Last Week's Feedback.
Last week's blog attracted more attention than usual. Many comments were received, private and public. Every website has some keywords to attract visitors. Some words obviously attract more visitors than others, but I see my audience as old friends and those with a Zimbabwean agricultural interest. Therefore, my keywords promote these. Notwithstanding this, I have some regular readers who are neither Zimbabwean nor farmers and even some I have no past association with. No matter what, the negative or positive communication adds to my knowledge and others' interest.
I was humbled while at the same time very much appreciative of all the positive thoughts and well wishes in regard to my health. Thank you for responding; your positive thoughts and comments are cherished. Friends and family are so important.
I have more time to reflect on my situation and what struck me, possibly due to my age and health status; very small things can bring joy. For the first month after my double surgery, I dreaded nighttime as I would lie awake all night, being extremely uncomfortable due to pain. Now, I look forward to bedtime as I can sleep through the night with no pain, just the requirement to wake a couple of times to attend to my catheter bag. Even more importantly, I can attend to my nighttime needs by myself, which now allows Rozanne some sleep. Despite my improvements, she still seems to be pre-programmed into a twenty-four-hour attentive mode. Rozanne still very much attends to all our daily needs.
“It is a strange phenomenon, with age small joys take on much more significance when things get tougher. A good night's sleep, a good meal, a beautiful sunset, and a chat with a friend all become more significant than what was found in a holiday, a new car or a fishing trip in the past. Somehow, the brain seems to adapt to enhance these joys that always existed but were never truly appreciated.” - Peter McSporran
The other issue last week that brought much comment was my personal insight into what happened following the Commercial Farmers Union (CFU), where the election of new office bearers was aborted. Those who made comments were generally very complimentary of my take on events, but some of those involved were derogatory about what I wrote privately. This is what I would expect, and not everyone will agree with my view on those events nor do they approve of my intervention. I hear some think I am totally out of line, but this is not the first time I have been told that, so to those, I am happy to hear your contradictory take on events. Notwithstanding the contrasting views and positions, I hope the CFU can get back into a properly structured organisation and again be accountable to its members under its constitution. If it continues to represent Title Deed Holders (TDHs), it includes them in seeking, finding and promoting a legal agreement that can be honoured by all parties. No more behind-closed-doors deals brought about by egos built on political connections and buddies, real or pretend, rather than substance.
“No more illusory strategies that promote false hope, which is not only dishonest but chronically demoralising.” - Peter McSporran
On a sad note, Bob Fernades has passed on. I had known Bob probably for some forty years. Just a couple of weeks ago, on hearing my latest medical news, he contacted me and informed me he was reaching the end due to cancer. Bob was well known in Zimbabwe and internationally as a land agent and trusted farm business valuator. He was one of the leading lights in creating the Valuation Consortium, which most of us are grateful for in the valuation of both land, improvements and moveables included in our claims against the Zimbabwean Government. Rest in peace, Bob, you will be remembered.
Election Fever in West Nicholson.
Last week's blog on the constitutional debacle at the CFU reminds me of an election Anthony Swire-Thompson and I had to attend in West Nicholson shortly after taking office. It sticks in my memory because the drought was our priority, and here we were, having to deal with a disagreement within a Farmers' Association in one of the worst drought-hit areas.
“Our focus on or even the creation of a minor crisis within our family or community is often brought about by our unwillingness to deal with the real challenges that exist. We would rather have a distraction than deal with the main issues. Politicians are adept at this.” - Peter McSporran
One day, we received an urgent call from the Matabeleland Chairman informing us that there was a crisis in the West Nicholson Farmers Association. They had tried to mediate, but was now beyond the branch’s ability to resolve it despite their best efforts. This was surprising as the Branch Chairman at the time was a renowned no-nonsense guy and still is, Mac Crawford. Their fear was that it would spill into the branch as a whole as it was, even in the Farmer’s Association, about political ambition. As a background to grassroots farming politics in Zimbabwe, election as office bearers at the Farmers Association level was generally more by default than by contest. Coercion was the main tool in placing some reluctant farmer in the chair mainly because, until that day, they had ducked this community duty. It was considered to be their turn.
The chairman's task was in many ways very onerous, with much time spent on other people's problems along with being the liaison of the community between government departments and councils in regard to road maintenance, health and, in some areas, National Parks, along with the police on security matters. Worst of all was dealing with the minions of the ruling party, which ranged from aspiring politicians to just downright thugs. Nothing to ruin a weekend more than a call from the local Zanu PF office asking for the farmers to donate a cow as the President or some other senior politician was addressing a rally in your district. I should imagine the pressure is similar, if not greater, on the present-day new farmers. It would be good to hear, although demands now are probably on a daily basis.
Chairmans also required monthly attendance at the branch, mostly held in the nearest large town or city. Farmers generally hated town, of course; the exception was those wheeler dealers, aspiring businessmen, and, to be bluntly honest, those few seeking extramarital entertainment, the latter being easily identified as such by their frequent visits to the city for little reason other than selling the odd cabbage.
The Matebele Branch meetings of which West Nicholson was a member were held in Bulawayo, some hundred and thirty kilometres away. As we were visiting one of the worst drought-hit areas in the country, Anthony and I felt it worthwhile for both of us to attend, taking along Deputy Director, Jerry Grant. Jerry was renowned for his no-nonsense, straight-shooting-from-the-hip attitude. Let’s say he was renowned for his honesty but not his diplomacy. I should point out Anthony was an apple and fruit farmer from Nyanga, while I was a crop and cattle farmer, so my talents in relation to cattle were thought more appropriate in regard to the drought down there while Anthony would try and resolve the political dispute. Unlucky for him.
The plan was that Jerry would act as returning officer and carry out the vote count while Anthony would adjudicate, deciding if the election was fair or not. I would be a spectator to this while later ascertaining the impact of the drought in the area, the harder job I thought.
“Sometimes issues seem simple at face value, but with the addition and complication of human nature and petty conflicts, they can quickly become absolute quagmires of discontent and counter-accusation. This is especially so when neither side abides by the rules.” - Peter McSporran
The aspiring chairman in West Nicholson, Pat Maughan, had somehow managed to split the community, those for him and those against. Not unusual in an election, but the rhetoric between sides had risen close to being violent, certainly beyond insult. I thought Pat was the owner of Atherstone Ranch at the time, but looking up records, it would appear his son Darrel who was absent during our visit, was the owner and Pat the manager. The previous owner was an old friend to me and many cattle farmers, Guy Hilton-Barbour, who used to give me grief when I was judging the cattle fatstock classes in Bulawayo at the Trade Fair. Always in humour but equally cutting and very pertinent.
On our way through the Bulawayo Branch office, the ladies who ran the office forewarned us that all sorts of shenanigans were going on in the West Nick Farmers Association. Not just to troubled elections but also accusations of the misuse of funds. Fact, conjecture or false accusation, we were never to find out. They did say Pat was a frequent visitor to their office seeking support for his nomination as he had political ambition in the CFU. Perhaps we made an error by staying with Pat on our first night at Atherstone Ranch before heading off to the Farmers' Meeting and election at Tod’s Hotel. Claims of collusion were made before the meeting even started. Tod’s was, and I think still is, a well-known watering hole and resting place on the main Birchenough and Bulawayo road frequented by travellers and local farmers. That day, names such as Abbott, Barbour, Collett, Drummond, Rosenfens and Stanton were in attendance, amongst many others.
Once the meeting was held, we came to the election, and as the election was to be contested, a ballot by hand was suggested. As I said, contested elections at Farmers Associations were rare. This was duly done, and with Jerry no sooner announcing the result, claims of foul were heard from the opposing party’s supporters, with it being pointed out a number of votes were invalid some even by non-members of the association. On investigation, it was found that in some cases non-CFU members had voted, while in other cases, more than one vote, mostly family members, were lodged on a single licence. Anthony was particularly embarrassed by this because he could not understand the behaviour of some of his CFU members on what could be considered such a simple and non-contentious procedural matter. I was happy to be a spectator and, for once, remained silent.
“Sometimes it is best not to hold the top job but rather be a spectator in resolving the leadership of country associations, from the Women’s Rural Institute to farmer organisations. In small rural communities, some individuals consider the prestige of the chair far above its actual station.” - Peter McSporran
Now, a paper ballot had to be done, with only paid-up license holders being issued a ballot paper, each licence having one vote, which meant multiple farm owners with multiple licenses had more than one vote. All this now had to be ratified by reference to records of license holders back at CFU head office. Not easy to police in a meeting held in a dining room adjacent to the pub with both registered and potential but non-registered voters now firmly ensconced in the bar rather than the meeting room. Pat may have lost that election that day but was to obtain office at a later date. Perhaps someone can confirm?
We spent a further day visiting isolated ranches, meeting hardy and determined people to understand better their losses, both drought and theft. Hungry people must eat. It was interesting witnessing the ranchers' own individual efforts to keep their breeding herd alive. Browse Plus was now a tool of choice. By this time, some hay had been sent from the North but nowhere near adequate to go around, although gratefully received. The country’s Vice President hijacked one load I sent, although he still wrote me a thank you letter. Finally, on the third day, we were more than happy to head North to the civilised farms of Mashonaland away from the wild wild South. Anthony would refer to that meeting throughout his Presidency before setting out to a farmers’ meeting.
Disclaimer: Copyright Peter McSporran. The content in this blog represents my personal views and does not reflect corporate entities.
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