A journey to Zim and back.
It all started on a Saturday. Saturday the 17th of Feb. Johan and Frans Schultz, Father and Son team, pulled away at 8AM Saturday morning from Malelane to start off our journey to Zimbabwe. I was in the Bakkie and Dad (Johan) was on the truck. We stopped in Musina at around 16:30 to spend the night at Baobab Cottages with the intention of having Airconditioning in the sweltering heat. We went to grab some KFC for supper and when we returned to our chalet, the power was off (loadshedding). At that time, it was 17:00 in the afternoon and it was a blistering 38°C. So, we sat outside eating dinner, hoping it would cool down. We went to sleep at around 10PM when the power returned.
Sunday, 18 February
Early the next morning we stopped off at Auntie Hester’s in Musina for a quick hallo and found she was in Johannesburg for some treatment, she still has lingering issues after she had COVID. We had a quick chat with Colleen to catch up, and then it was time to hit the border. The border on the SA side was a fly through but, the Zim side they wanted to hold me back due to me looking lost and not knowing where I was supposed to go, just a general mess about, I think. Luckily Robert was there to assist me with what I had to get done to go into Zim. As I went through, I was waiting for my dad (Johan) on the Zim side at Roberts office. My dad (Johan) came through the border after about 4 hours, as he had to go onto the weight Bridge. The scanner was not functioning property and it took a while longer due to a long line of trucks to be x-rayed. When he finally arrived, we started our journey to Bulawayo.
The road for the most part was not bad, only where they were working on the roads was it bad. They had churned over a long stretch of road that still had pieces of tar in it and some parts they had graded the side of the road for people to pass through as the middle was under repairs. Loads of the roads before some of the towns were filled with potholes and it is sad to see the amount of disrepair on some of the roads. We got into Bulawayo at around 5PM where we were greeted by Angela and company to park the truck in the warehouse for the night. We then drove to Willem and Caroline’s house to sleep there so we could be ready to pack the truck the next morning.
Monday, 19 February
We left at around 8AM to get started on packing the truck. It was a not a too warm day and the packing went smooth. We joined Caroline for lunch at a restaurant where we ate burgers. In Zim a beef burger there is not your standard beef patty, it is a steak with the rest of the burger toppings between two buns. After the lunch we headed to Coronation Cottages to speak with the people there. After that we headed home to rest for the rest of the day and to prepare for the trip/journey ahead.
Tuesday, 20 February
We started bright and early. We left Bulawayo at around 8AM. Our fir stop was in Gweru where Bruce Chilcott, Rickie and BJ Lowrie was waiting for us. We dropped the boxes for Boggies Trust and Huis Vergesig and got some wonderful heartfelt thanks. A crowd of oldies from Boggies had come out to meet us.
We left for Redcliff and here we were greeted by Carol Fereira and the oldies from Herbert Lee. We offloaded, received some “love letters” from the residents. The next drop was at Kwekwe where Margot Gilby and Dee was waiting with the staff to offload. We got news on Roy, who is still getting Chemo in Harare from time to time, and it sounds like he is still fighting and keeping his chin up. This is good to hear.
Our next stop would be Westview Kadoma where we would spend the night. On our way there we drove past a truck that had rolled and was on its roof in the middle of the road. The truck was carrying alcohol and there were people trying to help the guys get out of the truck, there are from time-to-time wrecks next to the road and one can imagine being in an accident and reliant on the goodwill of a passers-by as there is no real response teams and ambulances to assist in cases of emergencies. We drove on and around 4 km after we passed the accident a bus coming from the front at neck breaking speed had a tire burst right in front of us and it veered off the road after passing us. All we saw in the rear-view mirror was a cloud of dust. I asked my dad (Johan) if he could see if they were alright, but we didn’t see any signs of the bus rolling, the driver managed to keep it on its wheels, so we think they were fine. We arrived in Kadoma at around 2PM where we were greeted by Del and Chinky with open arms. We unpacked the truck and chatted a bit with the residents. After the chat we went to our room where we rested and refreshed until 5PM where we then got ready to braai with all the residents of the old age home. It was a whole different experience. The stories everyone told, was all around fun. I was the youngest there and designated as the braai master for the evening, and I cooked most of the meat for everyone. I was delighted to see all the residents attended except for two who were not feeling up to it. we had a couple of drinks and some really good food, real braai accomplishment, sadza, relish and spicy spinach that Danie supplied. We went to bed at around 11PM, we expected an early evening, but these guys enjoyed the get together and visit. Thank you to all for the great feast.
Wednesday, 21 February
We woke up around 6AM to get the day started, Del Parkin showed us their veggie garden that they started. They have spinach, tomatoes, green peppers and an array of seedlings waiting to go into the ground. It is amazing to see the varieties of greens that they are trying to grow there. Estelle and Clive helped to get a sprinkler system going for the seedlings and a compost heap for plant food. It was a public holiday in Zim so there wasn’t much going on, the roads were quiet and movement in the towns were less. Today’s goal was to reach Harare, but we had a few stops in between.
First stop was in Chegutu where unfortunately the old people were out for the day, so we had just dropped the boxes by Kendal who came in just for us, thank and sorry for spoiling a off day. After a quick stop, we hopped back on the road as we were leaving Chegutu a police officer with spike strips in hand stopped us, trucks are not allowed in the main town, as were delivering goods, we have no choice and after explaining this to him, he let is proceed.
Our next stop would be in Chinhoyi were Johan Haasbroek was waiting for us and as we were offloading, some oldies arrived to greet us and drop some letters. We unloaded the truck and helped the oldies load the boxes into their vehicles as well as take some of the boxes to their homes. Johan Haasbroek insisted we stay for a lunch to which we agreed. We had lunch at a restaurant that he had showed us. Dad and I ordered a beef burger with chips and Johan had fish and chips. The same applied here as in Bullies, there is apparently no processed beef patties as we know it and a hamburger filling is a slab of beef steak. We chatted and enjoyed the lunch and some time to catch up with the retired dominee (Priest). Johan had taken a trip to SA and told us about his visit in the Cape.
After that we headed back to Sunningdale and got back on the road. The final stop for the day was in Harare at John and Leonie Herbst. We stopped in Harare at around 4PM where we started to offload the truck with the assistance of the local gardeners in the area. We then started chatting and drank some chibullies while braaiing and listening to music. We had an awesome meal the evening chef John was in top form again. We went to bed around 11PM after the braai and music.
Thursday, 22 February
We woke up bright and early to beat the Harare traffic. We still needed to stop at Concrete Structures where Vit Bongiovanni assisted to get some diesel for the truck. We had a little visit with Vit while the truck was being filled and left Harare at around 8AM. We sent a WhatsApp out to our pensioners in Marondera, and then we were on our way. When we stopped there, we met with Peter Banks who took the boxes for the town and we were back on the road, headed for Rusape.
We were not in a rush as we were making good time. At Rusape, we were met by all the oldies in the Hall. We had tea and some snacks while chatting away. Devon was on top form, joking and laughing with everyone. Momma Shiela Foulis making sure we have something to eat and drink while Stu, Tony and Roy made sure all the boxes were accounted for. Roy showed me the new guest cottage that was renovated and decorated by Linda for guests that needed to stay over. Next time we’re in town we will definitely make use of it.
After a lengthy visit we got going towards the next sleepover, Des and Sally Bekker in Mutare. We arrived at around 2PM where we met Uncle Des’s guys, Simba and the A-team, who helped us offload the truck. While offloading, we were treated some iced coffee and, I mean literal iced coffee. Coffee with ice cubes. It was very good. After that, Sally came to pick us up to take us to their house where we would be spending the night. As soon as we got there I went and took a nap for I was truly exhausted. I woke up at around 4:30PM and found out we were going out for dinner, so I got dressed and readied myself for the evening. We went to the Portuguese Club where we ate the best Perri chicken and chips I’ve had in my life. When we got home, we sat outside and chatted a bit before heading to bed.
Friday, 23 February
We woke up bright and early to get the show on the road. Uncle Des took us to the warehouse, where we had parked the truck. We got there and did a pre trip inspection and noticed that there was a small piece of metal lodged into the one back tire. Uncle Des recommended us to stop at REDAN, on the way out of town, where there is a place that does tire repairs, so we headed there. We found Pro Tyre there, but they only opened at 8AM, after a short wait they opened and got started on the repairs for the tire. While we were waiting for them to finish, a lady came out of the office and said: “I never thought I would see this truck in real life, only on photos.” She knew some of the recipients and had been following our escapades on Facebook. Seems we are more famous than expected. She and her son work at the tire shop that repaired the tire. She told us that we didn’t have to worry about paying for the repairs, they would cover it. What a kind gesture… we are so grateful for the people who helped us, in the recent past we have had some “challenges with the truck and there has always been an “angel” to save us. Many hands keep our wheels turning.
We then left Mutare at around 10AM we were going the Birchenough Bridge route to Masvingo. We stopped at Birchenough Bridge where we took a few photos with the bridge in the background, we were here four years ago and took the same pics on the same place.
The rest of this scenic trip was uneventful and stopped in Masvingo early afternoon. We dropped the boxes and chatted with the oldies there. Sister Connie and Cindi was waiting and had arranged lunch for us. The ladies in the kitchen made us fish and chips with a side of salad. For pudding we had some vanilla ice-cream. We then retired to the visitor’s cottage, and we had an afternoon nap. I woke up at around 5PM and made a hotdog for dinner. We went to sleep at around 11PM and we didn’t sleep to much as the mozzies there were relentless. Saying there were a few mozzies would be an understatement.
Saturday 24 February
We woke up at around 6AM to leave for Bulawayo. There were no problems on the road except for being stopped at the one tollgate because they had accidently scanned our slip twice on the way in and it had caused a bit of confusion. We sorted it out and got back on the road. We got back to the warehouse, and we headed back to Caroline and Willem to rest for the next day we had to unload all the empty boxes from the truck.
Sunday 25 February
Today we got up real early as we only had to deliver to Zvishivane and Shurugwi. We drove there in the bakkie, because the road between Zvishivane and Shurugwi is so bad, we have decided not to take the truck on that road. We drove via MBalabala and had out first drop in Zvishivane and off loaded the four boxes with Mike Timvios who would deliver on Monday.
We then crossed over the Dyke and the mountain pass to get to Shurugwi. There was no surprise to see there has been no improvement on the road and it was still a very dangerous road, and the truck would not survive that road at all. We arrived in Shurugwi, and we were greeted with open arms. We offloaded the boxes and chatted a bit with the Martha, Theresa, little Hannah and other oldies. We went to see Granny Shugra who was full of smiles and looked in good spirits for and 95-year-old. Our next stop would be Gweru to pick up the empties from Bruce.
We got to Gweru, and Bruce was waiting for us there to help load the empties. Being Sunday, we did not see any other peeps. After we headed back to Bulawayo where we still had a few stops to make and admin before heading home. The ride back went smooth except the surprise price increases on the toll gates, main roads were $4, thus R80.00, we expected the rate to be the same as on the Beitbridge road, R60.00. Once we got back into Bulawayo, we went to Coronation to sort out a last few things. We then went to Caroline and Willem where we were going to braai and chill a bit after this long trip. As tomorrow would be the long drive home.
Monday 26 February
The morning started off early. We left the house just after 5AM, we went to the warehouse where my dad, (Johan) had to sort out a last few things with Angela and the crew. I left just after 6AM in the Bakkie and dad was to follow in the truck as he still had to go past Colbro for a fuel donation. The road wasn’t too bad on my way back. I stopped at Aunty Paxi Watson to drop her parcel, and we chatted a bit about my Oupa, Hannes Botha and how much good he has done with the ZPSF and my dad (Johan) and my mom Linda keeping up his legacy. After the chat I then left for Beit Bridge.
The border went smoothly, and I was through in no time thanks to Robert’s assistance. All that laid ahead was getting back home safely. Dad was going to sleep over, but I was going straight for home. The road was relatively quiet, and I got home at about 8 PM. Dad got stuck in the border during the shift change on the SA side of the border. During shift change the trucks stop moving and it causes a bottle neck and traffic nightmare. He got out after a 4 hour wait. Dad then stayed over in Louis Trichardt.
Tuesday 27 February
Dad was on the road at first light. After a long, uneventful drive he arrived in Malelane at 15:00.
Another delivery done and dusted. The oldies in Zim are a happy bunch and still holding on, keeping their chins up and taking life one day at a time. The guys we see are mostly in homes and have each other and their small communities to keep them going. This was another adventure and I have seen that the togetherness and communities keep the oldies going. More than once we have heard that the boxes, we deliver are a lifeline and has unmeasurable value to the oldies receiving them. The contents, and timing of the deliveries seem spot on. The praise and thankfulness make me see how spoilt and blessed we are having work and being able to go to a store and buy what we need, some of the recipients have no means of looking after themselves. This is hard to see and experience. We get thanked and blessed by so many people, but if it was not for out donors, every single one of them, this God sent privilege to help would not be possible. And yes, even the lady in Mutare that fixed a slow leak in the tire, you are a spoke in the wheel. Without all of you the wheels would not be turning. Thanks to you all for the Privilege of being able to experience the gift of giving.
Johan and Frans Schultz
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 – (C) 082 4979328
Section 21 Co Reg. 2007/034036/08; NPO Number 096733; Section 18A PBO No 930031642
