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Don't know if anyone caught the ITN news last night, but they are running a week long special to highlight the problems which are currently going on in Zimbabwe, under the leadership (dictatorship) of Robert Mugabe.
I've kind of been aware of what's been going on in Zimbabwe for some time now, through what's been shown in the media. The country has been descending into chaos for some years, with the International Community seemingly not wanting to step in. It seems to be being left to South Africa to apply pressure but this doesn't seem to be forthcoming. Whilst all of this is going on, the people suffer - hyperinflation and scarcity of food/water.
Do we have anyone on OTF who can shed more light on what's going on and the why's/where for's ?
I'm surprised BG - usually you look into issues and and give us your well researched findings and views whether we agree with them or not.
Personally, I think that although it is multi-factoral, the land reform has perhaps contributed more than any other factor in Zimbabwe going from one of the stronger and richest African nations to one of the poorest with the current hyperinflation.
Mugabe is at best deluded and implemented compulsory land distribution from the white farming population to the black population. This resulted in the end of farming and the creation of subsistance farming for those families who moved onto the land with little or no surpluses to sell or export.
I'm sure others here will have their own views but I suspect that Mugabe's rign of terror will not finish until he dies.
Surely there isnt much action taken by the international community because struggling third world counties are the perfect trading partner. You can basically rob them of their natural resources for 3 Dollar 50.
Originally posted by Sons FC:
Mugabe is at best deluded and implemented compulsory land distribution from the white farming population to the black population. This resulted in the end of farming and the creation of subsistance farming for those families who moved onto the land with little or no surpluses to sell or export.
Considering colonialism lost it's grip on Zimbabwe about 20 years later than most of Africa it's hardly surprising they're in chaos long after most of Africa is starting to be relatively stable. And freedom fighters quite seldom make it as good nation leaders from the Western World's democratic viewpoint.
From what I've read the land reform essentially is from white people to Mugabe's followers, not to black people in general too.
Originally posted by Steve01:
How have the black farmers made such a mess of the farms they have been given?
Because many of the farms were run by multinational companies who had years of experience in agriculture and agribusiness.
By "returning" them to the people, this knowledge was lost and so farming fell into disrepair.
Just to put the size of this change into perspective, Zimbabwe was known as the Bread Basket of Africa.
Originally posted by Steve01:
How have the black farmers made such a mess of the farms they have been given?
Because big farms demands a bit competent leadership and knowhow of farming and the members of Mugabe's militia who took over as farmers aren't up for the task?
Originally posted by Maple:
[From what I've read the land reform essentially is from white people to Mugabe's followers, not to black people in general too.
Zimbabwe and Robert Mugabe 
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