Reason, Handizivi
I must offer a correction, I talked about the Oilseed Seed Association in a previous blog, in fact, it should have been the Crop Seed Association. This association generally looked after all legume crop seeds including soya and groundnuts. My apologies. No reason for the error other than a lack of attention. Too easy to say old age, also a fear if it is. If I had thought a bit harder about what I was writing I would have picked it up.
So many things in life I have done without good reason, logic should have been applied but this would have made life much less exciting although perhaps more monetarily rewarding. Maybe rewarding is the wrong word, saving may be a better description. There is certainly a number of my spontaneous actions, sometimes not so spontaneous, that I have regretted, especially when it has caused emotional harm to others. At the same time, some of my spontaneous actions, including marrying Rozanne, have brought me great joy. How many times have we been somewhere unplanned only to say this is great?
“The unplanned night out often is the most rewarding, although disturbing for your partner at home.” - Peter McSporran
I am sure at some point we all ask ourselves what is life about. What is the reason for us being here? Religion offers easy answers to its followers, not so for us non-believers. We accept that we are just part of evolution, a cell in the universe.
“You have life not because of a reason, but evolution. Those searching for a reason could make better use of their time by enjoying it.” - Peter McSporran
Many cannot accept this and look for a greater purpose, probably why religion in all its forms is such a success in finding followers. I may say introspectively though we have through greed and self-indulgence along with the abandonment of reason, that is; good sense, taken a course that may well bring about the end of that evolution. Certainly, for the human race. There will always be some surviving species to start anew. Unlike many of the youthful activists, I believe this will not happen for many generations, so for those holding back on having children for fear of climate change or some other perceived calamity, it is wise to ensure your own well-being by having children. One reason for a productive life is so that you do not become a burden to your children.
“Funnily, in the days of yore we had children to look after us in our old age. It is no different now, we need children to pay for our pensions.” - Peter McSporran
When I did something stupid on the farm as a child my father, who was very logical in business perhaps not so in personal life, would ask me, “What is the reason for you doing that, son??” Especially something stupid within his definition of stupid, being very broad. Of course, like many children, I would answer, “No reason Dad, I thought it was a good idea.” He did not think ideas should be enacted without the support of good reason. We must never make a reason an excuse I learned.
On the farm in Zimbabwe, I was often reminded of my childhood when asking one of my employees why, for example, he had driven through the gate with a tractor without opening it. The answer is always, “Handizivi, Changamire.” Simply, I do not know, sir.
“Most mistakes we make in life are ones supported by no reason, that is without logic. Too often our heart or mind drives us through laziness, avarice, self gratification or ambition to ignore the need of applying reason to the decision.” - Peter McSporran
It would appear many politicians have abandoned reason. This is especially true of ‘Queen Nicola’ and her SNP clones who have abandoned all reason with regard to gender. Happy to ignore the facts of evolution. By ignoring the truth of nature while passing laws in regard to gender for the benefit of a very small disadvantaged part of society at the expense of the many, in this case, women. The recent high-profile event of ‘women with penises’ being allowed into women's prison because they have declared themselves as women hides a whole raft of other unreasonable or poor decisions. All confounding logic and good governance. More often than not, ignoring advice both legal and simple good counsel.
Subsidizing the building of ferries that are likely never to be completed. Further, partnering with a political party that wants to stop exploiting North Sea oil and gas despite the need to rely on others for much of their energy. Further advocating independence no matter the consequences. Thinking independence will resolve all of Scotland's problems is totally unreasonable. Is the example of Brexit not painful enough without creating a new border between England and Scotland? All this for attracting the Scottish vote by emotional popular rhetoric rather than good reason.
Kariba and The Casino
In the early eighties on occasion, normally following the end of the tobacco reaping, with money in our pockets after skimping through the growing season, we and some of our neighbours would drive to Kariba. In those days before speed traps and potholes, only a three-hour drive for the three hundred and fifty kilometre journey. We began the early trips by staying at Kariba Breezes, the cheapest at the time, before later settling on Caribbea Bay as our chosen venue. Caribbea Bay had been built in the 70s with many more amenities for wives and better facilities and menus for children. Especially as they had to fill their days loafing at the various swimming pools while we men were away fishing. It also had more comfortable quarters with family rooms, a double for the adults, bunk beds for the kids. It was home to the casino, which having moved down from Lake View where it operated during the war. These were family district outings and prominent in their number were the Rosiers, Cathy and Francis, the Blacks, Hamish and Nancy, the Bells, Chris and Lorraine and a variety of other friends joining us from time to time. We would drive to Kariba stopping for refreshments at the Twin River Inn in Karoi arriving just after midday to enjoy the pools and more importantly beverages from the Round Bar. Sundowners at Kariba could start after breakfast. Perhaps it was due to the heat? Always start with beers in the morning, not forgetting to drop a splash in the lake for the River God, Nyami Nyami. As the day wore on drinks such as ‘Sneakies’ (club soda, lemonade, bitters with cane spirit) and ‘Soapies’ (vodka, soda and lemon barley), or Spook and Diesel (cane and coke) came to the fore. Dinner was served early for our children, after which they went to bed while we would either go to Pedro’s for dinner or on occasion, The Cutty Sark.
This was rare as the children needed babysitters in this event. From there to the casino, often just leaving in time for the men to go fishing at first light. Wives did not like to spend all day in the sun on a small boat with young children.
Temperatures were generally always over 35°C. For fishing, we would hire a boat from Kariba Breezes and head up the Nyaodza River some twenty-five kilometres away. In those days our favourite fishing spot opposite Wafa Wafa, the old Selous Scout base. Normally with three men, we would hire a Sportster which was an extremely uncomfortable boat especially if you were lying on the floor in choppy weather trying to sneak a few extra winks. Luxury, if there were enough people available to hire the bigger boat in Bumi. In those days, those two hulls were the favoured Kariba boats, now there are only a few remaining having been superseded by more economical hulls.
All day fishing, then back for sundowners, dinner and the casino. After two days of this, we were exhausted and would return home for a well-earned rest, or so we thought. Fish, not many, winnings even less.
The Bells then started to organise larger boats which we could sleep on, the first was on the Sabi Star, in fact, we were on her maiden voyage. The owner, George Omerod, was still working on it when we arrived. This started a routine for many years as it suited farmers to only spend six days off the farm rather than a longer expensive holiday to the beaches of South Africa. The civil war in Mozambique precluded that country as a destination. A trip to Kariba was ideal. Once again, the first night always at Caribbea Bay before setting off up the lake the next day for five nights. After loading the food, booze, fishing tackle and bait we would head up the lake with three tender boats in tow. These, we brought ourselves using them for bass and bream fishing locally. The first night we would travel all day, only stopping to allow a few hours fishing late evening. Honeymoon Bay was a favourite overnight stop, lots of game on the shores by Bumi Hills with sable on the islands. The next day into the Western Basin and our favourite fishing destination on the Shenga River for both bream and tigerfish. Little game here as we were close to the Tribal Lands.
“Of all the places I have been in the world in my personal view, Kariba has never been surpassed.” - Peter McSporran
In about 1984/5 I think it was, Chris and Lorraine Bell convinced us to buy into our own boat, The Shenga, a forty-five-foot mono hull. One of the best things we ever did having many amazing holidays with friends, families and visitors, including from overseas. The Shenga was licensed to sleep fifteen, we found eight to be the ideal number. Kids were additional. Sleep under the stars rather than in the cabin. Our crew consisted of a captain, Pharoah, and a cook-come-deckhand.
One of the outcomes of all these fishing holidays was that I was becoming a known face in the casino, seen to be winning regularly. Not huge, but consistent. Farming was going well, so happy to spend some cash, sometimes unwisely while drinking whisky.
“If you want to gamble, do not drink when you do. This is a sure receipt to losing money. The next day you will wake up with PPD (Post Pissed Depression) compounded by unknown losses. - Peter McSporran
I only played Blackjack and I was soon being asked by Zimbabwe Sun Casinos to do tournaments and ‘weekend gambling freebies’. Is there such a thing as gambling freebies? The tournaments were great as you played with ‘house chips’ mainly during the day reserving time for you to lose your own money in the evenings. They would fly us around the country, Kariba, Victoria Falls and accommodation at Montclair, Nyanga. Generally, I won minor prizes, never winning the main event. I even took part in a couple of international tournaments as a country representative playing Blackjack. I gave up roulette seeing it as a game of pure chance, while in Blackjack you had some decisions to make, not just put a chip or chips into squares. Slot machines never interested me, they also pay the worst odds. This gambling continued into the early nineties when, probably due to becoming more reasonable, of thought, I gave it up. I found it harder to win, finally almost giving it up completely in 1993 after suffering some losses at the International Trade Fair Casino in Bulawayo. From time to time, every ten years I may give it a go, but my enthusiasm has gone. I enjoyed the casino but you gradually learn it is not you the fawning hosts are interested in, it’s your money. Reason and logic set in, the fishing was much better after a good night's sleep.
Disclaimer: Copyright Peter McSporran. The content in this blog represents my personal views and does not reflect corporate entities.
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