(TALKZIMBABWE) Bennett - most divisive man in Zim politics
Bennett - most divisive man in Zim politicsBy: Sinclair Roberts
Posted: Sunday, November 14, 2010 10:07 am
DEAR EDITOR - Reading the speech by Roy Bennett in Paris on November 11, 2010, I would be remiss in not mentioning the following points on behalf of the Zimbabwean masses.
I will not address the current situation in Zimbabwe. I have written solely to critique Bennett's incendiary speech, parts of which he should be made to apologise for.
The timing of the speech. November 11- is Armistice Day or Remembrance Day in the United Kingdom and here in the United States Veterans Day to commemorate those who fought beginning after World War 1 ended in 1918. Unfortunately, Smith and his thugs hijacked this day for his Unilateral Declaration of Independence (UDI) independence day and for Bennett to deliver this speech on this still painful day was a kick in the groin to all freedom loving Zimbabweans.
Bennett makes claims that Zanu-PF killed innocent villagers in order to secure votes. There were no innocent parties during the Chimurenga struggles, but better sacrifice of a few for the freedom and dignity of many.
My father, a civilian was killed in Dete in January 1978 by “terrorists” according to reports at the time. I still do not know who killed him. I worked as a Police Officer from December 1978 to December 1982 and in the Office of the Prime Minister and then President until 1990. I could have found out who killed my father, but did not even try. I loved him very much, but immediately I heard he was dead, I resolved to forgive whoever did the killing.
My father, like so many other civilians, gave the blood that nourished the Tree of Freedom for the Zimbabwean masses and helped a nation restore dignity and pride in themselves as a people.
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Bennett should rather recall the acts of genocide committed by the Rhodesian security forces whose tactics with the world’s first recorded use in war of poisons in clothing and anthrax amongst other heinous acts of barbarism which, sadly, have not been given enough coverage on the international news.
The 1980 elections which swept Robert Mugabe into power against all odds were acknowledged to be as fair as they could get in the eyes of international observers. Zanu-PF won those elections. If there was intimidation, it came equally from all candidates including the Rhodesian Front, so that is a moot point.
Bennett should not confuse Gukurahundi and Murambatsvina with the 1980 election which liberated our country and returned some dignity to the masses.
He also mentions that then Prime Minister Robert Mugabe inherited “the Breadbasket of Africa”. That breadbasket was made possible overwhelmingly with free labour and blood of the masses who toiled for little or no pay since the 1800’s to carve out the infrastructure that is now Zimbabwe. The postcolonial government of Zanu-PF achieved in less than 20 years what the racist white governments did not do in decades.
Bennett's speech reminded us of colonialism. It is replete with inaccuracies, and his sense of entitlement made me very sad. He holds our Independence very low regard. Imagine all those indigenous farmers and rural settlers whose lands were unjustly taken from them prior to independence and their resettlement to arid areas after spending time in “protected villages” or “keeps” which were akin to present day conditions in Gaza.
White farmers should look at history before crying foul. I hope that the land issue is resolved soon, but always remember that wars are fought over land and to reclaim dignity and to defeat inequality by one class or race over another.
Bennett insulted manyy black people in Zimbabwe with his immature speech. He has diminished the aspirations of the Zimbabwean people by relegating their hard fought victory against racist forces to nothing.
Bennett should have respect for the solemn institution of our hard won independence and not diminish or trivialize our victory over possibly one of the most racist Governments in modern history.
The Zimbabwean people forgave where others would not have done so. Then Prime Minister Robert Mugabe was very generous, and indeed, forgiving to the white Zimbabwean population, despite disinformation that he would kill all whites after independence. Yet, in spite of all this, there continued to be massive sabotage against Zimbabwe and its infrastructure by white citizens in every sector of life.
Some examples are: failing or refusing to train the 'kaffir' to go into skilled and high-paying jobs; externalising as much foreign currency as they could, to the detriment of the local economy; working as spies for South Africa to wreak havoc on our economy; building communities strictly for whites and engaging in the most hateful racist talk when they thought they could get away with it. The list is endless.
We remind Bennett that although he might feel discriminated against and victimized, he needs to look no further than one of the elders in his “compound” and multiply by fifty thousand to give the number of blacks that sacrificed their lives for a free Zimbabwe; and millions others who suffered under the racist white governments.
Sinclair Roberts, proud son of Zimbabwe.
Labels: INDEPENDENCE, LAND REFORM, MDC, ROY BENNETT
posted by MrK @ 7:07 AM
2 Comments:
Whether or not you agree with Mr. Roberts' post, please review the online petition in support of Hon. Roy Bennett at
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/263/justice-for-Roy-Bennett/
809 people (so far) actually believe Hon. Bennett is a good man trying to make a difference in his country. Regardless (thank goodness!) of the color of his skin (which is not something he asked for, like you and me.) The petition was started by a group of Caribbean nationals who care about the state of nations that are intertwined with our own history. Enough is enough. We all need to move on. All of our peoples deserve much better than that.
If in agreement, please sign and share. Either way, no one will persecute you (or torture you) about it. But in case (it seems to be, according to some of the Zim undersigned) you feel unsure or unsafe, please note signatures can be anonymous by checking the 'Don't display my name' box under the name fields.
Peace.
And thank you all.
" Either way, no one will persecute you (or torture you) about it. "
We have President Mugabe to thank for that. As you may know, waterboarding was one of the favored methods of the Selous Scouts, of which Roy Bennett was a member.
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