Hwange as yours truly is slowly being “elevated” to a semi-Nambya historian of some sort. Talk of blowing my own trumpet!
The articles which are currently the talk of Hwange are: Worldview in Hwange and Sinamatella hill ‘nearly moved’ to Zambia.
Below are comments, which some of my newly found readers sent via my email.
“Greetings Sir, Massive piece you wrote on that hill. I remember going up that hill for the first time when I was 10 years old and I have forever been in awe of the scene ever since.
I grew to become a miner (thanks or no thanks to growing up in a mining town), but I remain an avid historian and explorer. It would be nice if one day the descendants and family of Lady Anne could come forward and stake a claim to their family member and give us a little obituary of the young lady.
Further, as locals we could then name a nearby street after her, or even name the Sports Pavillion after her — The Lady Anne MacDonald Sports Pavillion.
Hwange is rich in pre-colonial and colonial history and has so many mysterious places that if well-documented (like you just did) will increase the town’s popularity yonder bonders.
Regards Dennis Gunda “Well done for the great job you are doing in promoting your area of operations. Keep up the good spirit”……..Clevious Ncube “How can I get or read your column on Nambya history? Ndimwana wokusha kuJambezi [My roots are in Jambezi] currently based in Harare”
Last Ngwenya ESwatini-based veteran journalist Noel Munzabwa had this to say about The Lonely Tomb Hill:
“I thought I knew Hwange so much until I read of the Lonely Tomb Hill, wow, local tourism is one area that needs a lot of marketing and such little known places pregnant with history need such a column to reach to the world.
“Next time I am in Hwange that will certainly be one of the several ports of call.
“Our history needs proper packaging, the story be told and probably colonially attached name errors be corrected and taught to the present and future generations and such is the value this column has cultivated.”
Popular Nambya playwright and social commentator Lawrence “Penpusher” Moyo weighed in and as a man who does not beat about the bush frankly patted yours truly on the back for well-researched articles.
“You are a star. Your work is well-researched and on point. Keep it up,” said the Hwange-based playwright.
Zifiso Moyo, a prominent Norton-based commercial farmer, was overwhelmed with awe after coming across these two articles.
“I have stayed in Hwange for a number of years, but I was not even aware of such interesting features. Keep such type of intricate information flowing. Well-articulated, braa [sic].
“It is nice to know that there are places of such cultural importance near us,” said Moyo, who previously held a senior managerial position at one of the coal mines in Hwange.
Judging from the above comments, it is as clear as sunrise that a fish will not survive for a long time without water, hence my tribute to readers of this column.
l Comments always welcome on: [email protected]
