I am South African. I grew up in Rhodesia, and returned south after I completed an MBA degree at UCT in 1982. The rest of the family remained there. In 2000 MAD BOB MUGABE started his land grab; unleashing a catastrophe on the country, its people and destroying its economy.
By 2003 it was clear that the family would have no option but to return to South Africa, after the farms were gazetted for seizure. A chance suggestion by cousin J, in July of 2003, while we were having dinner - that I buy a farm as an investment, set in motion a chain of events that were clearly the workings of fate.
"What was our maternal great-grandfather's karoo farm is on the market, why not buy that." he suggested.
After further conversation the topic changed, but the seed was firmly implanted. I phoned him later in the week, and made some preliminary enquiries about the farm. The following day cousin S, phoned me out of the blue. He advised that the first farm was not a good buy, that it was run down and that it had no Eskom power.
"A better farm, situated on our boundary is up for sale. It is a great grass farm and the owners' son does not wish to take it over."
A further discussion ensued and I decided to seriously investigate the proposal. A phonecall to brother R in Zimbabwe followed.
"I am thinking of buying a farm, and one next to S has come on the market. Are you interested in coming back to SA to live there and run it?"
He agreed to come down and have a look. As a Zimbabwean citizen, he required a visa to visit SA. Predictably this took weeks to obtain. Eventually in early September he was able to fly down and we set off to take a look.
By 2003 it was clear that the family would have no option but to return to South Africa, after the farms were gazetted for seizure. A chance suggestion by cousin J, in July of 2003, while we were having dinner - that I buy a farm as an investment, set in motion a chain of events that were clearly the workings of fate.
"What was our maternal great-grandfather's karoo farm is on the market, why not buy that." he suggested.
After further conversation the topic changed, but the seed was firmly implanted. I phoned him later in the week, and made some preliminary enquiries about the farm. The following day cousin S, phoned me out of the blue. He advised that the first farm was not a good buy, that it was run down and that it had no Eskom power.
"A better farm, situated on our boundary is up for sale. It is a great grass farm and the owners' son does not wish to take it over."
A further discussion ensued and I decided to seriously investigate the proposal. A phonecall to brother R in Zimbabwe followed.
"I am thinking of buying a farm, and one next to S has come on the market. Are you interested in coming back to SA to live there and run it?"
He agreed to come down and have a look. As a Zimbabwean citizen, he required a visa to visit SA. Predictably this took weeks to obtain. Eventually in early September he was able to fly down and we set off to take a look.
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