This dreamy and colourful painting of the view from Worlds View with Aloes in the foreground was
painted by Richard Conlon
who is a local artist from Harare whose specialty is landscapes and wildlife.
The painting was exhibited at the recent October Moon exhibition in Borrowdale.
Many thanks go to Richard for giving us permission to share this with you.
Enjoy.
WORLD’S VIEW
CHAIRMAN’S REPORT – MARCH 2020 TO APRIL 2021
Early morning dew on spider’s web at World’s View (Photo: Tony Martin)
Once again, we thank all our visitors for their continued support and generosity at the View. Even at the height of the Covid pandemic, we kept the View site open for those willing to tackle the harsh road ‘up the mountain’ to take in the fresh mountain air, enjoy the magnificent scenery, flora and birdlife. Most returning visitors now bring their picnic baskets and cooler boxes and make a real day of it, some stay well into the evening to witness the magnificent sunsets from the various vantage points and toposcope.
Sunset over the valley below the World’s View escarpment (Photo: Tony Martin)
We have managed to complete a number of projects over the past year despite our downturrn in income. A new stairway down to the ‘bush walk’ has been built and now gives safe access to a short walk ‘on the wild side’.
Matirina at work on the steps
A number of new stone benches have been built with some of the best views over the valley. They are being well used by visitors who really appreciate the extra facilities.
Luke, our caretaker assisting Stephen the builder on one of the benches
Completed, and affectionately named the Aubrey Logan Bench
Just below the toposcope, an old staircase was discovered after removing some ground cover overgrowth. We tagged on another bench which now provides a pleasant shady spot for visitors to sit. It should take about a year for the grass and shrubs to established themselves, providing that the oncoming winter does not take its toll!
New bench – terracing not yet complete The ‘discovered’ staircase
Another of our generous visitors, Mr and Mrs Alberti , donated funds for the construction of ‘The Robertson Bench, which has been built in a rocky outcrop just above the ‘bush walk’ We thank them most sincerely for sponsoring this bench and allowing us to ‘keep the change’ that was left over after completion.
Luke and Stephen preparing the area Work in progress
Mr and Mrs Alberti returned to site to celebrate the completion of the Robertson Bench
Our latest development to be completed is our new bird viewing platform, affectionately known as The Hide.
An enclosed, wind and rain proof little building, sunk into the cliff side. The most spectacular place to sit in comfort and wait and watch for the birds of prey to fly past below. The Hide has already become a favourite for people, even non-birders, to meet for sundowners to watch the changing colours of the evening sky.
Construction was slow but steady, using funds as they became available. Our grateful thanks to Mike Hoggard for his generous donation which allowed us to complete the project earlier than expected.
Cut and fill begins Roof height
Lazarus, one of our builders (pictured above), sadly died a few days before the Hide’s completion. Our condolences to his family. He will be remembered by the colleagues he worked with on many of the past projects at the View.
Southern elevation Facing west, overlooking Mt Ziwa, the highest mountain in the valley below
Looking towards Nyamutoro from inside Comfortably furnished and ready to welcome visitors
The Hide, nestled into the cliff face – top left
And … a big cheers to everyone involved in the construction, and to all those visitors who will have many happy times at The Hide
. 
The annual World’s View ‘Carols at Sunset’ was held on Christmas Eve, and despite the pandemic, 130 people and 7 dogs made it up the mountain to celebrate together and sing their hearts out.
Our thanks to Guy Cary, who organised the word sheets and bravely conducted the singing from one of the lower terraces.
Guy Cary, conducting the carol singers
The World’s View Choir gave us a special treat by singing two Shona Christmas songs. Mince pies and cool drinks were handed out at the end of proceedings.
The Woodland family returned, for a third time, to entertain the ‘crowd’: Peter on trumpet, Andrew on saxophone and Victoria on flute (pictured above), played from the toposcope during interval. They received huge applause from a very appreciative audience and we thank them most sincerely for their wonderful and unfailing support of the National Trust. We look forward to many more Woodland recitals at the View.
It was our pleasure to host the 60th anniversary celebration of the founding of the National Trust of Zimbabwe on 25th August. A very scaled down event, due to Covid restricted numbers, but it was a packed day that started with speeches by our vice chair, Sharon Waterworth, Willie Dhlandlara (Solon Foundation) and Guy Cary, followed by a buffet luncheon and sparkling wines.
Willie Dhlandlara 
Sharon Waterworth
Buffet luncheon
Bubbly served by Talent, saleslady at the Sculpture Garden
Willie Dhlandlara cutting the Anniversary cake, overlooked by Sharon Waterworth – Vice Chairman NTZ, Gill Honeyman – Chairman World’s View and Guy Cary – Chairman Rhodes Nyanga Historical Exhibition
After lunch we moved into the Gallery for the official opening of the Mike Kimberley Room. A granite plaque was unveiled together with a framed tribute to Mike, who played a key roll in the early days of the National Trust and in particular the World’s View site.
Unveiling of the Mike Kimberley Room plaque
Our thanks to Sharon Waterworth and Fira Bach for bringing up all the equipment and necessary ‘stuff’ to show the NTZ 60th Birthday video, introducing all the National Trust Sites throughout Zimbabwe. This was the first public viewing and an excellent presentation for those wanting to know more about our various sites. For those of you who would care to watch, please follow the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yRa4kz8iBlg&feature=YouTube.be
It was wonderful that the Logans were able to come from Harare to join us in celebrating our 60th anniversary. Sadly, Aubrey passed away recently and he will always be remembered for his unfailing support of NTZ and in particular the RNHE where his wife, Edone Anne, was Chairman for many years. His kind ways, and ‘wicked’ sense of humour endeared him to us all, he will be sadly missed but remembered with love and respect by us all at World’s View.
Edone Anne and Aubrey Logan at the 60th Anniversary Celebration of NTZ at World’s View
Our deepest condolences to Edone Anne and all the family. We are proud to have one of the new stone benches named in his honour.
Looking towards Eagle Point from the Aubrey Logan Bench (Photo: Tony Martin)
Shamiso Mapara, co-founder and executive director of Eco Buddies Zimbabwe and Annabel Chitambwe communications manager, paid us a visit in October. EBZ is a non-profit organisation working in both rural and urban communities in Zimbabwe. The organisation was founded in 2013 by three young people from Zimbabwe because of their concern for the sad state of the rural communities’ environment. They saw the need to establish community-based afforestation and reforestation projects in rural areas following massive deforestation over the last number of years. Deforestation has deprived many of their livelihoods, which are traditionally centred on forest reserves. They feel that to combat environmental degradation in the future requires strong leadership and innovative ideas from young people, so EBZ pride themselves in empowering young Zimbabwans to have the capacity to initiate sustainable development driven initiatives.
Two lovely ladies enjoying a late breakfast after an early morning start exploring the escarpment
Lots of good ideas and advice were exchanged and we look forward to giving them all our support in their future endeavours.
Shamiso at the View Annabel at the foot of Nyamutoro
Zimbabwe loses more than three hundred hectares of forest yearly (Forestry Commission, 2008)
The Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) are great supporters of the World’s View site and we were happy to welcome a number of recruits who were on an officer selection course from the Zimbabwe Military Academy, Gweru.
Recruites on the Helen Hyslop Hill
The lady recruits that were on the course – except one!
The Zimbabwe republic Police were invited to address a meeting with the local community who had expressed concerns about the illegal grazing of cattle on the mountain. Afterwards they were invited to a tour of the View, and were amazed at the beauty of the site and the magnificent view over Nyanga Village where they are stationed.
Const Masase Const Sinyabuwe Sgt Kaita and Sgt Tichiwangani on the balcony of the Toposcope
Relaxing on the lawn In the Hide
We were delighted to have a visit from our local chief, Chief Hata (Edward Chingamere –[ pictured left]). He told us a few fireside stories that his father, and his father before, had passed down the generations, of tribal battles and sieges, that took place along the escarpment many years ago.
He has promised to return to give a more detailed account of the local community and their past lifestyles and beliefs. This will enable us to write an article for display in the Kimberley Room giving an historic but hopefully colourful and romantic account of the cultural heritage of this magical, mysterious and very spiritual part of Nyanga.
The road up from Troutbeck to World’s View remains a mission for anything other than 4X4’s. The recent rainy season saw several cars abandoned on the muddy, slippery slopes, and a huge underground stream sprang up right in the middle of the road outside Tsanga Lodge. The local Council have been unable to undertake any road repairs due to financial constraints, but the valiant efforts of our neighbours, Little Connemara, have managed to keep the road open, despite some very tricky sections that are now down to bedrock. So, be warned – 4 X 4 for sure, and don’t forget your picnic basket and cooler box.
A number of new road signs have been placed on the circular drive and a diagramatic map is being prepared by Connemara, which will be placed at the ‘Y’ junction of World’s View Road, Connemara Drive and the Joan MacIlwaine Drive. These additions will certainly assist motorists in misty conditions or those descending the mountain with empty cooler boxes!
Matirina and Itiyi ‘planting’ signs 
A really big thank you to the Board and owners of Little Connemara for continuing to support our efforts in the control of invasive species on the plateau. Much progress has been made on the sections north and south of the fenced View site, with most of the larger trees having been felled and regrowth being removed on a regular basis. Some local plot owners have asked their own caretakers to assist by keeping their verges clear, and a big thank you to Murray Lynton-Edwards for keeping the large wetland area, adjacent to his property, clear of those awful ‘volunteer’ pine saplings. Without such help, and a few years from now, there would have been a pine forest, and one of our precious wetlands would have been lost forever.
Wishing you all safe journeys and many happy visits to Nyanga, especially to our beautiful World’s View.
Gill Honeyman
May 2021
Cloudburst over the plains below
We take this opportunity to thank our many visitors, domestic and international, who have given their support and many kind comments on the most recent improvements to our beautiful view site. Without their contributions, received via entrance fees and donations, we would certainly not be able to continue our development and maintenance of this very special and unique place.
The original little reception office built in the 1970s
The Gallery as it stands today
The Gallery has had a number of new extensions built over the last four years including two new display rooms and a toilet block to the rear. Our latest addition is the covered veranda which was completed recently.
Work in progress…
Foundations being laid 
New front door being made by local craftsmen
We formed an association with the National Gallery of Zimbabwe (Mutare branch) last year and have had several successful exhibitions to promote Zimbabwean artists. The NGZ continue to allow us to exhibit their artists’ works and as a result, many sales have been achieved on behalf of our young Zimbabwean artists.
Gill Honeyman (with Elizabeth Muusha, Director of NGZ Mutare) taken on a recent visit to the Mutare Gallery
Elizebeth Muusha with some of the works by artist Wilson Zuze – over 20 of his paintings were sold from the Gallery at World’s View
Some of the paintings that form part of our permanent collection: Nyanga Artists – Val Cameron, Edone Anne Logan, Cherrie Stead and Gill Honeyman
The View has had a number of visits by delegations from various countries which have been hosted by the President’s Office, including The Marshall Islands and Equatorial Guinea. It is gratifying to know that World’s View is now on the agenda of our Government to showcase our natural heritage by bringing visiting heads of state to the Eastern Highlands.
The Hon. Oppah Muchingura, Minister of Defence and War Veterans’ Affairs signing the visitor’s bookon a recent visit to World’s View:
“I just realised that Zimbabwe is such a beautiful country still to be discovered. With this visit I have the best impressions. Thanking the Trust for the zeal to maintain this place for future generations. Keep up the good work”.
Our battle continues with the illegal grazing of cattle on the escarpment; these pictures give evidence to the devastation caused by these beasts.
Inside the fenced area at the View 
Outside of the fenced area!
Illegal poachers with their hunting dogs are often seen in the area; this picture (left) was taken at the gates of World’s View over the Christmas holidays – the man in the foreground is carrying a sack of rock rabbits on his back! The cattle in the background are part of a herd that are left to roam unattended and are forever being chased off the mountain by our caretakers, only for them to appear again a few days later. All the game that used to wander the area has been completely poached out and even now it is rare to see a rabbit in your headlights when travelling the circular drive at night.
Our third set of new gates has just been installed due to cattle damage, and fence repairs are an ongoing exercise. The fence-line has been extended by 30 m to the south of the View.
Our appeal to Government to have the Connemara Basin put under protective management is almost ready for submission: our grateful thanks to Sharon Waterworth for preparing a brilliant covering document that outlines our aims and brings attention not only the problems of cattle and poaching but also the increasing necessity to preserve our montane grasslands, wetlands and indigenous species of flora and fauna.
We continue to make headway on the eradication of invasive species that have been taking over the area. Our wetlands are being threatened and the whole ecology of the area could be changed forever if steps are not taken to control the growth of pine, wattle and other invaders. To date over 3000 pines have been removed from the escarpment by chainsaw, over 2000 by machete and countless numbers of saplings have been pulled by hand. We would like to thank the board of Little Connemara for contributing towards this exercise and also some of the owners of the properties surrounding the Connemara Lakes for asking their own caretakers to help clear the areas opposite their properties.
The picnic areas are being put to good use and visitors enjoy the magnificent scenery and the gardens that have something of interest growing at all times of year.
The protea cuttings have now matured into strong sturdy plants and the ones grown from the Kirstenbosch seeds have been in flower and cuttings are being taken for propagating for our Plant Sales section.
We thank Mr Jim Dryburgh, a keen photographer and bird-watcher, for this selection of delightful photographs of proteacea and sunbirds taken on one of his visits to World’s View.
The World’s View Sculptors are producing many new pieces for sale in the Sculpture Garden. We are sorry to announce the death of their Chairman, Mr Xaviour Nyakete, who has been a great friend and contributor to the site. It is gratifying to know that his work has been sold to a number of international tourists and will grace many a home in far off lands. Our condolences to his family and brother, Panganai, who has taken over the chairmanship of the Sculptors Committee.
The Gazebo and Sculpture Garden nestled at the foot of Nyamatoro (World’s View Mountain)
Our two caretakers at work in the gardens.
Arthur trimming edges
Luke tending to newlyp lanted hydrangeas at the entrance to the toposcope whom at (71) became the proud father of his 18th child in March!
Matirina and Arthur planting aloes on the slopes below the toposcope
Some of our smaller visitors
Before the Covid-19 lockdown we constructed a hands-free facility near the car park for visitors to wash their hands on arrival and departure.
The Covid-19 outbreak, although we have not yet realised the true picture in Zimbabwe to date (April 2020), has already had a real impact on the number of visitors coming to the View. The lockdown has resulted in a 100% loss of income but it is gratifying to see that our people are taking full cognizance of the seriousness of the situation and staying at home!
We continue to keep the View site open albeit for maintenance and tending the garden with Luke on lockdown at home and Arthur, Matirina and myself doing what we can – at a respectable distance and with frequent hand washing! The projects that we had intended to undertake have been put on hold and the finances to undertake these will now be channelled towards paying our two caretakers’ wages for as long as we have the resources.
Our thoughts are with all Zimbabweans and all those in other countries throughout the world who are suffering the loss of loved ones during this most awful time and look forward to the day when we can return to some normality and a brighter future.
Gill Honeyman
Chairman – World’s View Committee
Sunset – Mt Ziwa in the distance
The mountain experienced a very wet start to 2017, with rainfall for the season (to March 2017) of over 1700mm and all three Connemara Lakes are again full and spilling furiously. The torrential rains flooded the car park – it dried out gradually and reopened after some filling and levelling. The 2m wide x 30m long contour ridge that we dug at the base of Nyamutoro (World’s View Mountain) thankfully, prevented a more serious situation.
In preparation for the 2018 rains extensive ground-work was undertaken to prevent any further flooding. Pits and trenches were dug and backfilled to channel the rainwater away from the car park and down to the western slopes of the site. The rains brought on an abundance of wild flowers and the site is looking stunning.
But, this is in stark contrast to the land outside the fence, where there is evidence of the damage and degradation caused by the cattle that are driven up the mountain to graze. It is our intention to, once again, petition the powers that be, to stop these cattle coming up the mountain and left unattended night and day. Up to now our complaints and those of the Board of Little Connemara have not been heard. The loss of the flora, fauna and birdlife that once inhabited the area is also of great concern: this due 100% to not only the overgrazing by cattle but also the ‘outsiders’ who come with their packs of hunting dogs, under the pretence of ‘looking for their cattle’, meanwhile they are carrying axes, clubs and catapults.
The Little Connemara Estate was declared a bird and wildlife sanctuary some years ago but all the land on the outside of the circular drive that surrounds the Connemara Lakes was acquired by Government in 2002 for eco-tourism. The conservation of the area has been totally neglected since then. Snares are constantly being found and removed by walkers and the Connemara residents. The firebreaks are not maintained and some of the land has been given over to potato growers who have exasperated the situation by ploughing and interfering with the natural springs that occur on the areas designated to them.
A large landslide beneath the World’s View toposcope occurred on a path made by the cattle coming up the eastern slopes. Ground cover being reduced through localised overgrazing and trampling has greatly increased the risk of further landslides due to the soil losing the ability to ‘hold’. There are some further sections that look like they may ‘go’ as well, as some large ‘cracks’ in the soil are apparent adjacent to the original fall. 
The upper slopes leading to the summit of Nyamutoro and some parts of the lower fenced area of the site are constantly being cleared of pine and other invasive species. It is an on-going exercise to keep on top of this problem but Matirina with chainsaw and the caretakers with machetes have put paid to hundreds of these invaders and the larger trees have been felled and cross cut as firewood for use in the caretakers’ wood stove.
Renovations and extensions to the staff housing reached completion mid-year. It was a busy time with builders, carpenters and plumbers all working on site at the same time. The old ‘long drop’ was replaced with a flush toilet and new shower area created so consequently new piping had to be laid and a new soak away dug at the bottom of the caretakers’ garden. A large French drain was laid at the top of the vegetable garden to take the grey water and help to keep their vegetables watered during the dry season. Instead of using the local stone we decided to do the extensions in brick/plaster to stay in keeping with the original structure. This has worked well and resulted in a neat and handsome little building. An additional window has been fitted to the back bedroom.
The new veranda is sheltered by a shoulder high wall to give protection from the wind and a second wood burning stove installed. All internal rooms have been fitted with ceiling boards to stop condensation forming and the old inside kitchen has been turned into a sitting room. Luke and Arthur are delighted with their new home and have asked me to convey their thanks to the National Trust for upgrading their accommodation. They both worked over and above their normal hours to assist in this project and we are grateful to have such dedicated staff in our service.
A new 35m length of picket fencing replaced the old and rotting one along the road boundary which has enhanced that aspect tremendously. A pole fence has been constructed on the inner boundary, hedging planted and a ‘Staff Only’ sign put on the gate.
For the second consecutive year, yet another of our stone gate posts was ‘taken out’ by a bus, followed by an angry bull who ripped the wooden entrance gate into several pieces. Fortunately he was spotted and escorted off the property with his many lady friends before too much damage was done to the gardens!
The 4th picnic table and benches have been completed and an upgrade to their surrounds has been achieved by new planting of azaleas and a bit of further landscaping on the terrace below. It is rewarding to see the fruits of our labours coming to bear at last, the gardens are full of interesting beds that have now filled out and provide an array of different flowers throughout the seasons, although not all the plants are of an indigenous nature, they provide colour and interest for our many visitors.
There was a drop off in visitors from September due to the ‘cash crisis’ and fear of harassment by police at road blocks. However, since mid-November this has greatly improved and we have introduced an Ecocash system that works well.
June Weeks continues to bring us aloe cuttings which are being planted along the escarpment. An old cattle track coming up the eastern slopes (now fenced), has caused considerable erosion, so to combat this a large semi-circular stairway using local stone, has been constructed. This will make a great spot for large groups wanting to picnic and enjoy the scenery.
A very successful ‘ Carols by Sunset’ was arranged on Christmas eve by Lindsay Lees May, manageress at Little Connemara and Pam and Dave Lee and family, residents of the estate. Word sheets and Christmas pies were handed out, the rain held off and ‘the hills were alive with the sound of music’.
In 2018 the professional services of Mr Jakob Raath to undertake an ecological study of the World’s View area was commissioned. The overall aim is to have a database of ecological resources relevant to the area for posterity as well as being an aid in planning and making future recommendations for our site and environs.
Phase I, the pilot study, was completed in January. Jakob returned to site to complete Phase II mid March. The aims of Phase II were to expand on the activities begun earlier as well as collect plants not seen flowering at the time of Phase I. New areas of the NTZ environs were sampled and more data about the overall environmental health of the area were gathered.
In addition, an extra 2 volunteer days were spent removing the vegetation from the ruins above the car park to expose the sections of walling for future archaeological work. The removal of the vegetation was done in a methodical manner, taking care to cause minimal impact. We had no idea of the extent of these ‘on-site’ ruins until Jacob, with the help of Matirina and Luke, discovered that the ruins are much more extensive than first thought. We look forward to the return of Rob Burrett to take his archaeological study further.
More of Jacob’s finding on the adjacent land to the south of the World’s View site, reveal that in this unique area a potential ecological disaster is in the making. Steps are being taken to have this area placed under protection.
As recommended by Rob Burrett, a sign at the start of the path leading to the summit has been placed to make climbers aware of the conditons that may await them. Mist can decende in minutes so it is adviseable to keep to the footpath and to keep a watchful eye for baboon activity.
Our little ‘Plant Sales’ section is doing well and visitors are delighted to be able to buy plants that they can see in flower in our gardens. We continue to support Valhalla Nursery in Juliasdale for the azaleas and hydrangeas and Mrs Dalrae Bailey, also of Juliasdale, has become a recent supplier of well established protea plants.
Landscaping and planting the kopje to the south of the toposcope is complete and the first flowering of the Kirstenbosch proteas graced the kopje. Mr Michael Tucker kindly donated two hardwood benches which were commissioned. We are immensely grateful for this donation and the benches will be the crowning glory of the kopje.
The following are some quote from our visitor’s book which are worthy of mention ………
“I’m going to die a happy man – even more proud to be Zimbabwean after visiting this place with my family. Thanks to the hardworking guys for maintaining this awesome place”’ Lional Takawira, Guildord, Surrey, UK.
“This is one of the few places in Zimbabwe still intact and looking lovely as always”. Chervonna Gororo, Harare.
“A real gem, the best kept place in Zimbabwe”. Kate Hurst, Stellenbosch, RSA
“A return after more than 20 years and I really loved the re-visitation. More beautiful and extraordinary than I remember. Thank you for keeping it well”. Gynthia Baloyi, Ohio, USA.
“We haven’t been to World’s View in years and have been amazed at the beauty and tidiness. The toilets must be the most beautiful and functional in Zimbabwe”. Snick Nkomo, Harare.
‘One can see God’s hand at work here’. ………. Someone has kindly added in bold black capitals – ‘with a little help from NTZ!’
Gill Honeyman
World’s View
March 2018
In 2014 the NTZ decided to undertake an innovative, experimental pilot project for school children to “re-discover their living traditions and identify their cultural roots”. The project focused on heritage education management and based on community participation in terms of their time and materials and provided capacity building for school teachers. A copy of “The Heritage Education Toolkit” used by heritage clubs in secondary schools was kindly given to the NTZ by the Cross Cultural Foundation of Uganda.
The project was drawn up following the guidelines from Uganda, but adapting the details to the Zimbabwean context. The project was championed by Mrs Edone Ann Logan Chairperson of the Rhodes Nyanga Historical Exhibition (RNHE). 132 children and 6 teachers, from a secondary school and 2 primary schools, each of which run a Heritage Club, were involved in the project which was the recipient of an International National Trust Organisation (INTO) Small Grants Programme (SGP) fund for which the NTZ was truly appreciative.
The SGP is designed to provide small scale but catalytic support for the international family of INTO member organizations, working on heritage management and related community-led cultural programs. The primary purpose of the SGP is to build capacity and strengthen governance, membership recruitment and sustainability of INTO members.
The Project gave the RNHE and the NTZ the opportunity of raising public awareness to the value of cultural heritage and the study of the unique prehistory of the area was incorporated into the history and heritage curriculums. Training guides for the schools involved in the programme were compiled and a display of items/pictures and artifacts took place at the RNHE.
The NTZ now has a proven blueprint for cultural heritage education management that can be replicated in other schools countrywide. We have seen that schools are keen to encourage the pupils to take an active part in Museum research and displays. We encouraged schools to visit heritage sites in the area and experience hands-on traditional crafts, and most importantly, research their own family histories, collect stories from their grandparents, and find their own identities within their ethnic groups.
We would like to thank Mr W Dhlandhlara of the SOLON Foundation who supported the project and very generously provided funds for the transportation of the school children to the activities and funding the final traditional meal. SOLON also provided each school in the area (60) with a copy of Robert Soper’s ”Terrace Builders of Nyanga”, and the Prehistory Society of Zimbabwe followed by donating Rob Burrett’s “Shadows of our Ancestors” to each school.
The 17th International Conference of National Trust (ICNT) was recently held in Bali and the opportunity to celebrate and review the impact of the INTO SGP was undertaken. As a past recipient of the SPG we were invited to submit our project into the SGP competition.
Our entry was displayed at the SGP Success Booth set up at the conference to show each project and request each visitor to the Booth to rate the “”Best SGP-supported Project”” from among all previous winners over the past 3 years, rating the Best with a single token vote.
On the final day of the conference (Friday, 15 September 2017) Dame Fiona Reynolds, the INTO Chairman, announced that the NTZ had won the competition! With over 130 delegates from 30 countries at the conference, including three Executive Council members from the NTZ, we were very proud and excited to have showcased the work that we do in Zimbabwe on a global platform. Congratulation’s go to Edone Ann Logan and to all her committee members for implementing the project.
David Scott, NTZ Chair accepting the prize from Dame Fiona Reynolds
With grateful thanks to Gill Honeyman and her wonderful little team up at Worlds View, for all the work you all do there, making the site most enjoyable and much appreciated!
Gill’s report follows:-
An all-time, record breaking month for the View with over 1500 visitors, mostly over the festive season – 300 visitors on Christmas Day, 200 on Boxing Day and 250 over New Year.
The rains have been extremely heavy with torrential downpours and due to the volume of traffic coming onto site the parking area has been turned into a quagmire.
We have dug a 2m wide contour ridge at the base of Nyamutoro (to the rear of the sculptor’s gazebo) which has diverted most of the run-off from the mountain and hopefully we shall now be able to restore our once beautifully lawned parking area.
We still face serious problems at the entrance gate as the culvert was removed by Nyanga Rural Council when they graded the road in 2015 and there is just nowhere for the run-off from the road to go. We battle daily to remove the red soil/mud collecting at the gate and have opened new mitre drains to divert the water down into the lakes. The Rural Council will be contacted in the new year.
We are grateful to the Stead Family from Connemara (Plot No 41) who organised a ‘Carols by Sunset’ on Christmas Eve, the grandchildren playing flute, trumpet and sax. ‘Hark the Herald Angels Sing’ will never be the same again! The rain held off and although our numbers were small it was an extremely enjoyable evening and hopefully next year, with better advertising, attendance will be higher.
The Hydrangeas have been magnificent, as they always are at this time of year, and we have had a lot of enquiries from our visitors as to where they could purchase these plants. An approach was made to Valhallah Nursery in Juliasdale who specialise in hydrangea and azalea and a mutually beneficial agreement was reached. We now have a plant sales area and sales are going really well, after only 2 weeks we are in profit by $83. We have since decided to stock other seasonal plants that grow on site and we are sure that our ‘Plant Sale’ section will continue to do well.
We have purchased some more lovely books for our small library and they have been very well received and read by visitors, mainly those taking shelter in the gallery when it rains. A lawnmower has also been purchased so we no longer have to borrow from No 12. Strimmer repairs continue!
Our ‘sign writer’ has been busy and painted a number of new metal signs: ‘NO FIRES’, ‘PLEASE TAKE FOOD WASTE HOME – BEWARE BABOONS!’, and others that will help visitors find their way around more easily.
Picnic table number four is near completion and the first three have been commissioned. All constructed from local stone and fitting in well with the natural surroundings.
Visitors enjoying sundowners at one of the new picnic tables.
Plans have been drawn for the extension and refurbishment of the staff accommodation block. It is our intention to build on another room to accommodate caretaker No. 2 and to completely refurbish the toilet and shower room. A covered courtyard will also be incorporated and a wood burning stove purchased to upgrade the kitchen facilities. Some roof repairs to the existing building are required and repairs and repainting to existing walls – inside and out. Although we expect a seasonal decline in the number of visitors over the next few months we should still have enough in the kitty to take us to roof height, until the Easter rush of guests.
The art gallery is attracting much interest and most visitors are surprised and impressed to find an art gallery on the top of a mountain! We even received an approach from an artist from Harare who enquired if he could hold an exhibition of his own work in the gallery. Our very grateful thanks go to Val Cameron of Juliasdale for her donation of a large pastel of a scene in the Fox Rock area and a smaller one of wild flowers. Val is a professional and very accomplished artist and we are extremely proud to have her work in our collection. They are presently in Harare being framed. Our thanks also to Cherrie Stead for two beautiful water colours that she has donated, they have been framed and now grace the gallery walls as part of our permanent collection. We are still encouraging local Nyanga artists to bring us their work for display/sale. One painting was sold in December with a 10% commission being paid to WV.
The visitors book continues to be a joy to read, many compliments about the staff and their friendly and welcoming reception, the well maintained grounds, the toilet facilities and of course our magnificent scenery. A visitor from Scotland wrote ‘Thanks to the people who donated this land, developed this land and now lovingly maintain it. Without you this place would not exist. A real gem on planet earth. The people of Zimbabwe should be proud of you all. Well done the National Trust of Zimbabwe’.
We still await a visit from Rob Burrett who will be able to give us advice on recently found ruins. We are anxious to promote the area using these easily accessible sites not only as an added attraction, but to emphasise the cultural history of this region. We appreciate the problems Rob faces with financing such a visit and the limitations on his valuable time, perhaps if there is someone else who is equally qualified and able to make the trip it would be most beneficial to get their advice sooner than later. Its over two years since we found the ruins and need to get this project moving. Any ideas?
My personal thanks to Matirina, who took leave from his job to be on site throughout the busy festive season, keeping everything running smoothly, efficiently and profitably, and to Luke and Arthur for the tremendous amount of work they put in keeping the site neat and clean as well as attending to our many visitors and …….. collecting the money!
Sit above the clouds and birds flying and gaze down from one of the highest points in the land of Zimbabwe (approx 2,300 metres), across the central plateau almost a kilometre below. The view is of a land of mystery, of peace and of extreme beauty and it seems endless. As you gaze across the landscape spreading out in all directions beneath you, imagine a time before time when no human being was here. Move on through history to think of the earliest inhabitants of our beautiful country, the ‘Bushmen’, living life off the abundance of nature in surely what must easily be one of the most beautiful landmarks of Zimbabwe.
Today the distant huts, hills and hamlets are bright and baked in the midday heat, then fade as the setting sun behind them throws its blue dusty shadows as it journeys to lands to the west when lights begin to twinkle and the chill of the highvelt evening, and the ever present wind sighing through the wattles and pines around you sound like the sea but you are in a land locked country.
Your eyes are overwhelmed by beauty at every turn, you tread on the land of forgotten peoples that possibly inhabited the area in the 14th and 15th centuries, you can feel their ancestors and see the cultural history in the forts, stone walls, pit structures and square kilometres of massive terraces: all beautifully crafted and utterly intriguing. Everywhere. But built by whom? How? For what: Agriculture? Slave enclosures? Livestock protection? Self defence? Mining?
All these have stood. And fallen. Only one thing is certain, and that is that these questions are not easily answered, and your favourite pet theory is as likely as any other.
As you climb down into the valley in the morning freshness, limbs quivering with exertion and great lungful’s of fresh mountain air drink from cooling streams, feel the cooling breeze dry the sweat on your back and feel the pulse of primal life quicken in your ears and veins.
On the 23rd April 2016, the members at Worlds View, Connemara and Nyanga, together with members of the Executive Committee from Harare, met at Worlds View to inaugurate the newly built little Art Gallery housing an exhibition of landscapes and floral scenes by local artists, toilet block and newly landscaped garden at the site. The cutting of the ribbon was done by our Chairman’s lovely wife, Shirley Scott and drinks and snacks were enjoyed by all in the bright sunshine outside the art gallery – now named the “Gill Honeyman Gallery”, after Gill, who is the Chairman of Worlds View and a resident at Worlds View who does an amazing job of landscaping the area and propagating plants, together with her very knowledgeable gardener Matinara. The event was followed by a delicious lunch with the local members at Gill’s home, set in the natural and indigenous landscape from which she has created a most delightful garden.
The newly inaugurated GILL HONEYMAN ART GALLERY
The newly inaugurated GILL HONEYMAN ART GALLERY
The new toilet block at Worlds View
Our Chairman, David Scott with Gill Honeyman
The Woodland family 
USE NUMBER: 0775 907 595