WATCH as British ambassador to Zimbabwe speaks on his life and career to Trevor Ncube. Vowels says he never dreamt in his wildest dreams that he would be an Ambassador. He has been trying to keep grounded as he suddenly found himself with the Union Jack on his car and people calling him “Your excellency”.

Please watch the video above this post for more details.

key Points from the discussion

  1. Peter Vowels says he was an expat teacher in Mudzi.
  2. He rented an office in Murehwa from the district council
  3. Living in Zimbabwe was a complete culture shock, living in teacher’s housing.
  4. You can strategize and plan a lot, but the chance moments shape my career
  5. You need adapting skills, whether you are from Zimbabwe or UK.
  6. In 2003, Peter came back to Zimbabwe for his honeymoon after he got married to his wife, Hannah, who is Scottish.
  7. They came to Harare and went to Hippo pools and Vumba.
  8. We have adopted an approach where we have the difficult conversations with Zimbabwe behind closed doors.
  9. I often image what would happen if Ambassador Katsande tried to tell us what to do with our policies, we wouldn’t be very happy with that.
  10. The constraint on Zimbabwe has been a lack of access to capital.  We are committed to Zimbabwe to achieve those goals.
  11. Land, economic and governance reforms are needed for this to happen.
  12. If Zimbabwe can grow in an inclusive manner its fantastic for Zimbabwe and Africa.
  13. Having a new currency has made the progress slower.
  14. Zimbabwe has sanctions on five Zimbabweans who can not travel to the UK.
  15. We are focused on renewable energy and currently there are a number of projects underway.
  16. Mining is important but we have to be careful that we are not dragged into a new race for minerals.
  17. The UK offer in the mining sector is employing people and local beneficiation, skills transfer…
  18. In Agriculture and Horticulture there is a lot of Zimbabweans making a living there.
  19. Zimstat is working with the office of the Statistic in the UK. Someone has been seconded to Zimstat.
  20. I was in Hurungwe last week, visiting a project that we funded where we have re-forestation.
  21. I have tried to bring a human touch to being an ambassador, we are all human beings and I don’t live in an ivory tower.
  22. Haifiridzi went viral and I am often more recognised for it across Zimbabwe.
  23. I have plenty of time left in Zimbabwe. I am very conscious of the British colonial history in Zimbabwe and what role we played and Zimbabwe has taught me a lot.
  24. When I complete my assignment in Zimbabwe I would like to have build business and personal links and the British-Zimbabwe relationship is at another level.
  25. I have been to all provinces in Zimbabwe and have been to over 25 district and have 25 more to go.
  26. I still get a shiver when I get to Murewa or Mutoko.
  27. I am training for the Sky run in November and I spend time looking for mountains to run.
  28. Having an opportunity to profile the country is one of the things he likes to do.
  29. He likes Sadza ne Bonzo…There is always great Zimbabwean food.

 

Please watch the video above this post for more details.

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