adminThe Herald, August 15 1980
ZIMBABWEANS of all races must work together, says Mr Guy Clutton-Brock, one of the best-known white opponents of pre-independence governments.
Mr Clutton-Brock (74) and his wife Molly returned to Zimbabwe on Sunday for a two-month visit nearly 10 years after being stripped of his Rhodesian citizenship and deported.
A member of the African National Congress on its formation in 1957 and a leading figure in the Cold Comfort Society multiracial co-operative farm near Salisbury, Mr Clutton-Brock was the first white man to be detained under Emergency Regulations.
He remained a consistent opponent of later governments and worked in Britain for the Patriotic Front.
He told The Herald last night that he and his wife returned to Zimbabwe to see old friends. They are staying with a former aide, the present Speaker in the House of Assembly Mr Didymus Mutasa.
Asked about his deportation, Mr Clutton-Brock said he “did not blame any individual, Ian Smith or anybody else.
“They were the puppets of a culture which had built up over several centuries. I am always prepared to talk to anybody as long as one does not give way on principles,” he said.
Both he and his wife had worked as best they could to inform the British people and the Foreign Office of the position in the then Rhodesia leading up to independence.
“One is very happy indeed at the results of the election and the present Government, but not surprised because we have kept in touch and I think it was obvious that they would vote for our boys, namely ZANLA. But, neither the British Foreign Office nor the Government here saw it that way,” he said.
He said many people involved in the nationalist cause had visited them in their cottage in Wales and that they had met the Prime Minister, Mr Mugabe, in London, where he had predicted his party would win 55 seats in the independence election.
“But I think that what the British Government has handed over after 90 odd years of colonialism was pretty shocking, but the present Government seems quite capable.
“I always reckon old friends continue despite political divergences, but I really believe in unity and I see no reason why they should not achieve unity,” he said.
LESSONS FOR TODAY
For Zimbabwe to grow and prosper, there is need for unity of purpose. This is why the Second Republic coined the phrase – “Nyika inovakwa nevene vayo/Ilizwe lakhiwa ngabanikazi balo”. Without one accord, you create room for the enemy to destabilise and manipulate you.
Mr Clutton-Brock is one of the few whites, conferred with the national hero status by the First Republic, and he was well known for his call on unity despite race, colour or creed.
He died on January 28, 1995 in the United Kingdom, which was his original home.
Together with his wife, they came to the then Southern Rhodesia as Anglican lay missionaries but were opposed to the racism of their day.
His ashes were brought to Zimbabwe and were scattered at the Heroes Acre on August 11, 1995.
Clutton-Brock worked with and assisted/supported nationalists like Didymus Mutasa, Chief Rekayi Tangwena, George Nyandoro, James Chikerema et al.
He was also a founding member of Cold Comfort school, which was declared unlawful.
Online Reporter