AFRICAN TEARS
By Catherine Buckle

EDITOR'S NOTE: The Sunday Times of London has purchased the rights to African Tears, so unfortunately, Chapter One: Hondo is no longer available in The Idler.

Catherine Buckle was born in Zimbabwe in 1957 as one of five children. Her mother is a lecturer in teacher training with the University of Zimbabwe. Her late father was a lawyer, heavily involved in human rights. She obtained diplomas in social work and librarianship, occupying the position of head children’s librarian at the Harare City Library in 1980, immediately after independence. Thereafter she taught at Queen Elizabeth School in Harare, where she was also in charge of counselling.

Passionate about wildlife and conservation education, Cathy managed a small game park for nearly a decade, hand-rearing baby elephants as one of her responsibilities. It was after this that she and her husband Ian bought a farm in Marondera, and worked hard to establish it.

A prolific writer, Cathy has authored four children’s books and published many articles on wildlife and conservation. A copy of African Tears can be ordered by clicking on this link.