Five lessons from Rhodesia - Nehanda Radio

Five lessons from Rhodesia - Nehanda Radio




Oh, this article ought to get some reaction! I suppose one might view Smith's policies as true conservatism -- but now we are in an age of neoliberalism and selling the country's assets to buy entry into a global economy. Quite a risk. I speak from the point of view of what is happening in Australia.

It is an open secret that Zimbabwe has all it needs to develop and yet we continue to complain about how sanctions are preventing that. In my opinion, it is not the issue of sanctions that is our problem (real or imagined); it’s our response to our problems that continues to hold us back and disempower us in coming up with our own solutions.

I think that the main reason why Rhodesia’s self-sufficiency developed rapidly during its import substitution programme was the discipline and integrity of its leadership; racist they were, but here I want us to learn from the enemy.

Ian Smith was not in it for the money or personal wealth. He truly believed in the national cause. Although misguided, he was dedicated to it to the bone. He was not greedy nor did he pursue personal wealth accumulation as is the case with our current political leadership. The preservation and development of Rhodesia came first and all state enterprises and institutions were established and competently managed only to meet that end.