Priority RE: Trip to Zimbabwe 6-12/13 Oct 2013
Nigel Lowe
HI All,
Please note how I have appended others who might well be involved down the line in Byo and Zimbabwe. I also copy ‘a few overseers’. We have an impressive emerging “team”, don't we! Now we just need to complete what we start and get some-one to want to compensate us for our services but also crucially - get AND KEEP our communication well under control. For once I sincerely hope that email – especially this one - gets adequately read. For those who have the time – a good insight follows below about this next trip into Zimbabwe. I celebrate especially that most of the time – my travels will not be alone, probably with some good laughs too!
With reflection overnight and especially due to recent experiences, when NRW-IAM get close to any kind of work or roll-out potential like for example, training (especially linking to procurement sensitivities and or sources of budgets, etc.) PLEASE be ultra-careful. Rather keep matters to yourself – no matter who or what you know. I am actually convinced that ‘training’ might well be one outcome after this next Byo / Zim visit - provided 'we' (like here) handle matters right. BUT EVEN MORE can follow depending on what the ultimate offering – even capital relating- is finally offered to Bulawayo – THIS is why I have included so many potentially depending on ‘us’. Especially while ‘we are under-structured’. It also speaks to my own personal positioning that is also in too much flux – too wide a spectrum to deal in……. So rather this email is to establish one upfront PRINCIPLE. Like in this case - PLEASE leave ALL contact (with any known connection to only NRW-IAM) with the potential client or sponsor - in this ONE case - Bulawayo City Council (BCC - not the bcc of the electronic kind!), solely and singularly in my hands. And or as ‘we’ (individually with me) might agree in potentially approaching other stakeholders for related purposes. Others being approached, for instance, are to identify them directly GIZ and Tearfund as well as any others who can emerge. Even research sources are being explored. Yes – that is how primed Bulawayo and even other places in Zimbabwe may be. PLEASE, PLEASE do NOT spoil this in taking anything relating to NRW-IAM anywhere NEAR such stakeholders without our internal coordination, especially via me. If so then we all stand to lose – BADLY! What follows can apply to them as well.
The problem - but also significant opportunity - is that NRW-IAM has such VERY wide application and any kind of at best mixed messages (i.e. from different quarters of the same organisation) will challenge and probably overturn any hope of getting work in hand.
Allow me to illustrate this. Andrew (Dvane – adzane@..) is already in contact with Engineer G..... within BCC. However that is linked to aligned SADC-led Good governance training and as such remains apart from NRW-IAM. But of course it is related as well. For example – any offering from us – should ideally complement, reinforce and improve that. So not only am I aware that Andrew is continuing with that but it is up to him and I, as to if and when that comes closer to BCC and ourselves. Potentially it has massive linkages in ultimate programming alignment - IF such aligment can be achieved in good oversight, positioning, time and space. Like on the capital side, NRW-IAM is so powerful it can become additional and or complementary to nearly the entire infrastructure service delivery value chain. By the way - he and I hope to explore that very thing late afternoon on the 7th. So wish us well.
I trust you are encouraged but also recognizing that this fledging programming has no option but to actually operate based on mutual and individual trust. We have little option but to be based on old-style community principles ourselves! Also because a lot of this is based on individual commitment, interest, probably too much volunteerism and the potential for email overload, please take note of our more public e-spaces (like this ‘I-Am-enabling’ one increasingly ‘winding-up’) and above all, respect the info in the more private ones too. Then you might actually stay informed and interested too. Above all – keep monitoring those NRW_IAM e-spaces you know about and or I have told you of…..
Have a great weekend all. Me – too much to do before Bulawayo and the rest of Zim! And now several here will know of ‘my anxiety’ (desire but too few hands) to get some ‘new structures’ actually up and running……
As ever, and for recovering communities helping themselves, and ‘us’ winning as that happens too,
Greetings,
Nigel
-----Original Message-----
From: Nigel Lowe
Sent: Friday, September 27, 2013 10:19 PM
To: 'Rev. Useni Sibanda '
Cc: Tendai; adz...@gmail.com; pianos....@misa.gov.za; nsho...@yahoo.com
Subject: RE: Trip to Zimbabwe 6-12/13 Oct 2013
Hi Useni, CC Others
Now just reduced this grouping to just those that perhaps need to stay in touch going forward regarding Bulawayo and Harare. Nedson - will probably I expect hook in best when I am / we are in Harare. (Nedson - please coordinate rather via Andrew or Useni if you wish. A lot of this will get a bit technical so you won't miss much!) We still need what-ever help Pianos might provide though he is heavily entrenched in Gauteng.
Thanks for the address. Google Maps did the rest and I will be able to find your home directly. I trust that Tendai will be doing similarly.
Also had a long chat with Andrew this evening and a number of emails are in development as a result - especially for any matters around Harare. (Tendai - just give me a little more time so you can decide how Harare potentially works for you too and then make your flight bookings.) Also Andrew wants to join us in Bulawayo. I believe he has family in Bulawayo too. I have also given him your cell number so please expect to hear from him too to also coordinate what he does.
Not long now. Use my email for what you think is best and actually needed.
Greetings,
Nigel
-----Original Message-----
From: Rev. Useni Sibanda [mailto:revu...@gmail.com]
Sent: Friday, September 27, 2013 9:25 PM
To: Nigel Lowe
Cc: Tendai; Stephen Mallory; adz...@gmail.com; pianos....@misa.gov.za; the...@tgcorporate.co.za; geoff lowe; har...@mweb.co.zw
Subject: Re: Trip to Zimbabwe 6-12/13 Oct 2013
Dear Nigel,
Greetings
First my place is ………….. Matshemhlophe Bul;awayo...this is near the National University of Science and Technology-NUST...and next to the Parrot Lodge in case your colleguae wants to book near us ... we can also arrange other lodges...BB that are OK and economic
i have read and coded rest of the issues
rev useni
On 27/09/2013, Nigel Lowe <nigel...@saimic.co.za> wrote:
> Hi Tendai CC Others to be informed. Pianos and Useni - to
> please note and respond to references to them.
>
> Thanks - noted - generally all good. Forgive cryptic responses here-after.
>
> PLEASE now just use my
> nigel...@saimic.co.za<mailto:nigel...@saimic.co.za> address. The other
> one reverts to my private address.
>
> I confirm my intention to leave on the 6th and sleep somewhere in Limpopo.
> I have been advised to rather go via Martinsdrift, then through
> Francistown and then on to Plumtree, finally Bulawayo. I confirm you
> will travel to Bulawayo with me. Useni, an old friend, has offered me
> accommodation. I understand you can arrange your own, hopefully not
> too far away but I do not even know where Useni lives. (Useni -
> please give us the area of your
> home)
>
> This is a community representative consultative meeting set for 7th
> afternoon in Bulawayo. I intend to test the readiness of those people
> with the car metaphor. You are welcome to be a part of it.
>
> I would like to have a specific discussion with local water resource
> management people at least in Bulawayo. I would hope that you would
> take the lead in this. All I have from Pianos is a reference to a Mr
> Rosen in Bulawayo - perhaps he can assist us both with more
> information. I am interested in how resource management can leverage
> the NRW-IAM efforts and vice-versa. This will also need to be on
> Tuesday 8th, after we have met the City Council people. That can
> probably be 0830 - 1000 (has been identified with them) and your
> meeting can happen after that. I would want to leave for Harare in
> the afternoon,
>
> More coming ASAP.
>
> Let us keep talking to make this work for all.
>
> Regards,
> Nigel
>
> From: Tendai [mailto:ten...@waterresources.co.za]
> Sent: Tuesday, September 24, 2013 9:55 AM
> To: 'Stephen Mallory'
> Cc: 'Nigel Lowe'; Nigel Lowe
> Subject: Trip to Zimbabwe 7-11 Oct 2013
> Importance: High
>
> Hi Stephen
>
> Nigel has finalised his trip arrangements to Zimbabwe and he requested
> which of these do we need to take part, preferably the Bulawayo and
> Harare. I guess in Byo and Harare he will meet Ministry of Water staff
> and that is where we may fit. We can choose to meet Byo people only
> and then I will return of the 8th. Nigel is driving Stephen and so
> advise if I can drive as well with him. I did not intend to spend
> whole week in Zimbabwe, so maybe I can drive with him and return on
> 8th after the meeting in Byo. Nigel let us know whom you intend to meet in Harare.
>
> His trip is as follows:
> 7, 8: Bulawayo
> 8,9: Harare
> 10,11: Masvingo
>
> Regards
>
> .............................................................
> Tendai Sawunyama Pr.Sci.Nat.
> PhD (Eng. Hydrology); MSc (Water Res. Mgt); BSc Hon. Eng. (Agric)
> Hydrology and Water Resources Specialist IWR Water Resources Pty Ltd
> 1 Britz/39 Murray Street, Frieso Building (First floor), Nelspruit,
> South Africa
> Cell:+27(0)766280240/ +27(0) 718707873 Fax to email:+27(0)866906603
> Email:ten...@waterresources.co.za Website:www.waterresources.co.za
> Skype name: tendaisawu "He who is not courageous enough to take risks
> will accomplish nothing in life." Muhammad Ali