Mr Ebagum of Rumbabwe

I remember, 27 years ago, when the Rhodesian government gave its last gasp and the Union Jack went back up. That brief revival of empire was immediately followed by elections that led to Robert Mugabe forming the first government of independent Zimbabwe. Bob Marley sang at the independence celebration. Zimbabwe became independent with serious issues only partly resolved -- one of the most important was the issue of land ownership. The best land in the country was in the hands of white farmers, and their biggest crop was tobacco. Yet land reform slipped out of sight as Mugabe began the process of consolidating power in his hand by marginalising Joshua Nkomo and the Ndebele people. Then, a couple of years ago the issue of land reform came up again and 'war veterans' occupied white-owned farms. The result: Today Zimbabwe faces food shortages, high inflation, and lowered life-expectancy. But Mr Mugabe is a hero to black nationalists who, not to my surprise, continue to confuse militant bullshit with successfully improving the conditions of life. Why should I care? I've never been to Zimbabwe, and probably never will go there. But Zimbabwe is a symptom of the critical condition of Africa and much of the recently-decolonised world: time and again hope is dashed, leaders who begin with expressing concern for the aspirations of their peoples end up confusing personal power and prosperity for national empowerment and prosperity. It would make a stone weep.