In summary I can best say that this volunteer exchange in the country of my birth was perhaps one of the most authentic. Embedded as I was in the day-to-day life of this hospitable couple, sharing …

In summary I can best say that this volunteer exchange in the country of my birth was perhaps one of the most authentic. Embedded as I was in the day-to-day life of this hospitable couple, sharing meals and listening to their stories and experiences, I was reminded of the sort of decent, working people on whom the nation had always relied. People like my own grandparents who emigrated from the UK to Rhodesia in the early 1950s, but who remained wedded to the culture and values of the nation.

After returning to Europe in late September via Amsterdam, I reflected on a bittersweet stay in South Africa, where I completed long-delayed geological fieldwork for a forthcoming journal paper. Emotionally drained, I reconnected with old friends and reached out to Dirk, a free-spirited photographer I’d met in Zimbabwe. Hoping to resolve lingering feelings about my past landlady in Pretoria, I asked him to visit her on my behalf — an act that unexpectedly provoked anger but ultimately gave me closure. Though the exchange ended old ties, it helped me release years of tension and feel more at peace with the past.

Reflecting on my visit to South Africa, 9 years on from my last, and attempting to create a bridge to the past and heal old wounds and misunderstandings.

A post about the former East Rand of Johannesburg, with a focus on a suburb of Boksburg. The author elaborates on the people and nature of the surrounds, from white vagrants pulling carts to the wide verges and pleasant avenues therein.

The document reflects on the author's experiences in Zimbabwe, highlighting the simplicity and friendliness of social interactions. It discusses the economic challenges faced by the people, the vibrant community spirit, and the resilience of the informal economy. The author also notes the cultural continuity in religious practices, with a shift in church demographics and the coexistence of various faiths. Personal anecdotes illustrate the interconnectedness of personal stories and the ongoing search for opportunities amidst economic disparities. Despite the challenges, the community's spirit and resilience shine through.

As my stay in Harare has transitioned into its fifth month things continue to evolve. I recently moved across town to Anthony’s place. Some of you will know that Anthony is my nom de plume and might imagine this statement as some sort of play on words. At the beginning of June, I house-sat for this same friend, Ant, in Helensvale, a few doors down from the Borrowdale Country Club; a brief stay of several nights, back and forth between his place and Chisipite.

A lovely time of year. I'll let the videos speak for themselves. This one I made for my kids:

An overview of a recent trip to Oban Farm in Centenary with my friend Keith. We house-sat the farm manager's house for a week while they were away. I highlight the natural beauty of the farm and the area and the challenges it faces today.

Another highlight from April was visiting the area called Nyanga, a popular part of the country, known for its cool climate, sweeping vistas and mountains. It was popularised by the notorious imperialist Cecil Rhodes, who bequeathed the Rhodes Nyanga National Park to the state 99 years ago. He still has a dam, hotel and museum named in his honour, although the Park has reverted to plain-old Nyanga NP.

Passport Regained! As you will have gathered from previous posts, I recently regained my Zimbabwean citizenship, and with it a certain sense of pride and belonging that I had, for a long time, done my best to ignore, worse still, bury. And there it is: My nice shiny new Zimbabwe passport flanked by my old ID card on the left (with a big A for Alien) and my new card on the right (with a big C for Citizen).

A reflection on the grassland and wetland areas in the vicinity of where I grew up. The rocky dolerite soils of Greystone Park, my childhood suburb a little to the West gives way to the hills and grasslands of Glen Lorne. Today the grasslands are almost totally under subsistence agriculture, but pockets of nature still remain largely as I remember.

Apps used by EU citizens might enable surveillance of activists in Europe, Israel, and Palestine, experts warn. That’s made possible by the EU executive, which labels Israel as a safe country for Euro...

I share the anecdotal details of applying for my passport. My surname, Passaportis, elicits much amusement from the staff.

The process of applying for a passport and ID in Zimbabwe can be tedious and slow. However, there are, nevertheless, moments of humour and camaradrerie.

Details on how to contribute to my Support the Written Word Gofundme campaign.

What determines when something should become something else? A philosophical question as much as an empirical one. For instance, when I go to Mass at the Parish Church a short distance from where I currently stay, it as if the place has hardly changed in the forty years I have known it. I received my First Communion here around 1986/7. The photos commemorating the occasion could have been taken the previous Sunday for all that it hasn't changed in the intervening years.

The author reflects on their experience in Lourdes, highlighting the bustling atmosphere filled with pilgrims and tourists. They describe the commercialization surrounding the Sanctuary, personal interactions with fellow visitors, and moments of introspection regarding their quest for inner peace. The narrative captures the vibrant energy and spiritual significance of the location.

The writer recounts a journey through Harare with Barbara, a childhood friend’s mother visiting Zimbabwe after years abroad. They explore significant places from Barbara's past, including her family's former farm and Ewanrigg Botanical Gardens. The narrative reflects on memories, changes in the area, and complex emotions surrounding land expropriation policies.

In Harare’s chaotic life, lofty goals often fade. The author reflects on joining Bluesky, a rival to X, in protest against its controversial owner. While finding support among dissenters, the…

In Harare’s chaotic life, lofty goals often fade. The author reflects on joining Bluesky, a rival to X, in protest against its controversial owner. While finding support among dissenters, the…

Upon returning home after a long absence, the author reflects on their familiarity with the city, blending English expressions with Shona slang. They navigate the complexities of everyday life, encountering job seekers and dealing with parking payments. Their journey through Greenwood Park reveals the contrast between new development and neglect. Memories resurface as they meet a security guard linked to a childhood doctor. These interactions highlight the interconnectedness of personal histories amidst the city's changing landscape and ongoing struggles.

The author narrates a visit to the Mutemwa Leprosy Centre, highlighting the warm hospitality of staff like Aquina-Marie and the resident OFM trainees. Interactions with residents reveal cultural insights, such as the community's struggles and resilience. The author reflects on the significance of companionship and shared experiences during this meaningful journey.