Last weeks joy over beating England in the rugby was soon destroyed by a poor show at Cardiff. Well done the Welsh, Scotland hang your head in shame. Yes, we all have off days but Saturday’s team must have had a bad nights sleep, they were a drowsy bunch compared to the previous week. Penalties. Why give away so many unnecessary penalties? I would hate to be a coach trying to review that game.
“When ones head is swollen by the compliments of others, a fall is almost a certainty.” - Peter McSporran
To add to my melancholy over the weekend, an old friend Charlie Hand, who still lives in Zimbabwe, asked if the person injured in the landmine blast was his wife’s families neighbour in Umniati. I was sorry to admit that it was him and I share his brother-in-law's poignant post from 2020.
When I received this from Charlie, it brought back memories of all those friends we lost during the war. We must never forget them. Unfortunately, now only remembered by old friends, comrades and family.
“For those that lose loved ones or are injured in war, there is only one question, “Why?” It is never answered to satisfaction.” - Peter McSporran
Many of us, believe it or not, look back on the good times we had during the Rhodesian war, not so much the bad. I am sure we all still look back on the unique camaraderie between fellow soldiers in war. Importantly though, we should never forget the fallen or broken. I had a conversation this week with Max Culverhouse, I am sure many will remember his mother in relation to Reps Theatre, Penny Culverhouse, a household name in Rhodesia in those days. Max was Intake 132 as well as 4 Indep. He started his National Service as a driver but in Territorial Army call-ups he changed to being a troopie on the ground. He worked out his odds of getting shot as a troopie were less likely than being blown up by a landmine as a driver. Max and I plan to get together soon, he now lives in Spain. On our call, we did share some memories, once again mostly happy ones.
The politicians stirring up trouble in eastern Europe will have not given a thought to the personal pain and grief a war will bring to the innocent. If war comes about it will be purely due to state and personal egos including avarice.
One question that bothers me is why is the United Nations so quiet? It would appear to me to be an expensive toothless monolith being an exclusive club of verbose intellects with no practical use, especially during times of pending conflict. Even in their post-conflict policing role, they seem to become spectators, not active participants. Look at what they stood back and watched, even sacrificing some of their own in Rwanda, while still allowing the ongoing carnage in eastern DRC where its own assessment is a mission success. If they cannot work in Africa, how will they be able to function in Europe?
Meanwhile, I had to undergo further tests this week to find out what is happening with my bowel. Hopefully, it is nothing to do with cancer, which I was deemed still clear just a month ago. So far everything is clear adding to the confusion of identifying the cause.
First External Operation - Not Exactly a Success Story
Shortly after being mortared in Rusambo, our platoon was called on to do an external mission into Mozambique. At this time, just prior to the Portuguese coup in April 1974, Portugal was still the colonial power ruling Mozambique. From time to time we worked with their soldiers but more often than not we carried out our own operations in Mozambique with their tacit agreement. This was because although they were fighting their own war, there their country harboured many ZANLA cadres with camps situated within impregnable bush along our northern and eastern borders.
ur mission was to leave the south of our common border, cut north across the country into Mozambique until hitting the Ruya (Rhodesian name) or the Luya (Portuguese name) River. Of course, in the early years of the war we were using old maps, many out of date which gave us little idea of the conditions on the ground. As the war intensified aerial photography came into play as an aide. No GPS then. In those days an old map and a second world war compass were our only guidance. Once again our mission was drawn up in an operations tent on the information of some guerilla camps along the river, a position not known exactly. No problem for the headquarter staff, just find a drop point far enough away from the border not to show our intent, then draw a straight line across the country to the Luya River in Mozambique. Do not consider the terrain or the bush cover. Once on the river, follow the river running east until the enemy is located and engaged. This was also still before Fire Force so basically, we were on our own
We would walk in, then the plan was to get back as close to the border as we could for chopper extraction on completion. Simple. No set time limit, so lots of kit including extra ammunition and rations. Along with our normal A60 short-range bulky, but light radios, we also had to take a couple of heavy and bulky TR28s along with spare Nicad batteries. These batteries were rechargeable, each one lasting a few hours, often used for listening to LM (Lorenzo Marques) Radio on base while for the A60, we all carried a couple of spare disposable batteries about the size of a 500-gram pack of butter. That meant, without Bergen backpacks, with weapons we were carrying about 90 lbs. Considering we were going to be in temperatures of over 35°C, this was not ideal. At least once at the river, water would be readily available.
At that time the Cordon Sanitaire in the form of minefield was not in place so it was easy to cross the border at any point.
When we set off on the Rhodesian side of the border, it was fairly easy-going although the country was undulating. Shortly after crossing the border, we soon encountered very hilly terrain covered with dense Jesse-bush which got ever thicker as we drew closer to the river. In this bush, we encountered two further adversaries, swarms of mosquitoes and the dreaded Buffalo Beans which were often unseen overhead. When disturbed they would drop toxic hairs onto our bodies. We were all soon itching like mad, wasting precious water to make mud which was the best way of removing the fine hairs from the skin while offering some protection.
The distances covered were not great, the pace was exceedingly slow with great difficulty getting compass bearings due to the thick bush. Even trying to get signals with the TR28 was difficult with the antenna being placed in tall trees at the designated report-in times. We used shackle code in transmitting positions and numbers. The code changed every day as it did throughout the war.
When we finally arrived at the river we could see there had been human activity, the area was virtually clear of local civilians having long fled. Another day of trekking in the bush, crossing re-entrants and getting very pissed off. The next day we heard human voices and as we wanted information on any terrorist activity, a couple of us set off to capture them which we did surprisingly easily much to their and our surprise. There were three people captured, two young women in their late teens and a middle-aged man. Without much persuasion, they agreed to lead us to the camp where there was a large known presence of cadres. Of course, we had no fear having been well brainwashed into believing we were the best soldiers in the world, able to handle a few ‘garden boys’. This was our training instructors description of the enemy when showing us how to set up claymore mines. It is always the way in war for the senior ranks and training staff to be dismissive of the enemy.
Unfortunately, before reaching the camp we had to hole up for one more night. When at mealtime, on removing the gags from our prisoners, they immediately let out a cacophony of screams and wails ensuring any enemy within hearing distance would be well warned of our presence. From being compliant, they now became exceedingly agitated no doubt because we were very close to the camp with them more apprehensive of an attack than us. Goodness, we were so green. We had a sleepless night expecting to be attacked at any time, we would have been easy prey. Fifteen unblooded national servicemen in a foreign country, unaware of our exact position. Despite all this, we were all keen for a fight, nothing like ignorance fueled bravado.
As a complete aside for you to better understand the mindset of the Rhodesian soldier fighting for his country. I should mention here that no active soldiers in Rhodesia ever considered that surrender would be an option. The consequences of such an act were unimaginable having seen some of the atrocities administered to innocent civilians. Importantly guerrillas would not want to be hampered with prisoners, purely a practical consideration. I have no knowledge of Rhodesian soldiers being captured except an incident with some South African Police at the end of 1974, which I will record at a later date.
The Challenges of Investing in African Agriculture Part X Continued - Corruption
In continuing my review of corruption I have encountered in business and in fact, in everyday life in Africa, now move on to Motivation and Opportune corruption.
3. Motivation
Motivation corruption is probably the most common systemic corruption in Africa. When investing in Africa there is much paperwork required, mandatory studies, inspections and site visits along with information to be gleaned. Once again the main lever is time although projects or licences may be turned down for no valid reason. I have never been able to understand how many lying platitudes can be given for the non-presentation of some critical document or report. Here you have to be tough, capitulation leads to ongoing demands at every step of the investment process or project implementation. Any meeting requiring a bureaucrat or tribal leader will require transport, accommodation and meal allowances although by law do not exist. Travel to and from can take days with charges for accommodation being high while the benefactor is happily accomodating with a relation or friend.
In India, when investigating the use of Jatropha with the Ministry of Energy from Zambia, I witnessed an engineer refusing to board a plane from Mumbai to Delhi unless the Australia sponsor of the trip increased his daily allowance. He actually ripped up his ticket which had to be replaced with a new one once the sponsor capitulated to his needs. I advised them to leave him behind, but being Australian, they were scared of political repercussions.
4. Opportune
The opportune type of corruption is what I would deem as being seen as an individual or someone of influence in an organisation obtaining what we call in Africa, freebies or gifts. Sometimes not for anything specific, sometimes to garner the support of your influence, sometimes not so subtle with a request for intervention on behalf of the bribing partner.
During my early days at the CFU, I remember having a visit from a very entrepreneurial farmer and businessman who owned a lovely lodge on Marguerite Island, Mozambique. He was not requesting a service, just a goodwill gesture. If I had not been Vice President of the CFU at the time, I would never have been given the offer without that status. He knew me, not as a friend, so the only reason would be to garner my goodwill towards him. I turned down his freebie, no doubt with hidden strings attached. Sporting events with business viewing boxes are used for this purpose. I have seen people in a viewing box at an international cricket match who neither played nor attended a cricket game in their life before, nor would they normally have a wish to do so. Of course, hospitality in the form of good food and copious drink compensates for that.
I was surprised to read in the Spectator last week that Qatar Government has flown no less than twenty-two British MPs to Qatar at a cost of some £200,000 since October. The rationale being for preparation of the upcoming Soccer World Cup. Can you imagine amongst the MPS, from all parties, there would be so much knowledge on organising a soccer tournament? It is said as many as 6,500 migrant workers have died there, many perhaps working on the world cup project. How do you mitigate against such bad press? The opportunity for a ‘freebie’ of some £10,000 per person was only on offer due to seeking such influence, I have little doubt.
Of course, in corporate governance, this is not supposedly allowed but it is still widespread while politicians seem to be the biggest benefactor. Maybe the day of brown envelopes is not so prevalent but expensive so-called business trips including attending sporting events, meets and conferences in exotic destinations are still very common.
Disclaimer: Copyright Peter McSporran. The content in this blog represents my personal views and does not reflect corporate entities.
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