Zimbabwe-Lessons for South Africa

Presented on May 4, 1990 Stanislaus Garikayi Chigwedere, Zimbabwe Ambassador to the United States "In 1980, after a long and violent civil war, Rhodesia was granted independence from Great Britain and became Zimbabwe. The country of 9 million blacks that had been governed by 100,000 whites abolished apartheid and established a multi-racial and pluralistic government. Nelson Mandela, recently freed from prison in neighboring white controlled South Africa, has referred to Zimbabwe's racial reunification and political unity as experience from which we want to profit."" During its 10 years of independence, Zimbabwe has proven that the transition which may face South Africa can succeed. Major improvements in education and health care have been realized, and food production has increased to the point of exceeding the country's needs and allowing for much needed export. The multi-party political system was an overwhelming success, drawing 95 percent voter turnout in 1985. Other events, however, show that the transition is not without problems. Robert Mugabe, president of Zimbabwe since its birth, has been a frequent target of human rights organizations for his repression of rival black political groups. Recently, President Mugabe called for the elimination of the multi-party political system in favor of a Marxist-Leninist one-party state. Although blacks rule the government, Zimbabwe's rich commercial farm land continues to be controlled largely by whites. Our speaker, Ambassador Stanislaus Garikayi Chigwedere, will discuss apartheid, his country's reforms, and new emerging issues for the republic. He has served with distinction in several government posts, and taught English in secondary schools throughout Zimbabwe. "