Kaveve

Oil on Linen

It’s early, and the sun is rising , her light falling across the trees and the river bank, the month of September is hot down here and the wildlife moves early morning and late afternoon to avoid the mid-day heat. The orchestra of birds is almost deafening in a somewhat peaceful way and today is just another beautiful day out here, there is no expectation, just life! This morning these Elephants drink from the water filtered through the sands of the ‘Chewore’ river that flows north to the great Zambezi river. Soon these Bulls will climb the river bank up to the magnificent baobab overlooking this bend of the ‘Chewore’, the baobab we know as “Padare”, a place of meeting, a place of peace. Perhaps they will rest quietly in her shade or they may go on into the Jesse like the elephant before them

This tree is of great significance to our tribe, it’s beauty and presence symbolizes someone who was a tower of strength in our lives and in honour to him, a husband, father, brother and best friend, a

plaque was placed on her massive trunk. Not far to the south lies ‘Pfumbe’ hill, a striking feature in a fairly flat area of deep Jesse, ‘Pfumbe’ rises above the ‘Chewore’ river and this is where the “kaveve” spring starts. Flowing all year round, northward to the Zambezi River. The shallow flow of water above ground is the source of life to many species from insects to buffalo, and the elephants dig to find the water filtered through the sands of the ‘Chewore’. In digging they too create an opportunity to for other species to access otherwise inaccessible water, yet another example of the great symbiosis that is nature! It always begs the question, how do we fit into this incredible and natural world now, How do we preserve this as it is for future generations ? This is a truly beautiful place, and it is fitting that deep down in our minds we think of Dad here, of Sim. I often seen him in my mind’s eye here watching over this beautiful place like the male lions we first encountered here sitting and gazing regally over this magnificent scene. The vision helps us realize the significance of it all for us and for our children and their children Life is short, made shorter by the watches we wear and the schedules we keep, take a moment to be alone, to be at one with nature, walk barefoot n these sands and just listen , you will hear and you will see and most importantly, you will be.

Take a moment and ask yourself “why not now”, and then go out and take it all in, all your wild surroundings, you will find it inspires you, enriches you and above all it will perhaps push you to make that first step to finding your true self!

Tread lightly on the Earth

Will.