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Western Zambia is part of the greatest expanse of sand in the world, the Kalahari Sand Veldt. Growing on this huge sandy swath of African bush is the magnificent Mkusi tree, a.k.a. Zambezi Teak, one of the hardest and finest timbers in the world. In 1952 when the London Corn Exchange was being built an enquiry was instituted throughout the world that explored every possible flooring timber to
find the best and hardest material to construct the floors of the Corn Exchange. There was a requirement for a floor of particular hardness and durability because of the destructive and corrosive effect of the corn kernels ground underfoot and hundreds of people passing to and fro every hour. After months of deliberation and a series of stringent tests, a decision was made to use Mkusi (Zambezi Teak) to make the floors. It was simply the finest timber in the world for
that purpose.
Mkusi has been harvested in Zambia for over a hundred years. The Livingstone Mail of Saturday, 11th November, 1911 announced that Messrs Troumbas and Jacobs had developed Dimitra Saw Mill near Livingstone. The principal objective of the mill was to supply South African Railways (SAR), Beira and Mashonaland Railways (B&MR) and Rhodesia Railways (RR) with railway sleepers. In 1915, after receiving an order for 20 000 sleepers from SAR, the company was re-named Zambezi Saw Mills (ZSM). Logs were initially transported by barge down the Zambezi River, but this proved to be expensive and impractical due to the sinking of boats in the rapids. Being heavier than water, the timber would sink to the bottom of the Zambezi! ZSM decided to build a railway made of Mkusi rails and sleepers, extending the track as the cutting program progressed further from the mill. In 1924 the saw mill was moved to Mulobezi. In 1972 ZSM was finally closed.
Savanna Wood are working with the community at Mulobezi, SNV (Netherlands Development Organisation) and the Government of Zambia to re-open these forests and to manufacture finished products to the very exacting standards set by Savanna Wood. At present the wonderful Zambezi Teak resources of Western and Southern Zambia are being exploited and removed from the country as logs or raw timber to be finished and value added in other countries, depriving Zambia of much needed jobs and revenue. What could be a better testament to the Mkusi Tree than a Savanna Wood Ndlovu or Boardroom table?
Our furniture is designed and constructed to give a unique and highly attractive product that will last for centuries. The Savanna design style reflects the great strength and unsurpassed grain and deep reddy brown colouring of Mkusi. Savanna Wood do not stain or fill our products to hide blemishes or poor workmanship. We are proud of the natural character of an honest piece of furniture caringly and painstakingly fashioned by hand.
"Furniture is Constructed Utilising Traditional Methods of Excellence"
- Design for Living -
Age
old construction methods are employed. We use mortice and tennon joints
that are perfectly machined using the best Italian machinery to ensure
perfect, tight joints that could never be achieved by hand. Drawers and
boxes are constructed with through and stopped dovetail joints, very
difficult to make but extremely strong. Unlike other manufacturers all
parts of our masterpieces are solid Mkusi right through. All drawer
bases, backs of cabinets, even concealed components are solid Zambezi
Teak, with no plywood or hardboard used. Fittings are of the very
highest quality. Hinges are solid brass, drawer slides are of the
finest imported roller bearing construction. No expense is spared to
ensure that you will receive a product of the highest quality that will
last for generations to come. |
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