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Nollywood actor Odira Nwobu has died suddenly in South Africa, prompting widespread grief across the Nigerian film industry ( image source ) The Nigerian film industry is grieving following the sudden death of Nollywood actor Odira Nwobu in Johannesburg. Widely recognised for his comedic talent and energetic screen presence, Nwobu’s passing has sent shockwaves across Nollywood and the broader entertainment community. According to early accounts, Nwobu collapsed just hours after a night out in South Africa, where he had travelled with eight other influencers for a work engagement. The Actors Guild of Nigeria president, Emeka Rollas, confirmed the death and noted that an autopsy will be conducted before repatriation. Rollas described Nwobu as a cherished figure whose humour and warmth made him a favourite with millions of viewers. Tributes from colleagues and friends have poured in. Many recalled his recent thanksgiving service and his resilience after surviving a near-fatal car crash earlier this year. Comedian Evan Okoro and producer Stanley Ontop described him as a consistent source of joy in Nollywood, while fans shared clips of his most iconic performances on social media. Blogger Awuzie Frankline captured the collective shock, writing: “You were full of life just hours ago in South Africa. How can you return lifeless? Death is rude. I am heartbroken.” Over the years, Nwobu built a distinct place in Nollywood through roles that blended humour with depictions of everyday struggles. His ability to connect with both traditional and younger audiences helped solidify his appeal across borders. Directors and producers praised his versatility, noting that he contributed significantly to Nollywood’s evolving comedic style. His death comes at a time when Nigerian cinema is expanding globally, driven by streaming platforms and increased international visibility. Industry analysts say the loss highlights growing concerns about the pressures faced by actors working under demanding schedules and rising public expectations. Some have renewed calls for wellness and support programmes within the industry to safeguard artists’ health. The Actors Guild of Nigeria has pledged to support Nwobu’s family and oversee repatriation arrangements. Memorial services are expected to be held in Lagos and Johannesburg. While the sense of loss is profound, colleagues and fans alike say his legacy will endure through the body of work that brought laughter and connection to viewers across the world.

Zimbabweans across sectors say they are overtaxed ahead of the 2026 National Budget. Citizens and businesses cite heavy levies, weak service delivery and rising frustration ( image source ) HARARE — As Zimbabwe edges toward the presentation of the 2026 National Budget, frustration over the country’s tax burden is rising across communities and industries. From the crowded lanes of Mbare Musika to high-end corporate offices in Borrowdale, citizens and businesses share a common grievance: taxation has become overwhelming, intrusive and, for many, economically suffocating. Zimbabwe’s current fiscal framework is characterised by a long list of levies that cut across income, consumption, imports and digital transactions. VAT, PAYE, customs duties and the widely criticised 2% Intermediated Money Transfer Tax (IMTT) have created what many citizens describe as a system that taxes them at every turn. During pre-budget consultations, business owners and informal traders warned that these pressures are eroding profitability, shrinking disposable income and stifling economic mobility. One entrepreneur summed up the mounting frustration: people are taxed when they earn, taxed when they spend and taxed when supporting their families. Industry bodies such as the Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries have cautioned that excessive taxation risks driving companies into the informal sector, further reducing formal employment and complicating the government’s revenue goals. Informal traders argue that high customs duties and transaction taxes inflate costs, making it harder to compete with cheaper smuggled goods. This cycle contributes to higher consumer prices and fuels inflationary pressures. Beyond the weight of taxation, citizens increasingly question the value they receive in return. Consumer-rights advocates note that while revenue collection has improved, service delivery remains weak. Public health facilities lack medicines, infrastructure continues to deteriorate and electricity supply remains unreliable. This disconnect between tax collection and public service delivery has intensified calls for accountability and transparency. Economists point out that Zimbabwe’s tax-to-GDP ratio is among the highest in the region. While this suggests strong collection capacity, it also exposes structural inequities, as consumption-based taxes disproportionately affect low-income households and the IMTT penalises the shift toward digital payments. Business leaders are urging the government to adopt a new fiscal approach that prioritises production incentives, reduces consumption taxes and eliminates wasteful expenditure. Corruption within the public sector remains a central concern. As Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube prepares to announce the 2026 budget, expectations are high and trust is fragile. Citizens want relief and clarity. Businesses want policy predictability. Across the board, there is a demand for a tax system that is fair, efficient and directly tied to tangible improvements in national services and infrastructure. Until meaningful reform is delivered, the sentiment that “we are overtaxed” will continue to dominate public and economic discourse.

A volcanic ash plume from Ethiopia’s Hayli Gubbi eruption has disrupted India–UAE air travel, causing cancellations ( image source ) MUMBAI/DUBAI — Air travel between India and the United Arab Emirates has been thrown into disarray after a massive ash plume from Ethiopia’s Hayli Gubbi volcano forced widespread cancellations, diversions and heightened safety checks across major airports. Aviation regulators in both countries have issued urgent advisories as airlines work to safeguard passengers and aircraft. The Hayli Gubbi volcano in Ethiopia’s Afar region erupted for the first time in recorded history, sending ash more than 10 kilometres into the atmosphere. Strong winds pushed the plume across the Red Sea and deep into South Asia, contaminating airspace over Gujarat, Rajasthan, Delhi, Punjab and Maharashtra. Meteorologists report ash movement at 100–120 km/h, warning that disruptions across northern India and Gulf airspace may continue. Sulfur dioxide emissions have also been tracked, prompting environmental concerns. An aviation analyst in Dubai said the event is “rare, far-reaching, and demands absolute prioritisation of safety.” Several airlines, including IndiGo, Akasa Air and KLM, confirmed cancellations and rerouted flights on Gulf-bound routes. An IndiGo flight from Kannur to Abu Dhabi was diverted to Ahmedabad, while departures from Mumbai and Delhi faced delays or redirections. Mumbai Airport issued an advisory urging passengers to stay in contact with their airlines and plan for extended processing times. India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation ordered runway inspections for ash contamination and instructed carriers to avoid affected flight corridors. ( image source ) Airport authorities warn that volcanic ash poses significant risks to aircraft by damaging jet engines, reducing visibility and contaminating runways. Experts note that even minor ash exposure can result in costly maintenance and extended grounding times. International agencies, including the International Civil Aviation Organization, have issued alerts to carriers operating in the region. Gulf airports are coordinating with Indian authorities to manage diverted traffic and reduce congestion. The disruption comes during a peak travel period, affecting both business and leisure passengers between India and the UAE. Aviation analysts warn that prolonged ash presence could affect trade routes, tourism flows and airline revenues. Environmental experts have raised additional concerns about public health impacts stemming from sulfur dioxide emissions, advising residents in affected Indian states to limit outdoor exposure. A climate researcher in Addis Ababa said the event represents “a combined aviation, economic and environmental challenge for the region.” Authorities in India, Ethiopia and the Gulf continue to track wind patterns and ash dispersion to assess when normal operations can resume. Until then, passengers are urged to monitor official updates. The eruption has reinforced global aviation’s vulnerability to natural events and the growing need for comprehensive contingency planning.

Zimbabwe is set to toughen mining regulations through its Responsible Mining Initiative Part 2 ( image source ) Zimbabwe’s mining sector, a pillar of national exports and a long-running source of controversy, is poised for one of its most significant regulatory shifts in decades. Government is preparing to launch the second phase of the Responsible Mining Initiative, a tougher framework that will allow the state to revoke mining licences for environmental breaches. For an industry responsible for more than 60 percent of export earnings, the reforms signal a decisive move: economic gain will no longer excuse ecological damage. Mines Minister Winston Chitando underscored the gravity of the moment, stating that the new phase “will address environmental damage head-on, including loss of mining title.” Behind the reform lies a history of unchecked extraction that has left rivers polluted, landscapes scarred and communities vulnerable. In Penhalonga, once-clear waterways have turned murky with silt and chemical residue. Across the Midlands and Mashonaland, abandoned pits pose deadly hazards, while grazing land has diminished under the pressure of unregulated operations. The first phase of the Responsible Mining Initiative relied heavily on voluntary compliance. Part 2 marks a clear turn towards enforcement. For the first time, legislation will explicitly empower authorities to strip mining concessions for environmental violations—powers that do not currently exist. Chitando emphasised that “every operator must comply—no exceptions,” framing the reforms as both an environmental and governance reset in a sector long entangled with illegal mining, political patronage and opaque ownership structures. The forthcoming framework is expected to strengthen coordination between the Environmental Management Agency and the Mines Ministry, mandate closure and land rehabilitation plans, set out punitive measures for breaches and align Zimbabwe with global ESG standards. Analysts argue that rather than scaring investors away, the reforms could enhance confidence by creating a predictable and transparent operating environment in a sector often unsettled by regulatory inconsistencies and currency volatility. Communities living near mining operations cautiously welcome the changes. Residents of Penhalonga, rural Midlands and parts of Mashonaland have endured years of environmental degradation and unfulfilled promises. Civil-society groups say enforcement, not policy, has been the missing ingredient. Whether the new measures will deliver the accountability government promises remains to be tested, but the direction is clear. Chitando insists the stance is firm: no mining will proceed without adherence to environmental law. If fully implemented, Responsible Mining Initiative Part 2 could redefine Zimbabwe’s mining reputation—transforming it from a landscape of loose oversight to a jurisdiction that prioritises sustainability, compliance and long-term stewardship.

Percy Manyonga’s new exhibition Becoming Myself at Loft 3 marks a bold shift into textile-based art, blending string, fibre and conceptual depth to chart identity ( image source ) Walking into Loft 3 Gallery this month feels like stepping into a room woven with intimate confessions. Percy Manyonga’s latest solo exhibition, Becoming Myself, marks a decisive shift in his two-decade career as he pivots from mixed media and paint toward a wholly textile-driven practice. What might have seemed a dramatic departure instead feels like a natural evolution, as though he has finally arrived at the visual language he has long been approaching. Manyonga’s turn to thread, string and fibre comes at a moment when Harare’s contemporary art scene is shaped by prominent figures such as Kresiah Mukwazhi, Gina Maxim, Moffat Takadiwa, Johnson Zuze and Wallen Mapondera. In such a charged landscape, stylistic divergence can invite scepticism. Yet Manyonga has continued to secure his place in the national canon, featuring in major exhibitions including FIVE BHOBH: Painting at the End of an Era at Zeitz MOCAA and This is Our World at the National Gallery of Zimbabwe. Loft 3 now gives him full room to expand, allowing his strings to twist, breathe and define their own space. ( image source ) Conceptually, the exhibition draws from the transformation of a point into a line, a knot and finally an object, echoing the logic of String Theory—the physics model that imagines the universe built from vibrating filaments. Manyonga invokes this framework not scientifically, but emotionally. His works gesture toward unseen dimensions: psychological tangles, buried memories and personal histories that stretch beneath the visible surface. The visual language of the exhibition is richly layered. Thick Forest presents a dense, interlocking mass of thread that evokes undergrowth and depth. Other works resemble anatomical diagrams, neural pathways or topographical sketches. Portrait-based abstractions such as Marjorie Mejuri and Wishful Thinking trade literal likeness for emotional mapping. Searching The Light, composed against a darkened field, dramatises the moment illumination breaks through shadow, while Diamond Field echoes the geometric repetition of aerial farmland. In Silver Lining I & II, Manyonga incorporates poly woven potato pockets—an unexpected material that widens his textural vocabulary and underscores his commitment to reinvention. Across the exhibition, media and process operate not as tools but as revelations, aligning with the show’s title. Becoming Myself reads as a personal excavation, with each piece marking a stage in the artist’s unfolding self-definition. As Gareth Nyandoro’s kucheka cheka technique and Troy Makaza’s silicone sculptures have broadened the possibilities of Zimbabwean contemporary art, Manyonga’s string-based practice presents another expansion of the field. His work builds a new lexicon—one where thread becomes thought, knot becomes memory and fibre becomes identity. In the quiet of Loft 3 Gallery, the viewer is left with the sense that this is not merely an exhibition but a declaration: an artist meeting himself in full, through a medium that speaks in vibrations, layers and lines.

Zimbabweans enter 2026 with rising frustration and persistent hope as economic pressures, stalled reforms and strained public services fuel debate on a long “dream deferred.” ( image source ) HARARE — In many Zimbabwean households, the promise of a “new dawn” remains suspended in time. What once felt bright and imminent now sits in the national consciousness like a framed photograph gathering dust. As 2026 approaches, citizens describe aspirations that feel paused, postponed or quietly shelved. Civil-society groups echo Langston Hughes in calling this moment “a dream deferred,” a phrase that feels both poetic and painfully familiar. When the Second Republic entered office, expectations were high. Promises of renewal, currency stability, job creation and investor confidence dominated early messaging. Billboards carried slogans of transformation while official speeches projected a nation on the verge of economic take-off. Today, many Zimbabweans recount a different reality. Inflation erodes salaries before they are spent, the local currency remains unstable and youth unemployment stretches across urban and rural spaces. Communities continue to wait for functional water systems, reliable electricity, and roads that match the country’s ambitions. “We were told better days were coming,” a teacher in Masvingo said. “But for most of us, life has only become harder.” Beyond economic expectations, citizens had hoped for institutional reforms to strengthen governance and deepen accountability. Civil-society groups argue progress has been inconsistent, stressing the ongoing need for stronger parliamentary oversight, judicial independence and expanded media freedoms. Many believe the national vision has not been abandoned but delayed, with activists insisting that deferring a dream can itself be a catalyst. “A deferred dream is not a dead dream,” one civic leader told a town-hall meeting. “It is a call to action.” Pressure on public services underscores the country’s fiscal strain. Hospitals run short on equipment and essential medicines, while schools face overcrowded classrooms and overburdened educators. Teachers and nurses continue to work under demanding conditions. Ageing infrastructure, from roads to water systems, reflects a reality far removed from long-standing policy targets. The cumulative effect has created a quiet but widespread fatigue, shaping daily life across communities. Yet resilience remains a defining Zimbabwean trait. Civic organisations are intensifying participatory budgeting efforts, youth groups are investing in innovation, and anti-corruption advocates maintain pressure for transparency. Analysts say the “dream deferred” metaphor endures because it captures simultaneous truths: growing public frustration alongside an equally strong determination not to surrender hope. “Deferred dreams have birthed many movements,” a governance analyst observed. “Zimbabweans are not giving up. They are demanding delivery.” With the 2026 National Budget approaching, government confronts a dual challenge: easing the tax burden while advancing long-promised structural reforms. Citizens want tangible progress—jobs, roads, medicine and accountable leadership. Until these materialise, the refrain of “a dream deferred” will continue to shape national debate, carried by a public still waiting for renewal to move from rhetoric to reality.

A Witbank pastor receives two life sentences for a violent 2024 attack that left a Vosman man permanently disabled ( image source ) The Witbank Regional Court has sentenced Pastor Solomon Mhlanga to two life terms and an additional three years for kidnapping, closing a case that has unsettled communities in both South Africa and Zimbabwe since 2024. The case stems from an incident in March 2024 along Kroomdraai Road in Vosman, where Dumisani Mahlangu was accused by the Mhlanga family of stealing church property. Instead of reporting the matter to police, the family forcibly took him in a bakkie to a secluded bushy area. There, a vehicle was set on fire, a branch was cut and placed under Mahlangu’s hands, and a machete was used to inflict severe injuries. Although he survived, Mahlangu’s life was permanently altered. Court Proceedings and Reactions: On 24 November 2025, the court delivered its ruling. Pastor Mhlanga received two life sentences and a three-year term for kidnapping. Mahlangu, speaking to Daily Sun, said he now feels a sense of relief after months of fear and sleepless nights. His father, Johannes, welcomed the ruling, though he noted the burden of caring for a son who can no longer live independently. Broader Significance: The case has resonated in communities across the region, highlighting issues of mob justice, misuse of spiritual authority, and the vulnerability of individuals accused without due process. For the Mhlanga family, once respected in ministry circles, the sentencing marks a sharp fall from grace. For the Mahlangu family, the verdict brings closure tempered by the lasting consequences of the attack.

ZRP rejects claims by SARACO of a joint sting operation in Marondera, insisting the arrest of five officers for an alleged US$540 bribe was an internal investigation ( image source ) The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has dismissed claims by the Southern African Regional Anti-Corruption Organisation (SARACO) that it participated in a joint operation that resulted in the arrest of five police officers accused of soliciting a US$540 bribe at a Marondera roadblock. Clarification by Police: In a firm statement, ZRP spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi said the police had no association with SARACO and emphasised that no anti-corruption organisation operates legitimately without formal recognition from the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC). He reiterated that all investigations into police misconduct are carried out internally or through legally recognised bodies. Nyathi’s message signalled a clear refusal of any unofficial partnerships or external interference in police disciplinary processes. How the Confusion Began: The dispute arose after SARACO director Paddington Kadzungura publicly claimed that his team worked alongside ZRP Internal Investigations officers during the alleged sting operation at the Marondera traffic checkpoint. According to Kadzungura, the five officers had unlawfully stopped motorist Craig Nyandoro, dismissed his legitimate vehicle documents, and demanded payment. In SARACO’s version of events, the organisation played a role in exposing the shakedown. The police, however, categorically rejected this account, asserting that their internal team conducted the arrest without any external involvement. Institutional Tensions and Implications: Commissioner Nyathi warned police officers against forming unauthorised private arrangements or engaging with outside groups under the guise of anti-corruption work. His remarks pointed to broader institutional concerns about maintaining accountability, legitimacy, and control over corruption investigations within the force. The case has also highlighted longstanding public suspicion surrounding roadblocks, where enforcement duties are frequently overshadowed by allegations of extortion. Public Trust and Official Authority: The incident has reopened debate about corruption, policing and the proliferation of non-statutory “anti-corruption” entities. For the state, maintaining clarity about jurisdiction and procedure is essential to safeguarding public trust. According to the ZRP, the arrests were a product of internal oversight, and the narrative of a joint sting belongs entirely to SARACO. With competing accounts already circulating, the police have moved to firmly reassert their version: the operation was theirs alone, and no private organisation was involved.

Zimbabwe cracks down on counterfeit seed as police, regulators and seed producers unite to protect farmers and the 2025/26 agricultural season ( image source ) With the first signs of the 2025/26 rainy season forming over Mbare, optimism fills Zimbabwe’s oldest market — but so does a hidden threat. Police have uncovered a counterfeit seed operation that could devastate farmers before the first drop of rain even falls. The scam, discovered last week, involved ordinary grain being painted, polished and passed off as premium treated seed. The fraud is not new, but its consequences are increasingly severe: one bag of fake seed can erase an entire season’s labour. Zimbabwe Seed Association (ZSA) chairperson John Makoni voiced deep concern, stressing that certified producers had adequate supplies for all major crops, yet farmers were being misled by dubious products. He noted that: – Fake seed threatens germination, disease resistance and yield. – Counterfeit packets often display spelling errors, missing data and false labels. – The losses go beyond finances — they strip farmers of time, confidence and food security. ZSA is coordinating with police and government agencies to intensify oversight, urging farmers to buy only from registered agro-dealers. At the Seed Services Institute, head Edmore Mtetwa said inspectors were conducting nationwide blitzes, confiscating illegal consignments and enforcing licensing rules. He warned that anyone selling fake seed will face prosecution. National police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed arrests are underway. “We will publicise the individuals, agents and companies involved,” he said, describing the material found on the streets as “deeply concerning.” For farmers, the fake seed crackdown comes as long-overdue protection. Seed is more than a product — it is a promise of food, income and survival. With the rains near, every purchase carries the weight of a year’s outcome. Zimbabwe now stands at an agricultural crossroads: one road leads to certified seed and stable harvests; the other, to bags of painted grain and a season doomed from the start. The battle lines are clear — and the country’s future will be defended seed by seed.

The Hawks’ Crimes Against the State unit is investigating allegations that Zuma family members were involved in recruiting 17 South African men for the Russia-Ukraine war ( image source ) The story began as a whisper a rumour that young South African men had vanished into the fog of the Russia-Ukraine battlefield. Then, like many political scandals in South Africa, it widened into a family saga with national-security implications. Now it sits squarely on the desk of the Hawks’ Crimes Against the State (CATS) unit, where investigators are combing through travel records, phone logs, voice notes and testimonies that stretch from Johannesburg’s townships to the icy borderlands of eastern Ukraine. At the heart of the unfolding drama are two sisters: Nkosazana Bonganini Zuma-Mncube and Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla daughters of former president Jacob Zuma. What began as internal family distress has hardened into a criminal complaint, formalised in an inquiry docket that police confirmed has now been escalated to the country’s elite investigative wing. Zuma-Mncube alleges that her sister and two unnamed individuals played a role in recruiting 17 South African men, many from vulnerable communities, who were allegedly transported to Russia and later deployed to the front lines of the Ukraine conflict. South African families, some speaking through tears, claim their sons thought they were leaving home for security jobs, construction work or training programmes not live combat. The allegations hit a raw national nerve: the spectre of trafficking-like recruitment, the secrecy of mercenary corridors, and the global conflict that unexpectedly reached deep into South African households. A Hawks source, speaking with the guarded calm of someone very aware of geopolitical sensitivities, told reporters, “We are treating this with the seriousness it deserves and following all leads.” Behind that restrained sentence lies a labyrinth of investigative threads. The Hawks must now piece together flight paths, visa arrangements, WhatsApp communications, recruitment contracts (if any exist), and potential financial flows that could indicate organised networks. They will also coordinate with foreign authorities a challenge when the alleged events intersect with one of the world’s most contested war zones. For families, the tragedy feels brutally personal. Mothers from Mpumalanga and Gauteng have described receiving hurried voice notes, sometimes from unfamiliar numbers, hinting at fear, regret or captivity. Community leaders have pleaded for consular intervention, and civil-society organisations are urging the state to adopt stronger safeguards to prevent recruitment of South Africans into foreign conflicts. The Hawks’ CATS division, typically focused on espionage, terrorism and high-stakes national-security breaches, is now operating in a hybrid space, part criminal investigation, part humanitarian mission, part geopolitical navigation. What investigators ultimately uncover may have consequences far beyond the Zuma household. If charges of human trafficking or contraventions of the Foreign Military Assistance Act are pursued, they could reshape South Africa’s legal approach to citizen involvement in overseas conflicts. For now, the unanswered questions hang heavy, who organised the journey? What promises were made? Who funded the travel? And most importantly can the 17 men be brought home alive? South Africa waits for clarity. The Hawks, for now, search through shadows.

Carol Henchie School of Dancing dazzles Reps Theatre with a nostalgic, decade-spanning ballet showcase celebrating childhood, creativity and intergenerational artistry ( image source ) A colourful sweep through 90 years of music and movement lit up Harare’s Reps Theatre on Saturday as the Carol Henchie School of Dancing presented Dancing the Decades, a nostalgic and joyous production featuring performers as young as three. The show opened softly before bursting into applause as the youngest dancers, dressed in pastel costumes and glowing under warm stage lights, stepped onto the floor. That innocence set the emotional tempo for a production that blended history, ballet technique and intergenerational performance. The 1930s kicked off with a lively Sing, Sing, Sing, whisking the audience into swing-era America. The wartime 1940s followed through Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy, complete with crisp salutes and sharp synchronisation. The 1950s shimmered in petticoats to Blue Suede Shoes, while the 1960s softened into the sweetness of I Want to Hold Your Hand. The 1970s delivered ABBA’s glittering Waterloo; the 1980s hit with Michael Jackson’s Black or White; and a classical breather arrived through a delicate piece set to Canon in D. The 1990s surged with The Prince of Egypt, before the 2000s brought energetic colour with Katy Perry’s Hot and Cold. Costumes, lighting and choreography tied the production into a cohesive journey. Smooth transitions, synchronised movement and painterly colour shifts created a polished visual narrative that delighted the packed theatre. Founder and artistic director Carol Henchie told Southerton Business Times that every piece was intentionally crafted. “Our dances aren’t just steps set to music,” she said. “They are living memories — reminders that movement connects us to who we were, who we are and who we can become.” She emphasised ballet’s lifelong value, noting its ability to build confidence, resilience and courage in young performers. By the final bow, Dancing the Decades had become more than a showcase — it was a celebration of childhood, creativity and the unifying power of dance across generations.

Two retirees reveal how slow, purpose-driven travel through Zambia and Zimbabwe created deeper meaning, richer human connections and a more fulfilling experience beyond traditional fast-paced tourism ( image source ) Two retirees have shared how a deliberately slower, purpose-led travel approach transformed their recent journey through Zambia and Zimbabwe into a deeply meaningful experience one shaped less by rushed itineraries and more by presence, reflection and genuine human encounters. Speaking after their month-long trip anchored around Victoria Falls, the pair said they intentionally abandoned the traditional “airport trophy” travel mentality of seeing as many sites as possible in the shortest time. Instead, they prioritised fewer destinations, longer visits and flexible days that allowed moments to unfold naturally. Their itinerary centred on key anchor experiences Victoria Falls, local markets in both Livingstone and Victoria Falls town, and guided community interactions and they built the rest of their days around open time rather than rigid schedules. The retirees described this approach as “freeing,” noting that it reduced decision fatigue and created room for spontaneous connections with residents, guides and conservation workers. In Livingstone, they visited viewpoints at different times of day to observe how the light, water spray and sound changed the character of the Falls. They returned repeatedly to certain spots where guides shared personal stories about family history, Tonga cultural traditions and environmental pressures shaping the Zambezi ecosystem. They emphasised that these unhurried conversations with artisans explaining their crafts, conservation staff outlining wildlife protection challenges, or market vendors discussing urban livelihood pressures became the heart of the journey. The retirees said these interactions grounded the landscape in human context, making the experience more intimate and emotionally resonant. “Slowing down isn’t falling behind it’s choosing depth over speed,” they reflected. “The more we let go of plans, the more meaningful the travel became.” Experts in retirement and lifestyle planning say such purpose-driven travel can reduce stress and increase satisfaction by aligning time use with travellers’ personal values, such as curiosity, empathy and conservation. They argue that older travellers in particular benefit from less demanding itineraries that prioritise rest, emotional engagement and low-pressure exploration. Practical steps for slow travel include trimming the number of daily activities, building intentional rest periods and returning to favourite locations rather than constantly seeking new ones. In Zambia and Zimbabwe, this meant spending full days along the Zambezi River, taking slower-paced river cruises, engaging in longer discussions with guides, and visiting cultural exhibits with ample time to absorb details. The retirees say their biggest takeaway is that purposeful travel offers a sense of fulfilment that typical bucket-list tourism rarely delivers. They describe it as a shift from “collecting attractions” to “collecting meaning.” “Let adventure unfold don’t force it,” the pair said. “When you give time and attention to the people and places you encounter, the journey becomes deeper than any itinerary can capture.”