Let’s preserve our haven of peace

I have been bewailing the lack of a real movie house in Harare but with Ster Kinekor’s refurbishment and conversion to digital of Westgate and Eastgate (now SK105) cinemas late last year, it’s a real treat to return to the movies and find magic still intact. Sure it is now quite satisfying to watch movies at home on large HD screens or home projection systems and there is wide choice from internet downloads and local flea market, which offers pirated block busters almost as soon as released!
But nothing beats the magic of the big screen with the outside world excluded from the darkened cinema and hush of carpeted walls and plush seats. US$5 bought us a huge container of popcorn, Stoney ginger beer and a roll of sweets instead of 50c change. Movies cost $4 (normal) or US$5 for 3D. Not sure of the point of having VIP seats  (US$6) and didn’t check those out.  We watched the Life of Pi in 3D so forked out another dollar each for 3D glasses — an investment in future movie going! Directed by Ang Lee who won the Oscar for best director, we loved the film — an absorbing story, good acting and impressive visuals.
Main movie started dead on time with no trailers or adverts — so get there early. The experience was pure enchantment, making us feel like children again when every day revealed something new and wondrous. We were instantly transported right inside Pondicherry Zoo watching the giraffe’s eyelashes, ducking as humming birds and flying fish seemed to fly right over us and trembling from the tiger’s roar.
Parking was expensive (US$6) as we chose Meikles Car Park for peace of mind. Robert Mugabe outside the cinemas is not well lit and doesn’t make for car safety confidence. Some on-street security might help. But look forward to regular movie going once again.
Back in the real world I returned to Cleveland Dam — after a break of some years and was pleased to find it still largely unspoilt, offering city residents a haven of peace within the city limits. It really is a precious spot though what should be pristine, is spoiled by careless dumping of litter.
Built on the headwaters of the Mukuvisi River in 1912 as Harare’s first water supply, Cleveland Dam is still protected as a wild area and makes a lovely recreation ground. A completely wild area — with ferns and soft paths thick with mulch, watched over by granite outcrops and old sentinel msasas — is a lovely place for dog walkers and fishermen, while designated picnic sites are popular with families, church groups, weddings and other         large events. There is a fee for the various activities but early on Sunday morning I saw no staff to ask for prices.
The canoe hirers were getting ready for customers and it sure was tempting to spend the day drifting gently on cool water under an open sky.
It is distressing though to see so much rubbish — piles of polystyrene at picnic sites and cans and plastic floating in the dam. I presume City staff were going to clean up, but why are people so oblivious to the eyesore and health hazard of this wanton disposal of non-decomposable waste?
Cleveland Dam marks the source of our drinking water supply. We should all help to keep it, and the city as a whole, clean.
– g.jeke@yahoo.com