Reflections from the Zambezi

Getting to Mauritius Mauritius has often been referred to as the honeymooner’s paradise. This is a claim that I often wondered how credible it was. A visit to Mauritius in December 2009 convinced me that indeed Mauritius has the right to make that claim. It is an island in Africa nicely perched on the Indian Ocean with beautiful coral reefs (see first photo below). I travelled to Mauritius on 14th December 2009 to attend a UNESCO Validation Workshop on Case Studies on Education for Sustainable Development. I left Lusaka for Johannesburg using South African Airways in the morning. Later in the evening I boarded Air Mauritius at Oliver Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg to Mauritius. I arrived in Mauritius at 20 00 hours after a four hour flight. At the airport in Mauritius I was met by Jerome a Tourism student in Mauritius. As I entered the vehicle I was given a wet face cloth to wipe my face and a bottle of mineral water to quench my thirst. This was the first time ever that I...

Mr. Lawrence Chibutu, who died in July 2009, was a headmaster whom one could not easily forget. He was headmaster at Kafue Secondary School, the first black Zambian head. He was headmaster whilst I was a pupil there from 1981 to 1984 when he was seconded to UNESCO. I remember Mr. Chibutu as a disciplinarian. He instilled a sense of discipline in both pupils and members of staff. You certainly did not want to be called to his office for having done some mischief. I also remember him as been a hardworking headmaster that took his work seriously. He would take time to go round classes and the dormitories (hostels) to ensure pupils (boys) were learning studying or sleeping as the case needed to be. He also was keen to ensure that boys and teachers attend morning prayers and Sunday afternoon services. He would ensure he arranged for Preachers to come for the Sunday services. Mr. Chibutu was also was a fatherly and friendly head teacher. Once you got to know him you found that behind...

The Family (1): Wisdom Proverbs 22:6 Biblical Perspective of Wisdom 1. Understanding how to live practically in order to be successful. 2. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. 3. Wisdom is the foundational to the nature of creation. 4. Wisdom teaches a characteristic of life of sowing and reaping. 6 Principles of Teaching Our Children Wisdom 1. Teaching wisdom can’t be done using quick fix methods. Don’t plant banana’s and expect pawpaw’s. 2. We need to teach our children the difference between wisdom and folly. 3. Inculcate a profound awareness of who God is (Proverbs 1:7). 4. Do not place primary emphasis on specific commands of Scripture. We should show our children that we are part of God’s redemption story. 5. Do not distance yourself from your child’s sin. 6. The family should be a loving unit.

Getting to Senegal It is rare to visit a country more than once especially if that country is very far such as Senegal which is about 6000km away from Zambia my homeland. I was travelling to Senegal for the second time after having been there in May 2009. The purpose of my visit was to attend an European Union and African Union Workshop on the Sharing of Experiences on Decent Work in the Informal Economy in Africa. On 29th June at 18 00 hours I landed in Dakar using Kenya Airways after having left Lusaka in Zambia at 00 05 hours. The journey was long. We went to Harare and then headed to Nairobi where we landed at 06 00. We left for Senegal via Abidjan in Cote d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast) after a 3 hour delay in Nairobi. The flight from Nairobi to Abidjan took 5 hours while that from Abidjan to Dakar took 31/2 hours. On the flight I sat next to a colleague from Kenya (whom we attended the same Conference in Senegal) and a lady from Cote d’Ivoire. I was able to have a meaningful conversation ...

Landing in Nairobi "Karibu Kenya" or "Welcome to Kenya" is the atmosphere we feel as we land in Kenya. I have just landed at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi after a flight of slightly over two hours from Lusaka. The date is Saturday, 27th May 2007. It is my first time to visit Kenya since I was born. This is one of the nations I have always looked forward to visit. After completing the immigration formalities at the airport I head to look for my checked in bag. Finding the bag I begin to look for Keith Underhill, pastor of Trinity Baptist Church in Nairobi, who has come to pick me up. Immediately I see him I recognize him, though I last saw him thirteen years ago. He is with Jacob, a member of his church. We exchange greetings and move to the vehicle and drive off from the airport. As we drive off, Pastor Underhill has to pay some gate fee at the exit gate. He leaves a gospel tract with the man collecting the money. I take note and ask myself: ...

I n July 2005, Judy and I undertook a trip into a land that had been hit by a 'Tsunami'. In case you are thinking we had ventured into Asia which was hit by Tsunami in December 2004, I wish to state no sir or no madam!. We travelled to Zimbabwe, which had undergone an Operation Murambatsvina ('Drive out Rubbish'). It is this cleanup, that the locals had nicknamed Operation 'Tsunami'. This was due to buildings being destroyed at short notice leaving some people homeless. Our mission was very simple: have a short vacation and visit relations on mum's side. The first objective was partially fulfilled as we did not get to stay at our desired haven: Resthaven Guest House. Friday, 22 July 2005 We started off from Lusaka at 04 00 on 24th July using a Pioneer Coach. We arrived at the Chirundu border post at 06 00. We were cleared after two hours after the usual immigration and customs hassles. I was almost asked to pay a deposit for an old audio cassette play...

"Welcome to Botswana", is the greeting that faces us as we walk into Sersetse Khama International Airport in Gaborone. The date is 8th October 2006. My travel companions are two workmates from my ministry. One of our hosts hugs us and welcomes us to Botswana. After greetings we are driven to our respective lodging places. My host takes me out for a meal at Nando's. With the issue of hunger sorted out, it's now time to head to Brackenden Lodge where I'll spend my first night. We are here for a study visit under UNESCO on HIV & AIDS. Before I sleep, I make final touches to our country paper presentation in readiness for the next day's meeting. Slightly after midnight my body is screaming for rest, the hot shower is so refreshing and the bed is so enticing. The trip to Gaborone has been hectic. A two hour flight from Lusaka to Johannesburg followed by a three hour stop-over at Johannesburg International Airport (now called Oliver Tambo International Airport!)...