1 – RHINO MAN
In conjunction with the British Embassy, Harare, we hosted two screenings of the documentary
“Rhino Man” which was filmed in Kruger Park, South Africa and follows the training of game guards
and the tragic murder of those defending our wildlife.
It was not only an emotional story, but one that should lead to much debate and thought.
Apart from thanking the British Embassy, we also thank Cheeseman, Lobels Biscuits, Skinny Cow
and Waiters House for their support. Thanks to Black Rhino Safaris, Big Cave Camp, Camp Dwala
and Rowallan Adventure Camp for donating raffle prizes and the Natural History Museum for use of
the venue. Not forgetting ZETDC who thankfully restored power to the Museum just before the start!
Great thanks to Dennis Chitewe for arranging the successful event.
2 – NEXT EVENT
Date Sunday 6 th October 2024
Venue Fort Usher
Meet 08:00am, Cresta Lodge
Travel We will travel about 7km down the Fort Usher Road. This is quite passable in
a sedan if taken slowly, though a truck may be preferred. We will then do
about 4km’s on a track, again not a problem if taken slowly.
Fort Usher was established in 1896 as part of the BSAC’s efforts to contain the Ndebele within the
Matopo Hills, and to launch attacks from there. Nothing remains of the Fort today as it was levelled to
make way for the first BSAP station established in 1897. We will however visit some of the early
surviving buildings from the little Matopos Village that followed.
We will visit Usher’s Kop to visit the ruins of Usher’s House (1860) and visit the site of the second
Indaba held between CJ Rhodes and the Ndebele Chiefs in August 1896.
Don’t forget your sunblock, hat, picnic lunch and drinks! Might need to come prepared for a hot day.
There will be a talk at each point of interest.
3 – REPORT BACK – MANGWE PASS
Sunday 21 st July saw us join with the Friends of the Museum and the Pioneer Society to mark the 170 th
anniversary of the first wagon passing through the Mangwe Pass on 8 July 1854. This lonely wagon
making its way north was the herald of dramatic events that would unfold across the land we now call
Zimbabwe. Over 55 members and friends were in attendance and we were regaled with numerous
experiences and commentary. Amongst those, were three gentlemen who were at the original
unveiling of the monument in 1954. Their recollections were most interesting.
John Rosenfels spoke about the building of the monument, Ginty Melvill shared memories of the
opening that he attended as a Plumtree schoolboy, and Roger Greef shared his recollections of 1954.
We were also able to visit Lee’s house and cemetery, from about the same era, as well as Fort
Mangwe.
For Mangwe dates from 1893 and 1896 so not quite as old as the other sites.
Special appreciation to the Rosenfels family for hosting our picnic lunch, and for the work done in
clearing the various monuments we visited.
4 – MCS PROJECTS
Your Committee has been busy these past few months, and our next Newsletter will be able to share
the various completed projects. These include fencing and grids to secure the northern part of the Park
for wildlife, though the cattle are likely to be allowed access until the rains come, and finalisation of
the Nswatugi site museum. The Matopos Tour operators funded the grading of all the dirt roads within
the Park, making the Park more accessible to visitors.
5 – MATOPOS HERITAGE TRAIL RUN
This year, the 9 th annual Matopos Heritage Trail Run, was held in almost perfect conditions. 26
competitors took to the hills, with 2 completing the “Challenge” run (a marathon and a half!) and the
rest opting for the “Heritage” run at a mere 50kms. This year the Brachystegia were not quite in full 4 leaf, but surprisingly there were one or two streams with just a little water still flowing. Appreciation
to those who manned the water-points and to those who assisted in the smooth running of the event.
6 – REHABILITATE BULAWAYO TO KEZI ROAD SEEKING INVESTMENT
With acknowledgement to Southern Eye, September 10 th , 2024.
Former Speaker of the National Assembly during Zimbabwe’s government of national unity
Lovemore Moyo has challenged the Matobo Rural District Council and other relevant authorities to
prioritise the rehabilitation and maintenance of Bulawayo-Kezi Road to attract investments in the
area. Moyo made the call in a paper titled The Matobo Voices from the Rocks, noting the sorry state
of the road between the late former Vice-President Joshua Nkomo’s home district, Matobo, and
Bulawayo. He said authorities in the district should engage the Transport and Infrastructural
Development ministry to prioritise the rehabilitation and maintenance of Bulawayo-Kezi Road
7 – ZANU PF CONDUCTS RITUALS AT MATOPO, GREAT ZIMBABWE
With acknowledgement to NewsDay, July 18, 2024
The ruling ZANU PF party has invited King Munhumutapa, born Timothy Chiminya, and three other
chiefs to conduct rituals at Matopos and Great Zimbabwe monuments. In a letter to the Zimbabwe
Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (Parks Authority) dated July 10, ZANU PF asked the
Parks Authority to allow the chiefs to conduct the rituals at the two sites. The letter does not specify
why the ruling party needed to conduct the rituals. “The ZANU PF party’s department of gender and
culture is recommending the following traditional leaders to be given clearance referral letters to
conduct national rituals at Matopos and Great Zimbabwe monuments,” party secretary for gender and
culture Stephanie Mkusha wrote. “They are Timothy Chiminya as Mambo Munhumutapa, Masimba
Rubatika [Chief Seke], Claudius Nyashanu Choga and Amos Jacha. “Accordingly, we refer them to
your good office for assistance.” In response, Parks Authority director-general Fulton Mangwanya
granted the chiefs the right to visit the two national monuments for the rituals.
8 – NDEBELE KINGDOM TUSSLE PARTLY SOLVED
With acknowledgement to Southern Eye, September 11 th , 2024.
Ndebele King Bulelani has received a huge endorsement that could put to rest a raging debate on the
rightful owner of the throne when he got a rousing ovation from people attending the late King
Mzilikazi’s commemorations at Mhlahlandlela last week. Several people have claimed the Ndebele
kingship, with Stanley Raphael Khumalo Tshuma, Peter Zwide Khumalo and Mcijwana Khumalo also
claiming to be title holders, but on Saturday, only Bulelani was received with the crowd shouting
“Bayethe” to him, a Ndebele term which means “Hail the King”. King Mzilikazi died on September 5,
1868. Bulawayo Mayor David Coltart paid tribute to King Mzilikazi and said the city owes its
existence to the monarch after he set up his kingdom in the country’s second largest city. He said the
late king has not been honoured enough. Bulawayo Residents Association chairperson Winos Dube
paid tribute to the king and said it was an important event to revive the Ndebele culture.
9 – HUNGER STALKS ZIMBABWE”S RURAL POPULATION AFTER DROUGHT
With acknowledgement to Bloomberg Thursday July 18, 2024
Harare – More than half of Zimbabwe’s rural population faces food insecurity by the first quarter of
next year after an El Nino-induced drought slashed crop output, a new report showed.
“At peak, 57% of the rural households, approximately 5,894,368 individuals, will be cereal-insecure”
in the three months through March 2025, according to the Zimbabwe Livelihoods Committee report
seen by Bloomberg. The document, compiled Zimbabwe’s government, United Nations agencies and
aid organizations, was confirmed by the Agriculture Ministry.
The El Niño weather phenomenon triggered a dry spell across southern Africa this year, leading
countries including Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe to declare states of national disaster because of 5 crop failures. Zimbabwe produced 744,271 tons of corn in this year’s harvest, almost 70% less than a
year earlier.
The southern African nation requires almost 593,000 tons of cereals between July and March 2025,
the committee said. Quarterly cereal requirements from the National Strategic Grain Reserve will be
175,125 tons for the July-to-September period; 199,516 tons for October to December; and 218,092
tons for January to March 2025.
“There is a need for the ministry responsible for agriculture and the private sector to ensure that staple
cereals will be available on the market for cereal-deficit households with the means to purchase to do
so throughout the consumption year,” the committee said.
10 – ZIMBABWE CONSIDERING FIRST ELEPHANT CULL IN ALMOST FOUR DECADES
With acknowledgement to Bloomberg, September 11, 2024
Harare – Zimbabwe is considering culling elephants for the first time since 1988 and using the meat to
feed people who have been affected by a crippling drought, a cabinet minister said.
“Zimbabwe has more elephants than we need” and more than its forests can support, Environment
Minister Sithembiso Nyoni told lawmakers in Mount Hampden, north of the capital Harare, on
Wednesday. Discussions are under way about culling some elephants and providing the dried meat “to
some communities that need the protein,” she said.
Zimbabwe has 100,000 elephants, the world’s second-largest population after neighbouring
Botswana. The minister didn’t specify how many of the pachyderms may be killed.
Adult elephants consume about 300 kilograms (660 pounds) of vegetation a day and usually strip
trees of their bark, which kills them. Zimbabwe’s large elephant herd was destroying large tracts of
the southern African nation’s natural habitat, to the detriment of humans and other animals, according
to Nyoni.
International regulations prevent Zimbabwe from selling its ivory stock, which currently stands at
about 130 tons, a situation the government would like to rectify, the minister added.
Zimbabwe has recorded its worst food shortages in four decades this year due to an El Nino-induced
drought that has withered essential crops.
11 – UNESCO AND PARTNERS CELEBRATE GREAT ZIMBABWE
PROJECT MILESTONES
UNESCO Regional Office for Southern Africa and its partners handed over essential equipment and
strategic documents to the National Museums and Monuments of Zimbabwe (NMMZ) as they
celebrated key milestones achieved under the Great Zimbabwe Development project in Masvingo on
27 June 2024.
The handover event marked a major step in the preservation and sustainable development of the Great
Zimbabwe World Heritage Site.
Speaking at the event, the guest of honour, Zimbabwe’s Permanent Secretary for Home Affairs and
Cultural Heritage, Ambassador Raphael Faranisi, appreciated the French Government for partnering
with the Government of Zimbabwe in helping with efforts towards preserving, conserving and
sustaining of the Great Zimbabwe national monument. He stated that the Government of Zimbabwe
stands ready to continue mobilising resources for the continuous improvement of facilities at the
national monument, calling on the project partners to continue demonstrating best practices in
sustainable heritage management and inspiring partners across the country to come together for the
benefit of similar sites and communities dotted across the country.
This project provides us with best practises in terms of sustainably managing other heritage sites in the
country and I, therefore, urge the NMMZ team to fully utilise the equipment to advance its mandate
which is both at national and international level.
Ambassador Raphael Faranisi, Permanent Secretary for Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage. 6 UNESCO and its partners handed over a range of specialized documentation and conservation
equipment, including a tractor, mower and the latest generation geospatial and surveying kit. These
tools will be crucial in preserving the heritage site for future generations and will assist NMMZ with
technology-based heritage conservation and preservation. NMMZ also received an assortment of
computers to facilitate onsite data processing and storage.
In the same fold, UNESCO presented three critical documents that were developed by the project.
The Great Zimbabwe Tourism Development and Marketing Strategy: This strategy aims to
stimulate the local economy and boost tourism by leveraging the site’s historical significance by
providing a roadmap for enhancing visitor experiences and increasing both international and local
tourist visits.
The Great Zimbabwe National Monument Interpretation and Storytelling Framework:
Developed by UNESCO in collaboration with the Great Zimbabwe University and the International
Centre for Interpretation and Presentation of World Heritage Sites (WHIPIC), this framework offers
detailed guidelines for interpreting and presenting the site’s rich history to visitors. By enhancing the
educational experience, it ensures that visitors gain a deeper understanding of the cultural and
historical significance of the Great Zimbabwe World Heritage Site.
The Great Zimbabwe National Monument Integrated Management Plan (2024-2028):
This Plan was developed by NMMZ with the support of local and international experts and outlines a
holistic approach to managing the site, integrating conservation, tourism, and community involvement.
It addresses risk management and resource allocation, ensuring sustainable site management.
The development of these documents followed an inclusive and participatory approach, maximizing
stakeholder engagement and offering a comprehensive platform for creating new narratives, marketing
perspectives, and actions for the conservation and preservation of the Great Zimbabwe National
Monument World Heritage site. This approach ensures that all voices are heard, and no one is left
behind.
By leveraging expert knowledge and fostering collaboration, UNESCO ensures that the documentation
and conservation of sites such as Great Zimbabwe align with international best practices in the
protection of the sites’ Outstanding Universal Values, while also contributing to local sustainable
economic development and enhancing the site’s cultural significance. Such collaboration is especially
important for Africa as the continent largely remains underrepresented on the UNESCO World
Heritage list.
As communities in Africa, we need to come together to see which aspects of our heritage need to be
protected, sustained and given world heritage designation. This is one sure way of ensuring that which
is dear to our local communities remains valued, protected, and celebrated across the world.
Ms Nisha, UNESCO Regional Director and Representative.
Local community members and chiefs expressed optimism about the project’s impact on their
livelihoods, particularly in terms of the envisioned development of a cultural hub and community-
based management of resources and risks.
This project is more than just preserving a site; it’s about preserving our identity and creating
opportunities for our people. We are proud to be part of this journey.
Mr Wellington Chindara, Ziya Cultural Arts Trust.
The celebratory event marked the beginning of community-based interventions aimed at improving
conservation efforts at the site. Young people from communities around the site are already earmarked
for a two-week-long on-site training in wall restoration. This training will equip them with critical
skills, including stone masonry and heritage condition assessment. Additionally, local community
members will benefit from practical tour guide training designed to enhance their professional skills in
tour guiding and visitor management. This training will enable them to create lasting impressions, 7 encourage repeat visits, and convey current and diverse understandings of the Great Zimbabwe World
Heritage site.
As the Great Zimbabwe Development Project progresses, it stands as a testament to the power of
international cooperation and commitment to preserving Zimbabwe’s rich cultural legacy. The newly
acquired equipment and strategic documents mark a significant milestone, promising a brighter future
for the Great Zimbabwe National Monument World Heritage site and the communities that live in its
surroundings.
The Great Zimbabwe Development Project is funded by the French Development Agency (AFD) and
managed by UNOPS. Implemented by UNESCO in partnership with the National Museums and
Monuments of Zimbabwe (NMMZ) and other key stakeholders, the project seeks to enhance the
conservation and management of the Great Zimbabwe National Monument World Heritage site in a
sustainable manner, adequately interpret and present the site and its associated intangible cultural
heritage elements, support the development of sustainable tourism practices, and develop community-
based cultural programming and tourism offers, thereby contributing to the attainment of the 2030
Agenda with its international sustainable development goals.
12 – KEEPING CLOSE TABS ON ZIMBABWES RHINOS
With acknowledgment to Keeping close tabs on Zimbabwe’s rhinos Save The Rhino
With more than 1,000 rhinos, Zimbabwe has one of Africa’s largest rhino populations. However,
despite reaching this milestone by 2022, rhinos were once found in far greater numbers. Amidst the
1980s and early 90s, guerrilla militants stationed in the Zambezi Valley deterred prospective poachers
from illegally killing rhinos here. However, following the loss of black rhinos from the Luangwa
Valley in Zambia, and following and Zimbabwe’s independence in 1980, the militias moved out,
making way for poaching gangs. By 1992, Zimbabwe’s rhino population had reduced to below 450.
Protecting the survivors, the decision was made to translocate approximately 300 rhinos south. Living
in heavily protected yet idyllic habitats, these animals prospered, and their numbers swelled.
Unfortunately, this was not to last.
Land reclamation under the country’s Fast Track Land Reform Policy was underway and with it came
habitat clearance for agriculture and in turn, less rhino habitat and heightened poaching. Bubiana
Conservancy, in the south-west of the country, became one such unsafe location and so, beginning in 2002, its rhinos were removed by the Lowveld Rhino Trust (LRT). Their destination? Bubye Valley
Conservancy (BVC), a former cattle ranch turned wildlife conservancy.
Since then, LRT has overseen the monitoring of these rhinos, keeping close tabs on each animal by
using differing combinations of triangular notches cut into the rhino’s ears. Each notch in a rhino’s
ears represents a number. How many notches and their precise location gives a rhino its unique ID
number overall, something that will last throughout its life. Using these numbers, Rhino Monitors can
record an accurate picture of the population’s dynamics, which then help to inform wider management
decisions.
Having a notching system to provide unique IDs might sound like a Rhino Monitors’ job is simple, but
that’s far from the truth. Finding each rhino remains tough, particularly as black rhinos spend a lot of
time in the dense bush of the Lowveld, making them hard to spot in general, let alone get an accurate
sight of their ears. Nonetheless, LRT’s team continue to do a great job.
Last year, despite particularly thick vegetation, the team achieved more than their 80 rhino IDs per
month target. When incorporating camera traps and aerial IDs, the rhino monitors achieved an
impressive average of more than 160 IDs/month!
So, how are ear notches given?
Notches can only be applied when a rhino is immobilised, which means a vet needs to be
present to induce general anaesthesia and to apply appropriate pre- and post-notching
treatment and care
The notches themselves are cut using a specific notching tool and bleeding is controlled using
forceps. A topical antibiotic is also applied before a rhino is woken up and released, helping to
avoid infections
Once the notches have been applied, photographs are taken of both the rhino’s ears in a ‘front
on’ position as a record of the rhino’s notch pattern
Ideally, rhinos should be notched before they become independent from their mothers, so that
their maternity is confirmed as part of their identification
These photos and life history are then used in a personal rhino file, which is used by monitors
to track sightings data over time
13– RAINFALL
Mixed rainfall forecast for Zim: The Southern Africa Regional Climate Outlook Forum (SARCOF)
has predicted an increased likelihood of normal to below-normal rains in the October to December
period in Zimbabwe. The forecast also highlighted that the central part of the SADC region, including
Zimbabwe should receive normal to above normal conditions from the January to March 2024/25
period.
Currently the situation in the Hills is desperate and the rains are still some months away. Apart from
very real shortages of water, there is little grazing left for the cattle.
14 – ANTHRAX KILLS 50 WILD ANIMALS IN GONAREZHOU
With acknowledgement to the Herald, August 31st, 2024.
An outbreak of anthrax in the Gonarezhou National Park on the southeast border has killed at least 50
wild animals, the Department of Veterinary Services has confirmed. At least 80 000 cattle around the
park have been vaccinated against the deadly disease. Chief director in the Department of Veterinary
Services, Pious Makaya, said the anthrax outbreak in Gonarezhou National Park was now under
control, adding that no livestock deaths arising from the outbreak have so far occurred.
15 – SOCIETY CALENDAR OF EVENTS FOR YOUR DIARY
22 September 2024 World Rhino Day
6 October 2024 Field Trip – Fort Usher
17 November 2024 Annual General Meeting
24 – 25 November Matopos Classic MTB
26 – 30 March 2025 Matopos Heritage MTB Challenge
22 – 24 August 2025 Matopos Heritage Trail Run
16 – MEMBERS NOTEBOOK
Subscriptions
Subscriptions for the year 1 October 2024 to 30 September 2025 are now due. Please ensure that your
subs are up to date. There has been no increase in rates.
US$ 20 Individual/Family
US$ 5 Pensioner/Student
US$100 Corporate
If you need any information, please contact matoboconservationsociety@gmail.com
MCS Branded Apparel
The Society has a small stock of sleeveless fleece jackets, in olive green with orange MCS logo,
available at US$20 each. They are ideal for the cool mornings and evenings. We also have stocks of
hats and caps at $10 each. CD’s and shopping bags are also available at $5 each. Additional branded
apparel (such as khaki shirts, fleece jackets, golf shirts) can be ordered on request. Please contact the
Secretary via WhatsApp +263 71 240 2341 for further details
Website – www.matobo.org
Visit our website, and make use of the RESOURCES tab for maps and information.
Please email to matoboconservationsociety@gmail.com
Facebook
Don’t forget to join our Facebook page, with nearly 700 members now.
The Natural History of the Matobo Hills
This MCS publication is available at the Natural History Museum for US$30.
17 – MATOPO MISSION FIRE
The Matopo Mission, founded in 1898, is appealing for support and assistance for the rebuilding of
their boys’ dormitory on Saturday 6 th July. Please contact the Chairman if you are able to assist.
It’s a double blow for the Mission which is also facing severe water shortages following the poor rains
earlier this year.
18 – IN MEMORIUM
Julia Duprée 20 Feb 1940 – 16 July 2024
Julia, the daughter of a medical doctor, spent her early years in Nigeria and recalled her life as idyllic
as much of the wild areas were just that. Married life took her back to England and then to Kenya
where she worked as a marketing manager. Her two boys grew up in Kenya, although schooled at
Peterhouse, Marondera. On leaving Kenya, Julia and David moved to Botswana and finally chose
Bulawayo as their retirement city. Almost immediately Julia involved herself in the dog club with her
dachsies, BirdLife (where she coordinated the Black Eagle survey in the Matobo Hills, the National
Waterbird survey and the Bulawayo Garden Bird survey) and the ornithological department of the
Natural History Museum. She went on many museum ventures over two decades to find specimens
10
for photographs for Michael Stuart-Irwin. Julia knew the value and importance of the museum’s
collections and in her later years taking care of these collections turned into a passion of hers.
Julia was known for her incredible sense of humour and ready wit, her generous nature and keen
interest in the lives of those around her. Always ready for an adventure, always inquisitive and
wanting to know more. She would drive fast when asked, and she declared that she had driven in a
Dakar Rally once! Her picnic lunches were always a feast and involved much humorous banter with
Julia complaining her legs wouldn’t get her where she wanted to go but always did, even up
Silozawane Hill to the cave.
With her meticulous attention to detail and understanding of journal and book layouts from her
working experience Julia became the editor and layout designer of Honeyguide, the Journal of
BirdLife Zimbabwe. Later she became heavily involved with publications for the museum including
many of Rob Burrett’s historical booklets and the guide for the museum. Due to her professional
output, she was allowed to use the illustrations from Roberts Birds of Southern Africa to produce a
Roberts Waterbirds of Zimbabwe, which was an amazing honour for her to work with such an
important legacy. Julia also took up the mantel of co-editing the book on the Natural History of the
Matobo Hills and was made an honorary life member of the Matobo Conservation Society for her
efforts.
Julia’s love of the museum led to her becoming one of the first to offer support and fund-raising
efforts when the Friends of the Museum was launched in 2012 to bring the museum back to its former
glory. She helped raise money to replace the carpet in the geology gallery, for the revamp of the Site
Museum at Khami Ruins, many of the temporary displays and finally for the resuscitation of the Hall
of Man. This included a trip to the Cradle of Mankind in South Africa to gather information and bring
back a number of skull replicas for the display. It was a pleasure and great humour to work with her.
Julia was always working in the background and always a supporter. Her efforts were acknowledged
by the Friends of Museum when recently she was made an Honorary Life member.
Julia always engaged with others, always wanting to know their story, always having time to share a
conversation. This made Julia an amazing networker, bringing people together that would not
normally get together or know each other. She used that to her advantage in all her various projects.
Julia, however, was a private person herself, never giving to much away, the guard only coming down
sometimes after a glass or two of wine, and many were shared with her friends over the years. Hers
was a life lived to the full and she will be sorely missed by so many. Heartfelt condolences to her two
boys Jonathan and Jeremy and their families. Fly High, Julia and thank you for the good time and
wonderful memories.
