The following I lifted from “Wikipedia” and refers to the post-Zimbabwean independence life and experiences of the Rhodesian leader, Ian Douglas Smith:

“After his retirement from active politics, Smith became an outspoken critic of the Mugabe regime. Mugabe himself often uses Smith’s quiet retirement as validation of current policies. Smith has written an autobiography, “The Great Betrayal”, which is as much a criticism of the Mugabe administration as it is Smith’s memoirs. Smith is also the author of “Bitter Harvest”. Both books received mixed reviews. Long-term admirers of Smith had their view of him as a man of integrity confirmed. His critics saw in the books a stubborn refusal to acknowledge the need for any form of change. However, Smith’s bitterness at his UDI government’s isolation is a central theme.

Unlike most of his contemporaries from the UDI era (for example, P.K. van der Byl), Smith remained resident in Zimbabwe and settled into a comfortable retirement. His son Alec returned from Europe and became his business partner, taking over the running of the family farm. Attempts by activists to occupy the Smith farm have always been met by a swift police response. The activists were promptly evicted. (Alec collapsed and died at Heathrow Airport in January last year, having suffered a heart attack – Mandebvhu.)  

Smith made a number of black friends and contributed regularly to both local and foreign media reports on current affairs. Those contributions became increasingly critical of his successor Robert Mugabe. While out of the country in 2000, Smith described Mugabe as “mentally deranged.” Mugabe responded by threatening to have Smith arrested and prosecuted for genocide should Smith ever return to Zimbabwe. Upon Smith’s return, he was met by a mass of reporters waiting to witness him being arrested. Smith was greeted warmly by immigration officials at Harare airport and went home. He was neither arrested nor prosecuted.

As of 2006 Smith is living with his widowed step-daughter Jean in Cape Town, South Africa, where there is a significant Rhodesian expatriate community.”

IDS remains one of my heroes.

Take care.

‘debvhu