Going, going, gone...!

Well the big day came, and my first chick flew. He will be landing in Cape Town in just an hours time, and I'm suffering from empty nest syndrome. Only the nest is still pretty crowded...

Here's a photo of us all on his last evening at home!

How bad is it really in Zimbabwe? A sequel.

The situation in Africa may be no laughing matter, but I had to smile at these typical scenes this morning!


I got an email from my Dearly Beloved with these photos attached. You gotta love Africa, and in particular Zimbabwe.

These people don't let a few challenges deter them....

This month's specials: No fuel.

The new 2009 model Toyota Corolla. Made in Zimbabwe. (Someone forgot to tell the oxen to keep to the left.)

Taking car-pooling to the ultimate level. I wonder how many trillions of Zim $s each passenger paid for this lift?

We'll get there eventually... hopefully before it's too late!

Although the situation in Zimbabwe is unbearable for most of the people there, they are doing the best they can, with what they've got.

My heart continues to burn for Africa, but what can we do, but pray?

Hooray for Howick!

Howick Village is the sleepy little shopping hub closest to our house in Cockle Bay. It has all the charm and atmosphere reminiscent of days gone by.

Today, having done some errands that needed doing in Howick, Rae and I spent the afternoon browsing the many antique shops, bookshops and junk shops. (See a video of Howick here.)

Image : http://week46.aotearoacam.com/

We found a lovely little coffee shop, Cafe Paris, with probably the cheapest Flat Whites in town! They have delicious light meals, and the aroma of freshly baked quiches, and other decadent goodies, was quite mouth-watering. None of your bland bit-of-frilly-lettuce-in-a-wrap here! I was quite impressed with the vegetarian choices too. The decor is quaint and choc-a-block full of delightful French-style knick-knacks and objects d'art. The furniture is a collection of mismatched antique and old-fashioned chairs and tables, or bunched together cosily. Outside, a couple of young people were chatting away happily, on the side-walk tables.

Browsing here, and touching there, we didn't realize that there was no shopkeeper in the shop.

Just a few doors up we wondered into the equally interesting Antique Shop. Browsing here, and touching there, we didn't realize that there was no shopkeeper in the shop. After quite a while, in walked a lovely little lady. She had popped in to a neighbour a few doors down, and she could see into this shop with their video surveillance system, but as she smilingly told us: 'I don't actually switch it on, most days.' We chatted for a few minutes about how wonderful it is that we live in a place where one can wander into a shop filled with knick-knacks and bric-a-brac, and the shopkeeper is out! No security doors, no threat to our personal safety, no lack of trust.

Around the corner we came across one of the op-shops, or second hand goods store. I bought a beautiful handbag, that looks almost like a mini satchel, 100% genuine deer leather, for $4. Rae wanted a red designer-type shoulder bag that is large enough for her school books, for $6.

Feeling quite happy with our day of shopping, we drove home the scenic way, past the pretty little beach, and within 10 minutes we were home.

Unfortunately, no aroma of freshly-baked quiche awaits us at home, so I'll have to get off my butt, and start cooking supper for the hungry lads. Bangers and mash, and mixed veg, anyone?

Big Boys, big toys!

The hardest part of parenting, is when they grow up so suddenly!

My boys are children no more! Here is their first car. I'm starting to feel really old now! Joe got his licence last week, so he is the main driver at the moment. Dan is going for his on the 31st of Jan, so hold thumbs everyone!












It's a gunmetal grey, metallic, 1991 Suzuki Escudo, 5 door, 1600cc engine (for the men who care), 4 wheel drive, and we bought it for cheap-cheap at an online auction.

Juan was born in 1991, so he feels a great affinity with the car. They're the same age!

Of course, that's Niel in the back seat, playing silly buggers. At least he is still a boy... for now!

How bad is it really in Zimbabwe? A True Story.

Living safely in a country where crime, violence and hardship are rare, one tends to forget about the true situation in Africa. I have just had really bad news, which hits home the reality of what people close to me are experiencing.

In December 1977 I travelled on a train from Bulawayo to Salisbury. For many hours the train was held up by landmines which had been planted on the railway line. Soon after I emigrated with my parents to our new safe country, South Africa.

Image: http://www.charity.org

In October 2005 I was held up at gunpoint by an armed robber. I was on my way to lead a Church Service at the NGO where I was training unemployed people. It was the final straw in a long line of really bad incidents, situations and difficulties in my home country. By 1 December we were on our way to New Zealand.

We have left behind the fear, the poverty, the stress of me not finding a teaching job, my husband being too white, too male and having an Afrikaans surname. But, my family is still there. Today I got distressing news of my 'brother' Laphious, who I have written about before. I am hoping that someone out there may want to help.

This is his story:

Laphious is a Zimbabwean man, with a beautiful wife and clever, hard-working children. He lives in South Africa to earn money to feed his family who he has left behind in Zimbabwe. He became close to my parents through their church where they worship together.

When I visited my aging, but healthy parents in July last year, Laphious was there to help where he could. He took the job of making sure that they were looked after, heating their home properly, and got help with odd jobs. Although they cannot afford to support Laphious, they help him with meals and emotional support where they can. He has become like a son to them, and he calls me his 'sister'. It is a title I bear with pride, for this is a man of character, and a true son of my Father in heaven.

Laphious went home to Zimbabwe for Christmas. He had been very excited and also wanted to make sure that his wife and children had enough food to exist. He reports that the situation is unbearably bad. Even if there was money to buy food, there is no food in the shops. The fields are bare. People are scrounging for food, even scratching for roots and wild berries, and many are dying of hunger.

This morning a tired, hungry, traumatized and penniless Laphious limped into our parent's home. On his journey from Zimbabwe he had been robbed at gunpoint by the taxi driver, and left without his passport, cellphone, clothes or any money in a field somewhere between Johannesburg and Vereniging. He has nothing left. For a few days he stumbled around, and he was fortunate to find odd jobs and make just enough money to make it 'home' to my parents. My mom has taken a few groceries out of her meagre store cupboard to keep him going. They have very little for themselves. Laphious has lost his job, as the factory where he was working has closed. He is able to do basic carpentry and odd jobs.

You and I cannot help every family in Zimbabwe, but maybe we could make a difference to this one.

Please help, if you can. As little as $10 would keep him, and his family going for a while. If you are willing to help, please email me at raenette.taljaard@gmail.com and I will furnish account details, or an address to which you can forward clothes or food. Your prayers would be appreciated too.

(Please note: For safety reasons, I cannot furnish any more of Laphious' details.)