At home in Harare after the British trip, and after the variable weather of the British Isles, we enjoy the warmth of our Harare garden, and catch up with Kelli’s news…after months of fitness Bootcamp and eight weeks of intense training, she has just won fourth place in Ms Zimbabwe fitness and bikini competition, and Anton Milner has won Mr Zimbabwe Fitness! Huge amount of hard work and dedication went in by both of them!

We have attended the Zimbabwe National Ballet production, “When they are gone…”, a heartwarming and effective ballet celebrating wildlife in Zimbabwe but highlighting the challenge we all face with poaching of rhino horn…

On the evening, Stan Higgins is the capable M.C. and Clive is presented with an AZTA Award for:
‘An individual or organisation undertaking environmental activities in the best interests of sustainability of tourism and general conservation.’
The AZTA Awards, (Association of Zimbabwe Travel Agents) are held yearly,

http://www.thestandard.co.zw/2012/10/14/azta-awards-travel-excellence/

Presented to Clive by Ruby Tombindo, chairperson of AZTA, this is one of three awards given for environmental activities, the other two being to organisations, but Clive is the only individual this year. It was voted on (by the travel agents) and done long before we all heard about the superb international Prince William Award … so we are delighted with the heartwarming recognition.

Clive makes a brief speech to the full house of over 400 people:

‘This show is something different. It is something really special. And it is the result of a unique collaboration between the National Ballet of Zimbabwe and the Savé Valley Conservancy in the South East Lowveld of Zimbabwe.
So what to do? Savé Valley Conservancy is reaching out to Zimbabwean businesses and people to assist in protecting what is a vital part of Zimbabwe’s wildlife heritage and a population of rhino that is key to the survival of the species in the country.
The show you are about to see revolves around the true story of a rhino on the SVC.
Jimmy has become a symbol for all of us in the conservancy.
For the National Ballet of Zimbabwe to have joined us in celebrating the story of Jimmy brings huge awareness to our ongoing conservation efforts.
Please enjoy an hour or so of fantastic entertainment but also, we hope, gain a deeper awareness of the importance of our country’s wildlife heritage.’

We then settle down to watch the ballet, a charming and passionate portrayal of animals in the wild.
Choreographer has inspired her dancers to truly capture the essence of each animal they portray, from the highly entertaining monkeys, to the graceful giraffes, slinky leopard and twittering African wild dogs, otherwise known as Painted Dogs! The lead rhino is truly endearing.