Return to Maz
on Rob Wootton (Zambia), 07/Mar/2012 15:10, 34 days ago
Back in Mazabuka for the day for a meeting with members of the DATF Executive Committee and the experience was a mixed one. Even before I stepped off the bus I could see some familiar faces at the roadside. Their greetings, and those of others who I bumped into, were typically warm and friendly. Questions and phrases rolled out along the lines of we miss you, when are you coming back and we need you here. It is impossible not to weaken in the face of such affection and think about returning.The welcome at the start of the Executive meeting was similar and they were appreciative that I had found the time to travel to Maz. As has been the case in previous meetings the discussions, debates and resolutions were not the issue. To repeat myself from previous blog articles, my former colleagues say all the right things, yet it is the doing that remains the problem, which is probably why they liked Judy and I so much because we ensured that the majority of the actions got done; either by doing them ourselves or by nagging others.As an aside, Zambian friends of mine openly admit the action issue. They would get the gold medal for saying the right thing and convincing others, particularly donors, of their sincerity but the doing part is a whole different matter. To finish waffling away, as the Executive know I am still here and willing to support them if asked but they need to take on the responsibilities and work themselves rather than vice-versa. They are all perfectly capable and able, so I await news on what is happening and will hopefully see some progress.