Rhosarian 2019

The Rhosarian 1/19
4
NATIONAL
EDITORIAL: THE FINAL CHAPTER
October 2019
Change is inevitable.
drawn from a fading memory, scribbled diaries or
Sometimes change is letters preserved for posterity. They may, with the
welcome, sometimes not. passage of time, be useful in piecing together
“For everything there is a history. For this reason, we promote non-fiction.
season, and a time for every Feelings expressed in poetry or prose are also
matter under heaven: a time important in preserving the emotions of people in
to be born, and a time to their time, so we see the need to promote these in
die”. Most times we are sad book form as well.
when someone we know I have endeavoured to explain under
dies. This year we mourn STILFONTEIN why our principal object is the
the passing of the FLF’s provision or facilitation of affordable
Honorary President, Hilary accommodation. It is sometimes argued that we
Squires, and more recently spend too much money on too few people by way
the sudden death of Lewis Walter, one of our three of our homes at Stilfontein. Rather sell the houses
Honorary Vice-Presidents. On the other hand, (our only fixed property) and distribute the funds
most Rhodesians and millions of Zimbabweans to more people in need. There are pros and cons to
rejoiced at news of the death of erstwhile President both sides of the argument. As it now stands, the
Robert Gabriel Mugabe. We have devoted the FLF is committed to retaining our fixed assets and
whole of THE FLAG to a denunciation that is to provide a place for some fellow Rhodesians,
probably the most accurate published. Possibly who rely on a monthly State grant of only R1 800,
more than anyone else in the past 50 years, Mugabe to live with dignity. It is also essential to our status
and his Zanu(PF) forced change upon the lives of as a Public Benefit Organisation.
Rhodesians/Zimbabweans, black and white alike. In the previous two Rhosarians, we advertised
Change can be good and welcome. In previous a group funeral insurance scheme with AVBOB.
editorials I have warned that the onset of age is The entry age limit is currently set at 82. Some of
threatening the future of the FLF, whose committee our members have already benefitted from this
members are mostly in their seventies and eighties. opportunity. Our members in the Cape Province
We know from the results of our 2016 membership have, in addition, access to a special deal with
survey that the average age of our members is Ferns Funerals. I encourage you to avail yourself
currently 80. The good news is that our Cape of one of these schemes. Read LOOKING AHEAD
Peninsula and Durban Branches now have for advice on this subject - something many of us
chairmen in their late fifties or early sixties, prefer not to dwell on.
bringing new life and energy to the FLF.
We no longer enjoy any income from advertisers,
Concerning remembrance, this year we have so we are using the space to promote Rhodesians
commemorated the 40 th anniversary of the Viscount Worldwide magazine, owned and edited by Chris
Umniati tragedy and Operation Uric, the Whitehead. It is the only Rhodesian publication of
penultimate major military battle for Rhodesia. its kind and is well worth reading.
We also celebrated the 130 th anniversary of the The Pretoria and Cape Peninsula Branches
BSA Police, with the unveiling of a statue (yet to produce regular bi-monthly newsletters for their
be named) alongside the RLI’s Trooper in Dickie members. Both are available in digital form as
Fritz MOTH Shellhole’s Garden of Remembrance. well. At present, members of our Durban and
We are indebted to the MOTH organisation for Highveld Branches receive the Msasa Mail. Unless
allowing us to share this part of their property, someone with the requisite skills volunteers to
along with that set aside for Special Forces take over from me, this will probably be the last
at Queensburgh, KZN.
edition of The Rhosarian magazine.
Many Rhodesians are writing or have written JOHN REDFERN
autobiographies and anecdotal histories. Some of Honorary National Secretary
these may not always be accurate, and most are Editor