Any notions on the Zimbabwe election fiasco ?

Question

Hi Folks,

I am prompted to ask, as my wife is technically Rhodesian, now Zimbabwean, being born to a white colonial family, went to school there, and is now dismayed at the current state of affairs.

I am anti-racist by nature, and we feel, having lived & worked in foreign climes, think that the Country was a bit more sensible under the old Brit. way of things etc.

Any notions ?

Bob & Marie

Answer 1

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker

Rhodesia, pre Ian Smith was a prosperous nation, and somewhat racist, once Smith declared it Independant it became much more racist, but, strangely was still prosperous, and could certainly feed it's own people, Robert Mugabe was an inspirational figure when leading the fight to overthrow the Smith regime, and, if he had stood down from actually trying to run the country, around 10 years ago, he would still be an inspiration (Much like Mandella), but, he has proven the old adage "Power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutely". He has run the country into the ground, expelled, or, worse many of the white farmers who were propping up his economy, put his fighters in charge of the land, which is now extremely unproductive, he will do anything, everything in his power to hang onto power at the expense of his people....


And, shamefully, the rest of the World will simply look on and do nothing.

Asker's Rating:

Asker's Comment:

Hi Jack, and thanks to all for your fine comments.

The only point I would raise with your answer is that the rest of the world will be pleaded with to inject support for the people of Zimbabwe, if the regime carries on, and busts the Country.

Answer 2

Judging by the amount of refugees I met who left it during the Brit era it was not that much better.

Answer 3

Hmmm. Ian Smith's government/regime was not perfect, however it was considerably better than what the Zimbabweans have now.

As with all African politics it is tribally based and driven. Mugabe's regime has all the power, militarily and governmentally. He has been in power so long that there are now too many people with too much to lose to let him lose power.

Shame. It used to be a wonderful country with a thriving, if not fair, economy. That said the average black Rhodesian was still better off under Smith than they are now. So much for democracy and 'freedom'.

Answer 4

If the Zanu-PF Party had a clear majority then there is absolutely no reason for them not to say

"Here you are. There are all the voting papers. We have won. Please do as many checks as you like."

As they have not done that after more than two weeks then there must be an alternate agenda.

I wonder, just maybe, that they did not win and are planning something, No, that is too cynical of me.

Answer 5

Black africans cannoy organise anything without their tribe or greed getting in the way.

Sad fact but a simple truth.

Answer 6

it may have been better, but putting it back under British rule would only make things worse now: the people want to be independent, so that's what they should get (hint hint to china). Though the fact that the courts refuse to force the publication of the results is ludicrous...this is no democracy! Why are we not putting sanctions on this country? (after all they rely on aid and resources from other countries, having little of their own)...the people should rise up against Mugabe and his fake government.

Answer 7

Being a non-racist white in zimbabwe will get you nothing but grief as I'm sure you are aware. There is no doubt the country was better off under British rule.Now i root for mugabe to stay in power because the moment he steps down zimbabwe becomes another welfare-for-life african country dependant on foreign nations to feed and police them.