Wednesday 19th June
We left Malelane on Wednesday at 08h30 with Neels driving the new truck and Johan in the Toyota bakkie. It was an uneventful trip as far as Messina. We arrived there at 18h00 where we spent the night at the Baobab Cottages. The new truck is governed to 80km/h, so it is slow but sure and being an automatic, an absolute pleasure to drive. Once I had a taste of driving the truck it was difficult for Johan to unseat me, so we resorted to a game of rock, paper, scissors (ching-chong-cha) to establish who was going to take the wheel. I have to say here that Johan Is a great travelling companion and is always reassuring when things take an untoward turn.
Thursday 20th June
We left Messina the following morning at 06h30 border proceedings for the truck, despite being selected for scanning were uneventful and I was done by 0945h. Johan was slightly delayed while waiting for the temporary import permit (TIP) for the bakkie to arrive.
On leaving Beit-Bridge Johan stopped off with Patty Bristow at BK Caywood Citrus. Patty and Paul very kindly donated a ½ ton of oranges for our old people. Thank you both for your most kind and much needed donation. The old folks were extremely happy to receive some fresh fruit. They were distributed from Bulawayo to Kariba and south to Masvingo and Shurugwi including all places in between.
We arrived in Bulawayo at the warehouse just after 1500h on Thursday, parked the truck there and joined our hosts Willem and Caroline Nel for a wonderful relaxing evening with a good plate of food and a hot shower accompanied by a few cold frosty’s thanks Willem and family for your hospitality.
Friday 21st June
The next morning, Friday, Johan and the team packed the bakkie with parcels and oranges for Shurugwi and Zvishavane. We left at 0900h and were back in Bulawayo by 1500h that afternoon. That afternoon we received the massage of the passing of Johan Heymans in Esigodini. Our Johan was in such shock, and it was clear that it hit him hard, clearly this was a special person for him.
Saturday 22nd June
On Saturday morning while the truck was being packed, I headed to Coronation cottages to replace the taps in the kitchen of the room where we stay from time to time. The cold-water tap was leaking badly. Some tools, other than what I had, were kindly supplied by the local plumber, Ryan who took over and did the job himself at no charge. This is the attitude that is typical of the people of Zimbabwe. Ryan also takes care of the plumbing needs of the complex. Thank you, Ryan, for your valued assistance.
Johan remained at the warehouse to supervise the packing the parcels and oranges with the team. Angela and her team do an amazing job of packing the boxes and loading the truck. The paperwork that accompanies the boxes is always correct and makes it easy for us when offloading at the various centers. Thanks so much to Linda and the administrators for the updated lists making it easier for the rest of us.
Sunday 23rd June
The first leg of our trip started on Sunday 23/06/24. We left the warehouse at 1200h for Gweru. We arrived there at 1500h and were met by Bruce Chilcott, as aways, and ushered to our overnight room. Typical of Gweru the weather did not disappoint and treated us to a chilly night. We shared some delicious lamb curry that Linda had prepared and frozen prior to us leaving.
Monday 24th June
We unpacked the Bogies Trust and Huisvergesig parcels the next morning amid typical guti-weather and the temperature sitting at 12 degrees. Thanks to Ricki for coming out from Huis and delivering there and to the outsiders around Gweru. We left early and were on the road by 07h30.
The first stop was at Hurbert Lee in Redcliff and were met by most residents lead by Carrol Ferreira. We missed Shiela who passed away just after the last trip, she used to always be there with hugs and kisses and letters of thanks in decorated envelopes, a missed face in the crowd.
Our next stop was in Kwe-Kwe with Dee waiting, we arrived at 09h00 and offloaded there then, after a photo session with the old folks and a snack of regular juice and biscuits that is always on offer under the tree.
We went on to Kadoma where we arrived at 13h30. After a quick chinwag and catch up with Chinky and Del Parkin and the folks there, we left for Chegutu and arrived there at 15h00 where we met with Kendal and others. I caught up with my cousin Liz Koekemoer whom I hadn’t seen in many years and had a quick chat with her before leaving at 15h00 and heading for Chinhoyi where we spent the evening in the company of the ever charming and effervescent Dom. Johan Haasbroek who treated us to one of my all-time favorites, curried pigs trotters, you are a great cook Johan, thank you for your hospitality.
Tuesday 25th June
We unpacked the truck the next morning to an eager crowd to collect their boxes and left at 08h30 for Harare where we unpacked at the home of John and Leonie Herbst who, as always, do an amazing job of distributing to the homes in the north. Thank you to you both for your continued support and hard work. After off-loading there we stopped to refuel the truck with Vit Bongiovanni who always assists with a much-appreciated 200lt of fuel. After refueling we headed for Resthaven Cottages in Rusape.
On the way through we dropped off the Marondera boxes with Sheila Gibson and carried on arriving at Resthaven at 16h15. We off-loaded the boxes and oranges immediately under the supervision of Tony Anderson-Morshead who always takes care of the inventory. After that we were treated to an amazing spread accompanied by much laughter and a few frosty’s, all by an assortment of candlelight, torches and headlamps amid a power outage. We retired to bed for some much-needed rest, thank you for arranging all the jollyment, Roy and the rest of the residents. Thank you, Linda Whitney, for making the guest cottage such a warm and welcome placed to stay over.
Wednesday 26th June
We left for Mutare at 06h00 the next morning. This leg of the trip is always a lucky dip on the road with all the trucks heading to and from the border to Mozambique. Some of the driver’s logic on the road leaves much to be desired. Needless to say, we arrived, unscathed, in Mutare at 08h00 and were met by Simba and the very efficient and friendly team of Des and Sally Bekker. We were treated to the, by now customary cup of coffee and were on our way 09h00. The timing here is important to note as there are many boxes and oranges to offload, and they are off the truck very quickly and Johan and the team then repacks all the empty boxes and stabilizes the load before we head out for Pioneer trust in Masvingo. Thanks to Des, Sally and Lindi for all you efforts and assistance in making this drop easier for us.
To a point our trip to Masvingo was uneventful except for when an unsecured JO-JO drum on the back of a small truck coming from the opposite direction suddenly lifted off the truck and headed for us like a guided missile. I managed to swerve and stay in control of our truck and the drum narrowly missed us and fell to the road behind us missing a car which was waiting to overtake us. Thanks, Johan, for remaining calm in the passenger seat when I swerved and braked.
Thursday 27th June
We arrived at Pioneer Cottages, Masvingo at 14h45 where sister Connie, Marie and staff offloaded the boxes and las of the oranges, and on a special request from myself organized a third bed in our room for my brother-in-law Norman Mellett who was on his way to meet us. Thank you to Mrs. Goddard and team, reorganizing the cottage.
Norman sends donations of bottled water to the home for the old folks and does the occasional electrical job for them as well. He arrived in time for the three of us to sit down to a delightful lunch prepared by the very capable ladies in the home’s kitchen. We retired to the room where we spent the evening reminiscing and catching up over a few cold ones. This was the last stop for deliveries.
Friday 28th June
We left early morning at 07h00 for Bulawayo via Bala-Bala. We take this longer route on account of the road condition on the shorter route via Shurugwi. We arrived in Bulawayo and went straight to the Colbro terminal where we are given another 200lt donation of fuel. Thank you to Tinashe for the assistance and Colbro for the kind donation.
We arrived back at the warehouse at 12h45 and immediately offloaded the empty boxes and made the truck ready for our return trip. Johan takes the loading and unloading of the boxes in his stride, and I am very thankful for that. Johan thank you for all you do.
Saturday 29th June
We left Bulawayo at 06h30 on Saturday and headed for the border. We arrived at a very busy port but surprisingly with the ever-helpful assistance of Robert, proceedings took an hour and we were back in South Africa in no time. I was waved through the weighbridge at Musina, and we headed for Louis Trichardt where we spent the night at the Gateway Inn. I can recommend this as an overnight stop, the staff are very accommodating and friendly and their food is well prepared and tasty, the breakfast is amazing.
Sunday 30th June
We left after breakfast at 08h15 the next morning and after an long and uneventful journey we arrived back at the warehouse in Malelane at 15h30, tired but fulfilled.
Thanks again Johan and Linda for the opportunity to help. I look forward to the next trip.
Neels Koekemoer
Thanks, is such a small word for all the blessings we receive, We cannot thank everyone involved enough for the bits and bobs they do.
The donors, ALL of you are fantastic and we appreciate all your help and continued support.
Administrators all over the world supplying tax certificates and spreading the word and keeping our donors up to date with all our shenanigans and adventures.
The team in SA and Zimbabwe, carting heavy boxes, packing, stocktaking and deliveries. The guys giving the drivers food and accommodation throughout Zimbabwe.
Our distributors who store the parcels and then deliver to the outlying recipients, you are awesome.
Head office South Africa contact details:
Linda Schultz – linda@zpsf.co.za / zpsf@zpsf.onmicrosoft.com (C) 079 6082676
Johan Schultz – johan@zpsf.co.za – 082 4979328
Section 21 Co Reg. 2007/034036/08; NPO Number 096733; Section 18A PBO No 930031642
