Titus, Chadwell Heath:

It's nonsense to give this matter a racial dimension. If you do, then you are just being like Mugabe. All peace loving and democratic people should join together to fight this tyrant. During World War II, Hitler was against the Jews. The world did not respond by polarising itself into Jews/anti-Jews.

Charan Muzaya, London, UK

How long will Britain, who gave Zimbabwe their Independance wait and watch whilst "chatting" in their very comfortable parliamentary seats until the last few "heroe farmers" that have stood the test of Mugabe are slaughtered by his regime?

I think it is sickening how we can sit back and wait for a war to take place! What happened to the law of the World? What happened to the simple need for human rights? Zimbabwe needs help, as Gorden Brown said "The World is watching!" Well let's not just watch! Let us all get down to the nitty gritty and get Mugabe who has slaughtered hundreds of people, mass-murdered tribes, bulldozed through peoples homes, racially abused the white farmers, robbed his own Country until their was 100,000% inflation, rigged the elections (BLATANTLY) and is now preparing for a war: out of POWER!!!

A man like this is a disgrace to Africa, might i say everyone who has power like he does. Zimbabwe's currency used to be stronger than the pound.

Enough, go MDC!!!

J, London, UK

What makes me laugh is the credentials of most of those war veterans, some seem awfully young to have taken part in the Rhodesian Bush War. The British colonial authorities sold that land legally to the farmers, if anyone should take resonsibility it is the British government and the Zimbabwean/Rhodesian leaders of the time. These African leaders and chiefs who so conveniently sold off the birthright of their own people to the colonials should also be called into question. The myth that is propounded is that the land somehow "belonged" to ordinary Zimbabweans before colonialism and I think one would find that is by no means the case. Ordinary Africans had no rights and lived under the feudal serfdom imposed by their hereditary kings.

M.Davies, London, UK

If one talks about Africa, then draws inferences between human beings and the wild life there, they are are perilously eering into a taboo area; one that Mugabe repeatedly has exploited to garner sympathy even when he is ruining one of Africa's best hopes. One cynic remark from the wrong person can cause more harm than the machinations of desperate dictator .The media has done a sterling job in it's coverage of the events in Zimbabwe; even at the risk of imprisonment. By his standards Mugabe has shown some restraint and it's thanks to the CNNs, SKYNews e.t.c. They deserve our accolades, which is more than can be said about about one comment I won't dignify by mentioning it's author.

Charle, HULL, UK

OK lets get the whites out of africa and the africans out of europe. Enough already!

We can not be together, we ARE different and we can not be together fruitfully.

Titus, Chadwell Heath,

It is almost laughable that racism is tolerated by " black" africans and the wider world when the perpetrator is one of the last " big men" of the freedom struggles.

The only blessing is R G Mugabe is in his mid 80s and nature should take its course in the next few years.

E BA GUM an anagram of Mugabe

Peter, newcastle,

African leaders together with many people in the Western world keep harping on about the ills of colonialism, and in South Africa of course also about apartheid, and thus reduce all Africans to victims. This victim mentality does more harm to Africa than anything else. It also reinforces a psychology of paternalism, where leaders are seen as benevolent fathers of the nation, and sadly it gives rise to deep racism. They play the victim card because it suits them; it lines their pockets and keeps the people down. But millions of grassroot African don't buy this and they'd want to see Africans stand proud and get on with building societies that see to the common good, who want trade, not aid. African leaders and Western liberals have done more to reduce African economies to basket cases than has colonialism.

ingrid, South Cerney, UK

Mugabe probably realises his time is up so the seizure of these "white farms" is a bout his legacy. He hopes to be remembered as the one who rid Zimbabwe of the white settlers. Unfortunately this is what the surrounding African states are wanting.

roy race, bratislava,

Fred Ferdelberger:
You urge the whites in Africa to go to Australia because it is a white country. Didn't we do exactly the same thing in Australia to make it into a white country? And the USA for that matter.

We don't /belong/ there either.

Rachel Titley, Halifax, England

Charan Muzaya, London, UK

good point. botswana is doing very well as are a number of other countries- in a generation time things will work itself out

ce, devon, devon

Gaba, I lived in Southern Africa (Namibia and South Africa) for 7 years and visited Zimbabwe several times, and always loved visiting, the people were always so friendly and happy. Obviously since then times have changed and I have watched from afar horrified by what Mugabe has done to your country. What I can't understand is why even 43% of the population would have voted for him. Do people there actually believe the rubbish that comes out of his mouth about Western conspiracies? Can the people not see the correlation between white farmers being forced off their farms (that were generating foreign income for Zim) and the collapse of the economy. What are they afraid of? Ian Smith's ghost?
I hope and pray that Mugabe goes quietly (not much chance of that I fear!) and that Zimbabwe once again becomes the country I remember from the 1990's.

david price, Denver, USA

Ah yes Gaba Rinocheka, the classic Mugabe / Idi Aminn / Mubutu defence when they destroy their own economies.. 'er.. The British! Yes, that's it, it's all their fault'

When in gods name are African leaders going to take some responsibility? The colonial argument is beginning to wear VERY thin.

Owen, London, UK

William Smith:

I think Botswana is a well-functioning African country. So are a few others I believe. What is needed is to get rid of the old generation of African leaders who developed during the cold war. The younger generations want democracy.

Charan Muzaya, London, UK

Though some say we shld foget the past, the majority of comments here clearly show that the general attitude of Westerners towards black Africans hasn't changed. Which is a shame cos i personally know many whites who genuinely love Africa and it's people, unfortunately they are only a minority.

As indicated by the vote, most blacks (myself included) also want Mugabe out cos of the untold pain & suffering we have endured over the years. Sadly it appears whites only want Mugabe to go to settle scores otherwise they care very little about the other 12.5m inhabitants of the country.

We're sick of Mugabe but we also still remember what it was like in Rhodesia when we couldn't vote, not allowed to work in the city, confined to stony arid land and lived in shanty towns. Life might've been great for whites then (which is understandable) but the same cannot be said for blacks.

Mugabe does'nt represent ALL Zimbabweans, just hmself. We could start by trying to respect each otther.

Gaba Rinocheka, Harare, Zimbabwe

heres a little quiz. name a functioning african government. oh wait, its a trick question.

william smith, venice, fl

It's a shame to see what is happening in Zimbabwe. I do not think people should turn this into a race issue, people are suffering everyday, all we can do is sympathise and acknowledge the maltreatment that has been going on. We as a people cannot change the past, but what we can do is to put pressure on our governments who have the power to make a change. My only hope is that governments will start to behave in a mannner that will benefit the peoples of the world and not just a few of the elite.
Peace

Mo, Aberdeen, Scotland

What a racist and corrupt people.

If groups of white English banded up and demanded all Indian and black people, irrespective of nationality or if there were born here, leave any land they occupy in this country there would be uproar.

If they had oil, I am sure we would invade....

liam ryan, lonon,

Z ero
I ncom
M ainly
B ecause
A ll
W hites
E migrated

Green Leader, Monaco, MONACO

Gaba Rinocheka, Harare, Zimbabwe - I don't know what reports you read but I don't see any gleeful claims from commentators about how horrible Africa is.
I think you need to open your eyes or perhaps you are happy with an economic and social disaster for you and your countrymen, but despite mistakes of the past, I think that many Europeans would love to see a free, peaceful and independent continent of African nations.

Mark, High Wycombe, England

white farmers go- zim collapses...

jt, luanda, angola

Raba, I am not sure if you understand the conept of an empire but it wouldn't be much of one if you decided to have just in your country!!
As for forcefully taking the land that is also strictly not true, though I do except it wasn't without bloodshed. The Rudd concession was agreed during the late 19th Century which gave the british mining rights; it was a business deal brokered with the current King at the time that was later expanded to include all land which was later called Rhodesia which then ended up being known as Zimbabwe. Settlement of the the British soon followed to manage the land and mines. I don't wish to teach granny how to suck eggs but you must know this, what I am amazed is how can you defend a man who has taken a country with the earning potential of one of the large world economies to the state it is in now!!!

Steve Williamson, Manchester, UK

The majority of Zims are learning that humanitarian aid is being used as a political weapon. That the Zimbabwe Democracy and Economic Recovery Act of 2001, which allows the U.S. to direct international financial institutions is nothing more than a declaration of U.S. and UK complicity in a program to maintain White-skin privilege. It is racist and against the interests of the masses of Zimbabweans.
AFRICA--UNITE!....Mungu ibariki Afrika------------------------God bless Africa.

Songwave, Bern, Switz..

europe, like so many other peoples have a chequered history- but now we are the most successful

andy, exeter, uk

Dave in Glasgow, who were these 'white farms' bought from after independence since it was 'white' farmers who owned them before independence?

Mabhunu Muchapera, Chitungwiza, Zimbabwe

Charan Muzaya......The Whites resisted change because they knew the debacle that was to follow.
A similiar debacle has evolved in every post colonial AFRICAN country not post colonial global.
Apart fron AA and crime its one of the factors in one million South African whites having emigrated since 94, the belief of another post colonial failure in Africa.
I left SA recently after 14 years there and a few trips to Zim.
All very sad, great countries , some great people of all colours but
destined to fail, the seeds of which were becoming too apparent to ignore for another 5-10 years.

paul anthony, reading, uk

For every AB Fosser & Max there are 10 Robert Mugabes.
The root cause of troubles in Africa is the self serving whites' condescending attitude towards black Africans.

Westerners forget that it was Europe who carved up Africa and created borders where there were none thereby dividing the people and forcing them into sub groups. if you check your own history up to this very minute your countries are responsible for the worst acts of violence the world over. Africa pales in comparison.

Your media is unashamedly agitating for violence just to affirm your misconceptions of Africans being barbarians. Fortunately the decent people of Zimbabwe have shown that we are beyond that. CNN/BBC et al should realise that there isnt going to be a civil war or tribal clashes in Zim, people have more pressing issues.

Mugabe is a tyrant and his time is up but so long as the West continues to belittle and mock Africans then more Mugabes will emerge and there will always be tension.

Mabhunu Muchapera, Chitungwiza, Zimbabwe

i cannot help wondering why if Africa is so horrible as many commentators here gleefully claim, why so much fuss then from the same people?.
Africans did not sail all the way to Europe and ask the Europeans to come and opress them. it was the other way round. Europeans left their cushy, milk and honey paradise to forcefully occupy Africa. Why so if Africa is supposed to be hell on earth. Why didnt you just create your little empire in England?

Europeans do not care about Africans, everyone knows that. So could it be the land, the minerals and the wildlife perhaps?

mmmmmm...Mr Mugabe might have a point.

Gaba Rinocheka, Harare, Zimbabwe

it's interesting there is hardly any comments from Africans, is it because they are not interested in contributing or perhaps they are being screened for not agreeing with what the majority of comments here are claiming on their behalf?

Doubt if this will even get printed.

Gaba Rinocheka, Harare, Zimbabwe

As a white South African whose family came here in 1850 I would PREFER to live in a "white", first-world country. I have a degree, and working on my BSc through UNISA. I'll go to just about anywhere that will have me even if I have to learn a new language. I think I have the strength and courage to manage anywhere. I don't think that many whites here feel differently.

But if all the whites must leave South Africa, then equally all blacks must leave England. All blacks, asians and South Americans must leave Europe and America.

Then I guess all whites must leave Canada, Australia and America and the East.

Oh wait a minute - didn't we just find out that all humans in the world today are decended from africa. I think its the bushman. From Southern Africa. So every human in the world has the right - and MUST - move back to southern africa, leaving the rest of the world to the wildlife.

So does that mean I should just stay here and wait for the rest of the whites to arrive?

Dianne, Johannesburg,

It's a pity the farmers in Zim are noted as "White". In actual fact the truth is not so much that they are white - it is more that they are a "minority". Once you acknowledge that fact, you with realise all the world's farmers are also a minority group anyway! Irrespective of colour. Most of the world's population live in cities. Therefore ignore their colour and let them get on with what they know and best do, and what makes practical sense. Let them turn Zimbabwe back into the bread basket that it was for all to benefit. (Except Mugabe!)

Ant Williams, Jhb, SA

In response to Francisco Gomez, I would point out that the farms in question became "white farms" at the same time as they became "farms". Before that, they were pastures grazed by a (literally) iron age civilization. I would argue that the greater part of the value of the farms taken is attributable to the skill and investment of the white farmers at whom you sneer.

No one is disputing that the original theft of the land was abhorrent, but two wrongs don't make a right, and this second wrong is the greater. And in any case, for a man with a Spanish name living in America to offer criticism of Africa's colonial history is hypocrisy on a grand scale. You have a lot of Chippewa friends, do you?

Neil, London, UK

I agree with Ab Fosser in Brisbane. Let them play out their stupid games until there is nobody left in Zimbabwe so that perhaps a group of intellectuals can take hold of this naturally resourceful piece of Africa and make it work again as it once did.
At the moment, the west is manipulated by the media, uttering their contempt and dismay at the proceedings, but should we not stop this useless mud-slinging, if only because there is nothing else we can do? This is all about Africa, and we shouldn't compare it with the First World, not for a long time to come!
We support African Wildlife. Well, this is part of it, so go and see it on safaris, but don't separate human beings from animals because they are all part of it.

Max, St. Albans, UK

Contrary to what some commentators here are suggesting, tribalism has nothing to do with what is happening in Zimbabwe now. ZANU(PF) is made up of the old ZANU and ZAPU parties, with leadership drawn from all provinces and all tribes.

The problem is simply corruption. ZANU(PF) leaders have become fabulously rich from farms and businesses seized over the last decade, and the rich deposits of diamonds discovered in the Marange district in the last five years.

The ZANU(PF) leadership fear they could lose their privileges if there is democracy. The whites under Ian Smith resisted change for the same reason.

Charan Muzaya, London, UK

This has absolutely nothing to do with Colonialism at all. This very simply is the actions of a leader desperate to maintain his power by making good on his promises of land to members of the security forces, parliament and his cronies
I find it so boring the idiots out there blame the US and UK for all of the worlds troubles; it is far too an easier target and is generally the rant of someone that doesn't fully appreciate and more importantly understand the situation
What people also seem to forget that following Mugabe's appointment as Prime Minister and then President the country experienced a decade of decreased infant mortality rate, increased life expectancy and a literacy and education level among the population that was substantially higher than average for any developing country.
Unfortunately following the second congo war Zimbabwe was left in financial ruins and as a result Mugabe needed to keep his cronies happy, and the good work prior to this is forgotten

Steve Williamson, Manchester, UK

Francisco J. Gomez, W, Ohio:

The vast majority of 'white' owned farms in Zimbabwe were purchased in the free market system put in place after independence. The owners of the farms had every right to them, they were exploiting no-one and Mugabe's theft of their land was a terrible crime.

Dave, Glasgow,

It is beyond my understanding why the intrnational community allows this to carry on and on without any intervention !!!

Ian Payne, WALSALL,

White farms?

Really?
how come they became white. . .
Their white "land owners" legally bought them???

Doubt it

Francisco J. Gomez, W, Ohio

My family farm was seized in 2001. Luckily, my Canadian wife and I were able to leave with our children and relocate to Canada. We lost property that had been cleared and settled by my g-grandfather.

I would see the entire country starve before I ever went back to help them figure out how to plant a seed.

The devil take the whole country.

Steve Canuck, Woodstock, Canada

It is beyond my understanding how a country's leader can have such contempt for the people he is
supposed to lead by allowing them to live in such dire straights. No food, 100,000% inflation, no fuel,no anything. Where is a patriot with a gun?

Bruce Northwood, Washington, D.C., USA

Something is definitely amiss with the continent - Asia is going through massive economic growth while much of the African continent stagnates. Something is very wrong when farmers - the lifeblood of the economy of Zimbabwe - are expelled or killed just because they are white.

China and India suffered at the hands of 19th century Western bullying too, but they (generally) don't engage in massive zenophobia and racism and therefore wreck their own countries. They know they can succeed, and they get on with it, without crying over past evils against them - and I have great respect for that. But what's to respect about a people who use cheap weapons to subdue their starving people, all because of some sick desire for power? It makes me despair sometimes, maybe there is a devil.

WG Lockhart, Liverpool, UK

My wife and I lived in Zimbabwe in the early 90's and it breaks my heart to see the country like this. To go from one of the most agriculturally successful countries in the continent to having the food shortages they now suffer is a disgrace due almost entirely to the dictator Mugabe. He should be charged with crimes against humanity. I dont understand how the world can stand by and allow his rule of murder and intimidation to continue.

Joshua Frick, Oakland, Maryland U.S.A

Whites have no place in Africa just as the implantation of non whites into White nations is and will contiinue to be disastrous. It is a pity that the whites in Africa could not have been resettled in a more amicable fashion .Of course they wanted to cling to power and priveledge and hence the ongoing forceful expulsions from the land. Land stolen from the African by white invaders in South Africa during the 17th century and later Rhodesia during the end of the 19th century.
How well you develop stolen land does not justify the invasion as we have seen in Africa Colonies and places like Israel.
To all whites in Zimbabwe and South Africa I say get out and come to Australia. We need your expertise and courage. To continue fighting to be part of Africa is futile and counter productive. By all means work in African countries on contract. But working there is a temporary privaledge and should not be seen as a right to think they can run the countries.

Fred Ferdelberger, Medindie , SA

AB FOSSER,

I have much I can say to you about what you wrote. None of it is appropriate in this forum. But is baffles me how you can put the collective white will down to Nature.

You personify the mentality of a people who hasten to destroy every place they do not control. You are reason there is a Zimbabwe-story. You are the reason Africa continues to need a Mugabe. And you are the reason no other race of people trusts the word of whites.

Eugene Johnston, Sandys, Bermuda

Ab Fosser obviously has not the slightest bearing of modern history. That he is ignorant to western neo-colonialisation of economies of third world countries rich in natural resources is his matter, but in publicly wishing for the entire downfall of the cradle of mankind itself he is only re-affirming a very typical western mindset of genocide and colonialisation. Is that not what early australian settlers contributed to their fellow (and host) aborigines?


Dotun Adewunmi
Nottingham
UK

Dotun, Nottingham,

AB, try Europeans. When it comes to killing each other on our home turf, not to mention the millions we have destroyed, we surpass even the worst African tally.

Your comments are NIMBYism in the extreme.

Why don't we just put a great big wall around ourselves and keep every influence out.

If other nations had taken your attitude in the past then I do not think you would be exercising your free speech right now.

Turn the other cheek does not mean turn the other way.

Andrew, Byron Bay, Australia/NSW

That's rubbish and very biased into the bargain. It is a case of the many being put upon by the few, i.e. the vast population of Zimbabwe being held to ransom by Mugabe's Crew. The man is a tyrant and a thug, why else would he resort to using the threat of violence, and why would he not stand down now, has he not had enough at his ripe old age? We, the rest of the World, should not be standing by and letting it happen, we should go in there and sort him out, i.e. chuck him out and let him see how he likes that!

marina, Hemel Hempstead, Herts

Charles: the population of sub-Saharan Africa is 900 million; it's not the "vast and empty land" you suggest. Neither was it half so peaceful as you suggest - Shaka Zulu alone was responsible for 2 million war dead (http://www.historynet.com/shaka-zulu-chieftain.htm/4).

Ab: given our recent experience with slaughtering tens of millions of Europeans in WWI and WWII, I think perhaps your view of Africa lacks a certain amount of perspective.

All: people are people; any attempt to distinguish "them" from "us" - either to laud or to damn - is apt to leave you looking rather foolish.

Pitt, Pittsburgh,

FREE ZIMBABWE!

"— 4,000 white-owned farms have been taken over since 2000

— 18 white farmers have been killed since the farm invasions began

— In 2007 one of the last remaining white farmers was strangled by intruders in what campaigners called a “political hit” "


Can't you see...? Robert Mugabe makes a resounding case for a return to the glorious days of British Imperialism!

He's begging...pleading...yearning!... for the sight of
British paratroops descending from the skies like liberating eagles and leaping lions...to free Zimbabwe from evil and terror!

Surely Britain should not disappoint him....?

Mr. Brown! Mr. Brown...?

Garth Strong, San Diego, USA

Yes, they are ululating, but we must remember, this is all about celebrating diversity - ululation is just how they express their feeeeeelings.

Gordon Fielding, Sydney, AUS

This is a sad result of the vestiges of colonialism... Very few places escaped unscathed and several African nations are still feeling the effects a century later. The British got it right with nations like Canada and Australia by creating a government prior to independance and giving the new nations some guidance through a legal system and retaining a high court in the old colonial nation. Zimbabwe didn't get the same treatment and inevitably, where there is a void of power, chaos reigns. Mugabe was seen as calming that chaos and now look at the result. History has a lot of lessons to teach, but when will we learn?

Christopher Wright, Montreal, Canada

it is astonishing that our world leaders aren't focussing their attentions on this...certainly it has the attention of their voting constituents. Mugabe is a tyrant and must be removed

Michael E. Smith, Hamilton, Bermuda

The reason Mugabe is clinging to power is because he has this desire to be accepted, for approval from the western nations, he regards himself in the same light at western leaders, and when they rejected him, he turned against them, but still hopes or believes he should be accepted. Change needed to happen long ago, and is well overdue, but it`s africa, and change doesnt happen overnight.

Richard, margate, tasmania

Charles, The tribes killing each other in the most brutal ways are doing so because they are in warring tribe's. They always have been, they always will be. The only slight interuption in the killing was when the europeans interupted things.

Paul Dodington, Surrey, Canada

Well todays "Democratic reformers" all seem to be tomorrows Dictators. And not just in Africa.

chris, Sydney, nsw

The British government (of the 1970s) is responsible for the mess called Zimbabwe. They put Mugabe in power.

Jim, Memphis, USA

I have lived in Tanzania for some 3 years, it was a great place, and tribalism is not much of an issue there, however it is still threatfully poor and will never change.
I remember as a child in the 1950's we use to collect for the poor children of Africa, now 50 years later we still do the same. We also collected for the poor in Asia, look what they have achieved? Hopeless Hopeless.

M Stirnemann, Hamilton, New Zealand

Tell me, why we're on a war against "terrorism" but Mr Mugabe is still here?

Kierrien, Dundee,

Robert mugabe is a fightened man. He is trying to cling to power by throwing the white farmers to the "wolves". His time will passs but his legacy will be the destruction of a once great country. It is shameful that the world can only stand by as onlookers as the murder and destruction continue. It is like looking at a the people next door being beaten and savaged and not doing anything about it.. A tragedy in this civilised world.

Russ Dove, Liverpool, United Kingdom

Africa is about 5 times the size of western Europe, but has only a fraction of the population of western Europe. In that sense, Africa is already a vast and empty land. However, its climate, the unknown quantity and quality of its natural resources, and the nature of its geography meant that neither the European colonialists, nor native Africans had any significant impact on the African continent beyond coastal Capitals and a smattering of agricultural and industrial development. Zimbabwe was an exception due to the development of a road network when it was known as Rhodesia.

The complications which are now evident in Zimbabwe and other areas of Africa such as Darfur and Chad, for example, are the consequence of treating Africa as a collection of European like nation-states with defined borders and attributes of state which curtail the ability of Africans to simply move out of the way of conflict, as they used to more effectively do when Africa was essentially tribal lands prior to the 1885 division of the Berlin agreements.

Left to their own devices, Africans will rapidly redistribute themselves into a more peaceful arrangement, which will make development and trade much simpler and more effective for Europeans.

Charles Smyth, Belfast, Northern Ireland.

Why does not the world just wait for a short while and then move into a huge empty land after all of the Africans have destroyed themselves? I do not understand how any other humans throughout space and time have ever had such a collective death wish as the inhabitants of Africa.It is not the place for others to interfere in what appears to be Natures wishes.

AB FOSSER, Brisbane, Australia