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NEWSLETTER 1 OF 2021
JANUARY 2021
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The National Trust of Zimbabwe would like to wish you and your family a wonderful New Year filled with peace, health, happiness and heritage.
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The NTZ celebrated a milestone birthday in and has had an amazing and very busy year and we would like to share the highlights with you! We are so very grateful to you for your support.
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The National Trust of Zimbabwe celebrated its 60th birthday
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NTZ celebrated its 60th birthday on 26th August 2020 in a very special place called ‘Worlds View located on the western edge of the Nyanga escarpment right next to the magnificent Mount Nyamatoro. It is one of the most spectacular destinations for domestic and international tourists in Zimbabwe.
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Guests assembled, mid-morning, in the spring sunlight at a height of 2,100m and gazed down from one of the highest points in the country with panoramic views across the central plateau spread out almost a km below them.
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Mr Guy Cary, Chair of Rhodes Nyanga Historical Exhibition (RNHE) Master of Ceremony (MC) officially opened the event by greeting and thanking guests for attending such an auspicious occasion. Guy gave apologies from Mr David Scott, NTZ Chairman who was sadly unable to attend.
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Sharon Waterworth, Vice Chair NTZ, then extended a very warm welcome to everyone present and said that she felt very privileged to be at the celebration being held at one of the most beautiful landmarks of Zimbabwe. She said that Worlds View sits in amongst an Afromontane community which only occurs above 1,500–2,000 m and talked about the natural landscape: one covered with open grasslands, heathlands, wetlands and natural springs, rare and unique flora and fauna species with a high level of endemism.
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Sharon explained that Worlds View is unique in terms of its ancient cultural heritage with sites on the upper slopes of Mount Nyamatoro that date back to the 14th and 15th centuries. The sites consist of early forts, stone walls, paths and enclosures, central pit structures and terraces: all beautifully crafted and utterly intriguing. She mentioned that on the lower slopes there are sites that have only recently been discovered in 2018: Matrina’s Ruins, Jacok’s Ruins and Rob’s Folly: as tradition dictates, they were named after the gentlemen who unearthed them.
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She added that NTZ pledges to continue to catalogue scientific information, publish educational and historical material, work with local communities, scale up our cultural heritage, historical and environmental education programmes and through a successful Public, Private Partnership at La Rochelle, build a first class regional Agricultural College. The vision for Worlds View is to continue with the biological monitoring and recording changes in the flora species and abundance flora and carry on with archaeological research and possibly unearth and protect more archaeological sites.
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Guests were thanked for taking the time to celebrate the 60th birthday of the NTZ which was established on the 26th August 1960, promulgated by an Act of Parliament with the aim of protecting and managing properties for future generations to enjoy. Sharon invited Mr W.Dhlandhlara to say a traditional payer to bless the event.
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Guests were asked to raise their glasses and Sharon proposed a toast: Makorokoto (congratulations) to the NTZ on its 60th birthday! A remarkable
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Sharon went onto explain that NTZ is part of a much larger family network: INTO, a NGO founded in 2007 established to promote the conservation and enhancement of the natural and cultural heritage of all nations for the benefit of the people of the world. INTO represents over 55 million individual members and have countless millions of visitors to sites and properties across more than 25 counties.
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In 2015 the INTO Africa Group of which NTZ is a full time member. The Africa Group brings together a vibrant network of African Heritage Organisations sharing their ideas and resources, developing a continent-wide voice and promoting and influencing on African cultural heritage matters.
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NTZ are proud to be members of INTO and hugely grateful for their continued and unwavering support
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Sharon gave her deepest appreciation to the Executive Council and Regional Committees who work tirelessly (in a voluntary capacity) to manage 7 properties and acknowledged the presence of those present: Fira Bache, Lin Goncalves, Clare Peech, Edone Anne and Aubrey Logan, Gill Honeyman, Merle Moore, Ray and Sybil Clutty, Naboth and Josephine Muchopa, June Weeks, Geoff Hawskley, Pat and Pixie Hallowes and Guy Cary. She also thanked each and every one of the NTZ members.
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Sincere thanks went to Gill Honeyman, Chair of Worlds View for more than 10 years, for hosting the event. Gill is always positive, determined, professional, extremely capable and passionate about the NTZ and is continually striving to improve the visitor experience at the site. Her energy and dedication is a constant source of inspiration.
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Sharon expressed grateful thanks to Matrina, Treasurer and the very able and willing resident caretakers: Luke, Arthur, Itai and Mat all of whom work hard to keep the site looking immaculate and Talent was thanked for serving refreshments.
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Much to her surprise Edone was asked to join Sharon on the verandah who then went on to spoke about all the hard work and dedication that she has given to the NTZ over many years.
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She said it had been such a real pleasure to work alongside Edone on the Executive Council and from the time the RNHE committee was formed in 2011 until she retired in 2019.
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Sharon announced that Edone had certainly put the RNHE on the map and her achievements included doubling the exhibition floor space, expanding the collection, showcasing work produced by local artisans, assisting to compile the curriculum for heritage education in Zimbabwe, exhibiting the work of local artists – the re-discovery of Jonathan Matimba’s work was extraordinary- celebrating the 40th anniversary of the RNHE with singing, dancing and food for all, winning an international prize for the best Cultural Heritage Education project which involved 130 schoolchildren was presented an the INTO conference in Bali, co-author, with Archaeologist Mr Rob Burrett, of a publication entitled “Nyanga’s Rich Heritage” an informative booklet promoting the natural beauty of Nyanga and the ancient and modern history of the area and organised numerous interesting and engaging talks on various subjects at the RNHE.
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Deepest thanks were also given to Aubrey Logan for all his advice, encouragement, time, knowledge and invaluable assistance and continued good humour. And judging by the many wonderful comments written by visitors to the RHNE Edone and Aubrey have left a legacy and greater knowledge to all, especially to schoolchildren. The NTZ hopes that you enjoy your retirement to the full!
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After the presentation of gifts to Edone Ann, Sharon highlighted the fact that we are all having to change and adapt to a new landscape in which we find ourselves living in. Looking ahead she said that the NTZ pledges to keep being just as dynamic and relevant as ever. The challenge is to connect even more people to NTZ priceless historical sites, to their timeless natural wild areas and beauty, built structures and local communities.
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Guy Cary stepped up and gave a lovely speech in dedication of the late Mr Michael Kimberly (2 May 1934 – 3 January 2020) who was one of the Stalwarts of the NTZ in the early 70’s (see https://ntoz.org/tribute-to-mike-kimberley). He said that Mike had been a wonderful and dedicated supporter of NTZ who had made a great contribution to the success of the organisation.
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Guy explained that Mike graduated at Witwatersrand University in Arts and Law and started practicing Law in Zimbabwe in 1960 and continued working until his retirement in September 2013. He was one of the founding members of the Aloes Cactus and Succulent Society of Zimbabwe in 1969. Guy added that Mike was an extremely determined, professional and thorough legal mind who was also heavily involved in the History Society of Zimbabwe, the Aloe Society among other community and environmental areas.
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Afterwards guests gathered inside the gallery and the memorial plaque was unveiled and the formal naming of the ‘Mike Kimberley Room’ (adjacent the gallery) was declared official to much applause.
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Next, guests were invited to the first global screening of the first NTZ video made possible by generous funding by Mr H Leared, produced by Mr N Kuhn, to whom the NTZ is extremely grateful. The video is packed with interesting information about the NTZ and its sites (see https://ntoz.org/the-ntz-celebrates-its-60th-birthday-today).
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Sharon then shared two very special birthday greetings:
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I write as Chair of INTO to send much love and warm congratulations on the 60th anniversary of the foundation of the National Trust of Zimbabwe. I have to confess that having passed my own 60th birthday, I know from experience that there is a mixture of a pleasant feeling of experience, friendship and knowledge, alongside a sense that one had better finally grow up!
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The NT Zimbabwe has achieved so much to be proud of in its 60 years, including a remarkable and beautiful property portfolio, and a range of activities and campaigns through which you stand up for the natural, built and cultural heritage of Zimbabwe. I was also enormously impressed to learn, at the Bermuda ICNT, of the way in which you are striving to engage diverse communities in your work.
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I hope you have a wonderful celebration later this week, and look forward to hearing all about it. With love and very best wishes from all your friends all around the world.
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Dame Fiona Reynolds, Chair, INTO
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A video from Catherine Leonard, Secretary-General INTO entitled “Reminisces on the working partnership between INTO and the NTZ” was also shared (see https://into-icnt.org/social-media ) in which Catherine spoke of the friendship between the two organisations that evolved from an INTO conference held in Dublin in 2009. A year later Oliver Maurice visited Zimbabwe to advise on the NTZ. During his stay he visited Worlds View, La Rochelle and RNHE and as he was so impressed INTO organised for Karen Dicken, People Project Manager at The National Trust, Plymouth, United Kingdom to go to Zimbabwe during which time she compiled a Management Plan for La Rochelle. Catherine went on to say that over the years the partnership had grown and facilitated projects such as assisting a Youth Programme in association with like-minded organisations in Sierra Leone and Uganda, and establishing the NTZ website. She ended by wishing the NTZ another 60 successful years.
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The finale of a wonderful day of events was the cutting of a scrumptious 60th cake iced with the signature colours of the NTZ.
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It was a memorable occasion!
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A video capturing the highlights of the event has been posted on the NTZ facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/National-Trust-of-Zimbabwe. If you enjoy it, please like and share the page. Thank you very much.
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WORLDS VIEW
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Watch this space as Gill Honeyman is working on something very special for you to experience in 2021!
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Birthday wishes from INTO Members.
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Catherine Leonard has very kindly posted birthday wishes and cards received from the global INTO family that we would like to share with you, please see: https://into-icnt.org/social-media.
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60th Anniversary celebrations 31st October 2020 at La Rochelle
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This wonderful, and exceptionally well organised event was attended by 3 National Trust representatives, namely Gill Honeyman, Guy Cary and myself, Lin Goncalves.
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The documentary film, presented by Robbie Honey, was projected on the tower wall on Friday evening, the 30th, with an almost full moon hanging in the clear sky behind the tower and a clear star-lit sky graced the evening.
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Harvey and Debbie have most certainly revived La Rochelle and breathed new life into every part of the property. We had a long and interesting walk around the botanical gardens and they are in pristine condition – lawns and pathways are manicured and immaculate and the old waterway is once again running through the gardens down to the dam, attracting birds and butterflies along the way.
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The lovely wooden bench – tribute to The Curtain Foundation, Nick Roditi, Simon Goldberg (and others) is well situated in a quiet and pretty spot overlooking one of the ponds. The Trust is humbled by the measure of generosity shown by Mr. Roditi to enable the NTZ to restore the orchid houses and the gardens, all of which are looking really beautiful and well tended by the long-standing senior member of the gardening staff, Nicholas and his team. There is also a memorial bench in appreciation of the work done by Daryl Plowes for the NTZ.
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Before the luncheon on Saturday the 31st, the invited guests were treated to a delightful programme in the formal lounge, of well-loved oldies spanning the past 6 decades, by the Phoenix Choir of Harare, whose voices belted out such favourites as “Diamonds are a Girl’s Best Friend”, “Fly me to the Moon”, “Mr Sandman”, “Annie’s Song” and “Fiddler on the Roof” – to name a few, in the lounge, tastefully furnished and with blooming orchids to grace the tables.
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It is an amazing coincidence that, after a couple of botanical scares in the shade-house, the rare and beautiful Vanda lombokensis orchid named after Lady Virginia, IS BLOOMING for only the 3rd time in 60 years, right now….a fitting tribute to the philanthropist couple who collected the orchids and exotic plants which all still thrive in the gardens at La Rochelle today!
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Nina Bauer’s many years of hard work and dedication was acknowledged on the occasion too, in the form of two, laminated and bound volumes of the glass signature panels with the biographies of MOST of the signatories. An enormous thank you to Nina and to Heather, now in Australia, for their many hours, days, weeks, and now YEARS of work to get these volumes done in time for the 60th Anniversary of the National Trust of Zimbabwe.
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Harvey Leared welcomed all the guests to La Rochelle and spoke of the National Trust and the developments over the past five years, which have been quite remarkable considering the ‘challenges’ one faces!
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The luncheon beneath the trees in the gardens in the front of the house was a splendid menu with chicken liver pate followed by a sumptuous buffet with roast rolled beef, baked ham, pickled bream and a selection of tantalizing fresh salads and rolls, and baby potatoes in their jackets, with lashings of butter and fresh herbs from the kitchen garden.
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One can only imagine a content couple looking down on the event, perhaps from the tower window, and saying to one another how happy they were to see such a fitting tribute to their legacy being played out on the lawns below, under a rich cobalt blue and cloudless sky, in the gardens they both so lovingly engineered and nurtured.
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This is one of the exotics brought to this country by Sir Stephen, an Erythrina crista galli (pictured above) - a native of S. America, gracing the front garden at La Rochelle.
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Guy Cary, from the NTZ Nyanga Committee, who attended with Ms Gill Honeyman of World’s View, gave a great speech, likening the National Trust’s properties within Zimbabwe to a medieval crown, with it’s jewel-inlaid ermine and 3-pointed ‘crown’ of jewels, the most significant of which is the La Rochelle jewel in the crown of the NTZ!
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Guy has been very familiar with the history of the National Trust and of the Eastern Districts area spanning a number of years and is a commendable speaker!
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The gardens at this time of the year are looking superb, with many blooms to admire both in flower beds and on some of the trees.
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A new succulent garden was officially opened to mark the occasion and a tree was planted to remember and commemorate the life of the late Gordon Addams who passed away very suddenly recently. Gordon was a long standing member of the Eastern Districts community having managed some of the top small hotels in the region for a number of years and lately, ‘Gordon’s’ in Mutare, until his death.
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Guy spoke freely and easily of the history of La Rochelle and the generosity of the Courtaulds and of the eastern districts area in general.
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Being close to the Indian Ocean to the east, the area has a dynamic history dating back a few hundred years to the slave and gold and ivory traders plying the Indian Ocean up and down the east coast of Africa.
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After lunch, the water-colour painting by Margi Grobelaar, which Margi had donated to the Trust some time ago, was auctioned with Des Becker ably filling the post of last-minute appointee of the position of auctioneer.
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Bidding was brisk with a more-than-expected and very generous winning bid from Gill Honeyman – a huge thanks to Gill!!!
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We all look forward to many more successful birthday celebrations for the National Trust of Zimbabwe – and a big thank you to everyone involved who tirelessly give of their time for this great cause.
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Donations
The NTZ would sincerely like to acknowledge the following people for their recent donations:
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Piero and Hillary their generous donation covered the cost of constructing the newly-completed 'Robertson Bench' at Worlds View. This is the first time that the NTZ has been commissioned by an Architect to design and build anything, so it was a great relief and very rewarding when you revisited recently and said it was better than anything you had expected. You chose a beautiful location: afternoon sun, sheltered from the wind, and a breath-taking view. What a beautiful spot to sit and remember your parents. Gill Honeyman, Chair, said it was a pleasure to meet you both and to be able to christen the bench together. We are sure you and your family will revisit and share many memorable moments there too.
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Prof. Roberts for the printing of the La Rochelle Signature booklets (2)
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It was quite fitting as Prof Roberts assisted with some of the research. The booklets are of are a fascinating and most important historical research document published after 7 years of painstaking research undertaken by Mrs Nina Bauer and Mrs Heather White. The NTZ is deeply indebted to you for all you support and enthusiasm for the project. The timely donation meant that we were able to launch the publication at the NTZ 60th Anniversary that was successfully held on Saturday 31st October.
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Kind donations were also received from Lynda Hyde, Des Becker and Janet Hoppit. Your support is so very much appreciated.
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The NTZ is super excited to share several recently produced videos:
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New: 60th Celebratory Video
At the 60th ceebations held at Worlds view guests were invited to the first global screening of the first ever NTZ video made possible by generous funding by Mr H Leared, produced by Mr N Kuhn, to whom the NTZ is extremely grateful. The video is packed with interesting information about the NTZ and its sites (see https://ntoz.org/the-ntz-celebrates-its-60th-birthday-today).
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New: Video join-robbie-honey-on-a-delightful-journey-around-the-botanical-gardens-and-learn-about-the-fascinating-courtauld-history
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The Trust is thrilled to share with you a video entitled: ‘La Rochelle: Robbie Honey’ that enjoyed its premier screening at the recent Trust’s 60th birthday celebrations held at La Rochelle.
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Robbie, Floral Designer, Lecturer and Author of ‘The Accidental Botanist: The Structure of Plants Revealed’, passionately shares his botanical knowledge about the abundant flora growing in the grounds of La Rochelle. He also explains the history of the estate and reveals some interesting old black and white photographs of the Courtauld’s taken in the UK and in Zimbabwe. The video shows magnificent sweeping aerial views of the house and estate made possible by drone footage.
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As you will discover the estate has an exceptional botanical area and Dell that covers 20 acres of land both contain many fine specimens of exotic and indigenous species. Robbie’s tour includes the unique Orchid biome that is home to a large and diverse collection of exotic orchids that Sir Stephen collected from around the world including the Lady Virginia Orchid: the only known specimen in the world, being a natural hybrid, found during Sir Stephen's travels and brought to settle at La Rochelle.
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We do hope that you enjoy watching this wonderful production by Media Matrix Productions, very kindly sponsored by Mr H. Leared for which the Trust is extremely grateful.
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https://ntoz.org/la-rochelle-join-robbie-honey-on-a-delightful-journey-around-the-botanical-gardens-and-learn-about-the-fascinating-courtauld-history/
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‘The Tourist Lookout’: Rhodes Nyanga Historical Exhibition
We have much pleasure in sharing a video produced by ‘The Tourist Lookout’ that featured the Rhodes Nyanga Historical Exhibition whlist they were travelling around and highlighting the best ‘hidden tourist gems’ of the Eastern Highlands.
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The video shows Marshall Nyanhanda, the Curator showing the team around and being interviewed.
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https://ntoz.org/the-museum-featured-in-this-tourism-video/
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The Hon. Mangaliso Ndlovu visits the Rhodes Nyanga Historical Exhibition.
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It was a real honor for the Trust to host The Hon. Mangaliso Ndlovu, Minister of Environment, Climate Change, Tourism and Hospitality Industry last week.
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The Hon. Minister was attending a conference at the Rhodes Nyanga hotel and decided to visit the Rhodes Nyanga Historical Exhibition during his trip to the Eastern Highlands.
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Mr Marshall Nyanhanda, the Curator of the exhibition, warmly welcomed the Hon. Minister and his entourage and said that he was very privileged to meet everyone and to show them around the permanent collections.
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We thank you very much for visiting the Rhodes Nyanga Historical Exhibition. It was our pleasure indeed.
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https://ntoz.org/the-hon-mangaliso-ndlovu-visits-the-rhodes-nyanga-historical-exhibition/
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HERITAGE IS PRECIOUS - TREASURE IT!
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