Zimbabwe...

[nigel99 616]

As elections loom in the country of my past (Zimbabwe) I have been reflecting on the situation that I have found myself in. Without going into the intricate details of it and historical rights and wrongs.

10 years ago I left home to weather the storm in the UK, the intention was to be here for 4 years and then return. We are some of the lucky ones who through british law and our ancestry were able to settle in the UK very easily. 10 years on and the sure knowledge that we will never go "home" as no african nation that has sunk to the depths that Zimbabwe has have ever revived. Almost certainly Zimbabwe will muddle along for another few years and then I assume that tribal violence will break out between the 3 major ethnic groups (already the 3 presidential candidates campaign on common hatrid for whites, and their own ethnic origins).

The feeling of losing your roots is painful beyond what I imagined possible. The situation is such that enshrined in Zimbabwean law being white excludes you from the rights of citizenship.We try to be "british" but at the end of the day cultural differences and perspectives remain, other family are scattered all over the world (New Zealand, Australia, Canada, USA) and they all have similar feelings. Our children are growing up with different roots to us - they truly are British. It is odd being an outsider and following the sometimes xenophobic rants against "immigrants" where people are to stupid and naive to differentiate between legal and illegal immigrants.

People with vague notions of southern african history are often quick to critise what was done in the name of colonialism, without being aware of the facts - that alone can really get under my skin. Over the years I have transtioned from optimistic about the future, to being retrospective and wanting to help what I saw as fellow countrymen. This has given way to an element of bitterness, the outright racism that is more the rule than the exception has changed my attitude to finally believing that if they are so happy to hate the british more than Mugabe let them. I resent our tax money going as "aid" to support a nation that hates us and a corrupt regime, if Zimbabwe does not want democracy and western involvement let them have their way.

Lastly when I look at colonialism in Africa I wonder at the why the British feel guilt? They were quite happy to go to Australia and kill the locals wholesale, they did the same in the USA. Perhaps they morally offload the killing of locals to the Aussies and Americans? Granted it is a clash of cultures of tremendous proportions when the colonialists arrived with technologies some 3000 years ahead of southern africa (Prior to the mid 1800's Zimbabwe did not have the wheel). Death and disease were rampant hence the entire population of Zimbabwe 120 years ago was less than 500 000 - of course mistakes were made and peoples feelings were hurt but on balance I feel that the british were a force for good.

Experienced jumper - someone who has made mistakes more often than I have and lived.

[DZJ 0]

I don't know enough about British Africa to comment on the rights or wrongs of Zimbabwe, but that was a very interesting piece, so thanks.

[TheAnvil 0]

I was in Zimbabwe in 2001. Beautiful country. When I was there and speaking with some locals, I knew trouble was coming. It looks like it's far worse than I imagined it would be. Mugabe is a worthless piece of shyte and should be exterminated.

Vinny the Anvil
Post Traumatic Didn't Make The Lakers Syndrome is REAL
JACKASS POWER!!!!!!

[Skyrad 0]

Hey there Nigel, glad you're getting it off your chest but whats your point? Zimbabwe is an African problem (African as in the continent not anything to do with skin colour) it needs Africans to fix it.

When an author is too meticulous about his style, you may presume that his mind is frivolous and his content flimsy.
Lucius Annaeus Seneca

[akarunway 1]

Quote

As elections loom in the country of my past (Zimbabwe) I have been reflecting on the situation that I have found myself in. Without going into the intricate details of it and historical rights and wrongs.

10 years ago I left home to weather the storm in the UK, the intention was to be here for 4 years and then return. We are some of the lucky ones who through british law and our ancestry were able to settle in the UK very easily. 10 years on and the sure knowledge that we will never go "home" as no african nation that has sunk to the depths that Zimbabwe has have ever revived. Almost certainly Zimbabwe will muddle along for another few years and then I assume that tribal violence will break out between the 3 major ethnic groups (already the 3 presidential candidates campaign on common hatrid for whites, and their own ethnic origins).

The feeling of losing your roots is painful beyond what I imagined possible. The situation is such that enshrined in Zimbabwean law being white excludes you from the rights of citizenship.We try to be "british" but at the end of the day cultural differences and perspectives remain, other family are scattered all over the world (New Zealand, Australia, Canada, USA) and they all have similar feelings. Our children are growing up with different roots to us - they truly are British. It is odd being an outsider and following the sometimes xenophobic rants against "immigrants" where people are to stupid and naive to differentiate between legal and illegal immigrants.

People with vague notions of southern african history are often quick to critise what was done in the name of colonialism, without being aware of the facts - that alone can really get under my skin. Over the years I have transtioned from optimistic about the future, to being retrospective and wanting to help what I saw as fellow countrymen. This has given way to an element of bitterness, the outright racism that is more the rule than the exception has changed my attitude to finally believing that if they are so happy to hate the british more than Mugabe let them. I resent our tax money going as "aid" to support a nation that hates us and a corrupt regime, if Zimbabwe does not want democracy and western involvement let them have their way.

Lastly when I look at colonialism in Africa I wonder at the why the British feel guilt? They were quite happy to go to Australia and kill the locals wholesale, they did the same in the USA. Perhaps they morally offload the killing of locals to the Aussies and Americans? Granted it is a clash of cultures of tremendous proportions when the colonialists arrived with technologies some 3000 years ahead of southern africa (Prior to the mid 1800's Zimbabwe did not have the wheel). Death and disease were rampant hence the entire population of Zimbabwe 120 years ago was less than 500 000 - of course mistakes were made and peoples feelings were hurt but on balance I feel that the british were a force for good.

No worries. These guys will save the day. Just don't go hunting w/ em.>http://newint.org/columns/worldbeaters/2001/04/01/dickcheney/

I hold it true, whate'er befall;
I feel it, when I sorrow most;
'Tis better to have loved and lost
Than never to have loved at all.

[nigel99 616]

Hi Jamil,

You are right there is no "point" to my post, I was just blowing off steam.

You are also right that it is an African problem. What has truly amazed me over the past 2-3 years is how staunchly the other African governments have stood by Mugabe - including South Africa. The general consensus does seem to be that Mugabe is seen as the brave crusader against the west. Actually I don't think that this is very new either, you may be aware that in Zimbabwean culture naming your child is a very significant and meaningful event. So calling your child Happiness is fine as it reflects what you wanted. Well the point during the 1st Gulf war there were LOTS of children called Saddam or more frequently Scud. In local logic this was because it took the West's collective power to fight 1 man. Scud because it was a symbol of defiance against the west.

So you come to the point when the majority resents the west and do not want our involvement - are we still morally obliged to support them with food aid and the like? Shouldn't this be left to his supportive "friends"? I don't think we should.

Experienced jumper - someone who has made mistakes more often than I have and lived.

[rhys 0]

I was in Zimbabwe last april,

I found the locals to be quite welcoming and nice people.

I was only there for a short while though.

I have a few Zim friends too and they are nice people but there are some very racist comments that come from some of thier mouths.

Although Mugabe is a fucking wanker and needs to be thrown out. He uses the hate that was manufactured by the colonial settlers to fuel his ways.

Had the local people been treated a little better in the past the country would probably not be in the position it is in today.

I don't want to make you feel bad and I feel really sorry for you as it is a most beautiful place. But that is the way I see it.

African people can be most frustrating, but the hate is not manufactured by Mugabe, it was manufactured many decades ago when the local people were treated like shit.

A little bit of respect would have gone a long way.

the Zim dollar used to be on par with the US$!!!!!

"When the power of love overcomes the love of power, then the world will see peace." - 'Jimi' Hendrix

[nigel99 616]

Yes racism is very much a two way street and white Zimbo's have their fair share.

I disagree on the past though. Remember that prior to UDI (1961) there was no racial basis on which discrimination was made - discriminitation was based on financial ability and education. Ian Smith led the movement of the Rhodesian Front who were blatantly racist - yes he won slim majority and therefore had the backing of the whites - but it was far from all. Remember as well that there was no Apartheid in Rhodesia something that many people confuse with SA. Of course the hate was not manufactured by Bob, he is just the face of it.

I do seriously believe that there are moral issues regarding a richer nation "invading" a poorer one as inevitable even without exploitation imbalance grows - this happens everywhere in the world. It is the reason that US companies will dominate the financial markets in Iraq in years to come. However it does not mean that these companies/people are abusing their position, just that they had a head start. In essence Colonialism was an "invasion" in case my point above seems detached.

Experienced jumper - someone who has made mistakes more often than I have and lived.

[Skyrad 0]

Quote

Hi Jamil,

You are right there is no "point" to my post, I was just blowing off steam.

You are also right that it is an African problem. What has truly amazed me over the past 2-3 years is how staunchly the other African governments have stood by Mugabe - including South Africa. The general consensus does seem to be that Mugabe is seen as the brave crusader against the west. Actually I don't think that this is very new either, you may be aware that in Zimbabwean culture naming your child is a very significant and meaningful event. So calling your child Happiness is fine as it reflects what you wanted. Well the point during the 1st Gulf war there were LOTS of children called Saddam or more frequently Scud. In local logic this was because it took the West's collective power to fight 1 man. Scud because it was a symbol of defiance against the west.

So you come to the point when the majority resents the west and do not want our involvement - are we still morally obliged to support them with food aid and the like? Shouldn't this be left to his supportive "friends"? I don't think we should.

Its easy to find enemys and point fingers at people who are easily manipulated. The real enemies of Zimbabwe and the people who keep RM and Zunu PF in power are harder to see.
Why are South Africa and other countries supporting him? Its not for the help he gave the ANC, MK and PAC in their fight against the pre 94' SA government. Sceptical? What help did the post '94 government give to the MPLA in Angola? None. In fact it gave covert support to UNITA as did the Americans and others. Why? for much the same reason as it supported UNITA. Elements within SA's MI, DFA and private business men such as Sean Cleary, Niko Shefer and Fred Rindel ( De Dekker Diamonds (Pty) Ltd ) made a killing out of the illegaly mined conflict diamonds, just as they did the same thing in Sierra Leone. In 2004 one of Rindels aircraft was stopped in Zimbabwe carrying 64 contract soldiers. Diamonds and gold is what keeps Mugabe in friends and in power. A situation thats only got worse since the discovery of the Chiadzwa Diamond fields in Marange. Private corporations and individuals in high places being paid off by this nations wealth have a interest in making sure that Mugabes back is covered as much as possible. The frustrated people on the street without a job, food and fuel are happy to belive that its the west that are doing this to them as they won't last long if they belive otherwise.


http://www.bizcommunity.com/Article/196/66/14365.html


http://coburn.senate.gov/ffm/index.cfm?FuseAction=LatestNews.NewsStories&ContentRecord_id=24fb2d6e-802a-23ad-4bb9-0009ea09e4cf&IsPrint=true


http://www.publicintegrity.org/bow/report.aspx?aid=153

When an author is too meticulous about his style, you may presume that his mind is frivolous and his content flimsy.
Lucius Annaeus Seneca

[nigel99 616]

Your right & thanks for the links. One of Mugabe's "friends" http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/3301361.stm

Experienced jumper - someone who has made mistakes more often than I have and lived.

[jonstark 8]

Having spent time in Africa and knowing families of both colonists and natives I have a small bit of insight. I empathize with your anguish at the loss of your country. There is no going back once the water is over the dam. I wonder really whether those so-called beneficiaries of Mugabe's policies are better off. You know and I know that they may feel some self determinism but in reality they are hungrier, sicker, have less and their future is bleaker than it was under a colonial government or it's immediate replacement. The power grabbers are only interested in money for themselves. Period. You bailed out of the edge of the vortex before it swept you and your family away. You have reason to be regretful, happy, remorseful, the whole gamut of emotions after such a gamble.

I once thought I'd like to take my family to see Africa. Not any more. It ain't the Africa I knew.

jon

[Skyrad 0]

Zimbabwe is the sixth biggest diamond miner in Africa. The country has the world's highest rate of inflation, at >6000%, and unemployment of 80%.



Some more

http://www.newzimbabwe.com/pages/mines17.15686.html


http://www.channel4.com/news/articles/world/africa/zimbabwes+diamond+trade+under+strain/536062

http://www.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUSN1621060220070517


In January, the industry's World Diamond Council said it received reports that diamonds in Zimbabwe were being smuggled into neighboring South Africa, where they were being certified as legitimate. The charge is still being investigated.

When an author is too meticulous about his style, you may presume that his mind is frivolous and his content flimsy.
Lucius Annaeus Seneca

[nigel99 616]

Actually "official" inflation topped 100,000% percent 3 months ago.

Inflation is going to skyrocket further over the next few months as government debt has increased by 65 times in 6 weeks!!

Quote

In the six weeks to March 7, government debt increased 65-fold from
Z$25,000bn to Z$1,600,000bn (£26bn, US$53bn, €34bn), according to official
figures.

Interesting fact - did you know that under Mugabe during the 1980's Zimbabwe had the highest literacy rate in Africa? Literacy was well over 80% and school exams were tied to UK "O" Levels so qualifications were world recognised. Ironically this has been part of the reason for the very rapid collapse as so many Zimbabweans were able to exploit highly skilled migrant programs and therefore leave the country.

Experienced jumper - someone who has made mistakes more often than I have and lived.

[nigel99 616]

Breaking news: Just heard on the Zimbabwean radio that South Africa has deployed troops to the Zimbabwean border.

Unofficial election results show that Mugabe got hammered (unofficial results have been collated from the results posted outside polling stations). However the gov have waited >36 hours to start releasing results.

Looking at Zim forums people are getting pretty angry - actually I have never seen so many death threats thrown around (and I thought SC was bad ) There have been a number of posts about children of the ruling elite who live in the US & UK who would be murdered if Mugabe "steals" the election.

Experienced jumper - someone who has made mistakes more often than I have and lived.

[Skyrad 0]

Nice.

When an author is too meticulous about his style, you may presume that his mind is frivolous and his content flimsy.
Lucius Annaeus Seneca