Apart from the first 3 years of my life, which were spent in Durban Natal South Africa, I lived my whole life in Rhodesia.
There were two 'parts' to Rhodesia. It was known then as the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland. When I was 10 the federation broke up, Northern Rhodesia became Zambia and Malawi, Southern Rhodesia became just plain Rhodesia.
Now politicians in their great and mighty wisdom, haggled back and forth with the British government, under whose control Rhodesia should fall. Having been a British Colony Rhodesia had become independent, had it's own government, airforce, army, police force, and was not receiving any aid from Britain whatsoever.
Here you have it.
God's own country.
Magic country.
Magic people.
HOWEVER.... The Prime Minister, a great man (we thought so and still believe so) declared UDI. Unilateral Declaration of Independence.
That meant that the whole world ceased to recognise us. Sanctions were brought against us from everywhere. No one would trade. Rhodesia was rich in minerals and ore. Tobacco was it's biggest export.
During the years of our 'exile' if you will, we became, no, not weaker, but much much stronger.
We made our own chocolate, a bit rough at first but improved vastly with time and practice. We made clothing. The quality went from mediocre to excellent.
The South African Rand and the Rhodesian Dollar were close, Rhodesia was known as the Bread Basket of Africa. Never before or since was the economy so strong.
We fought and died to keep it free. Robert Mugabe's terrorises shot down two of our viscounts carrying civilians. They hacked to death survivors. Britain would not comdemn this terrorist action. British MP'S still will not condemn these atrocities.
Then in 1980, backed by China. along came dictator Robert Mugabe. He proceeded to run the country into the ground, the value of the Dollar dropped so that South African banks would not change the currency. Sanctions are, after 33 years, still imposed. There are no jobs, the people are ruled by fear and terror.
But then, wait for it, Rhodesia was not recognised between the years of 1965 and 1980! My children were born in the 1970's. If Rhodesia did not exist according to the world or was not recognised, then where were my children born?
Do they even exist?
You decide.
Oh, and Rhodesians never died. They are connected all over the world, in every country they meet, they celebrate the independence of UDI.
We lost our country, but we didn't lose each other.
God's own country.
Magic country.
Magic people.
HOWEVER.... The Prime Minister, a great man (we thought so and still believe so) declared UDI. Unilateral Declaration of Independence.
That meant that the whole world ceased to recognise us. Sanctions were brought against us from everywhere. No one would trade. Rhodesia was rich in minerals and ore. Tobacco was it's biggest export.
During the years of our 'exile' if you will, we became, no, not weaker, but much much stronger.
We made our own chocolate, a bit rough at first but improved vastly with time and practice. We made clothing. The quality went from mediocre to excellent.
The South African Rand and the Rhodesian Dollar were close, Rhodesia was known as the Bread Basket of Africa. Never before or since was the economy so strong.
We fought and died to keep it free. Robert Mugabe's terrorises shot down two of our viscounts carrying civilians. They hacked to death survivors. Britain would not comdemn this terrorist action. British MP'S still will not condemn these atrocities.
Then in 1980, backed by China. along came dictator Robert Mugabe. He proceeded to run the country into the ground, the value of the Dollar dropped so that South African banks would not change the currency. Sanctions are, after 33 years, still imposed. There are no jobs, the people are ruled by fear and terror.
But then, wait for it, Rhodesia was not recognised between the years of 1965 and 1980! My children were born in the 1970's. If Rhodesia did not exist according to the world or was not recognised, then where were my children born?
Do they even exist?
You decide.
Oh, and Rhodesians never died. They are connected all over the world, in every country they meet, they celebrate the independence of UDI.
We lost our country, but we didn't lose each other.
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