White Zimbabwean Farmer Has Land Returned Under New Government

Tokoloshe Safaris said:

In 2001 I lost my farm to Bob. Shortly later I lost a lot more to my X wife. Not going back to either, but life in Zim. is good!

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Glad that you're optimistic after such losses. FYI, my ex-wife and I ended up dividing the house 50/50 - she got the inside................!

Timbo said:

Glad that you're optimistic after such losses. FYI, my ex-wife and I ended up dividing the house 50/50 - she got the inside................!

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Why are divorces so expensive? because they're worth it. Good luck.

Returned land strikes me as a token gesture / smoke screen, Good for 1 man, see if it continues...

Milo said:

Why are divorces so expensive? because they're worth it. Good luck.

Returned land strikes me as a token gesture / smoke screen, Good for 1 man, see if it continues...

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Hahahaha!!!

Maybe it is a smokescreen. But all know the country's finished if nothing changes. Mnangagwa's keenly aware if he goes down the same path as Bob, he won't last long. The Army's removed one despot, so there's no reason why it can't happen again.

Timbo said:

Hahahaha!!!

Maybe it is a smokescreen. But all know the country's finished if nothing changes. Mnangagwa's keenly aware if he goes down the same path as Bob, he won't last long. The Army's removed one despot, so there's no reason why it can't happen again.

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I am cautiously optimistic, very cautious.

Milo said:

I am cautiously optimistic, very cautious.

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I think we all got our fingers crossed with you on that score. After what Bob's done, it's sensible to remain cautious until Mnangagwa shows his true colours.

As long as the rule of law trumps the usual rule of who's in power, there will be progress. As others, I'm hoping they don't backslide in to the latter.

I may be wrong, but I do not think that you will see more white owned farms taken. I say no more.

Wheels said:

1. The new government staying in power will require aid and monies. (both public and private)

2. Aid and monies from the west will require free and open elections.

3. Free and open elections require support of the citizenry.

4. Support of the citizenry will require improvement in their lives.

5. Improvement in their lives will require jobs.

6. Jobs require capital investment.

7. Capital investment requires a just judicial system and property rights.


The new government may be smarter than many give them credit for.

Most people had written off Rwanda and Nicaragua 15-20 years ago. Look where they are now. Zimbabwe's has a head start on both of those countries. The downside isn't very far. The upside is almost unlimited. There just may be a very bright future for Zimbabwe.

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Along the same line of thought as the post above by @Wheels , it would seem that this may be a watershed moment in history. One that will be looked back upon as a major victory or missed opportunity. For example, the United States has the opportunity to engage actively with the new Zim government or to choose to keep them at arms length. Many in politics/dept of state may advocate not becoming involved too closely with this new government due to the unknown behavior and outcome. Could blow up in politicians faces. However, if the U.S. doesn’t develop a renewed relationship with Zimbabwe and establish an allied presence, you can bet China and Russia will. I think we know what that might look like.
It seems that Mnangagwa has already reached out to the Trump administration regarding elephant imports. Might be a wise first step in a new relationship...
Lots of ways for things to go south, and lots of opportunity. Will be intersting to watch things unfold.
I am guardedly optimistic and hoping for the very best for our friends in Zim!

It is true that as some have said, even if land is returned, it will not be the agricultural breadbasket it was before it was taken. Land has been pillaged and overgrazed, farm buildings have been destroyed, fences taken down for the wire, etc.

But - silver lining time. For many, if the land is given back, returning it to its "original" state - may be much easier and more profitable than returning it to its "most recent" state. So game ranching may become a force in Zimbabwe, as it has in South Africa (for different reasons of course). That would benefit wildlife and would require hunters to make it pay. A virtuous circle.

Obviously, we are a long way from there, but if @Wheels is correct - and there is every reason to suspect that getting money from the developed world would be a priority for the new government - then this is a real possibility.

Thank God for the US Constitution, and 2nd Amendment, paid for by the precious blood of my Forefathers.

Edward Wright said:

Thank God for the US Constitution, and 2nd Amendment, paid for by the precious blood of my Forefathers.

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You got that right. God help us if these Hitler wannabes ever come to power.

Can not imagine in my wildest dreams how that would be like if similar confiscation of privately owned farms were taken for the" good" of the society or can we say the redistribution of wealth. Pray this never happens anywhere in the world again.

A very interesting and informative video from a senate hearing held regarding the new political situation and regime in Zimbabwe. They discuss many of the points we have discussed above. Guess they're listening to us!

Hunting of Zim lions discussed at about the 48 minute mark.

https://www.foreign.senate.gov/hearings/the-future-of-zimbabwe-121217p

Watch video of Zimbabweans welcoming white farmer back to the farm.

http://dailycaller.com/2017/12/22/zimbabwe-returns-land-to-white-farmer-evicted-by-mugabe-regime/


WORLD
Commercial farmers Rob Smart and his son Darreyn are welcomed at Lesbury Estates by village elders and children at a farm in Headlands communal lands east of the capital Harare, Zimbabwe, December 21, 2017. REUTERS/Philimon Bulawayo
Zimbabwe Returns Land To White Farmer Evicted By Mugabe Regime


KERRY PICKET
Reporter

A white Zimbabwean farmer previously kicked off his land by the former Robert Mugabe regime received a hero’s welcome from his community Thursday following the new government’s return of his land, the Associated Press reported.

Guided by military escort, Robert Smart became the first white farmer who came back to the land he once owned before it was seized nearly two decades ago by Mugabe’s ruling Zanu-PF party.

“The support has been amazing and all along they were always phoning us. ‘When are you coming back? How are things going?’ So, they hadn’t lost faith at all. So we really had to keep the faith up and say, ‘We’re definitely coming back.’ And we stuck with it even before the change in government to be told that,” Smart told the AP. “The change in government, of course, was a Godsend to us.”

In 2000, Mugabe ordered land seizures and evictions of white farmers and their families. According to the Telegraph, of the estimated 4,500 white farmers prior the seizures, only several hundred remain.

Zimbabwe’s farmlands fell into disarray after these evictions, causing the economy that what was once known as the “southern African bread basket” to collapse. By 2006, National Public Radio reported Zimbabwe’s economy shrunk by almost a third.

However, following a forced resignation, the long-time Zimbabwean dictator Mugabe was pushed out of power last month after the military and ruling party turned on him. The country’s new president, Emmerson Mnangagwa, pledged to change the land reforms put into place by his predecessor.

375 Ruger Fan said:

White Zimbabwean Farmer Has Land Returned Under New Government

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/white-zimbabwean-farmer-land-returned-132013815.html

Zimbabwe President Emmerson Mnangagwa ordered that a white Zimbabwean farmer evicted from his land in June be allowed to return, signaling a shift in land-ownership policy from predecessor Robert Mugabe.

Mnangagwa has also ordered an end to the intimidation and eviction of farmers, regardless of race, with immediate effect, presidential adviser Chris Mutsvanga said Thursday.

Robert Smart, evicted from his Lesbury Estate farm in the eastern Manicaland province by then-governor Mandi Chimene, can return immediately, Mutsvanga said by phone interview from the capital, Harare.

Chimene’s whereabouts aren’t currently known, while a religious leader who participated in the eviction was “told to leave the farmer alone,” Mutsvanga added. Several ministers and governors loyal to Mugabe, like Chimene, have disappeared from public view since Nov. 15, when Zimbabwe’s military briefly took control of the country.

One of Mnangagwa’s key challenges will be to revive an agricultural industry that collapsed following the Mugabe-sanctioned seizure of mostly white-owned commercial farms starting in 2000, causing food shortages and slashing export earnings and tax revenue.


“Under the new dispensation, all Zimbabweans, regardless of race, color or creed are welcome to work for the development of the country,” Mutsvanga said.

Mnangagwa Vows to Revive Zimbabwe’s Democracy, Economy
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/arti...agwa-says-elections-will-be-held-as-scheduled

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lets hope this is not bull shit.

few month ago,we had an member here (forgot the name) ,who was loosing his farm to a zimbabwean doctor ,working in London.
This doc was one of Grace Mugabes personal physicans.
Anyone knows what happend with his farm now ?
Regards
Foxi

It's just propaganda, the damage has been done. The xdous of skill & knowledge took place when it transformed from Rhodesia and they are not coming back.
just my 2C.