Chris:

I can't answer your question directly, but I was in the area recently
visiting family. I have distant relatives who are now farming in Zambia
after they were forcibly removed from Zimbabwe as well as some business
associates who still have contacts there.

Zimbabwe's economy has basically collapsed and the local currency is in
freefall. Conditions there are so difficult that basics such as food and
fuel are in short supply and spares for vehicles are hard to come by.
Maintaining and flying private aircraft, especially recreational ones like
gliders, is now virtually impossible. Just about anyone who is able to has
left the country. Poor Zimbabweans are flooding illegally into South Africa
and Zambia (I personally met some of these myself in Livingstone). Those
with more resources are relocating into South Africa, Zambia, Australia,
Britain, the USA and even Nigeria and Angola.

Apart from South Africa and Namibia, there are vitrtually no gliders in
sub-Saharan Africa. (I am not aware of any soaring in Botswana, but I have
heard rumours that there may be a glider or two in Zambia). This is a pity,
because there are some of the best soaring conditions in the world. A few
weeks ago in mid winter, there were cumulus with bases above 6,000 feet AGL
as far as the eye could see. Soaring birds were having a great time.

Maybe some of our Jo'burg corespondents could enlighten us more.

Mike

ASW 20 WA



not@top-post wrote in message ...
Hi,

I used to visit Zimbabwe for gliding facilities.
The best weather is starting now.
There were facilities in Gweru [midlands gliding club]:
Harvey Quail, Paul Cooper ...etc. , and facilities in Harare.

Now when I phone previously valid numbers, they are all
'native' occupants. Have all the 'whites' fled ?

If there are still some gliding facilities, I'd make a journey and
combine it with visiting an old friend who still lives there -- he
is far from the previous gliding sites and wouldn't know what's
happened re. gliding.

Thanks for any answers/advice, possibly also emailed to:
easlab AT absamail . co . za

== Chris Glur.