Kris Massie's memories of Kitwe.
Part 30
One Sunday afternoon our herder came to us in great distress. The entire herd of cattle had disappeared. Vanished - into thin air. This was a first for us and no matter how much husband enquired, we got no answers. Everyone was summoned to start the hunt which led far and wide, across the entire length and breadth of the farm, over the Matupa Stream and further … still no luck.
We informed the police but they were without transport (which was often the case since independence and to be heard over and over again) and so the day passed.
Next morning old Zulu came to us to say he would consult a Witchdoctor but required some money with which to ‘cross his palm’ or more correctly, for him to ‘throw the bones.’ What does one do? One follows suit. A nominal amount was agreed on and handed over and we went back to waiting. Lo and Behold, mid afternoon the herd appeared! They were none the worse for their vanishing act and we never ever got to the bottom of that incident either.
I have already mentioned our other friend Ron. He had been a Merchant Marine in his day and joined Rhokana Mine in the Engineering Department. One home leave, he met a lady and things developed. Gloria came out on holiday and during her stay to the farm and she became another lovely friend. Before she returned to England they became engaged and when Ron took his next leave, they married and both returned to Zambia.
One of the Lions District 413 Conventions was held in Livingstone over a weekend. Farm sitter in situ and we flew there in high excitement for I so wished to see the famous Victoria Falls situated on the Zambezi River between Zambia and Zimbabwe, and known locally as Mosi-oa-Tunya (“The Smoke That Thunders”) discovered by David Livingstone, the Scottish Missionary.
We were able to walk along the path under trees dripping from the spray and soon we were too! The water falling over the edge makes the most thunderous noise and speech is impossible. What a truly magnificent sight to be standing next to the path railing, to gaze in wonder at the volume of water cascading down. We were there in the rainy season which is not the best time to view them as the spray was a little overpowering. Nevertheless it was so well worth it!
One of the other wives and I also had a trip to the Livingstone Game Park where I was given the opportunity to feed a Cheetah with its hunk of meat. I was a tad apprehensive but he was only interested in his meal. Quite tame and though a magnificent animal, there my thoughts ended for he certainly needed a bath! A not-so-nice odour emanated from him which considering their lifestyle, was to be expected.
Time came to fly back home to the farm and having boarded the Zambia Airways 748, we were taxing when the flight engineer came out, lifted the carpet and unbelievably manually cranked the flaps in! This aircraft was technical and in my opinion, should not have been in operation until a fix had been made. My mind was occupied thus for the entire journey and I fully expected the flaps to be cranked out as we approached and made our descent into Lusaka International Airport. No such thing! We came down on the very edge of the runway … the airport building whizzed by as did the fire station and the entire collation of buildings and it wasn’t until the chevrons at the end were visible, that the pilot slewed round … the wing tip very nearly touched the runway and with great relief, the momentum slowed. I somewhat relaxed my grip on the emergency exit door handle as he must’ve ‘stood’ on the brakes for us to come to a stop on the apron. Relief wasn’t the word for it and it was then we saw an additional four passengers emerge from the jump seats and the toilet – the Italian Crew on a ‘jolly’ to the Falls, positioning for their flight to Rome that evening! So we were forty eight on board instead of forty four and we know what that means - any mishap and no insurance pay-out due to the over-load!
----oOo-----
