Nuffield International News

16 December 2016

Zimbabwe Report, By Jim Geltch, CEO Nuffield International and 1986 Scholar

Stephen Crawford (1999 Scholar), Helen Goodwin (1994 Scholar), Faye Sandwith (long time Honorary Secretary Nuffield Zimbabwe), Liezel Crawford (Steve’s wife), Rob Fisher (2002, and last Zim Scholar), Kelvin Meadows (Nuffield Canada Chair), Kathy Etheredge (Richard’s wife), Wayne Dredge (2014 Australian Scholar), Romee Fisher (Rob’s wife), Richard Etheredge (1966 Scholar), Jim Geltch (CEO Nuffield International and 1986 Australian Scholar) and Jeff Kockott (2001 Scholar).

Photo Caption L-R: Stephen Crawford (1999 Scholar), Helen Goodwin (1994 Scholar), Faye Sandwith (long time Honorary Secretary Nuffield Zimbabwe), Liezel Crawford (Steve’s wife), Rob Fisher (2002, and last Zim Scholar), Kelvin Meadows (Nuffield Canada Chair), Kathy Etheredge (Richard’s wife), Wayne Dredge (2014 Australian Scholar), Romee Fisher (Rob’s wife), Richard Etheredge (1966 Scholar), Jim Geltch (CEO Nuffield International and 1986 Australian Scholar) and Jeff Kockott (2001 Scholar).

Through the efforts of 2014 Nuffield Australian Scholar, Wayne Dredge, and 2002 Zimbabwean Scholar, Rob Fisher, five Nuffield Zimbabwean Scholars, wives and the organisations long time secretary and honorary member, Faye Sandwith, met in Harare for dinner on 1 October 2016. Apologies were received from Trevor Gifford (1995) and Doug Bruce (2002), who were both out of the country.

It was an important gathering for several reasons, one of which was articulated by one of the Scholars present in these few words:

"What a delight last night was. Nothing high powered but really mind blowing to have you amongst us and in the Nuffield way getting everyone to talk. Really good for the soul. Thank you very much."

"I know we have thought to get together on several occasions but it has never happened. Everyone has been so intent on trying to survive and finding a way forward that we have neglected the good stuff. There has been such a scattering of friends and families all over the world and communities blown apart that often when we catch up with those that are still around is at funerals, of which there are many."l;

"Thank you all for coming out. I was horrified that you were staying in a hotel. Please in future contact us and we would be delighted to have you to stay. However, it was a feat in itself just getting some of us together for the evening."

Nuffield International plans to make this get together an annual event. Having a cohort of Nuffield Scholars in Zimbabwe, will make our attempts to establish a Nuffield scholarship program across the African continent, much easier to achieve.