Zambia World Wide

Time was getting short, because of the delay in starting and the weather conditions it was unlikely we could meet our deadline. The general manager called an engineers meeting looking for ideas on how the work could be speeded up. Oh Dear! Why did he also invite me to the meeting, it was something that had never happened before, after all I was merely a foreman. Many suggestions were made at the meeting, although the engineers meant well, I knew there was only one way we might gain time and so kept quiet until all had given their suggestions, the main idea was the obvious, get more labour on the job, flood it with bodies. As the meeting came to a close, I spoke for the first time. We needed a large tractor which would be able get through the mire and also had the ability to pull a heavy load. After the meeting was over the GM asked me to stay behind, I explained once again that I felt nothing else would make any difference. After a few moments thought he said I could buy the tractor, but the line would have to be finished on time or I had better start looking for a new job! Once again I was in a bit of a rush, I phoned Jim who was the GM for Massey Ferguson in Zambia and arranges a meeting for the following morning, I then phoned the GM of African Wire Ropes and arranged another meeting for the afternoon (these were people that I knew, we had done business in the past). I then went across to the machine shop and explained that I would need two large Capstans to fit the tractor rear wheels, as soon as I was able to give them the hole dimensions’ work would need to start. I then organized the line patrolmen to be on site plus Kennedy who was in charge of the riggers, not only was he a good guy to have around but clever at his job and also a personal friend. There was nothing more I could do until the following morning. Next morning I saw Jim and bought the tractor, it would be delivered the same day. It was a bit pricy 22,500 Kwacha, however the price did not concern me. Next I saw the GM at African Wire Ropes as I needed eight wire ropes all matching, they would be delivered the next morning. We were now starting to move, I took the hole fixing data that Jim had given me to the machine shop and they started to make the Capstans. All I could do now was to wait and pray we still had the time to complete before the deadline. Now we had the tractor and the rest of the gear, we completed the work on time. I remember that job well as we finished at 11.00 on the morning of Christmas Eve. The men would arrive back too late for the company party which seemed unfair. It was at this time I made a fool of myself. I was talking to John and Kennedy and said if I could go into a Zambian bar I would treat the men to a few beers. John looked at me and then Kennedy, next they both started to laugh, I mean really laugh! I asked them what the joke was and they said you. I looked puzzled so John explained, did I really think that with a group of nearly 30 Zambians anyone would dare say or do anything to cause offence. Once they had stopped laughing and wiped the tears from their eyes we decided what we would do and where we would take the men. I really did feel such a fool! But then that’s what friends are for. We drove to a Bar in Chililabombwe which was the nearest town, just around the corner from the Bar we chose there was a bakery. I went in the bar and bought two crates of beer, then while the men were having a beer John and I went to the bakery and bought all the pies, sausage rolls and cakes they had. We then went back to the bar and filled two tables with the stuff from the bakery. We arrived back at CSS at about 16.30 just in time for the men to catch the company bus home. I later found out the reason for the GM’s concern, there was a penalty clause included in the contract which would come into effect if we had been late on completion of the line.

The transmission section could be hard work at times but there were humorous moments as well. We were building a 66kv line near Chingola, I drove out to see Paul who was my assistant. While we stood talking next to my landrover a snake came from under the landrover and crawled between my feet and was now crawling between Paul’s feet. I wasn’t quite sure what to do, Paul was new to Africa and might react suddenly, so I kept quiet but watched until it had disappeared into the bush. I then told Paul and we both had a good laugh.