FROM RHODESIA TO MUGABE'S ZIMBABWE:

CHRONICLES OF A GAME RANGER

by Nick Tredger

This book is a treatise of the last days of colonial game ranging in Zimbabwe, by a group of young dedicated men and covers the glories and the heartache of carrying out tough wildlife management decisions - and just the true sense of being 'in the bush' for the shear love of the job.

It, furthermore, identifies the changes immediately post Zimbabwe independence and the threats and traumatic times that this brought on people who were dedicated to the care of wild animals and wild lands, people who had no political axe to grind, but who were caught up in the changes of what was to become an oppressive regime, which caused the complete eradication of a species in the country, namely the Black Rhino that were wiped out on the alter of political expediency.

FROM RHODESIA TO MUGABE'S ZIMBABWE is written from the heart, with many and varied anecdotal incidences that will never be seen again and which will keep the reader enthralled throughout the book - He pointed down towards one of the of the escarpment hills where a distant, lone elephant slowly browsed on the trees that dotted the slopes.

'I think that he is secure and alive because of what I am doing here, where I am dedicating my energies. Maybe that is stroking my own ego in a way, but somehow it seems more worthwhile'.

'Is there anything else you would rather be doing?' I asked

'No. You?'

'No, I am happy with my choice of career so far; just hope I can learn to be more like a ranger'.

This last conversation, which epitomises the tone of events, was in the early days with Nick's good friend John Ralston, who was tragically murdered by Mugabe's notorious 5th Brigade while carrying out his game ranging duties in a remote area of the Zambezi valley.

The poem of Nicks at the end of the book portrays all the final heartache for the exceptional work done by those dedicated rangers of the time, ending in:

I also stood in the rain for a time,
raging against the storm,
but now I only have my tears
to join yours gently falling,
in the pain of what is lost,
and never will be again.

Published by Galago Publishing,
ISBN 9 781919 854373

Letters

Dear Africa Talks,
Thank you for noticing that a cosy read of something printed is more pleasant. Please advise how to go about receiving a copy of Africa Talks in future.

Thank you and best regards,
Brigitte Cross
Cross Country Air Safaris

Hello Lesley,

Disturbed to hear that you are resorting to the printed matter. This does appear on the surface to be a strange move by a conservation focused entity? With all that is known to effect the environment (use of natural trees, heavy reliance on natural water, printing ink poison, cost of delivery – carbon footprint – wastage etc) I would have thought that the email application would be the right way to go.

You will have a good reason to publish this newspaper Lesley, I would love to hear of it.
Colin, Centre Stage Travel

Dear Colin,
Thanks for your letter – we are printing as well as being on the Internet so to reach the many thousands of readers who do not have access to computers and do not want to read lengthy matter on a screen. AFRICA TALKS is a free distribution publication as we feel very strongly that conservation and environmental matters are not just for those who can afford it.

Have you considered the environmental degradation caused by mining coal, road and rail transport of the coal, massive power stations, damming of rivers etc., all to produce electricity for those who can afford computers?
Editor.