I have a friend that just moved from Tunnels & bridges headed to die Reichland. He married a reichborger woman, so he moved so he could be there with her - congrats to him (for managing to leave "Tunnels & Bridges") and for his upcoming marriage/baby.
He said something to me about Zimbabwe and the Zimbabwean situation that shocked me. Well it was a racist statement, firstly but also because it made a little sense. He said "I call Zimbabwe, Rhodesia because things were better under white rule... Can you deny this statement?"
I had to think about this for a second.. Where things really better in Zimbabwe under white rule or not?
I have an uncle that grew up during the colonial era and he always praises that era as if it was the best of times. I have to wonder about that for a second... ~ What questions did I consider, Hm, here we go:
1. Rhodesia had a moderately developed infrastructure, unfortunately the majority of this infrastructure was created for the comfort of the oppressor class in Zimbabwe. You see, if you were of European ancestry, you automatically became part of the Upper class and were given advantages and support as necessary for your survival. Cheap Land, low cost loans, preference in Education, Employment and Social standing ~ all these were there for you.
2. Legally Europeans were placed in a position of authority and privilege. I remember reading a book by an African author who grew up in Zimbabwe when it was ruled by the Europeans. His sister and her husband were arrested because they were caught consuming European liquor. It was such a sad scene.
3. The wealth of the land was created by land stolen from the local African people, who were then forced by arbitrary laws created by the oppressor class (Europeans), to work on this same land for little to no pay for the economic benefit for the oppressor class. Here is an instance: My Great-Great Grandparents were forcibly removed from their land and forced onto crowded, less desirable land with all their livestock and families. They were then charged a "hut tax" of 2 pounds, payable in European currency only. So the young men and women were forced to leave their homes and families and take up employment with the oppressor class on their own land to earn money for a tax imposed by the same people who had disposed them of their land. By the way, this tax in no shape or form was used (for at least 60 years) to the benefit of the people paying the tax! My Great-Grandfather was given a homestead and build a family farm because he fought in the second world war for the oppressor class (we all know what sort of jobs the Africans enjoyed during that era, don't we?). He was given 10ha of land, while those veterans from Oppressor class were granted 50 - 100ha of fertile land. Congratulations !
Africans were mistreated and oppressed both economically and socially in the old Zimbabwe. Men could be called 'boy' and were never treated with respect either by their employers or the general Oppressor class. One of the arbitrary laws forbade Africans from buying land/educate their children/worship or trade in designated European areas. The Europeans lived high on the hog, while the vast majority of Africans suffered poverty.
After a long struggle, the Africans finally won concessions from the Europeans that allowed for political and social suffrage. Economic suffrage was denied (overtly at first but subtly later on) to them, but these people were so desperate that they took the deal (known as the Lancaster House Agreement) and prepared for ruling the country. These leaders later became the political rulers of the country. Personally I believe they were given personal incentives to sell out their people, which is so sad too when you think about it. The current leader of Zimbabwe is/was smart enough to know that if he agreed to this deal, it would take time for him to realize the development dreams/goals he and his colleagues had set.
Fast forward 33 years later... The nation is in economic shambles and everybody is angry at the ruler and are baying for his head. Supposedly he has been winning the elections in the country for the last 34 years, which we all know is a poppycock! The nation was created for economic exploitation. The majority of its raw materials (minerals, agriculture and livestock) were/are exploited outside the country (80% goes the the Global manufacturing centers in Asia).
Personally I would rather suffer in poverty than live in a palace while all this pain and oppression continues, but that is just me. So no! Life was not better under European rule, for it was a false rule that hurt many people... People are being hurt now, but this is not 100% their fault. We must always blame the Oppressor clique that is part of the Oppressor class (World Bank/IMF) ~ but that we will address another day altogether in the mean time...
Good/Morning/Afternoon/Evening
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