Zimbabwe ( Archived) (42)

rizlared: No I didn't forget, that was not true in the 1950-60s, the rich farmers employed native Africans, built homes, schools, hospitals for the local people. Had the white immigrants never entered Rhodesia, the majority of the indigenous population would have had a far harder life, similar to the one they eventually got after Mugabe took control.


I was born and brought up in Kenya, my father employed over 20 native Africans in the small company he ran, he also provided financial aid, scholarships for local school children to enter universities.

To suggest that all that was done by the British in African countries was bad, is to admit an outstanding level of ignorance. Maybe some of the ideology was misplaced and certainly some whites mistreated local people, but you cannot tar all with the same brush.

History has shown that those African countries run by the British, became prosperous and raised the level of life for the mainstream population, history also shows that since those same countries became independent, they have fallen backwards and are now struggling to survive. Thankfully China has now taken on some responsibilities and is helping to rebuild some African countries.

Redex: the above comment is crap


I just hope that given a length of time things get better for folk.

I hope proper unretstricted elections can take place.

And i give an invite to my barbecue as i am roasting above person

Ivoryguy: Left wing, liberal claptrap!

When Rhodesia was started in 1890 the country was entirely bush with not a single brick structure and a total black population of about 700 000..
White farmers cleared the land, planted crops and imported livestock as well as teaching modern farming methods to the local population and providing employment, schools and medications.
Much of the land was crippled by endemic diseases like malaria, bilharzia, sleeping sickness and the farmers worked in these areas too.

When Mugabe and his killers took over in the 1980s they inherited what was known as the breadbasket of Africa and the population had increased to about 9 million with dramatically increased life expectancy rates and reduced child mortality. Mugabe's mob has contributed significantly to reversing those gains.

Most of the older black population who remember the pre-Mugabe days will admit that things were better then.

I might add that my roots there go back to a time when one of the towns was named after my mother's side of the family so I think I am able to give an honest view.