Rhodesians reminisce at reunion in Marloth Park
Rhodesians and their families laughed and sang along to nostalgic hits from John Edmond during the Rhodesian Reunion at Marlothi Shopping Centre on Saturday.
MARLOTH PARK – Saturday was the second year former residents of Zimbabwe (formerly Rhodesia) gathered at the Marlothi Shopping Centre to reminisce.
The Rhodesian Reunion was organised by Rhodie Dalwyn MacDonald and his wife, Sharon, who hope to host it annually. Attendees came from as close as White River and Mbombela to as far as Pretoria, Port Elizabeth and Bulawayo.
Tables were set in the shade behind the shopping centre and the old friends, family and comrades in arms had a chance to catch up. Traditional stews and other foods, as well as liquid refreshments, kept the atmosphere jolly until late that afternoon.
The talented John also provided several sessions of musical entertainment and interacted with the crowd. Songs ranged from the hilarious to heart-wrenching tales from the Rhodesian Bush War. John sang in English, Shona and Ndebele.
John’s wife, Teresa, enthusiastically sang along with every song. His career spans over five decades and the 82-year-old is still performing regularly.
He was born in Zambia (Northern Rhodesia), was schooled and lived in several African and European countries. He loved music from an early age and was even a Springbok Drummer while at school in Pretoria in 1953.
He joined the Southern Rhodesian Army and served in the Congo, Malawi and Zimbabwe. He bought his first guitar and he and a friend taught themselves to play. He started entertaining the troops and helped to boost morale.
After leaving the army he qualified as a computer analyst and programmer and worked for Raymond Ackerman in South Africa.
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His music career took off and John even wrote hits for singers such as Four Jacks and a Jill and Barbara Ray.
After securing a recording contract, he delivered hits like “Pasadena”, “Toy Train” and “Fairy Tales” with great success.
He has been credited with writing over 500 compositions, with over 100 recorded by other artists.
John has written an autobiography called Bushcat – Ministrel of the Wild which documented his life between 1936 and 1974.
John and Teresa are currently conducting battlefield tours in KZN, where he also performs songs he’s written about the various battlefields.
More information on John’s inspiring life and his music can be found on www.johnedmond.co.za.
