Did you know?

The Victoria Falls Hotel is the oldest building in Victoria Falls....

VICTORIA FALLS SPECTACULAR

BEEN A MINUTE...

Hello everyone, sorry for being MIA (missing in action) I have been extremely busy and news just hasn’t really been coming in. I have to say though it feels good to be back in this space. I have missed sharing my Victoria Falls experiences with you all. I went to Zambia the other day and as I was walking on the Victoria Falls Bridge, there was a bungee activity. This has to be one of the things that we all need to experience in our lifetime but after that code snapping incident I swore to myself that I was never going to go there. But seeing the beauty of the activity and the whole adrenaline rush, I think I have changed my mind. This is something I have to do before the next life. Well after I manage to pocket enough courage. Happy days. I am that boy, who are you.

THE TREASURE TRAIL

Please be advised, due to another event on the same day, the treasure trail has been cancelled.

VICTORIA FALLS BRIDGE

   

One of the things that excite me about Victoria Falls is the Victoria Falls Bridge. I have always been intrigued by it. It is a phenomenal structure. I have to say there is a certain sense of awe that overpowers me whenever i think or am on this structure. Being the inquisitive person that i am, this afternoon i busied myself with some research because i found this an interesting part of my town, your town, our town history. I have to say there are some interesting facts. Before I get to that, take a minute to simply imagine and appreciate all the hard work that went with the whole process. It is over 100 metres from the ground. Not even the ground because as you already know, underneath lies the incredible Zambezi. So you imagine all the sweat and the sacrifices that were made.

Anyways I found out that the construction process started in 1904 and completed in 1905. If my math knowledge is still perfecto, this year marks 107 years since its construction. Now this is way before a lot of us became a part of the world. Ok back to the facts bit, it was constructed over the second gorge of the falls just behind the mighty Victoria Falls and joins two countries together, Zambia and Zimbabwe. For me that is unity but research proves that Cecil J Rhodes saw a great potential in central Africa in terms of investment and all things riches (that’s my thought). Hence this was a part of his dream to link Cape to Cairo through a railway line. Clever indeed but on a lighter note i say it was fuelled by greed. It paid off for us though. Today we enjoy the benefits. The entire project cost GBP72 000 which at the time i am sure was a lot of money and it took over a year, 14 months to be precise. It is such a pity he never lived to see its completion. He died before it came to be.

Today it links Zambia, Zimbabwe and the north and south region of Africa in terms of economic development. It is also home to the bridge swing, slide and the world famous bungee jump for the adrenalin seekers. (At your own risk)

Please check out www.victoriafallsbridge.com for additional info about the Victoria Falls Bridge and www.shearwatervictoriafalls.co.zw for the activity packages that you can enjoy on the Victoria Falls Bridge. And make sure you book at least one activity.

Like it reads on the Victoria Falls Bridge website, ‘A VISIT TO THE VICTORIA FALLS IS NOT COMPLETE WITHOUT AN EXCURSION TO THE FAMOUS BRIDGE’

I am that boy, who are you o_O

WOK ‘N ROLL

We are pleased to announce the opening of the Wok ‘n Roll.

                                     Our opening hours are as follows:

                                     Mondays: Closed

                                     Tuesdays – Sundays: 11.30 am – 9.00 pm

To avoid waiting you can place your orders by contacting Dion on +263779368995 or +2631343429 (ask to be transferred to the Wok ‘n Roll)

Hope to see you there!!!!

HAVE YOU HEARD?

If you haven’t, you just heard it here on www.victoriafallsextra.blogspot.com  

Apparently the Government is taking over the Victoria Falls Boat Club (VFBC) after a rental deadlock with the owners. And as you can imagine, it is also noted that this situation is causing panic among tour operators ahead of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) general assembly scheduled for next year right here in Victoria Falls.

The piece where I extracted this information from even went on to describe the white dominancy of the VFBC board, lol. I mean this is actually irrelevant in the report but at least it makes the ones with a sense of humour laugh out loud.

Anyways it is also reported that last month, the government issued the club with a six month notice to vacate the premises.

However sources within the ministry said the tenants are not going to be compensated for their infrastructure, which includes a club house and a harbour.

Now for further reading on the issue, I am sure Google would be happy to serve you, if not directly go to www.newsday.co.zw/article/2012-09-11-govt-seizes--vic-falls-club/

If this is true, at least the Treasure Trail is on the 29^th of September.

I am that boy, who are you o_O

‘WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO TAKE CARE OF YOUR SOUL?’

This has to be one of random things that i will ever blog about. Wanted to not post this but couldn’t resist sharing….

I remember when i was young, they used to tell me that with age comes wisdom and my mum would says ‘Uzobona ungakhula’ (You will get a wake up call when you have grown) Lately somehow always make me want to do a ‘stock count’ of my life and by so doing I have come to realise that with age truly comes wisdom. It was not just used to make me acknowledge that adults are superior as i thought; it is something that truly applies as we begin our growing process. I have also come to appreciate all the life lessons that i get taught along the way.

Recently one of the most important things that i have learnt is praying in faith. Praying knowing that God will provide. Having a conversation with God where it gets to a point of me saying ‘Lord you have a plan with my life, whatever I may be crying for now you have your way with my desire. If this is something you have planned for me, it shall happen but if its not, I will wait till the time is right’

By so doing somehow the question that has been coming to my head a lot lately is ‘What am I doing to take care of my soul?’ ‘What are you doing to take care of your soul?’ I have decided that this question will be my guide for the rest of my life. I have acknowledged the fact that I am now a young man, not a boy anymore. I hope I make sense and someone will relate to this. As much as we know we are growing, we always want to be stuck in our child self and forget that time waits for no one. This question is one of the reasons that i have also decided there are some things in my life that add little and at times no value. This question is making me question what it is that i truly want to get out of this life. Is what I am doing now making me glad in my soul? I am still trying to find the answers…

But what I do know is that life is what you make of it and also what you take out of it. I know that life is not waiting for me to start living; it keeps going with or without me….JUST LIVE!!!!!

I am that boy, who are you o_O

TREASURE TRAIL

Are you craving some summer fun and excitement? You think you know enough about Victoria Falls? Can you get a small group together?
No? Yes?

Well whatever the answer is, make sure you clear your schedule on the 29th of September because the Victoria Falls Boat Club is hosting yet another exciting treasure trail. This exciting event will kick-start at 8:30am on the dot. Please make sure you are there on time. All you have to do is organise a team of four people with a minimum of one child that is under 15 and pay a fee of $15 for the team. Yebo yes $15 only/kuphela for the entire team.

 It sure is going to be an exciting day: loads of entertainment lined up for the kids, rugby for the dads/males and tasty treats for moms and everyone after the trail.
Make sure you do not miss this day of fun and confusion.

Lol*I did not get any pictures, so please bear with the plainness of this post.

To enter your names, please get in touch with Dan on +263777050310.

ROLLING WITH BIG THINGS CLOTHING

I am all about being inspired to inspire. I have stated on my intro that this blog is dedicated to Victoria Falls but not limited to my town. For those that do not know, Wesley Tafadzwa Chimuti aka Tank is from Bulawayo and he is an up and coming fashion designer, trendsetter, and businessman. You might know him from the label Big Things Clothing, if you don’t where have you been? I have known Tank for over a year now and this young man intrigues me still. He has an amazing drive and passion. I sent him an email of the questions and scored myself my very first online interview.

 This is definitely an inspiring piece, enjoy….

GC:> GEORGE CHIGARU (MYSELF)

WTC:> WESLEY TANK CHIMUTI

GC: SO FINALLY I GET THE CHANCE TO INTERVIEW THE BIG TANK, LOL, HOW’S IT BRO?

WTC: Lol, you say finally like I never wanted an interview. I’m good buddy, thanks for the interview.

GC: PLEASURE IS ALL MINE.

GC: FIRST THINGS FIRST, WHAT IS THE INSPIRATION BEHIND THE NAME AND THE LABEL ITSELF?

WTC: The name pretty much says it all. “Big Things Clothing” is all about the person who wants to do it big in all aspects of their lives. We are basically saying that if you can dream it, you can achieve it and why aim small when you have the potential to do it Godzilla big. Inspiration is all around us man we just convey it through art and since we all can’t all be in the art galleries exhibiting paintings; Gaylord suggested we start a label specializing in T-Shirts at first. Over time we got more creative and decided clothing as a whole looked like a pretty good idea. Big Things Clothing was born!

GC: OK YOU SAY WE, I KNOW YOU DON’T ROLL SOLO BUT FOR THOSE THAT DO NOT KNOW PLEASE SHARE, WHO ELSE IS BEHIND ALL THE HARD WORK AND HOW YALL SHARE THE RESPONSIBILITIES?

WTC: True, I was blessed with two hard working business partners; Gaylord T. Mashoko (Gallardo) and Micah N. R. Kuture (Even Bigger Jay). We’ve been best friends for as long as we can all remember, why not make more memories together and run a business? Gaylord is our General Manager and Micah is our Marketing Director. Along with me, we are Big Things Clothing. I’m Creative Director of the company, all creative work i.e prints and embroidery and the designing of the clothes is my responsibility. I thrive to see how best we can utilize my creativity to sustain the company, push the brand and ensure its growth. Gaylord is responsible for the day to day running of the business. This includes the financial side of the Big Things Clothing business, establishing new contacts and maintaining good working relationships with our suppliers. Micah does our market research, monitors market trends, fashion trends in urban street apparel, how best we can penetrate new markets and designing all marketing media for the company. This kid is the mouthpiece, the eyes and ears of Big Things Clothing.

GC: YOU ARE KNOWN FOR THE BIG THINGS TEES THAT ARE THE ENTIRE CRAZE AROUND TOWN AND I BELIEVE BEYOND AS WELL, WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IS WHY TEES THOUGH? HOW DID THE CONCEPT COMING COME ABOUT?

WTC: Tees were an easier way to break into the market, we couldn’t go all out and do complete outfits before anyone knew who we were or what we were putting out to them. Once a little buzz was going, we did ladies tank tops, ladies and gents’ golf tees and even a phone customizing promotion with Bling My Phone. We are growing though in terms of quality, style, durability and the product range as a whole and we aim to get better each time. 

GC: HOW WAS YOUR REACTION WHEN YOU MADE YOUR FIRST PRODUCT AND OBVIOUSLY THE FIRST SALE?

WTC: Personally, I was ecstatic given we do our sales by order since we have not secured an outlet as yet. To have people react positively to the tees was a blessing; our baby was taking its first steps. From there we pushed to get Bulawayo on our side now most young corporates look forward to our new stuff every end of the month so I’m pretty happy with how this is going but I am not content as yet. There are whole other markets to break into and thus I have broadened my creativity to cater to everyone. To bump into someone I don’t know wearing my designs, a feeling like no other.

GC: OK, I KNOW YOU GUYS HAVE RECENTLY STARTED BRANCHING INTO OTHER ASPECTS OF DESIGN, LIKE A LIL DENIM, TELL ME ABOUT THAT?

WTC: It was a daunting task given that this would be the first time ever designing an outfit outside of my comfort zone, I was a little shaken. Launching a denim range and the T-Shirt Hoody for ladies was quite the challenge but I was inspired when we caught the attention of Harare based, Top Model Agency boss, Karin Davidson. The perfect platform to launch these ideas along with most of our previous ideas came on the 25^th of August 2012 at Arcadia Community Centre where we were part of a charity event aptly dubbed “Fashion With A Purpose.” The designs were well received, the Arcadia community, the city of Harare and the Bulawayo residents that were at the event welcomed Big Things Clothing with open arms. I could not ask for more!

GC: WOW THAT IS BIG THINGS YEAH, LOL, TELL ME ABOUT THAT EXPERIENCE, HOW DID THE OPPORTUNITY COME ABOUT?

WTC: That was a phenomenal experience man. I definitely want to do that again! It was all bright lights, glitz and glam, Top Model Agency models tearing up the runway, scintillating performances from rapper Jack Pott, the multi talented Miss Sinead Hollom (Dakhari Drew), dancers; Timikha and Sharlinda, a whole lot of divas and of course us, the bad boys of the fashion industry to top it off, lol. The opportunity came when Micah shared a forthcoming design that was aimed at putting our beautiful the country out there. It caught Top Model Agency’s, Karin Davidson’s eye along with a lot of other excited customers and she spread the word to others in the fashion industry in Harare. Talks of a possible first appearance on the runway came about and just like that we got our invite.

GC: ANY PLANS OF GOING BIGGER AND BROADER?

WTC: The products are only going to get better, the range a whole lot wider and more exclusive. Sales wise, our sights are on penetrating the Harare market and branching off from there into Gweru, Victoria Falls, Mutare and Masvingo. The fashion show generated quite a bit of interest as far as Johannesburg, Cape Town, Gaborone, The United Kingdom, Germany and Australia so we’ve got a lot of planning and work to do. Right now I feel like we have bridged tribal and racial gaps by providing something everyone could relate to, apparel for the streets. I feel the moment we can compete on a global scale and start exporting, we have achieved our goal. Zimbabwe will be on the map for something other than its wonderful tourist attractions.

GC: AND ZIM FASHION WEEK?

I hope next year we can make it to Zim Fashion Week, which was a week after “Fashion With A Purpose” this year and honestly we were not ready. We definitely would want to see our designs at that level and next year this time, we would have grown enough to play with the big boys.

GC: CONSIDERING HOW YOU HAVE COME, I AM SURE IT WILL HAPPEN.

WTC: Thanks mate.

GC: SO HOW’S A TYPICAL DAY IN THE LIFE OF TANK AND THE DESIGN PROCESS?

WTC: A typical day in my life is as soon as i wake up, i have my breakfast and I’m out of the shower, I’m in my office in Woodlands drawing, NONE STOP! You don’t have to remind me or tell me, it’s wired to my brain and my body is already programmed to do that. Only coming out briefly to eat and breathe a little. I also play a whole lot of music during the whole idea generation process. Different genres evoke different feelings which translate to different ideas on paper so I can design anything from something a toddler would wear to something a Goth would wear. I’m not bound by anything when it comes to creativity!

 GC: IT HAS BEEN AN ABSOLUTE PLEASURE TALKING TO YOU TANK, ANY LAST WORDS TO THE READERS AND PEOPLE ASPIRING TO GET TO WHERE YOU ARE RIGHT NOW?

WTC: The pleasure is all mine. To everyone that took the time to read this, THANK YOU! I believe all great things started with a dream or a vision of something. We all have potential, what makes the difference is what we do to harness that potential and make the dream a reality. I am yet to reach my peak as an individual but as I grow, my company grows with me. Don’t give up just because someone says, “you can’t do it.” Our slogan at Big Things Clothing is: Wear your thoughts. My dream is a reality now worn by hundreds of people. I hope the youth will be inspired by me and my partners’ struggle to do things how we do: Go hard or go home! ONE LOVE…

GC: AND JUST BEFORE WE WRAP UP, FOR THE READERS THAT MAY WANT TO ORDER SOME BIG THINGS GEAR WHICH I AM SURE IS GOING TO BE THE CASE, HOW DO THEY REACH YOU?

WTC: You can place an order on our Facebook page, Big Things Clothing, like it, our Twitter Page @bigthingsclt, follow us, we follow back or e-mail us on bigthingsclothing@gmail.com. Website is coming, soon so look out for that and our contact details are +263 772 750 267 and +263 779 799 028.

GC: THANKS A TON BRO, ALL THE BEST FOR THE FUTURE AND REMEMBER US WHEN YOU UP THERE BECAUSE THAT IS WHERE YOU ARE HEADED.

WTC: Thank you George and don’t worry there is always room for family at the top, PEACE

The end.

If that did not inspire you, I don’t know what else will. Big Things Clothing is going places and is the next big thing. Mark my words. If he can, so can you!!!!!

I am that boy, who are you o_O

                

INSPIRATION

I believe and say ‘DETERMINATION, DEDICATION, HARD WORK AND PERSISTENCE ARE THE FOUNDATIONS OF SUCCESS’

Please enjoy some of the inspirational quotes, pictures that i have come across and come to appreciate.

“If the facts don’t fit the theory, change the facts.” - ALBERT EINSTEIN

“Great minds discuss ideas. Average minds discuss events. Small minds discuss people.” - ELEANOR ROOSEVELT

“It is never too late to be what you might have been.” - GEORGE ELIOT

“The trouble with not having a goal is that you can spend your life running up and down the field and never score.” - BILL COPELAND

“If opportunity doesn’t knock, build a door.” - MILTON BERLE

”Ask not what your country can do for you — ask what you can do for your country.” - JOHN F. KENNEDY

”Even if you’re on the right track, you’ll get run over if you just sit there.” - WILL ROGERS

”Never leave that till tomorrow which you can do today.” - BENJAMIN FRANKLIN

”When you come to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on.” - FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT

”Remember that happiness is a way of travel, not a destination.” - ROY GOODMAN

”Vision without action is daydream. Action without vision is nightmare.” - JAPANESE PROVERB

“When I hear somebody sigh, ‘Life is hard,’ I am always tempted to ask, ‘Compared to what?’” - SYDNEY HARRIS

The best way to predict the future is to create it.” - ABRAHAM LINCOLN

“Don’t go through life, grow through life.” - ERIC BUTTERWORTH

“Positive anything is better than negative thinking.” - ELBERT HUBBARD

“Keep on going and the chances are you will stumble on something, perhaps when you are least expecting it. I have never heard of anyone stumbling on something sitting down.” - CHARLES F. KETTERING

“There are two primary choices in life: to accept conditions as they exist, or accept the responsibility for changing them.” - DR. DENIS WAITLEY

I am that boy, who are you o_O

THE VICTORIA FALLS CARNIVAL 2012

Barely 3 months till the 2012 curtains come down. It has been an awesome year so far. The negatives are also part of the package. I hope those that made resolutions did manage to tick all of them off their lists. If you did not, do not despair yet, yall still have a bit of time to work on them.

Now as we approach New Year’s the question is what sort of entertainment is in store for us. As per norm there is always something awesome happening in Victoria Falls and this year is no exception, we have the amazing Victoria Falls Carnival 2012. Not sure if it’s a first though. Funnily when I think carnival my white soul switches on *smiles* #NoRacist

Now this is going to be a 3 day event for the entire family, yes the WHOLE FAMILY with different packages of course. Kids carnival, beer fest, the works. The carnival also features various artists from across the region and what do you know, you can also contribute directly to the community development through a couple of projects in the schools as well as the tree planting project. I am excited about this, are you?

For more info on the different packages as well as the activities, go to www.vicfallscarnival.com, check out the Facebook page www.facebook.com/VicFallsCarnival. You can also drop Chenai an email on info@vicfallscarnival.com or call her on +263773852638.  

I am that boy, who are you o_O

BEAUTIFUL BEGINNINGS

Firstly thank you for taking time out to actually go through this blog. It is an honour and I am humbled that you have actually given this a chance, fingers crossed that you continue with the support.

 So finally I have decided to start talking about my Victoria Falls, my town, your town, our town through my own eyes, ears, experiences and feelings. I feel this is long overdue. All thanks to that little devil called procrastination. The major obstacle has forever been what if they (readers) do not enjoy my content? Fear is something I have to overcome I guess.I have actually consulted a lot people and did my research with regards to this blog and the direction to take. Thanks to one of my close friends Carl L Adams from whom i drew the inspiration to start this. He on the other hand showcases/talks about his home city Bulawayo. Having lived in Bulawayo for over a year myself, I relate to some of the posts.In case you need info about Bulawayo, please feel free to visit his blog www.bulawayolife.blogspot.com. Another close friend of mine, Zenzo Sibanda told me that the best way to handle this is to just take the leap of faith. He said to walk when there is no road and to make sure i leave a path.I think he was quoting someone, lol.

I dedicate this blog solely but not limited to Victoria Falls. Just in case you do not know anything about Victoria Falls, I will briefly break it down to you. This is a small beautiful resort town that is well known by masses in the world. It is a town well known for the magnificent water falls. However i have noticed a lot of articles, blogs or whatever Google material only talks about the falls and all things hospitality. I am not going to nor do I intend to contradict that has already been put out but surely there is a whole lot more to showcase about this beautiful town. Victoria Falls has amazing people, talent and what I will say the friendliest climate ever.The heat can be a tad bit too much at times but there is nothing like the African sunshinebut of course in the centre of this beauty there are flaws. I am going to use my capabilities to address even the most sensitive issues; it is not my intention to offend anyone. So please do join me as ientertain, inform and/or possibly challenge you about Victoria Falls in my own words and through my own eyes. But of course i need feedback to make this work. Although i have my own plan, i would gladly accept any info about what you would like to know about. So please send me all the feedback, ideas and of course the links. Keep logged in for more about my town, your town, our town.

 I am that boy, who are you o_O