Rhodesia and Zimbabwe; the end of colonialism in Africa

The transformation of the former colony of Rhodesia into the independent country of Zimbabwe signaled the end of colonialism in Africa

[mikemoore]

I lived in Rhodesia for a few years late 60's early 70's I went back there in 2002 . What was left was a hollowed out version of what had been built . The buildings still stood, though dilapidated, but the life was gone, tribalism had come back with a vengeance . This is Africa, always was, always will be .

[jamestuck]

Few years back my elderly parents and I visited one of their old friends whose grand daughter had just come back from Kenya after doing a year or so there linked to her university course. While she was there she met an elderly Kenyan native (eighty-plus) and they got talking. She commented he must have seen great changes in the country over his lifetime and asked him what he thought of it all. He thought for a few seconds and then took a careful look around to see who was nearby and within earshot. Once satisfied he leaned forward and said quietly "It was a damn sight better place when the whites were running it."

[haroldpearson]

I lived and worked in 6 African countries from1969 for 30 years. I was in Zambia from 1972 to 75 at Magoye research station which is between Mazabuka and Livingstone. A friend and I would go fishing on the Kafue river at weekends. On on such sortie I hooked a local fishing net which I noticed had a mesh size of less than 1cm square. I took a sample to show the local fisheries officer in Mazabuka. His reaction was to shout at me to mind my own business and Zambia would do what it liked with its resources! I learned later that during colonialism the legal net size was 4in square (100mm) for reasons of conversation.
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On the road from the copper belt down to Livingstone there was regular traffic in the form of Kenworth heavy trucks transporting massive copper ingots to the border with Rhodesia. The copper was sold for hard cash which disappeared into fat cat pockets. The UN and other development agencies advised the Zambian government to set up copper good manufacturing industries rather than selling the raw copper. The response was the same as the one I got from the fisheries officer! Of course later they were buying their own copper back in the form of copper goods and wondering why the country is not making any money from its copper mines.

[toniywaya]

I am an African advocating for change in Africa....and I approve the content in this video as 99.99% accurate

[PadreAlan]

Your analysis is spot on. I spent 20 years in South Africa and a couple of years in Ghana and Kenya. Particularly in South Africa the need for instant gratification and lack of planning for the future has seen the infrastructure rot to a terrible state, the state capture of institutions based on how much I can make from them now, and a complete failure to invest in the future of the country.

[munenex]

I am a black man and it's sad to admit that we have played victim since colonial times. We do not admit our shortcomings and place the blame on the white man or the government.

[olwens]

I still have a colour postcard a friend of my grandmother's sent her when she was on holiday in Rhodesia in 1964. She remarks that 'this is a wonderful country- truly Heaven on earth. If I were 30 years younger I would move here.' She would have been in her early 70s then, so probably died before she her optimism was proved disastrously wrong.

[geoffreygardiner]

An expert on farming told me that he visited Southern Rhodesia, as it then was, to see the most efficient farming in the world.

[kanderson]

Rhodesia was self governing, much like Canada and Australia. Long before independence.

[alisonhilll]

I wonder how many people will scream" that's racists " about this one, it's just away of stopping debate .

[evandavies]

Colonialism was hugely beneficial for Africa. Such a pity Africans have been unable to learn from it.

[gerberjoanne]

I heard that the problem with agriculture under Mugabe was that his government seized the land from skilled, experienced farmers, gave the land not to Zimbabwean farmers, but to his own cronies, who had no idea how to farm. Difficulty with delayed gratification may have been part of the problem, but sheer incompetence was probably the main problem.

[iancraigbintliff]

I am an American, of mixed heritage, who use to be one of the easily offended. And at first was a bit shocked by your content, but I am actually getting to understand it now and have become quite addicted 🙏 thank you I get a lot of joy from your channel now. Your reasoning reminds me of my grandfather’s who I love and miss.

[harrying]

I hope you’re looking after yourself S W We’ll need you until the end of time, I can’t believe you even exist, another excellent one

[malcolmtas]

There is something significant that Rhodesia was named after a great, if flawed empire builder, and Zimbabwe was named after a heap of ruins.
Once tourists visited Rhodesia to see the ruins of Zimbabwe, whereas now they visit Zimbabwe to see the ruins of Rhodesia.

[mohabatkhanmalak]

Strangely, I have also looked at this issue in Africa (and elsewhere too) and came to the same conclusion - planning for the future is dismally lacking in Africa. Its all about today(instant gratification) and not worry about tomorrow. When money flows, go buy a BMW! And that farm tractor oil change, can wait till next season!

[legalvampire]

I used to work with a black Zimbabwean lady, who sometimes went back there to visit relatives. In the end when she came back complaining about how bad things had become there under Mugabe I asked her if some black Zimbabweans said things had been better under Ian Smith's white supremacist Rhodesian regime and she replied 'Of course' as though it was so obvious she was surprised I needed to ask

[royleon]

I watch charity appeals on TV showing poor little children walking 8 miles to get a drink of dirty water and my heart bleeds for the poverty in Africa. Yet I cannot bring myself to donate anything. Experience has taught me that most of the money collected doesn't get to the needy.. I remember years ago Millions of pounds was given to Kenya to ease the dreadful flooding they endured. Of the money collected, first in line was the charity itself to pay for all of its costs and the CEO of course, when the money arrived in Kenya, most was used to build an enormous wall all around the Presidential Palace. I worked In Paris for some months and made friends with some other Brits working for a well known charity. They explained how African Chiefs were invited to Paris, wined and dined, chauffeur driven limousines were available, accommodation in swank hotels and numerous ladies provided for entertainment. I vowed then never to buy their Christmas cards again. Only local charities receive my meagre gifts these days. I also wonder how humans have been living in Africa for more than 100, 000 years and still can't arrange for villages to be built next to running water. I also worked in Pakistan for the World Bank and saw first hand how the elite grab the money and leave the needy to go without - Some wise man once said Rich countries collect money from their Poor people, to give to the Rich people in Poor countries.. !!!

[rothezimba]

Your insights are very refreshing. As a Zimbabwean member of the "born-free" generation, I think it's important to discuss these things.

And it's not racist to say the things you've said. In fact, I know *many* Black Zimbabweans of all ages who echo your thoughts exactly.

[markkallstrom]

One night I was at a men's bible study, a homeless healthy, good looking young man came in, I greeted him and asked him to stay and eat with us, which he did As we were talking he said to me I BET YOU LIVE IN A NICE WARM HOUSE . This took me by surprise ! ! ! AND I SAID TO HIM ' ' YES I DO ' ' AND I LOVE IT ! ! ! You see on my farm in 2021 we were short on help and I worked over 110 hours a week [ during harvest time ] .' ' Dam ' ' if I will apologize for enjoying the fruits of my labor for the risks as a farmer and the hours I have to put in to make it . This young healthy man can just get a job , any job, and do the same thing ! ! !