Standard Style 15 June 2014

The Standard
StyleISSUE JUNE 15 TO 21, 2014
7
Star Profile
Ruvheneko
Parirenyatwa
Inside
Charlton C. Tsodzo
style@standard.co.zw

2 THE STANDARD STYLE / CONTENTS
JUNE 15 TO 21 2014
P05 P11 P18 P19
The Standard
Style
Contents
Woman & Man
Home & Garden
Food & Drink
Family
Arts
3 Woman Profile
Ruvheneko Parirenyatwa
11 Home of the Week
Enter our competition
16 Eating Out
Aroma Caffé
19 Family of the Week
Chaora family
26 Breaking New Ground
Driven by passion
4 Women Motivation
Experiencing my Passion
12 Trends
Children’s room Trends
17 Food
TM Supermarket
23 Education
Private Schools
28 Bookworm
Zimbabwe’s Agatha Christie
5 Man Profile
Charlton Tsodzo
14 Gardening
Gardening mistakes
18 Drink
Le Globe Trotter
24 Family Getaway
Borradaile
30 Tribute
Ruby Dee

June 15 to 21 2014 THE STANDARD STYLE / WOMAN / PROFILE 3
Star Profile
RUVHENEKO
PARIRENYATWA
Her maxim: We are all born who we are; but what we become is who we really and truly are
She is only 25, yet she has already made a name for
herself as a journalist and activist, as well as recently
been placed at number 23 on the 100 Most Influential
Young Zimbabweans under 40. Her poise and smile
say it all; Ruvheneko Parirenyatwa is a woman on the go –
even the sky will not limit her.
“Ndiri muzvare, mwana waMwari [I am princess. I am a
born again Christian, God’s child] and a daughter of the
soil,” are her own words that give an apt description of
the vivacious yet down-to-earth young lady who says
she would have studied Law if she hadn’t chosen
journalism.
A talk show host on Zimbabwe’s fastest
growing and first ever private radio station
in Zimbabwe, ZiFM Stereo, she holds a
Bachelor of Arts with majors in Media,
Writing and Political Science and a
Post-graduate Diploma in Marketing
from the University of Cape
Town in South Africa. She captures
the attention of many
through her shows which
cover politics, social issues,
health matters and
youth-focused discussions.
Her never-saydie
spirit is probably
the reason why she
is also thriving
as the Deputy
Chairperson
of the
Hara-
re Youth Council, while her bubbly other side has endeared
her to many folk as she has become a new favourite as an MC
for functions and events. As if all this were not enough, Ruvheneko
is also an entrepreneur who runs a shop at Harare
International Airport.
“I am here living fully in the present and preparing for
a future that I don’t even comprehend because I was told recently
by a mentor that my dreams offend God because they
aren’t big enough. So before I offend him further by telling
you ‘who I am’ let’s just tread carefully!”
Describing her passion as working towards her ambition
and helping others achieve theirs; Ruvheneko loves
everything media and her passion clearly rests on its bosom.
What she loves most about it is that she gets to interact with
the public and reach out to them; the fact that she may never
meet or see them frightens and excites her at the same time.
“I just stop and ask, ‘Dear God, who am I that you can give me
this microphone? You must trust me a lot! but I know it’s not
me he trusts -- but the power of Him in me.”
According to her, people who try to control and filter her
content have been her biggest challenges in her career; she
does not conform to “safe journalism” and this in essence,
is what defines her. Being a talk show host, she is a natural
debater who likes dialogue and discussions on anything and
everything.
In terms of principles and beliefs, the phenomenal new
wife puts God first above everything as she believes that this
way, there will be love in the world because every religious
leader who ever made a difference in this world taught love.
While she remains steadfast in her beliefs, she acknowledges
that although people will differ in views, there is a need for
us as fellow human beings to share our space and respect differences.
It is evident that Ruvheneko cannot tolerate bullies
in the world as she believes that kills the whole point of coexisting.
On family, she expressed how deep her love is for her
parents, siblings and husband, adding that there would be
more to tell on her fresh and new marriage after the wedding.
Despite working very hard as Deputy Chairperson at The
Harare Youth Council in community-based projects there,
the humble young woman does not feel she has achieved
anything big yet.
“Everything I have done up until now has been
in preparation for and on the way to my biggest life
achievement. I am disappointed in myself about that;
I should have a ‘biggest life achievement’ but for me,
nothing I have achieved is good enough to be ‘big’ –
yet. The fact that you’re asking me this question
says it all. If there was something that huge, it
would speak for itself and your question would
be, “Ruvheneko, how did you achieve…”
At the council, Ruvheneko together with
her team work tirelessly to reach out to young
people and meet their needs. Of late they held
a successful fundraising dinner which managed
to raise funds to begin work on vocational
training centres and farming projects. “I want
Zimbabwe to know that I am not a spoilt and
privileged minister’s daughter. There is more
to people than meets the eye. Zimbabwe should
learn to know people as individuals and not label
them by affiliation. We are all born who we are;
but what we become is who we really and truly are.
Ruvheneko’s inspiration comes from many sources,
including the news. “Bleak and depressing as most
news stories are -- on whatever channel or source -- I
find inspiration in every story. I am inspired to discuss
a certain topic on one of my shows, or I’m inspired to go
donate clothes, or to go for a long run, or to go visit my
grandparents, but mostly to work hard and leave something
behind when I’m gone.”
As a parting shot, Ruvheneko -- who’s love for bubbles
has her keeping a bottle in her room all the time to keep the
child in her happy -- had this to say to fellow young Zimbabweans,
“You should learn to balance your life; there is time
to be serious but there must always be time to breathe a little
. . . and be little for a little. You are never too young for
anything -- except sex, alcohol and a driver’s licence. Find
what you are good at and be the best at it. There are so
many people in Zimbabwe yet the news rotates the
names of about 100 individuals over an entire year.
Are we not living hard and well enough to catch
the attention of the media? So again, find what
you are good at and be the best at it; the cameras
will follow -- and even if they don’t -- your
reward is waiting for you on the other side. The
biggest honour you can give to your creator is to
accept His reason for creating you and live it out to
the fullest!” - Prudence Muganiwah

4 THE STANDARD STYLE / WOMAN / INSPIRATION
June 15 to 21 2014
EXPERIENCING
my
PASSION
CONTINUED PART 5
I
know I speak on behalf of many, when I say that business,
right now, in Zimbabwe, is not easy at all. The majority of
us are living a “hand to mouth” life. In several industries
here, the market is flooded with suppliers, all competing for
the same customers. In a difficult economy such as this one,
it’s important to be aggressive, to know your customer’s needs,
to know your competitor, and to come up with innovative ways
to win the business.
The phrase “desperate times call for desperate measures”
comes to mind when I listen to my colleagues sharing their
experiences in business. But often, when businesses become
desperate to out-do their competitors, some business and personal
principles get thrown out of the window. We may be living
for the present, but we should not forget that the decisions
we make in business today when it comes to ethics, will affect
our businesses in the future.
Ethics are about an individual’s moral code of conduct, and
about moral judgements regarding what is right and what is
wrong. Recently I was on a wedding venue site visit with a potential
client. The client was looking for a venue for her cousin,
who was based in the United Kingdom. I gave her the venue
hiring fees, and she advised me that I should add one thousand
dollars to the normal fee for her “commission.” And of course
her cousin should never find out that we changed the venue
hiring fees. Now, maybe there is something here that I did not
really understand, but I found her request more than a little
bit disturbing.
People’s perceptions of my character as an individual, and my
business principles, will have a bearing on whether they will
hire me or not. That is why all organisations need to have a
strong, relevant set of values. These values must be taught to
and practised by every employee in the organisation. The implementation
of values will give customers more confidence in
your business.
So, in an environment where I want your business, but to get
your business I have to pay you something under the table,
what do I do? I walk away.
One of the first things I did when I started ProEvents, was to
list the values that would guide me and help me to maintain a
certain standard in my business operations.
Value Number One is Integrity, which means that your words
and your actions are consistent. To simplify it, you do what
you say you will do. How many times has a sales representative
sent you an incomplete quotation for a product? Then
once you have made your decision and you are about to make
a payment, you are told that the quote does not include VAT,
nor does it include delivery charges.
A number of years back, I was coordinating a birthday party
for my nephew, and he wanted a clown. The clown I found had
such a good sales pitch about how he was not just a clown,
he was a coordinator and entertainer for children’s events.
He talked about how he would be at the venue two hours before
the event started, so that he could prepare his act, and
queue his music. Well. On the day, one hour into the party
I had an anxious nephew asking me where the clown was.
When I called this clown, he boldly told me to relax, because
Africans never keep time. I think I spent a good month after
that party talking about that clown!
Value Number Two is Professionalism. When you say you are
a professional, you are saying that you are an expert in your
field. As one of my colleagues likes to say “we do not pretend
to know what we are doing. We actually know what we are
doing.” To uphold this value, you need to know your industry
well, you need to be up to date with trends, and you need to
display competence. How you communicate in business has a
huge reflection on your level of professionalism. Time-keeping
is also important. Even if I know my client does not keep
time, I will still show up on time. I have a code of conduct for
events, both for my in-house team, and the service providers.
The dress code must be adhered to, we must be at the site at
the specified time, we are at the event to work, not to eat, and
please stay away from the alcohol.
Value Number Three is Reliability. We are dependable and
trustworthy. A corporate that hires us for an event, has literally
put their brand in our hands. We need to show that
we have the best interests of that brand at heart, and we
need to prove this to our client. That’s one way of gaining
their trust and getting repeat business. When it comes to
wedding planning, clients based overseas have to trust us
enough to send us their hard-earned cash, in the hope that
we will pay for their venue, or their décor, and not steal
from them. There have been a few horror stories about bogus
wedding planners who have stolen thousands of dollars
from overseas clients, and have disappeared. When we
prove to one or two clients that we are reliable, they refer
clients to us.
Value Number Four is Creativity. Some clients have a
vague idea of what they want for their event. Some are
very specific about what they want. Either way, they hire
us because they expect us to listen to their requirements
and build on them with unique ideas.
Value Number Five is Attention to Detail. I am passionate
about detail. In event management you have to make sure
you remember every single thing that is required to pull
off the perfect event. It’s always the small but significant
things that get forgotten. A public ribbon cutting ceremony
where you have invited top executives, and when the time
comes to cut the ribbon….does anyone have a pair of scissors?
When it’s time to cut the wedding cake, where is the
cake knife? A champagne toast, but we forgot to hire the
champagne glasses. The electricity goes, and there is no
fuel for the generator – actually, there is no generator at all!
These are some of the details that, if forgotten, can ruin
an event.
This is my set of core values for my business. In difficult
times, it’s easy to fall into the trap of offering kickbacks
to company representatives, or putting ridiculous markups
on service provider fees. Commission is a legitimate
way of making money if you are acting as an agent for a
product or a service. It must be formalised with a written
agreement, and there must be transparency. If it’s under
the table, then there is something wrong, and I say walk
away, it’s the ethical thing to do.
Rufaro Mushonga

June 15 to 21 2014 THE STANDARD STYLE / MAN / PROFILE 5
Star Profile: Charlton C.
Tsodzo
Born into a family of five and married to Maureen with a daughter
called Minana Brooklyn; Charlton Tsodzo describes himself as a
humble, determined man who has “enough energy to fire up a power-station”
through living by values such as hard work, determination,
impacting society as well as hanging in there in spite of the odds. He
is a life coach, inspirational speaker and team building expert, who at 33
is also an International Development Consultant holding a PhD in International
Development Studies. Charlton’s notable works include research and
advisory work in public health, poverty alleviation, corporate governance,
social policy and development programmes among others at local, regional
and international levels.
Having taught at reputable institutions such as the University of Zimbabwe,
National University of Science and Technology, and Ruhr Universitaet
Bochum in Germany, it is amazing that he has found time to publish the first
ever motivational book in Shona entitled, Bhora Mberi – Kukunda Chete.
Charlton is a firm believer of promoting vernacular languages, and to that
effect has founded Maendeleo Media, a development communications company
promoting use of local languages in business and social communication.
His book was inspired by his marvel at how the Germans took pride in
their local language and did business in it, leading him to start reflecting on
the wealth of vernacular and inspiring his own people in a language they
clearly understood, using idioms and wise words from it as well as taking
case studies of successful Zimbabweans which made the motivation more
tangible and closer to home.
A motivational speaker, he is currently involved with a number of private
companies, education institutions; NGOs as well as public sector bodies
such as the UN’s International Labour Organisation (ILO), the British
Council, the Department for International Development (DFID-UK), Germany’s
Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (FES), the Open Society Institute of Southern
Africa and many other local and international NGOs in which he provides
motivational talks and trains employees on effective teamwork and
other skills they need to operate effectively.
“Beyond just inspiring by words, my idea is always to impart practical
skills and tips on how to transform one’s potential into actual action and
results.”
His passion, he said, has always been, “The desire to open the eyes and
transform the mindset of young Africans towards believing that our time
has actually come and we need to stand up and be counted. With our levels
of creativity, intellect, ambition and a whole continent waiting to be
explored in terms of opportunities, what better time than now to take our
stand and make our motherland a better place for all of us?”
What drives him on a day-to-day basis is the idea that young people need
to know that they are the shining light to the “dark” continent.
In terms of challenges in his career, Charlton expressed how hard it was
to establish himself and realise his potential as an ambitious and innovative
young Zimbabwean given economic difficulties in a society expecting
him to grow up first before being taken seriously, and he went on to bemoan
the lack of appreciation that has gradually led many young Zimbabweans to
realise their fullest potential overseas instead of here in their own country.
The versatility of what he does is one of the reasons he loves it so much,
as he is never working on one project at any given time, which constantly
rejuvenates and pumps his system with adrenalin. It is no wonder then that
his next plan is to start studying Law as he believes his works requires legal
expertise.
A great wedding MC, Charlton does not allow his work to interfere with
his family life, as he dotes on his little girl whom he claims has totally stolen
all of his heart. This is despite his fear of being a father prior to her arrival.
One of the times he treasures most with her is when he burps her after her
feed; and this has earned him the nickname “The Burp King.” Charlton has
clearly embraced the father role as he states it as his biggest life achievement
to date.
Charlton is a Christian who draws most of his inspiration from people
who have a positive impact on his life, for instance Bushe Jokomo, Dr.
Donald Chimanikire, Professor Paul Mapfumo and his long-time mentor
Dr. Thokozile Chitepo. But above all, God is his biggest inspiration, as he
is “totally fascinated by the concept of a God who created everything out of
absolutely nothing. This inspires me and gives me all the reason to believe
that anything and everything is possible.”
As parting advice to younger generations, Charlton encourages every
individual to play their part and “keep on generating those great and innovative
ideas; they will definitely attract the necessary and much-needed
resources. Let’s keep on working hard and pursuing our dreams, it’s all going
to come right one day. Zimbabwe needs us, Africa needs us, let’s pursue
our dreams and our brilliant ideas for the benefit of fellow Zimbabweans
and Africans.”

6 THE STANDARD STYLE /MAN/ FATHER’S DAY
June 15 to 21 2014
Father’s
Day
Celebration
Father’s Day is celebrated worldwide to recognize
the contribution that fathers and father
figures make to the lives of their children.
This day celebrates fatherhood and male
parenting. Although it is celebrated on a variety of
dates worldwide, many countries including Zimbabwe
observe this day on the third Sunday in June.
Father’s Day is a beautiful festival that acknowledges
and appreciates the important role played
by a father in raising the child and consequently
building a stronger society. Though fathers have
been revered at all times by civilizations across
the globe ironically what was missing until the last
century was the official recognition of the significance
of fathers in one’s life. Father’s Day story
is the tale of realization of the need for a Father’s
Day festival primarily by Ms Sonora Louise Smart
Dodd of Washington. The story narrates Sonora’s
unflagging struggle to officially set a day to honor
all fathers. Thanks to Sonora, today Father’s Day is
celebrated in a large number of countries around
the world.
Historians have recorded that there was a tradition
to celebrate Father’s Day even thousands of
years ago. Their studies show that 4,000 years ago
in Babylon a son called Elmesu carved a father’s
day message on a clay card. In his message Elmesu
wished his father a long and healthy life. There is
no knowledge as to what happened to this father
son duo but it is believed that several countries retained
the custom of celebrating Father’s Day.
Father’s Day is considered extremely important
as it helps acknowledge the contribution of fathers
to individual families and to societies as large. The
observance of Father’s Day provides children an
opportunity to express love and respect for their
fathers. The sentiment goes a long way in strengthening
father-child relationship and consequently
in the emotional development of a child.
Observance of Father’s Day makes fathers feel
that their contributions are acknowledged in the
society and also by their children. They feel proud
of themselves! Besides by celebrating Father’s Day,
children come closer to their father.
On Father’s Day many people make a special effort
for their fathers or father figures. Some people
visit their fathers, while others give cards, flowers
or other gifts, such as clothing or sporting equipment,
or luxury food items. Father’s Day is a relatively
modern holiday, so different families have
different traditions. These can range from a simple
phone call or greetings card to large parties honoring
all father figures in an extended family. Father
figures can include fathers, step-fathers, fathersin-law,
grandfathers, great-grandfathers and even
other male relatives.
- http://www.fathersdaycelebration.com

June 15 to 21 2014 THE STANDARD STYLE /MAN/ FATHER’S DAY 7

8 THE STANDARD STYLE / MAN/ FATHER’S DAY
June 15 to 21 2014
Father’s Day Gift Ideas
Father’s Day is a perfect occasion to express
your deepest feelings for dearest
Papa and pamper him with loads
of Father’s Day Gifts. Ties and wallets
are nice but don’t you think that dad can feel
bored getting the same formal and cliched
gifts every time? So try and be a little more innovative
and thoughtful this year and present
a gift that leaves an everlasting impression
and creates sweet memories for a lifetime.
Sounds nice and bright?? But the most daunting
task is to decide on the right gift for dad.
Here are a few Gift Ideas for father with different
tastes and interests. These might help
you to widen your approach for selecting Father’s
Day Gifts. These gift ideas can suitably
be implemented for grand dads, uncles or men
who are like your father. The most important
thing that should complement any Father’s
Day Gifts that you select includes a warm hug
and a big THANK YOU.
For Trendy Dads
If your dad is hip and loves to carry a style
statement, a wonderful idea would be to gift
him a pair of cool sunglasses. He might possess
some already but he would welcome another
one with a warm smile. Perfumes and
Deodorants can also be given thought.
For Sporty Dads
Sporty dads are going to love a Father’s Day
gift that boosts their passion for fun and
sports. So you can gift him something that gels
with his area of interest. Golf, cricket or tennis
set would be a nice sporty idea. If he loves
indoor games you may go in for premium
chess or cards set or anything else like Dartboards
or scrabble based on his choice.
For Bibliophile Dads
If your dad loves to spend time in books there
can be no better idea than to gift him a nice
hard bound book. While implementing this
idea be a little thoughtful and keep your dad’s
choice in mind. On the occasion of Father’s
Day you may also select books which reflect
on the beautiful relationship shared between
a father and a child.
For Techno Savvy Dads
There are a lot of options in the market for
dads who love to adopt latest and trendiest in
technology. On the higher end you may go in
for camera, camcorders, lap tops and DVDs.
Other ideas in this category include electronic
shavers, massager or exercise equipment.
For Dads on the Mechanical Side
If your dear Papa loves to play with the mechanical
object a bright idea would be to gift
him a tool set complete with screwdrivers,
wrenches and hammers. And how about the
Swiss Army Pocket Organizer??
Clothes and Accessories
These are traditional yet always appreciated.
You may like to buy a formal shirt, a casual
T-Shirt or a pair of trousers. Accessories
that may be gifted on Father’s Day include
belts, wallets, portfolio bags, cuff-links and of
course ties!

June 15 to 21 2014
THE STANDARD STYLE / MAN/ FATHER’S DAY 9
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FATHER’S
DAY
Sunday 15 June 2014
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Fine Dining Events Weddings Conferences Accommodation

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10 THE STANDARD STYLE / MAN / WHEELS
June 15 to 21 2014
Economical yet
Fact Jeke
stylish
A
lot has happened in the motoring
industry; from the
drag races, Jamboree to
various motor shows in the
world. In this issue I put together
three vehicles from different manufacturers
so that you can see which
one moves your heart at three different
prices. Read on and enjoy.
The Mazda2 is an excellent
super-mini that’s shed some 200kg
off the previous model to make it
light, nippy and efficient. It looks
extremely sharp too with its angular
front and sleek hippy behind.
It’s surprisingly comfortable given
the short wheelbase and compact
dimensions --you will even be able
to manage the odd motorway trundle
without any bother at all. The
diesel one is due soon, but up until
that point there are just two petrol
variants to choose from, a 1.3-litre,
or a 1.5. You may want the 1.5 Sport
- 0-100kmph in 10.4 seconds. Both
engines feel quite fizzy and suit the
car down to the ground. The car is
cool, rational and stylish and not a
Fiat 500. So bonus points all round.
The vehicle is nicely mixed up, with
a playfully- designed dash that feels
like it might at least last as long as
you will. Mazda knows how to do
this sort of thing, and the 2 feels like
it’s been designed with humans in
mind. The diet has certainly helped
the 2 get fit -- there’s positivity to
the steering that means it always
feels perky and up-for-it, great throttle
response and a general air of
sprightliness that you can’t beat in
a city. In town this is a glorious little
terrier. With five doors and a hatch,
it has room for four adults, but this
isn’t a huge car so don’t expect too
much. Still, for the size, a 250-litre
boot with the seats up isn’t too bad,
and there’s a more useful 787 litres
with the seats folded. When it comes
to running costs and affordability,
we all know Mazda comes tops! The
economy of fuel and service with
this car makes you want to ditch
your classy SUV. You save a lot and
still look glam behind the wheel.
Now to a vehicle which is hardly on
our roads here in Harare. It’s a hot
number which fits this spring season
as the flowers spring out. As the
streets are laced with purple jacarandas,
you could be cruising with
the top off. What more can you wish
for?
They say the Volkswagen Eos
isn’t just a converted hatch but a specially
made car bigger than a Golf.
When it comes to comfort, the seats
are excellent. And of course it’s
cramped in the back, but not as bad
as the hatch-derived opposition, so
maybe VW does have a point there.
The glass roof slides to make a sunroof
if you don’t want to blast your
passengers. On performance, the
mid-range 2.0 turbo (petrol and diesel)
hit the spot. The 3.2V6 has more
power than an Eos knows what to
do with. When it comes to handling,
you get the usual re-assuring VW
steering and trustworthy cornering.
Like all CCs, the boot space suffers
when the roof is down, despite the
huge complexity of the Eos’ effort.
Variable service intervals mean if
you go gently it’ll pay off in costs.
Fuel costs aren’t bad and depreciation
on an Eos is still gentle, which
is a big plus. And we all know VW
rocks . . . remember the Chicco Golf,
the old ancient VW Bugs we still see
on our roads? Time only makes VW
make better, more innovative vehicles.
Lastly, the Chrysler Sebring is a
mid-sized to large American saloon
that’s pitched to tempt us away from
more traditional rivals. The suspension
is soft, there’s scuttle-shake
despite the fact this is a Saloon and
it makes you travel sick. Very comfortable
in a straight line, driving on
glass, when you’re drunk. Don’t get
me wrong, I am not encouraging you
to drink and drive. There’s a big bit
of Europe tucked under the bonnet
in the form of the VW Passat’s 2.0-
litre turbo diesel, which is loud but
effective; 0-100kmph in 12 seconds.
There is also a pair of Chrysler’s
own engines on offer -- a smaller 2.0
and a 2.4. The small petrol is surprisingly
good, with 0-100kmph in 11.1
seconds and a 200kmph top speed.
The Sebring actually feels pretty
solidly built. The boot is big at 440
litres and there’s plenty of space for
four grown-ups. It’s quite a low cost
vehicle when it comes to running it.
Three cars in different classes at
three different prices to choose
from. Check with your local dealers
for prices.
Till next week stay blessed and
be safe.
Email: missjeke@gmail.com
Facebook: torque with factjeke
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SAM LEVY’S VILLAGE SHOWROOM,
BORROWDALE: SHOP III:
Contact our Product Executives:
Vincent 0772 759 810, Lawrence 0772 873 116,
Webster 0714 659 133,
Tel: (04) 702 650 / 8
email The Manager: enquiries@sales.zimoco.co.zw
www.zimoco.co.zw
Contact our Product Executives:
Francis 0772 962 537, Raymond 0772 777 044
Tel No’s: (04) 882 560, 882 310

THE STANDARD STYLE
HOME & GARDEN
COMPETITION
Send us a picture of your Home and enter “ZIMBABWE’S MOST BEAUTIFUL
HOME” competition and stand a chance to win a self catering holiday for
two couples in the picturesque Eastern Highlands
style@standard.co.zw
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This week’s code:
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12 THE STANDARD STYLE / HOME & GARDEN / TRENDS
Kids room trends
June 15 to 21 2014
Nothing will get your child
more house proud than revamping
their bedroom with
a whole new look. From neat
dual-purpose furniture, clever
storage and designated areas
for play, you can redesign even
the smallest of spaces with all
of their needs in mind.
Make the
most of the
space with
clever
furniture
Kids’ rooms, no matter what
size are they are, always seem
to be cramped.
Maximise the limited space by
choosing clever furniture, like
high sleepers with integrated
desks, that combine a variety
of essential pieces into a very
small space.
Brighten up the room
with your child’s artwork
By creating a gallery of
your child’s artworks on
their wall, not only will
you decorate the space
with their bright designs,
but you’ll also encourage
them to create even more.
Look for
smart hidden
storage extras
Storage is an absolute essential in a
child’s room.
When buying new furniture, look
for clever extras like hidden drawers
where your child can squirrel
away toys and games out of sight.
Use the height in
a cramped room
Are your kids sharing a room?
Bunk beds, from doubles to triples,
make the very most of the space,
leaving the rest of the room free for
essential play.
Separate a shared space
Sharing issues? A simple curtain
partition will split a single space
into two, if your children have no
choice but to share a room.
Add space for sleepovers with
a trundle bed
Sleepovers are a big part of a child’s
life so it’s important that you make
their little guests as comfortable as
possible.
Look for beds with added truckle
sections underneath so you can easily
pull out an extra sleeping space
whenever they have their best
friends stay over.
Use picture ledges rather
than glue or sticky tack so
your child can rearrange
or replace them whenever
they want (without damaging
the walls or plaster)
Create an area for playtime
It’s always important to include an
area for play in a child’s bedroom,
whether it’s at a desk or play table.
Tents and playhouses serve much
the same purpose, providing your
child with a hideaway where their
imagination can run riot.

June 15 to 21 2014 THE STANDARD STYLE / HOME & GARDEN / INSPIRATION 13
Winter warmer:
Sugar and Spice
Colouring your
home-you got
the secret!
No matter what your colour preferences
are, bold or subtle, colour balance
is the most important secret
in achieving your desired interior
designed effect. It is also the most difficult to
describe as it comes down to how your eye perceives
the space around you. At Spacework we
call it the “sugar- and- spice –effect.” And this
week our colour palette is simply reflective of
that crucial balance of colour in our interiors.
Interior Designer Kelly Hoppen states that we
should “Learn to look not just with your eyes
but with your heart. Find the things that connect
with you. How else will you know how to
design your home?”
So when renovating and redecorating your
space, try always to start by choosing your
colour scheme from something inspiring. It
could be an antique chest, a Turkish rug, a
stone sculpture, a favourite chair or painting.
However, sometimes that inspiring piece
is simply not there or is yet to be discovered.
Instead, go ahead and gather your neutral
palette together first and then add one colour
at a time to see the effect it has on the rest of
the colours and textures. A one off colour will
stand out and be the centre of attention, as it
does not relate to anything else in the room.
As your flair matures, be bold and daring
by selecting two or three colours and distributing
them around the room in different
weights they seem to flow through the room.
This is a good basis to create a comfortable
and harmonious interior.
After all, there’s nothing quite like giving
your home a makeover subtle or dramatic,
then sitting back and admiring your flair for
interior design. The key is to achieve the effect
that once you enter the space you do not feel
over or under whelmed by what you see.
Always consider the scale of the pattern
on select pieces like your sofa, or chairs. Using
heavy floral patterns over everything in the
same colour feels oppressive. Avoid having the
entire room being painted white with all white
accessories as it tends to give an apprehensive
atmosphere similar to what we feel like when
we are in a hospital surgery room.
For a moment, imagine a room with four
walls, if you then painted each wall a different
colour, there would be no balance. If you
painted two opposing walls the same colour
you have created a balance, or even one wall a
different colour to the others.
A good way to practice balancing a room is by
using an existing space, moving the furniture
around, putting new accessories in and observing
how the space feels. These skills come
from practice, practice and more practice.
Try it when visiting people, do it mentally of
course, don’t tell them they need to move their
sofa and reupholster their chair, or you could
lose friends fast.
Another way to sharpen these skills is to
critique magazine photographs of spaces. Select
a picture and note down if they look balanced,
why does the space work, is there anything
you would add?
Remember that once you have selected the
colours and fabrics and have them all in your
space you can move them around to get the
balance correct.
Enjoy colouring your home this week.
Email: tracy@spacework.co.zw
Cell: +263 772 277397

14 THE STANDARD STYLE / HOME & GARDEN / GARDENING
June 15 to 21 2014
The top 9 rookie
gardening mistakes
WE were all new gardeners once upon a time. Oh, the mistakes we made. The plants we
killed! The dumb choices we made. Mistakes and dumb choices will be a part of your
gardening life until the day you set aside your shovel and pruners. Mistakes help us
learn. But beginner’s mistakes can be especially disheartening. There’s nothing worse
than just getting started in a new hobby and watching everything you’re trying to grow just sit
there pathetically when you dreamed of ripe juicy tomatoes and a garden full of flowers. With
that in mind, here are the most common beginner mistakes.
1. Clueless watering
Many new gardeners kill new plants by either drowning them or letting them dry out too much,
too often. There are a couple of things you can do to make sure you’re watering correctly:
Know your plant’s moisture requirements. Some plants like to stay consistently moist, while
others prefer to dry out a little bit between watering.
Check the soil regularly. Stick your finger into the soil up to the second knuckle. If it’s dry, it’s
time to water.
2. Wrong plant, wrong place
If you’re trying to grow tomatoes against a north-facing wall under a maple tree, you’re not going
to have much luck. That’s an extreme example, perhaps, but knowing whether your plant
needs sun or shade, or prefers dry or moist soil, and then giving it those conditions, will go a
long way toward ensuring success in the garden. Make sure you’re buying plants that fit the
conditions in your garden. This will also help you avoid many pest and disease problems, since
stressed plants (including those unhappily growing in the wrong conditions) attract pests and
are more susceptible to disease problems. This information can be found on plant tags, or in
catalog descriptions.
3. Not giving plants enough space
Pay attention to the instructions on your tag or in plant catalogs for spacing your plants properly.
If you don’t like how much space there is between them for the first couple of years, simply
plant a few annuals between them. They’ll fill the void, and within a few years, you’ll find that
your perennials, trees, and shrubs have filled in enough that you don’t need to plant them
4. Haphazard fertilising
If one dose of fertiliser is good, two must be better, right? WRONG! First of all, we’re obviously
talking about organic fertilisers. But even with organic fertilisers, you want to make sure you’re
using the amount recommended on the package. Ideally, you’re practicing deep organic methods
and making your own fertilisers from compost and compost tea, which is hard to go overboard
with. Too much of any fertiliser can cause fast, spindly growth that is more susceptible to pests
and diseases – not to mention the danger of runoff into our water supply, where it wreaks havoc
on the ecosystem. Just make sure to read the directions and stick to them!
5. Not mulching
Mulching with organic mulches such as wood chips, leaves, or grass clippings, does several
things. It reduces evaporation, keeping moisture in your soil where you need it. It discourages
weeds, and helps keep the root zone of your plants cooler, which makes your plants less stressed.
And, as it breaks down, it adds more organic matter to the soil. Mulch everything – vegetables,
herbs, perennials, trees, and shrubs, with at least a three-inch layer of mulch.
6. Half-Assed Soil Preparation
Soil preparation is important, whether you’re growing a vegetable or herb garden, or planting
a border of shrubs and perennials. At the very least, you need to loosen the soil to a depth of
twelve inches and incorporate several inches of compost or composted manure before planting.
Ideally, you should get your soil tested to see exactly which nutrients your soil is deficient on so
you can amend it properly.
7. Sun/Shade Fairy Tales
I think every gardener has done this at least once and some continue to do it, so it’s not exactly a
newbie mistake. Say you want to plant a beautiful New Dawn climbing rose. They need absolute
full sun to thrive, and you have maybe half a day of sun before you yard is shaded by your house.
It’s very easy to say “A half day of bright sun should be plenty!” and plant it anyway. The rose
will live for a while, but the blooms will be much fewer and most likely much smaller than they
should be. Your plant will be more susceptible to diseases, especially fungal diseases. The same
thing happens with vegetable gardens – most vegetables need at least six hours of full sun to
thrive (though that are some that will grow with some shade) and the gardener is disappointed
by poor yields. This is an easy one to fix: pay attention to the sun exposure recommendations for
what you’re planting, and plant accordingly.
8. Not knowing your site
Every yard has areas that are more windy, or more prone to flooding in heavy rain, or that are
just hot and dry and a pain to work with. When you plant before you know these things, what you
get is a lot of frustration and dead plants. Spend a little time really getting to know your garden
before you do a lot of planting. Spend a few weeks observing your site before you decide what to
plant. It will save you a lot of annoyance later on.
9. Listening to “experts”
When it comes down to it, after you’ve spent some time observing, planting and growing your
garden, you become the expert. No one, no matter how much they know, knows your garden as
well as you will. Trust yourself. You will make some mistakes, but you’ll be a better gardener
because of them.-- Planet Green

THE STANDARD STYLE
FOOD & DRINK
1
In this issue
of Food & Drink
(1,2) Aroma Caffe
(3) Le Globe Trotter
2 3
4

16 THE STANDARD STYLE / EATING OUT / AROMA CAFFÉ
June 15 to 21 2014
Aroma Caffé, Highlands
Dusty Miller
IT sometimes takes me months to
get round to reviewing a “new”
restaurant or an established eatery
that has moved to new premises.
Sometimes I don’t make it all! I
never set foot in Elcombe’s, a reportedly
exceptionally good steak house
at Graniteside (despite the fact it
was run by a chum), mainly because
I rarely get to that gritty (Freudian
slip: mistyped “grotty”!) industrial
suburb these days. It shut two
months ago.
Aroma Caffé opened in Highlands
three weeks before I visited,
having not made it to two immediate
successors on the same site: Jack
Sprat’s (formerly at Chisipite, and I
never went there either!) and Eve’s
Garden. That always seemed to be in
these pages when we ran the Restaurant
of the Year competition; probably
because it was popular with ladies
who lunch lightly and languidly
and the competition organisers
were women.
Aroma Caffé was pleasantly full
with women and men (and kids)
when I went on Tuesday to say
“sorry” to co-owner Marina Picci.
Apparently her other company, Il
Pomodoro, really did the catering
at last week’s Italian National Day
diplomatic reception, featured in
this section. Whereas I said Zest
were responsible, mainly because
every waiter, waitress and bar person
seemed to wear Zest livery and
I was offered a dozen of their business
cards.
Marina wasn’t there when I went
to Aroma; she was catering the Portuguese
National Day; so her business
partner Kahlua Clarke showed
me around. Born in Nairobi, Kenya,
of Italian parents, she says her first
name is down to her father loving
the eponymous strongly alcoholic
Mexican coffee liqueur! (Amazing…
I could have been called Tetley’s Bitter!)
Kahlua ran Italian restaurants
in London for 13 years, coming here
about a decade ago.
Set in large mature gardens,
the coffee shop/restaurant shares
a rambling former Colonial-style
home with a hairdressing salon,
gym and vitamin bar. It was a warmand-cool
day, depending on the
clouds. Sadly not nice enough to eat
al fresco under venerable trees as
comical Silky bantams and guineafowl
scratched in colourful herbaceous
borders.
I love ravioli, but it was already
sold out, so I went for the Italian
platter off the blackboard specials
at US$12. The Italians call this dish
antipasti and enjoy it BEFORE a
substantial main course.
Served on a large white rectangular
plate it comprised mortadella (sausage/salami)
and delicious Parma
ham, mushrooms, grilled aubergine
(brinjal/eggplant), sun-dried
tomatoes, fresh cherry tomatoes
with home-made pesto, thinly sliced
Parmesan cheese, gorgeously unctuous
black un-pitted olives in olive
oil and garlic; toasted home-baked
bread spread with olive oil. It was
a wonderful taste of the Mediterranean,
full of flavour and freshness.
Service was a bit laid-back in a
sunny south Italian way, but everything
is freshly made to order
so pastas, for instance, will take
around 15 minutes. People around
me ate pasta: penne with salmon or
gnocchi (I haven’t had a decent one
since Genoa, must try this) and blue
cheese and mushrooms at US$15,
or spaghetti with tuna and pesto,
US$12.
I asked if Aroma were licensed
(to sell booze), it isn’t, BYOB, no
corkage; Kahlua promptly served a
glass of a nice, crisp, cold Cape dry
wine from her own stock, gratis. (I
wasn’t hinting.)
Panini looked splendid, especially
Roma, which stars grilled fillet
steak and caramelised onions,
with Feta cheese, aioli and rocket at
US$10.I finished with a very generous
slice of moist iced carrot cake
decorated with halved walnuts and
a mug of Illy filter coffee with biscotti.
Bottom line: US$17.
Dusty Miller rating (maximum
for unlicensed eateries is four stars)
FOUR STARS!
Aroma Caffé, 5, Hurworth Rd,
Highlands. Tel 497888 0778 598 918
aromacaffe5@gmail.com
Opens Monday-to-Saturday
7:30am-4:30 pm (breakfast served
all day); unlicensed; eat indoors or
out; smoking outdoors; background
music: light Italian opera; safe onsite
parking; child and handicapped
friendly; no dogs.
dustym@zimind.co.zw;
dustymiller46@gmail.com
Kahlua Clarke, one of the partners in the
coffee shop
Penne with salmon
Roma panini with fillet steak
$27.00 $21.00
$32.00 $59.00 $58.00
$56.90
Valid to 30th April, 2014
Whilst Stocks Last

June 15 to 21 2014 THE STANDARD STYLE / FOOD & DRINK/FATHER’S DAY SPECIAL 17

18 THE STANDARD STYLE / FOOD & DRINK / SPIRITS
June 15 to 21 2014
Raise a glass
Grey Goose vodka
Dusty Miller
YOU may have seen a rather expensive new
brand of vodka in Zimbabwe’s cocktail bars
With a distinctive smoky bottle and attractive
designs, Grey Goose is a premium brand vodka
produced in France. It was originally founded by Sydney
Frank, before its 2004 sale to Bacardi.
I have a bottle in my fridge to celebrate a memorably
special day sometime in the future. I also have a
litre bottle of vintage port for the same event!
In Zimbabwe, Grey Goose was launched about nine
months ago by importers, Brands Africa, at a ritzy
party which tied in with the opening of the roof bar
at plush Mekka in Borrowdale Village.
At the launch we drank probably ludicrous quantities
of the new drink in exotic cocktails and as the old
favourite vodka and coke but neither I, not my guest,
felt the worse for wear next (working day!) morning.
Several years ago I was given an early bottle at Victoria
Falls for helping judge a cooking competition
and that sat in my fridge for yonks until I wrapped
it nicely and handed it to a lady friend for her 40th
birthday party at Victoria 22. It was truly something
worthwhile you could give a girl who had, apparently,
everything!
On an Emirates flight to London from Dubai, I
propped up the bar at the back of Business Class in
the Airbus A380, the world’s largest, classiest passenger
liner chatting to an amiable Pom who’d been
pouring it down his throat all the way from Brisbane,
Australia, plus during a couple of hours in the
Lounge at Dubai and seemed in good nick when we
touched down at Heathrow. The likeable Arab mixologist
urged me to try a tot or two, but I stuck to lager!
At a party at the Durban July last year, Grey Goose
was on optic, but it was R75 a metric tot and the cocktail
barman said we’d have to take the whole bottle at
optic prices! I wasn’t sure if hosts, Kwa-Zulu Natal
Tourist Board would be too chuffed with that!
Grey Goose was created by Sidney Frank Importing
Co (SFIC) in the summer of 1996. The initial
idea was to develop a luxury vodka for the American
market, something Frank had been considering for a
while when he came up with the name.
Development of the product followed
this initial intent. After its
launch in the US, Grey Goose became
very popular due to a “confluence of
timing and trends” in addition to
guerilla marketing techniques. Grey
Goose was purposely made more expensive
than other premium vodka
brands in order to produce a better
product and create a “super-premium”
category in the American liquor
market.
SFIC partnered cognac producer
François Thibault (a French cellar
master) in order to transition his
stills from cognac to vodka production.
The company purposely selected
France due to the country’s
culinary history and to differentiate
itself from other vodkas from Eastern
Europe.
Water used to produce the vodka
came from natural French springs,
filtered through Champagne limestone
and made with locally produced
French wheat. The company
also developed its distinctive smoked
glass bottle featuring French geese
in flight, delivering the product in
Main picture and overlap: Street scenes in the part of France where Grey Goose
vodka is made
Bottom: Luxury in a bottle! Grey Goose is a “super-premium” drink…and
didn’t give me a hangover!
wooden crates similar to wine.
In 1998 Grey Goose was named Best Tasting Vodka
in the world by the Beverage Tasting Institute of Chicago.
The firm was sold to Bacardi for US$2,2 billion
in 2004. That year Grey Goose was the best-selling
premium brand vodka in the United States with more
than 1,5 million cases sold.
Wheat used in making Grey Goose vodka is grown
in Picardy, France and it is distilled in the same region,
north and east of Paris; distillate is then sent
to Cognac where it is blended with spring water and
bottled. The grain used in Grey Goose is soft winter
wheat, sown in October, harvested in August, providing
it with four additional months of growth compared
to summer wheat. Grain sold to Grey Goose is
categorised as “superior bread-making wheat”, and
soft as opposed to hard.
Enzymes are used to break down carbohydrates
into fermentable sugars. Fermentation takes place
continuously over six cascading tanks and then
distilled into spirit using a five step process. Water
comes from a natural spring 150 metres below the
blending facility in Cognac, which is lined with limestone,
making it calcium-rich. The vodka is also filtered
through a copper system to impart additional
flavours. That water is then filtered to remove impurities.
After filtration, vodka is bottled in a plant
dedicated solely to Grey Goose, which is bottled with
a replaceable cork rather than screw-top cap.
Grey Goose was the first vodka to be made in the
cellar master tradition, allowing aromas to be produced
in the distillation process specific to it. It is
made from 100% French ingredients. Flavoured
versions of the vodka have been made. For instance,
Grey Goose La Poire was the result of Thibault’s relationship
with a Parisian pastry chef,
whose pear tart inspired the recipe for
the new vodka flavour.
At Mekka, we thought Grey Goose
vodka did not create excess heat on the
palate while being consumed, creating
a smoothness in flavour. Grey Goose Le
Citron is lemon-flavoured vodka tasting
of lemon zest and juice. Grey Goose
Cherry Noir is black cherry flavoured
vodka, Grey Goose L’Orange is orange
flavored vodka and the since withdrawn
Grey Goose La Vanille tasted of vanilla
with hints of cinnamon and caramel.
The company has sponsored Grey
Goose Taste by Appointment events in
which personal mixologists attempt to
match Grey Goose cocktails to the taste
profiles of patrons at upscale establishments.
The brand is also a major sponsor
of prestige sporting events in the
First World.
Recommended retail price in Zimbabwe
from a bottle store or supermarket
is US$45,50 a bottle, according to Glen
Lorne Cellars; probably between US$4
and US$6 a tot in cocktail bars.
dustym@zimind.co.zw;
dustymiller 46@gamail.com

THE STANDARD STYLE
FAMILY
Chaora family
Send us pictures of your family and a short caption of your values. Email your
photos with the weekly code in the subject heading to style@standard.co.zw
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“The happiest moments in
my life have been the few
which I have passed at home
in the bosom of my family.”
Thomas Jefferson

20 THE STANDARD STYLE / FAMILY / KIDS
June 15 to 21 2014
Teach them to
read young
Part
Two
Prudence Muganiwah
IN the first part of this series on parenting
our young ones, we spoke of the transition
from the potty to the loo, the constant
whining and tears to the nagging
endless questions from your little infants
as they change from babies to little inquisitive
minds, your very own [Albert] Einstein.
Emphasis was put on major points which included;
Find the right level in terms of using
the right books, engaging your child’s teachers
and fellow parents to ensure a mutual
understanding of his/her progress, periodical
assessment of your child’s progress, and
inevitably the most crucial aspect of making
regular time together in order to bond with
them.
I would like to discuss further this phase
wherein you as a parent are trying to understand
your child’s needs as they grow
and comprehend more of what is happening
around them. There are a few pointers that
may make the whole task of grooming your
children into well-rounded individuals less
daunting than it already is:
1. Be a role model
One thing every parent needs to know is that
young children are like sponges, they tend
to soak up everything and every influence
around them. They will observe everything
happening around them and most probably
put it into practice as much as they can.
From an early age it is important therefore,
for you as a parent to teach your young one
to have good manners and the best way to
achieve this is to behave in a mannerly way
as well. This can be achieved by role playing
with your child. For instance, practise how
to be courteous when using the telephone,
when welcoming visitors, table manners and
so on.
2. Teach the five most important phrases
As part of learning to be a well-behaved and
groomed young person, every child needs
to know these five phrases as part of their
primary vocabulary. As a parent you ideally
should even begin using them when your
child is still a baby, but enforce them in the
3 to 5-year phase. These are; Thank you,
Please, May I..?, Excuse me, No, thank you.
3. Always encourage
Children love praise and being complimented
on every effort they make, especially
when it comes from a parent or loved one.
Very often, as a parent, you may find that you
usually only actively respond to your child’s
undesirable behaviour, ignoring their small
victories or positive actions completely. Children
need attention always and your encouragement
will push them to want to achieve
more.
4. Correct children on the spot
It is usually the case that young children will
fail to realise the implications of what they
are doing, and this is especially so if you do
not tell them off. For instance, if you are having
a conversation with a friend and your
child interrupts you, excuse yourself from
your friend and let your child
know that his or her interruption
is inappropriate. This will go a
long way in achieving desired results
in your child in as far as social
etiquette is concerned.
In conclusion, it is of paramount
importance that you know
that your child thinks the world
of you; you are their primary role
model. As such your habits, the
way you talk and dress etc should
reflect what you want your child to
emulate. Speak well, avoid slang,
rude, vulgar or other undesirable
forms of speech unless you want
your child to be like that. Obviously
as an individual you are bound
to have strong opinions about a
particular group or person.
Try as much as you can to not
make this a public point unnecessarily
– this is because you do
not want your child to follow your
negative feelings about those even
before they have a chance to find
out for themselves. Do not make
generalised statements about certain
groups on tribal, party lines,
you may form an opinion in the
child.
In the best way you can, teach
your children to judge a person
by the content of their character rather than
dismiss them at face value. These may seem
basic steps, but they are most vital in grooming
your child into a little pleasant person.

June 15 to 21 2014 THE STANDARD STYLE / FAMILY / TEEN ZONE 21
Part
Three
Dealing with Teens
Prudence Muganiwah
PREVIOUSLY we have discussed parenting
teenagers and tips on how to handle
them, some of which include giving
them responsibility over their lives, acknowledging
and embracing the changes and
development, engaging them on a personal
level and communicating openly with them
at the right level, maintaining the parental
role and most importantly, communicating
and finding time to be together. As your teen
moves through the paces of this phase, it is
important to know that a lot of gradual and
sometimes sudden changes will keep occurring,
thus it is vital that you keep up with
them in order to understand them better. Here
are more tips to help you along this exciting,
confusing and surprise-filled journey that
your child has embarked on.
Respect
It is important that before wearing your parenting
cap on, before imparting any advice,
discipline or reprimanding lectures, you acknowledge
that your teen is in fact a human
being who so happens to be your child. You
need to show her/him respect at all times – a
feat which continually seems to be difficult for
most parents in our cultural context, presumably
because we value seniority.
What constant screaming and barking orders
at a child only achieves in the long run
is a damage of their emotions, resentment
towards you and more commonly rebellion
at later stages. This is when you find a teen
girl who is always yelled at for a boyfriend
will jump at the first opportunity to have a
boyfriend, often with disastrous consequences
such as unplanned teenage pregnancies.
Similarly, the 14 and 15 year old boys who
are banned from any social life or constantly
reprimanded about their “dodgy” friends will
use any chance they get to try out smoking,
sex with experienced older women, pornography,
alcohol and illegal driving. If your child
is good, give him/her credit as opposed to assuming
the worst. No one (including yourself),
likes to be belittled and your child is no different.
You need to respect your child’s lifestyle,
their opinions and general approach to life.
This will be the first step in reaching a compromise
with them as well as understanding
them better.
Trust
Prefer a reasonable talk with your teenager
as opposed to setting illogical rules as you
then run the risk of either blatant disregard
or simply, more lying. For instance, if you set
a strict and absolute rule; “No child of mine
shall come back from school later than 3pm” –
are you giving room for extracurricular activities
after school or lessons that overlap? Have
you considered travel time for your child? If
not, then you might be setting yourself up for
disaster as he/she will feel mistrusted. These
are the kind of teens who will then lie and
maximise on mischief before 3pm, because
they know that for as long as they are home
on time, they are safe. And to be honest as the
parent who set that rule, you will find yourself
relaxing on studying your child’s habits just
because they meet their curfew. Try not to always
assume the worst, take the time to ask
about their day and perhaps you will be able to
build enough of an open and positive relationship
that they will feel comfortable talking to
you if they ever have problems. Teenhood is
a phase that is synonymous with fear of social
acceptance, of friends, of teachers, and
of competition among peers. The pressure is
such that they certainly don't need their parents
adding to the pressure. Thus at home you
as a parent should be their sanctuary away
from all these other fears; a place where they
feel safe, protected and understood. Stop the
habit of immediately looking at your teen with
a suspicion-filled eye; your being overboard
strict and unsympathetic will not stop them
from being naughty, rather it will just mean
that they will try a lot harder to hide it from
you and do it during whatever time they are
away from you or home. It follows then that if
they got into trouble, they probably would not
tell you. However, if you work to keep an open
mind, you will probably be able to help them
make positive, informed and wise choices.
Establish boundaries
Whilst it is important to be open with your
child and understanding them, it is also vital
to strike a balance to as to ensure that your
authority as a parent is felt and respected.
Just like in any other institution or habitat,
every member of the household has an obligation
to fulfill if they want their rights to
be acknowledged and respected. Thus, it is
important that your teen knows that they are
part of the team that makes the household
run. No one person should shoulder the entire
responsibility. This means that everyone does
their part and makes sure it is done perfectly
whether it is cleaning of bedrooms, helping to
set up the dinner table, taking the garbage out,
replacing toilet rolls in the bathrooms, doing
homework, and so on. It is important that you
assign these chores and let them suffer appropriate
consequences upon failure to do their
chores. Instead of arguing and fighting with
them when they don't perform, let them suffer
the consequences. Whatever favour they then
ask for, for instance when they then ask to go
out with their friends and their chores are not
done, you can say, "Oh, that sounds interesting.
But unfortunately, I have told you that you
need to clean up your room and you have not
done anything about it. I'm sorry you can't go."
Make sure you stick to your pattern, do not
necessarily fume or yell, but just impart discipline
as courteously as possible. That way
the message is even louder and clearer – kids
usually do not really listen when their parents
shout at them. All they register in their minds
is, “Mum/Dad is angry, I will wait till she is
done talking then I will say I am sorry.”
Here are some useful tips that may go a long
way in cementing your relationship with you
teen:
• When it's just the two of you riding in the
car, get into the habit of sharing turns listening
to the radio; your music tastes are probably
different, but be fair.
• Go to their events with them; if they like
sports or music, get involved and go to their
games and concerts.
• For any small achievement attained by
your child, the first person they usually think
of as they receive it is their parents. So if
they win any awards, give them credit for it,
take the whole family out for lunch, buy them
US$5 airtime, or simply make a fancy dinner
in their honour. These are easy, fun things you
can do for your teen that will cement a lifelong
healthy relationship between the two of
you.
• Listen to what your teen has to say, don't
just hear them. If they have tried to get your
attention then chances are they have something
important to say.
Dear parents, kindly remember that the
brain of a teenager is a work in progress – even
scientific research shows that the brain does
is not entirely developed until a person is well
into their twenties or even thirties. So while it
may seem to be logical to treat our teenagers
as though they are capable of adult reasoning,
the truth is they're not. Their brains are in a
critical stage of development and the need for
you to be there for them through this is inevitable.
Above all, remember; how you treat your
family is who you truly are.

22 THE STANDARD STYLE / FAMILY / HEALTH
June 15 to 21 2014
Winter
illnesses
SOME Health problems, such as asthma, sore throat and cold sores, are triggered or
worsened by cold weather. Here’s how to help your body deal with cold weather ailments.
Colds
You can help prevent colds by washing your hands regularly. This destroys bugs that
you may have picked up from touching surfaces used by other people, such as light
switches and door handles. It’s also important to keep the house and any household
items, such as cups, glasses and towels, clean, especially if someone in your house is ill.
Top tip: If you get a cold, use disposable tissues instead of cloth handkerchiefs to
avoid constantly re-infecting your own hands.
Sore throat
Sore throats are common in winter and are almost always caused by viral infections.
There’s some evidence that changes in temperature, such as going from a warm, centrally
heated room to the icy outdoors, can also affect the throat.
Top tip: One quick and easy remedy for a sore throat is to gargle with warm salty
water. It won’t heal the infection, but it has anti-inflammatory properties and can have
a soothing effect. Dissolve one teaspoon of salt in a glass of part-cooled boiled water.
Asthma
Cold air is a major trigger of asthma symptoms, such as wheezing and shortness of
breath. People with asthma should be especially careful in winter.
Top tip: Stay indoors on very cold, windy days. If you do go out, wear a scarf over
your nose and mouth. Be extra vigilant about taking your regular medications and
keep rescue inhalers close by and in a warm place.
Norovirus
Also known as the winter vomiting bug, norovirus is an extremely infectious stomach
bug. It can strike all year round, but is more common in winter and in places such as hotels
and schools. The illness is unpleasant but it’s usually over within a couple of days.
Top tip: When people are ill with vomiting and diarrhea, it’s important to drink
plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration. Young children and the elderly are especially at
risk. By drinking oral rehydration fluids (available from pharmacies), you can reduce
the risks of dehydration.
Painful joints
Many people with arthritis say their joints become more painful in winter, though it’s
not clear why this is so. Only joint symptoms, such as pain and stiffness, are affected
by the weather. There’s no evidence that changes in the weather cause joint damage.
Top tip: Many people get a little depressed during the winter months and this can
make them perceive pain more acutely. Everything feels worse, including medical conditions.
Daily exercise can boost a person’s mental and physical state. Swimming is
ideal as it’s easy on the joints.
Cold sores
Most of us recognise that cold sores are a sign that we’re run down or under stress.
While there’s no cure for cold sores, you can reduce the chances of getting one by looking
after yourself through winter.
Top tip: Every day, do things that make you feel less stressed, such as having a hot
bath, going for a walk in the park or watching one of your favourite films.
Heart attacks
Heart attacks are more common in winter. This may be because cold snaps increase
blood pressure and put more strain on the heart. Your heart also has to work harder to
maintain body heat when it’s cold.
Top tip: Stay warm in your home. Keep the main rooms you use at 21C (70F) and use
a hot water bottle or electric blanket to keep warm in bed. Wrap up warm when you go
out and wear a hat, scarf and gloves.
Cold hands
Raynaud’s phenomenon is a common condition that makes your fingers and toes
change colour and become very painful in cold weather. Fingers can go white, then
blue, then red and throb and tingle. It’s a sign of poor circulation in the small blood
vessels of the hands and feet. In severe cases, medication can help, but most people live
with their symptoms.
Top tip: Don’t smoke or drink caffeine (they can both worsen symptoms) and always
wear warm gloves, socks and shoes when going out in cold weather.
Dry skin
Dry skin is a common condition and is often worse during the winter when environmental
humidity is low.
Moisturising is essential during winter. Contrary to popular belief, moisturising lotions
and creams aren’t absorbed by the skin. Instead, they act as a sealant to stop the
skin’s natural moisture from evaporating away. The best time to apply moisturiser is
after a bath or shower while your skin is still moist, and again at bedtime.
Top tip: Have warm rather than hot showers. Water that is too hot makes skin feel
more dry and itchy. Hot water will also make your hair look dull and dry.
Flu
Flu is a major killer of vulnerable people. People aged 65 and over and people with longterm
health conditions including diabetes and kidney disease are particularly at risk.
The best way to prevent getting flu is to have the flu jab (or Flu nasal spray for children
under-18). It gives good protection against flu and lasts for one year.-NHS

June 15 to 21 2014
THE STANDARD STYLE / FAMILY / EDUCATION 23
The basis of a
good Education
IN the previous issue we spoke on the vitality of
education, its importance and relevance as a basic
tool for survival in the ever-changing society
we find ourselves in today. Whilst it is important
for every individual to attain at least a basic
academic education, it is also equally important for
parents and guardians to set the correct base for
their children in order to almost guarantee a good,
sound education. In the Zimbabwean context, we
have quite a number of private schools which have
been consistently performing well over the years.
Some of them have junior/elementary schools
from where they take their students, whilst others
carry out oral and written interviews before enrolling
any students. This is done mostly to ensure that
they maintain their academic standards, although
some schools of thought have argued against this
apparently selective method. This argument is
amongst many more, some of which include the
viewpoint that private schools can be very expensive
and they may shield students from social and
economic challenges due to a wide variety of privileges.
That being said, whilst government schools have
a lot to offer in terms of qualified teachers, discipline,
academic excellence and sometimes a good
religious foundation, it is also worth it to find
out what the fuss is about private schools. What
is it that private schools offer that government
schools do not? Is it really worth the extra money?
It is important for every person who is concerned
with their education or that of their child to take
a closer look at what the education system in Zimbabwe,
and indeed, beyond has to offer. This is the
fun part of the process as one gets to visit websites
and maybe tour schools, considering which one
best suits their needs in terms of budget. Visiting
schools is critical as one simply cannot rely on the
opinions of others or often misleading websites to
tell what a school is like in reality. Here are some of
the most common reasons private schools may be a
good foundation for a good education:
Small Classes
One of the main reasons many parents choose private
schools is because the classes are small, thus
teacher to student ratios are typically quite small
and class sizes can be as small as 10-20 students. A
small teacher to student ratio is significantly important
in the sense that there is more personal
attention and it becomes very rare that one’s child
gets lost in the shuffle. Even the school population
itself in a private school is usually small, ranging
from usually 300-400 students – which is much
smaller than the typical public high school. A
good example is Ruzawi School, a private
institution in Marondera founded in 1928,
which has a very small population of
students.
Superb Facilities
Extracurricular activities are a
major part of private schools,
consequently they usually have
superb facilities to cater for every
discipline for their students and
participation, while optional, is expected.
Many of them offer a wide
range of extra mural activities such
as cricket, hockey, racquet sports,
swimming, chess, archery, music, ballet,
karate, and a host of other activities
that will ensure that one gets a well rounded
education. They also typically have the upto-date
facilities to house and support all these
activities, as well as a professional staff to manage
these. One just has to think of sporting excellence
that comes from schools such as St. John’s College
and St. George’s High School in Harare. The importance
of extra mural activities cannot go unmentioned
as they help in producing successful sportsmen,
lawyers from debating societies, and artists
for our arts industry. The norm in public schools
is that in tough economic times, the first activities
to be removed from the curriculum are the extras
such as sports, arts programs and extracurricular
activities, which basically means if a child is not
academically gifted, their talent in those other disciplines
suffer and are not developed any further.
Personal Development
Private schools usually, through their values, teachings
and rules, equip their students with personal
development skills. An Arundel School girl’s etiquette
is very apparent in even the first few moments
of interacting with her, same goes for the
courtesy one is bound to find in a Twin Rivers boy
or a Dominican Convent infant. While the major focus
at school is getting one ready for college, one’s
personal development is usually worked on and improved
by the time they attain their last certificate
and graduate from school. Students usually emerge
from there with academic excellence, discipline
as well as a greater purpose for their life as they
achieve a lot in lessons taught outside of the academic
curriculum.
EXTRA-ORDINARY GENERAL MEETING OF
AVONDALE PRIMARY SCHOOL
NOTICE TO PARENTS /GUARDIANS
Notice is hereby given that an Extra-ordinary General Meeting
of parents/guardians of Avondale Primary will be held on
Saturday the 28th of June 2014 at 1400 hours in the Avondale
Junior School Hall for the purposes of
Ordinary business
1. To receive and adopt 2014 recurrent expenditure budget,
2. To receive and adopt 2014 Capital expenditure budget,
Inserted by S.D.A Chairperson
Mehlomakulu, W. Mr
S.D.A Chairperson

24 THE STANDARD STYLE / FAMILY /GETAWAY
Bike Ride for
Borradaile:
Fun in the sun raising
money for a worthy cause
Rosie Mitchell
June 15 to 21 2014
MY choice of a birthday treat might not have
been everyone’s, but it ticked all my boxes
for the perfect way to spend a day! A while
ago the free Active Sports emailing list (wellworth
getting if you like outdoor adventures and
strenuous fun, see www.activesports.co.zw) circulated
a flyer for a mountain biking (MTB) event to raise
money for the retirement home Borradaile Trust
in Marondera. This caught my eye immediately as
it involved cycling 52km cross country through the
bush from Borradaile Trust to Imire Game Conservancy,
on dirt tracks and paths – definitely my idea of
fun. This event has been held for several years, with
participants increasing annually. A fun cycle rather
than a race, it attracts families and friends who team
up to enjoy a great day out. A longer 75km ride is also
offered for the “racing snakes”!
While some of our family headed out to the Imire
finishing point at the dam inside the Conservancy,
we cyclists arrived for the civilised 8.30am start at
Borradaile. 108 cyclists of all ages gathered to take
part so it was very festive! The route was wonderful;
a brief stretch of tar through the outskirts of
Marondera and soon we were onto dirt and into the
bush. The rolling landscape was really beautiful; a
mix of msasa woodland, granite dwala, kopje and
open grassland, on a well-marked route taking us
over whalebacks and rivers, grassy paths and dirt
roads and tracks. It was pretty easy going apart from
some very sandy segments, and one long stretch of
dirt road that had fierce corrugations and was a bone
rattling experience for all! There were two friendly
water points for a break, ice cold drink and banana,
and we carried extra drink and snacks. Our group
took it gently and stopped to take photos and admire
the landscape; others raced ahead and tested their
MTB skills on the varied terrain.
It was sunny, clear and surprisingly hot for the
time of year, and towards the end of our ride, we
were beginning to feel the heat but enjoying ourselves
nonetheless! The dam and picnic site where
the route ended was beautiful and there was a carnival
atmosphere, with cyclists, families and friends
braai-ing, eating and drinking. Soon, four elephants
arrived to drink, causing quite a stir, their presence
much enjoyed by everyone.
This fund-raiser was very successful; well-organised,
well-supported by sponsors and participants,
and bringing in a substantial amount for the longestablished
old people’s home, as well as giving those
who have not sampled the delights of Imire, a taste
of what is on offer. Lots of families went on guided
game drives during the afternoon, and enjoyed seeing
some of Imire’s other resident animals - rhino,
buffalo, kudu, zebra, giraffe, kudu, impala and more.
Imire offers day trips as well as lodge accommodation
for longer visits.
Family fun participating in fund-raising cycles/
walks/runs
This is just one example of many such events held
each year, both to raise money for worthy causes, and
to encourage families to get out in the fresh air and
enjoy some health-enhancing exercise with socialising
and fun at the end. These events are “feel good”
experiences in so many ways; the exercise itself is
good for you, you’ll feel great knowing your registration
fee and some of the sponsors’ contributions are
going to a charity or organisation really needing a
financial boost, and you can enjoy a weekend outing
with family and friends. Just a few examples are the
AWARE Trust’s Run-Walk-Ride for Rhino Conservation
events, with varied distances, through the scenic
Game Parks at Lake Chivero late last year, and Lake
Mutirikwe in May this year; the Veterinarians for
Animal Welfare (VAWZ) fundraising mountain bike
(MTB) cycle through the Mazowe Valley, annually
in late July; the Mukuvisi 21, a run/walk/ride with
10km and 21km routes through beautiful Mukuvisi
Woodlands, this year slated for September; the Jacaranda
Challenge each November, featuring a 20km
run and 45km and 60km MTB ride through Matobo
National Park; the Pink and Orange Triathlon events,
with distances for all abilities and ages, for Breast
Cancer Awareness and KidzCan and in October and
February respectively; and the Rooney’s Family Fun
run (5k, 15k) in September annually with varying
beneficiary charities – last year’s was Rhino Conservation.
Spar Family Fun Run for Childline today
Today, registration for the annual Spar Family Fun
Run/Walk in aid of Childline starts 8am at Old Georgians
Sport Club. The event kicks off at 9am with a
5km walk and 10km run. There are a host of sponsors
-- The Standard included – and lots of stands and
refreshments. This is always an enjoyable, festive
event -- so give it a go! Feedback: rosie@wildimaginings.net.

June 15 to 21 2014 THE STANDARD STYLE / FAMILY / BANKING 25
Use your
STANBIC VISA CARD
to pay your CIPS membership fees
You can also use our
Telegraphic Transfer and Bank Drafts
to make these payments.
EXPIRY
DATE
With your Visa Card you can also perform:
• Online Payments
• POS purchases globally
• ATM transactions 24/7 globally
• Transaction on Zimswitch enabled
ATMs & POS terminals.
www.stanbicbank.co.zw
TBWA\1357H

26 THE STANDARD STYLE /COMMUNITY/ BREAKING NEW GROUND
June 15 to 21 2014
What’s booking at
The Spotlight
Harare’s central booking office
Reps Theatre Foyer, Belgravia Shopping Centre
Tel: (04) 308159 or 0771 357204
Open Mon-Fri 9am to 4pm, Sat 9am to 12 noon
Direct from its sold-out run at HIFA
GOODNIGHT HARARE
Written by Elinor Kennedy
and directed by Simbarashe Masusela
Theatre Upstairs at Reps
Three performances only: Fri June 20 and Sat June 21
(7pm) plus Sat matinee at 2.30pm
Tickets $10
It’s a laugh on all of us!
Another HIFA success but this time with an
extended version!
Any Other World
A dance sensation from the 8 Count Dance Crew
Choreographed by Michelle Nativel
Thurs Jun 26, Fri Jun 27, Sat Jun 28 at 7pm, Plus Sat Jun 28
at 2.30pm
Thurs Jul 3, Fri Jul 4, Sat Jul 5 at 7pm, Plus Sat Jul 5 at
2.30pm
Tickets $10 and $12
Continuing the celebration of 450 years of Shakespeare ..
THE WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE FILM FESTIVAL
Featuring 20 film versions of his greatest plays,
ideal for lovers of literature and students
Theatre Upstairs at Reps
Sunday June 29 to Sunday July 13
Performances 7pm nightly
Plus 4pm on Saturdays and Sundays
Tickets $5 with discounts for season tickets
Call The Spotlight to find out the schedule of movies and
screenings
or visit www.reps.co.zw
Live on stage at Reps for the first time, the acclaimed
CHITUNGWIZA HARMONY SINGERS
Thurs Jul 24, Fri Jul 25 and Sat Jul 26 (7pm), Plus matinee
Sat Jul 26 at 2.30pm
Tickets $5, $10 and $12
One of Zimbabwe’s leading vocal groups with a superb
line-up
Also on sale:
latest copies of Ndeipi
and
Out of Africa magazines
and
Jump Theatre, How to Make a Play
The essential handbook for everyone involved in
drama and theatre,
Written by Kevin Hanssen
Plus
InnSider Cards
for discounts offered by the Best of Zimbabwe grouping
(new InnSider cards and renewals can be done at
The Spotlight)
Also on sale:
airtime for
Econet – NetOne – Telecel
and
uMax
AND
latest copies of community free papers
Harare News and Zimtrader
Reps membership forms also available!
If you would like to sell tickets through
The Spotlight
call the Reps office mornings only
335850 for information
Driven by passion rather than by
material gain: Faith’s enduring faith
Patricia Mabviko-Musanhu
EVERY young person has aspirations of growing up
to have the best of everything in life. They look forward
to getting a good job that is highly rewarding
or running a successful business that will afford
them a good life, a lovely home and a “fancy” car to complete
the picture.
Faith Ruramai Mavengere had just finished her university
degree in Social Work in 2009 and was fortunate
to get an opportunity to be attached to a research organisation
in Zimbabwe. While on attachment she was
offered a job by a very big institution, which job would
fulfill her desires practise as a social worker, a field she
is very passionate about. The job offer was in Kariba
and that meant that she had to relocate from Harare.
On August 4 2010, Faith moved to Kariba with all the
excitement and expectation that any young university
graduate when they have found a new job. She saw this
as an opportunity to accomplish all of her dreams. She
looked forward to seeing her new office and dreamt of
the many things that she would be able to afford now
that she was going to get a salary.
As anyone would, she made an effort to look very
smart when she went to work on her first day. To her
utmost dismay, she was told that the institution had not
secured offices yet and was led to a cabin which would
be her office. There was no proper building, no fancy
desk, no swiveling chair, no computer, no laptop, no air
conditioner and no phone as she had imagined. In fact,
the cabin was some old shabby and shaky stand alone
structure. There was no toilet and she soon discovered
that she had to go behind some trees to relieve herself.
Faith was devastated. After four years of hard work at
university this is not what she had dreamt of for a job,
not even for a first job! As with any job, she was expected
to start work immediately. Faith decided to focus on
what she loved the most, practicing as a social worker
and ignored the rest. She was the only female officer out
of three employees. She adjusted to this difficult environment
and got on to work. Most of the work was out
in the field and involved travelling and speaking to individuals
and families from all walks of life around Kariba,
both rural and urban. There was no car to use and
they had to rely on public transport. This made it even
more difficult as they had no money and it would be a
month before they received their salaries. Most of the
times they would jump into an open truck and sit at the
back. Faith remembers days when it rained and they
had to endure getting drenched at the back of the truck.
The important thing became to serve the communities
that desperately needed them. As social workers, they
would be involved in helping the poorest of the poor by
distributing grain, issuing out seed vouchers to families,
cash distribution for supplementary up keep as well
as doing follow-up visits in homes on child protection
cases. There were times when they travelled from ward
to ward and had to find a place to sleep at schools and
local clinics because they had no money. Each time after
work Faith and her two fellow employees would have
to look for firewood, to cook and fetch water for bathing.
Being a woman, she naturally became the “mother
figure” of the team and would ensure that they found
everything they needed. Faith became more and more
hopeful towards the end of the month as she looked forward
to receiving her salary. However, at the end of the
first month she was told that the institution could not
pay her as they were still to receive funding for the programme.
In fact, it would be a year before Faith received
a salary. However, through all this adversity, she served
the organisation and the communities faithfully. Each
time they came back from field work they were required
to type out their reports. Because they had no computers
Faith and her workmates had to run around asking
for help to type the reports against deadlines. After the
second year of her work, Faith was diagnosed with TB
as a result of exposure to cold, dust and poor diet. At the
time that Faith began taking medication for TB, the institution
she worked for received funding and with this
came laptops, computers, a salary and an opportunity
for her and her team mates to receive training. She enrolled
for a Post Graduate Diploma in Child Sensitive
Social Policies, a programme she completed in 2013. She
passed with flying colours despite the fact that she was
on TB treatment and had was still working in Kariba
which required her to travel to Harare in the evenings
to attend school every weekend.
At the end of 2013, opportunities for a new post arose
within the institution she worked for. Subsequently she
was transferred to Harare where she is working today.
The situation is very good and resembles what she envisaged
to find when she first went out to Kariba .
This is what she had to say about the experience she
went through. “In life you will meet challenging situations.
It’s up to you to take up the challenge or to leave it.
Always remember that even when everything else fails,
your passion will carry you through!”
• Patricia Mabviko Musanhu is a Company Director/Producer
at Black and White Media Productions.
She can be contacted at pmabviko@gmail.com

June 15 to 21 2014
THE STANDARD STYLE / COMMUNITY 27
Dusty Miller
ONE of the nicest, most funfilled
mornings out I’ve had
in yonks was recently at the
SPCA Autumn Fun Dog Show
and Autumn Walk, two kilometres
from my Eastlea cottage, at Mukuvisi
Woodlands.
I’m sure everyone except Zimbabwe’s
equivalent of Cruella de Vil
accepts that the SPCA does a wonderful
job and visitors to Mukuvisi
heard they need the staggering,
but not totally unreachable, sum of
US$17 000 a month to keep the worthy
charity operating. At any time
they care for up to 100 homeless and
Wagging
tails and
tales from
Mukuvisi SPCA
fund-raiser
rescued dogs and 60 cats, many sick,
injured or abandoned by heartless
humans.
Two-legged supporters turned
out in their scores if not hundreds
to cheer dozens of four-legged entrants
in various humorous dog
show classes.
This was not so much Crufts* as
Scruffs with dogs and handlers entering
19 events such as Best Lookalike
Dog and Handler, Prettiest
(canine) Bitch, Best Rescued Dogs,
Most Handsome Dog, Swankiest
Dog and best Pedigree Chum Eater
race.
There were puppies, tiny dogs,
medium-sized dogs, large dog and
ginormous dogs, all apparently coexisting
well. I can’t recall a badnatured
bark, growl or scared yowl.
German Shepherd Dogs were
very apparent and two teenaged
sisters next to me bemoaned the
fact they couldn’t take one SPCA
temporary resident home to accompany
the splendid looking dog
with them, which they entered in
several classes.
Talking to them over coffee I
learnt the family lost its productive
Enterprise Valley to so-called war
vets during the lunatic land reform
“programme”. They’d managed to
keep their cats and dogs together in
a leafy Harare suburb, but hadn’t
space for any more.
Many dogs were in fancy dress
and some dressed just like their
owners/handlers. (Or was it the other
way round?)
There was an English Bulldog I
expected to make a Churchillian
speech about landing grounds and
the British Empire and French Poodles
done up like Marseilles hookers!
and a veritable sea of wagging
tales.
Handlers varied between toddlers
(with parents shouting advice) to
folk who have (hopefully) been on
pension at least a decade.
Busy market stalls included those
selling jams, pickles, preserves,
marmalades and honey; bric-a-brac,
antiques, books and second-hand
clothing; candy floss and toffee apples;
cakes; Indian food specialities;
hot dogs, steak rolls, and coffee (the
wonderful Mukuvisi Woodlands
Coffee Shop as almost always was
also open); kitchen items, soft furnishings
etc.
The whole event is sponsored by
imported pet food manufacturers
Pedigree and Whiskas and there’s a
Pedigree Pubs for dads and lads.
The show lasted about 90 minutes
and afterwards, as youngsters
queued for pony rides, I wandered
down to the Viewing Platform in
front of the water pan, where there
was a wide range of birds and wildfowl
and a family of giraffe, small
herd of zebra and a few impala within
sight of the naked eye.
Next Mukuvisi Woodlands fun
dog show and SPCA fund-raiser is
Sunday July 27. To book for very
affordable and reportedly fairly lucrative
stalls, ring Barbara (0774 198
009); for general information and assistance
on these events call Sheila:
0779 922 105.
Crufts is the world’s biggest,
most prestigious and oldest dog
show, now held annually at Birmingham,
UK
dustym@zimind.co.zw
June 15 (today)
Birdlife Monavale Vlei Walk 7am. BS Leon side of Fenella Drive
Spar family fun run 8am Old Georgians
Island Hospice charity bowls day Avondale Sports Club 8:30am
Last day: Vic Falls Mountain Bike Challenge
FATHERS’ DAY. You will battle to get a seat in any restaurant today, but try:
Lunch: Alo, Alo, Arundel; Theo’s, 167, Enterprise Road; Adrienne’s, Belgravia;
Da Eros, Fishmonger and Great Wall, East Road; Sitar, Newlands; Palms,
Bronte Hotel; Willow Bean Cafe, Rolf Valley, English roast/pudding US$15.
(BYOB, no corkage.) Paula’s Place; Wild Geese, Teviotdale buffet/live music;
City Bowling Club, Harare Gardens (roast beef, horseradish, Yorkshire pud);
Italian Club, Strathaven, Mukuvisi Woodlands Coffee Shop; Centurion Pub &
Grill, Harare Sports Club, Arti’s, New Section, Borrowdale Village; Hellenics,
Eastlea
Royal Society of St George Battle of Waterloo lunch, Chapman Golf Club.
Details djclarke@zol.co.zw
June 16 Keep fit, Zumba Dancing, City Bowling Club, Harare Gardens. And every
working night except Fridays. 5:30pm-6:30pm.
June 17 Birdlife talk: Waterfowl count (Dave Rockingham-Gill and Gonarezhou (Andy
Fussell) Avondale Sports Club 5:30
(and every other Tuesday) Fun pub quiz, Theo’s, 167, Enterprise Rd 6:30 for 7
7pm Line dancing City Bowling Club
June 18
June 19
Farmers’ market, Maasdorp Avenue, Belgravia (next to Bottom Drawer)
Birdlife talk: Waterfowl Count (David Rockingham-Gill) and Gonarezhou
(Andy Fussell) Avondale Sports Club 5:30
(and every Thursday) Tapas night and music by Evicted, Amanzi Restaurant,
Chisipite
June 20 Karaoke night with Dave and Debbie, City Bowling Club, Harare Gardens
from 6:30pm. Supper available
Candlelit bowls, Borrowdale Country Club, soup served.
June 20-21 Xerophytica International Congress, Wild Geese Lodge Pre-registration vital
June 21
www.aloesocietyzim.com
Baby Fair, The Cottage Coffee Shop, 8, Coltman Rd, Mt Pleasant 9am-2pm
Art for Hope exhibition Queen of Hearts restaurant, 1, Hurworth Rd
Highlands from 2pm
June 22 Birdlife Gosho Park, Marondera, outing meet 7am, Mukuvisi Woodlands office
Fun pub quiz REPS Bar 11:15 sharp
June 26 (and every other Thursday) fun pub quiz at blue@2 Private Wine Bar, 2,
Aberdeen Rd, Avondale. Booking essential, Tel 0772 856 371
June 27 Greendale Good Food & Wine Appreciation Society monthly lunch Alo, Alo,
Arundel Village. Twelve-thirsty for 1pm!
Fun pub quiz Borrowdale Country Club 6:30
June 28-29. Polo tournament Thornpark, Mazowe Rd.
June 29
Dusty’s “What’s on Diary”
Contributions are welcome, to arrive in good time, bearing in mind
events in which readers of this page are interested.
SMS 0733 401 347 or 0776 903 161; (e-mail dustym @zimind.co.zw)
CUT OUT, KEEP, WATCH FOR NEXT UPDATE
Econet Vic Falls marathon 6:30am. Contact Martin Webster
martinw@cmb.co.zw
(Neither StandardPlus nor Dusty Miller take responsibility for inaccuracies,
postponements, cancellations. No charge for entry.
Deadline 10am Tues prior to publication day.)

28 THE STANDARD STYLE / ARTS / BOOKWORM
JUNE 15 TO 21, 2014
A Zimbabwean Agatha Christie
By Bookworm
AGATHA Christie is a legend. At one
point or another, most of us have leafed
through an Agatha Christie crime
thriller. She is one of those writers, like
William Shakespeare, Charles Dickens and
Leo Tolstoy, who have over time managed to
get into any culture and are wholly accepted.
Her enduring contribution to world literature
is in popularising the crime and murder genres.
It’s not just the intricacy of the plots of her
work that mesmerise; but the serene, merciless
psychological penetration. Few writers
have been better at exploring the recesses of
evil and passion, spite and envy, or the tyranny
of class and the power of money. Christie
was exemplary at showing the dark forces
English people cover up with polite good manners,
sickly sweet smiles and social rituals.
Christie has also been an influence in Zimbabwe.
It is quaint that Bryony Rheam, author
of This September Sun, a self-confessed lover
of Agatha Christie is the winner of the Write
your own Christie competition. The writing
contest used opening scenes from Agatha
Christie’s A Murder is Announced as a starting
point for any writer from anywhere in the
world to develop a crime story written in the
Christie tradition.
As overall winner of the competition
Rheam is set to be hosted to an exclusive dinner
with Agatha Christie’s grandson, Matthew
Pritchard, and other judges of the competition
who include representatives from her
American and English publishers at an exclusive
event in London.
Rheam says she has been “an Agatha Christie
fan most of my life.” She further intimated
that “my grandmother loved her (Christie’s)
books and I would often get them out of the
library for her. I went to watch some of the
films like Murder on the Orient Express and
Evil Under the Sun when I was a child.”
Her first experience with Agatha Christie’s
work was as a 13-year-old. “It was The Murder
of Roger Ackroyd and I remember finding it
very scary, but I was determined to finish it. It
is still one of my favourites because I think it
is very cleverly written,” she said.
Rheam authored the widely acclaimed This
September Sun published by the Bulawayobased
publishers, amaBooks. “Agatha Christie
inspired my own writing in my novel. In it,
one of the main characters, Evelyn ruminates
on the way in which Christie wrote her novels
and their effect on her.”
“More than any other author, Agatha Christie
seems to link times in my life: when I was
a child listening to my grandmother’s stories
about all the exotic places, like India and Bahrain,
where she had lived, to my early adult
reading experiences and right through to
where I am now as an author.”
She is currently trying to write a detective
novel which is set in her hometown of Bulawayo.
“I wouldn’t say I am a crime writer, but
I like reading crime fiction. It would be great
to see more crime novels set in Zimbabwe and
for Zimbabwean writers to experiment with
this genre of writing,” she explained.
Though born in Zimbabwe and educated in
England, she now lives and works as a school
teacher in Zambia. “I live in north-western
Zambia, in a small mining town called Solwezi.
Life could not be more different from
a 1940s English country village. It is dry and
dusty for most of the year until we suffer torrential
rain and the roads turn to thick mud.
The roads are full of potholes and broken
down lorries and goats and rubbish. Most of
the shops are tiny shacks and the majority of
people here live off their meagre daily earnings
selling tomatoes and sweet potatoes; single
cigarettes and sweets.”
Christie is often associated with a certain
age: generally the 20s to about the 50s. Unfortunately
many people either don’t know
or forget that she wrote right up to her death
in 1975. “Christie shows how people never
change though fashions and fortunes fluctuate.
Her characters in Third Girl are no different
at heart to those in Lord Edge ware Dies.
Agatha Christie’s England is still there, but it
is becoming harder to find.”
Though she lives out of the country for most
of the year Rheam comes often to visit and to
participate in various literary activities. She
was among the 12 African writers who participated
in the recent Caine Prize workshop held
in the Vumba. She plans to be in Zimbabwe at
the end of June to research on “Agatha Christie's
stay in Rhodesia in 1922.”
In fact, Christie visited Rhodesia when she
was aged 32. She vividly remembered police
sergeants in Rhodesia who were “extravagant
young men,” black sheep banished from England
to behave them; chaps in the colonial office
who’d blotted their copybook by “running
away with someone else’s wife.”
Other world famous authors with a connection
to Zimbabwe (either by birth or association)
include bestsellers such as Nobel
Laureate Doris Lessing (now late), Alexander
McCall-Smith, Alexander Fuller and Wilbur
Smith.
The Guinness Book of World Records lists
Christie as the best-selling novelist of all
time. It is estimated that her novels have sold
roughly 4 billion copies, and her estate claims
that her works come third in the rankings
of the world's most-widely published books,
behind Shakespeare's works and the Bible.
And according to Index
Translational,
Christie is the mosttranslated
individual
author -- having been
translated into at least
103 languages.
Although she is wellknown
for her crime
novels, Agatha Christie
also had a wide interest
in archeology and
she visited various excavation
sites all over
the world uncovering
ancient relics. Many of
her books contain archeological
references
because of this interest.
She travelled extensively
and the plots and stories
in her books reflect this.
Feedback: bhukuworm@
gmail.com

JUNE 15 TO 21, 2014
THE STANDARD STYLE / ARTS 29
The return
of the
Winter
Jazz
Festival
Silence Charumbira
THE Winter Jazz Festival
makes a return this month
after making way for harmonised
elections last year
in June.
With the organiser Josh Hozheri
having moved from what
had become the home of jazz
in Harare, Jazz 105, the festival
looks poised to grapple with reengaging
its patronage.
But Hozheri this week said
the closure of Jazz 105 would not
deter the festival scheduled for
June 26-29.
“Yes Jazz 105 is still closed as
we are still at loggerheads with
Innscor, but that will not stop the
festival,” said Hozheri.
“We have to keep dancehall
alive especially in this era where
dancehall and sungura have taken
over the scene.”
The festival will this year feature
artistes like Oliver Mtukudzi,
Sulumani Chimbetu, Jah
Prayzah, Tanga wekwaSando
and Ammara Brown among others.
Victor Kunonga is yet to confirm
participation as he awaits
results from a vocal operation.
The festival will however face
a mammoth task in rebuilding
faith in its followers considering
the exceptional performance by
South Africa-based Zimbabwean
Max Vidima’s performance at
Jazz 105 two years ago.
Although other artistes like
Prudence Katomeni-Mbofana,
Jean Masters and Jabavu Drive
among others gave each a good
account of themselves, many
will remember the thumping
and distinct guitar sound when
Vidima stepped on stage on the
night.
While all the artistes on the
line-up are seasoned performers
in their own right, it will be Vidima’s
memory that they have to
erase with better performances
at the festival.

30 THE STANDARD STYLE / CELEB NEWS / TRIBUTE TO RUBY DEE
JUNE 15 TO 21, 2014
Ruby Dee,
actress and
civil rights
activist,
dies at 91
ACCLAIMED actress, Oscar award winner and
civil rights activist Ruby Dee, whose versatile
career spanned stage, radio television and film,
has died at age 91. Ruby Dee who was also a poet,
playwright, screenwriter, journalist passed on on the
11th of June, 2014 at her home in Rochelle, New York.
Her daughter, Nora Davis Day informed press that her
mother died at home on Wednesday night of “natural
causes” among her loved ones, she added.
“We have had her for so long and we loved her so
much,” Day said. “She took her final bow last night at
home surrounded by her children and grandchildren.
We gave her our permission to set sail. She opened her
eyes, closed her eyes and away she went.”
Her long career brought her an Oscar nomination
at age 83 for best supporting actress for her maternal
role in the 2007 film “American Gangster.” She also won
an Emmy and was nominated for several others. Age
didn’t slow her down.
“I think you mustn’t tell your body, you mustn’t
tell your soul, ‘I’m going to retire,’” Ms. Dee told The
Associated Press in 2001. “You may be changing your
life emphasis, but there’s still things that you have in
mind to do that now seems the right time to do. I really
don’t believe in retiring as long as you can breathe.”
She and her late husband were frequent collaborators.
Their partnership rivaled the achievements of
other celebrated acting couples. But they were more
than performers; they were also activists who fought
for civil rights, particularly for blacks.
In November 2005 Dee was awarded the Lifetime
Achievement Freedom Award, presented by the National
Civil Rights Museum located in Memphis. Dee,
a long-time resident of New Rochelle, New York, was
inducted into the New Rochelle Walk of Fame which
honors the most notable residents from throughout
the community’s 325 year history. She was also inducted
into the Westchester County Women’s Hall of
Fame on March 30, 2007, joining such other honorees
as Hillary Rodham Clinton and Nita Lowey.[22] In 2009
she received an Honorary Degree from Princeton University.
- CHICAGO SUN – TIMES

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414
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THE STANDARD STYLE
June 15 to 21 2014