Halfway at the Eden of Africa

At 8.15 pm it is 36ºC. It is very much in the shade, because it is all dark. Yet it is better than four this afternoon when we arrived. Then it was 42ºC in the shade. The hottest day so far on the Toyota Outreach. No, we are not in Hotazel; we are in the Eden of Africa, Mana Pools, Zimbabwe.

Sitting around the fire, but far away from it, I thought it a good idea to get some key players’ perspectives on the success rate of the Toyota Outreach at this halfway mark of the expedition. So in no specific order, I asked them a few questions. They had so much to say about the successes so far, I can write a doctorate about it. But I’ll condense it into a blog or two to give you an idea of how well this expedition is doing. For now, I’ll concentrate on two experiences.

Talking to Bryan Haveman first, he equated the experience to the four pillars of WESSA. He noticed the biodiversity loss in Malawi. A massive poaching problem at Kasungu. With sadness he noted the huge amount of hardwood, like leadwood and kiaat, going to somewhere like China.

The second pillar is energy. Bag upon bag of charcoal is being produced from indigenous wood. Saplings are being cut for firewood. Deforestation kills the balance.

Water forms the third pillar. Although 20% of Malawi is under water, they have a problem. The seriously overpopulated country uses the lake for everything. Swimming, washing themselves, their clothes and dishes. The result? Cholera.

Too many people equals too much waste if it is not exposed of in the right way. The people say they bury or burn it. Not nearly the best, but at least an effort.

However, being on the Outreach gives WESSA the opportunity to educate. They have played the Enviro Picture Building Game with two communities so far. Both times it evoked the right response. Proof that it works. Both groups expressed a wish that they have experienced this a long time ago. For the first time they understand the interaction between communities and nature reserves. Progress, progress, progress, Bryan expressed and nodded his head.

“Howzit Bra,” I heard from my other side.

I turned around and there was Stephen Midzi. He is an invisible, happy, loud kind of guy. You know what I mean? He is a section ranger at Vlakteplaas in the Kruger National Park and an ex-student of the SAWC. He started off in conservation as a guide in Zimbabwe at Hwange, Ghonarezhow and Save Valley Conservancy before moving over to the Kruger.

“What does the Toyota Outreach mean to you?” I threw at him.

“It is a very noble initiative to go out there and see how successful the training is. It is well respected by all the ex-students. They realize their time at the college wasn’t theory and a piece of paper afterwards. It lives through this kind of contact and progress.

“The most beautiful thing of all is that the Outreach brings conservation beyond borders to life. It lets us break down manmade borders and focus on what is natural. It lets us focus on what we are in this for. We are Africans. We have to create something sustainable for generations to come. The Outreach helps us all to be there and do it. And not just read about it in some textbook.”

“Thanks Bra,” was all I could add. Steve, like everyone else on the Outreach is in this for real. To make a difference.

There is so much more, but for now let’s call it a day. I’ll leave you with some words of my own: Ndatenda Charzoo nokuteerera kwamaita tichataura zvakare pamazuva anotevera. For those not in the know, I have just mastered my fourth language. Thanks to Stephen. That is Shona for:

Thanks for listening. We will talk again in the next few days.

Download GPS Tracks for today: Google Earth Format & GPX Format