While in Zambia our family met and got to know several farming families originally from the country to the south of Zambia, Zimbabwe (Zim-bob-way).
You may have read about Zimbabwe recently due to the controversy and violence that has erupted over the ‘democratic’ election process and the ‘elected’ dictator, Robert Mugabe.
I had the opportunity to interview a Zimbabwe national, Mr. Mark Wenham, one evening and that interview follows below.
But 1st my dad asked to provide everyone with a (not so brief ☺) historical perspective on Zimbabwe;
The first modern explorers were British colonists and missionaries who arrived in the region in the 1850s (David Livingstone most notable. The city of Livingstone in S. Zambia was the original capital of Zambia), and the massive influx of foreigners led to the establishment of the territory Rhodesia, named after Cecil Rhodes of the British South Africa Company. Mr. Rhodes became extremely rich mining Africa’s diamond and gold resources. He led the British colonization of Africa in order to exploit and control these vast resources.
In 1923, the European settlers voted to become the self-governing British colony of Southern Rhodesia. After a brief federation with Northern Rhodesia (now Zambia) and Nyasaland (now Malawi) in the post–World War II period, Southern Rhodesia (also known as Rhodesia) chose to remain a colony when its two partners voted for independence in 1963.
On Nov. 11, 1965, the conservative white-minority government of Rhodesia declared its independence from Britain. The country resisted the demands of black Africans, and British Prime Minister Ian Smith withstood pressure, economic sanctions, and guerrilla attacks in his effort to uphold white supremacy in
Rhodesia.
On March 1, 1970, Rhodesia formally proclaimed itself a republic. This triggered a bitter civil war between the white minority government and fighters for African independence, ending only in 1980, with the granting of independence and the holding of a general election under British auspices, which was won decisively by Robert Mugabe’s ZANU party.
In 2000, veterans of Zimbabwe's war for independence in the 1970s began squatting on land owned by white farmers in an effort to reclaim land taken under British colonization— most of Zimbabwe's most fertile farming land was owned by 4,000 whites. In Aug. 2002, Mugabe ordered all white farmers to leave their land without compensation. Mugabe's support for the squatters and his repressive rule has led to foreign sanctions against Zimbabwe.
Modern Zimbabwe is in a terrible state. The economy has all but collapsed. There is widespread famine, which has been cynically manipulated by the government so opposition strongholds suffer the most. The government lacks the resources or machinery to deal with the ravages of the HIV/AIDS pandemic, which affects an estimated one-quarter of the population. With all this and the forced and violent removal of white farmers in a brutal land redistribution program, President Mugabe has earned himself widespread scorn from the international arena.
In the current electoral process, over 60 opposition (to Mugabe) party persons have been murdered, 1000’s of supporters brutalized and intimidated, and at various times the opposition leadership has been thrown repeatedly in jail. Just recently, a high-ranking opposition party official was charged with treason (punishable by death) and imprisoned. /ap
My brief interview with Mr. Mark Wenham follows. Mr. Wenham has been a great blessing to the Village of Hope orphanage in housing construction, electrical and plumbing issues, as well as farm management.
I conducted the following interview with Mr. Wenham at his Farm in Zambia in an attempt to learn more 1st hand about Zimbabwe.
Sarah: Thank you very much for agreeing to this interview. What brought you to Zambia?
Mr. Wenham: After being born and raised in Zimbabwe, the political climate brought about by Robert Mugabe made life unbearable. After 28 years in power, historical issues with independence from the colonization by Great Britain basically allowed the government to come in and take the land from the white African farmers and give it to the black Africans. This is land that was bought and paid for by my family, including farming equipment and often times personal possessions as well were taken. We know families that were literally given hours to vacate and could only leave with the clothes on their backs.
As we sought God’s new direction for our lives, Zambia was an open door He provided.
Sarah: How is life different here in Zambia?
Mr. Wenham : Geographically Zimbabwe is much more mountainous and since there is no ocean sea port, everything has to be imported/transported making it much more expensive to operate our farm here in Zambia vs. Zimbabwe. The skilled labor is less available due to the fact that Zambia was originally a socialist government (after independence) and the people became accustomed to the government supplying their needs.
Sarah: How is life the same?
Mr. Wenham: Both come from British colonization. Zambia has been independent for about 42 years, Zimbabwe about 28. The weather and cultures are similar, housing standards, etc.. Because Zimbabwe did not have a socialist form of government, you grew up learning farming and other commercial skills to provide for your livelihood. You learned from your fathers, as their fathers learned from theirs.
Sarah: I have just one final question for you. What would you like everyone to know about Zimbabwe?
Mr. Wenham: Zimbabwe was at one time the referred to as the ‘bread basket’ of Africa due to abundance of farming and other natural resources. It once had an economy that rivaled S. Korea and it’s currency was 1 to 1 equivalent to the British Pound. Sadly today it’s people are starving and it has the highest inflation in the world, making it’s currency virtually worthless. But it’s biggest problem is not allowing God to lead their independence, but instead now relying on the governments (both local and foreign)for survival.
My father-in-law many years ago developed a program he called “Farming God’s Way”, a simple straight forward way of conservation farming. He foresaw that the farmer’s arrogance and pride would eventually be their downfall by not allowing the African workers to be ‘part owners’ in their farms and/or own farms outright.
God is now dealing with man’s pride. We pray that repentance and revival may one day come to Zimbabwe. We pray for our country and that one day we can return. My wife and I were born there, it is our home.
Sarah: Thank you Mr. Wenham. Your story and country has been very fascinating to learn more about during my stay in Zambia. We are praying for you.
