Enter your mobile number or email address below and well send you a link to download the free kindle app. However whilst ian smith acted in what he thought were the best interests of then rhodesia he made some disastrous political decisions as prime minister which directly contributed to the trauma that zimbabwe is suffering from today. Oct 28, 2000 former rhodesian prime minister ian smith returns a week tomorrow to his home in zimbabwe. Ian smith and the fall of rhodesia the new american.
The mugabe regime has perpetrated serious crimes against its own people blackonblack. Born on 8 april 1919 in rural rhodesia, ian smith was the third child and only son of john and agnes smith, both later awarded mbes for public service. Ian smith has the last laugh in his grave zimbabwe situation. He attended chaplin school in gwelo, where he was head prefect, recipient of the victor ludorum in athletics, captain of the school teams in cricket, rugby union and tennis, and successful academically. Ian smith s passing at age 88 on november 20 merited a few mentions in the mainstream press. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Alexandra fuller shelved 23 times as rhodesia avg rating 3. In the 1970s, ian smiths regime was doomed to fail. Ian smith, former rhodesian prime minister mugabes threats come the same day a poll was released showing that 75 percent of zimbabweans want mugabe to resign and 51 percent want him. Ian smith may idolize winston churchill but hes most definitely not winston churchill. The line quoted was always i dont believe in majority rule ever in rhodesia.
Nov 22, 2007 ian smith warned the world that black rule would be the downfall of rhodesia, which he had left as one of the few shining stars in africas poverty stricken, disease infested, despot ruled history. How ian smith and rhodesians lost zimbabwe celebrating. Ian smith biography, birth date, birth place and pictures. Oct 16, 2017 was rhodesias ian smith right african rule will lower the countrys standards. He was the countrys first premier not born abroad, and led the predominantly white government that unilaterally declared independence from the united kingdom in 1965, following prolonged.
He illegally declared independence from britain in 1965 and his white minority government led the country for 14 years amid international scorn and sanctions. Smith took the decision to issue a unilateral declaration of independence from the united kingdom in 1965 and led the rebel unrecognised government for the next fourteen years. The whites had already relinquished power to muzerewa at that stage. Ian smith is not saying he wants rhodesia ruled by white overlords. His studies at rhodes university in grahamstown, south africa, were interrupted by world war ii. He goes hunting in africa, although he stays away as he is still on mugabes hit list. This book is the autobiography of ian smith, the last prime minister of rhodesia.
Nov 21, 2007 the former prime minister of rhodesia, ian smith, has died aged 88. Attention r rhodesia is under construction, please bear with us in the coming weeks as we update and build. Life in rhodesia was better than zimbabwe american renaissance. Ian smith s government inherited a situation that they did not create. After discussing his early life, smith tells how he sought to keep rhodesia on a path to full democracy during the wests decolonisation of africa. After the war,e joined the united federal party and initiated moves with various britishovernments under. Ian smith declared the former colony of southern rhodesia independent from the united kingdom on 11111965. If an image is displaying, you can download it yourself. Most black zimbabweans would now prefer ian smith as leader to robert mugabe though the human instinct of freedom remains high on the agenda. Apr 22, 2016 those on the left and often those allegedly on the right often attack the legacy of rhodesia by claiming it was racist. His father, jock smith, had emigrated from scotland to rhodesia in 1898, on the eve of the boer war, and settled at. Smiths memoirs are however important in understanding the modern history of zimbabwe and.
Rhodesian pm ian smith and wife, in their garden at gov house. Nov 27, 2014 had he never existed, the history of the middlingsized, stunningly beautiful country now called zimbabwe, but once known as southern rhodesia, and under smith as plain rhodesia, might have been much the same. Ian smith was firing figure even for his time being shunned even by western conservative leaders of that time and widely regarded as a racist. Nov 21, 2007 the former leader of whiteruled rhodesia, ian smith, speaks during an interview at his home in harare march 27, 2002. Ian smith stayed active in rhodesian, then zimbabwe politics and wrote two books about the betrayal of. May 05, 2008 i found it very interesting to see the story through ian smiths eyes. Ian smith, former president of rhodesia, spares few of his opponents as he gives a forthright account of one of africas most controversial political careers. The countrys first premier not born abroad, he led the predominant. Ian smith, former president of rhodesia, spares few of his opponents as heives a forthright account of one of africas most controversial politicalareers smith details his boyhood in southern rhodesia, his enlistment intohe royal air force and his active service during world war ii. Croukamp dennis shelved 1 time as rhodesia bushwar. Ian smith, the former prime minister of britains rebellious colony of rhodesia, who once promised that white rule in africa would endure for 1,000 years, died yesterday in.
What he is saying is that one cannot divide a country based on racial lines, as his marxist, afrocentric opponents from zanu and zipra would. Life in rhodesia was better than zimbabwe faith moyo, the zimdiaspora, april 21, 2012 over the past 32 years human rights in zimbabwe have been blatantly violated by a black government that masquerades as a champion of peace and democracy, thus the mugabe regime has eroded all norms of 21 st century civilization. The simple, trusting banality of ian smith s words may, in fact, offer more clues to the catastrophe that has been rhodesia zimbabwe over the past halfcentury than any number of political or. Mercenaries fight terrorists in the bush war soldier. Whether you were born there or just curious about the countrys history everybody is welcome to post. The governing white minority of rhodesia, led by ian smith, opposed the policy and its implications. France and the ussr abstained, but south africa and portugal with its colony mozambique refused and their continued trading with rhodesia was instrumental in keeping the smith government afloat. Ian smith, the last prime minister of whiteruled rhodesia, whose attempts to resist black rule dragged the country now known as zimbabwe into isolation and civil war, has died, a family friend. Ian douglas smith shelved 1 time as rhodesia bushwar. Rhodesia revealed and millions of other books are available for amazon kindle.
Smith declared rhodesia a republic in 1970 and led the rf to three more. Whether they worked to correct the problem or exacerbate it is a question that is still debated today. Smith details his boyhood in southern rhodesia, his enlistment into the royal air force and his active service during world war ii. Ian smith, 88, white supremacist and former leader of rhodesia.
After discussing his early life, smith tells how he sought to keep rhodesia on a path to full democracy during the wests decolonization of africa. The cause of his death is unknown but he had been ill for some time at a residential home in south africa. Ian smith was born on april 8, 1919, in selukwe, southern rhodesia. Nov 24, 2007 if only ian smith had shown some imagination, then more of his people might live at peace peter godwin bestselling author peter godwin once had rhodesia s leader in his sights. Ian smith was not corrupt nor was he a megalomaniac. Rhodesian general election, 1965 project gutenberg self. Ian smith simple english wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Ian smith was a minister without portfolio by that stage. Ian douglas smith, gclm, id 8 april 1919 20 november 2007 was a politician, farmer and fighter pilot who served as prime minister of rhodesia or southern rhodesia from 1964 to 1979. He still calls ian smith s country rhodesia although it has officially been called zimbabwe for nearly 30 years. On 11 november 1965, rhodesia s minority white government made a unilateral declaration of independence udi from the united kingdom, as it became apparent that negotiations would not lead to independence under the white regime. Former rhodesian prime minister ian smith returns a week tomorrow to his home in zimbabwe. A gifted allrounder, he was educated at chaplin high school, gwelo, and at rhodes university, south africa, before joining no. It is not workness to ask that an article represents a global view not the view of a small segment of the population and doesnt attempt to explain away his flaws.
The book shows that ian smith was a truely decent and honest man fighting against overwhelming odds. Rhodesia, which had become a selfgoverning colony of the united kingdom in 1923, unilaterally declared independence on 11 november 1965, and was thereafter an unrecognized state until 1979. Ian smith lived an exemplary family life and in private was a downtoearth, modest man. A large degree of commentary and opinion is scattered throughout the article. Ian douglas smith gclm id 8 april 1919 20 november 2007 was a politician, farmer, and. Theres a telling sentence towards the end of the daily telegraphs story about ian smith, the last white prime minister of rhodesia, who died tuesday at the age of 88 but mr. Book of parliamentary elections and referenda in southern rhodesia. Mugabe killed zimbabwe with land reforms because he gave huge chunks of land to people whod keep him in power, and toward the end of his rule you could see the wheels coming off his operation, as people started to get angry about food shortages s. Mugabe treated smith with great magnanimity, allowing him to stay in parliament until 1987 and keep his farm. Rhodesia revealed 1 by schorr, douglas, schorr, milton isbn. Ian smith only once doubted the wisdom of his decision to declare udi and lead rhodesia into a 15year civil war to protect white rule. The world condemned ian smith as a racist, and regularly offered as proof of this a line from a speech he had made in 1976, taking great care as is apparently the custom with todays leftist press not to quote the entire paragraph. Ian douglas smith april 8, 1919 november 20, 2007 was a farmer and politician who served as prime minister of rhodesia now zimbabwe from 1964 to 1979. Unsurprisingly, much of what was written about the.
This picture was taken shortly before prime minister ian smith of the colonial government declared rhodesia independent of great britain on november 11, 1965. Ian smith, in full ian douglas smith, born april 8, 1919, selukwe, rhodesia now shurugwi, zimbabwedied nov. The leader of the zimbabwe rhodesia delegation at lancaster house was not ian smith, it was abel muzerewa. Prime minister ian smith of the colonial government declared rhodesia independent of great britain on november 11, 1965. I have been reading articles relating to ian smith and rhodesia of late, and you seem to have been a major contributor. Nov 21, 2007 ian smith, the former prime minister of britains rebellious colony of rhodesia, who once promised that white rule in africa would endure for 1,000 years, died tuesday in south africa. Britain repudiated the action and considered the country in rebellion. The election was held using two rolls, an a roll, which was largely white around 90,000 whites and 2,256 blacks 1 and elected 50 seats, and a b roll, which was largely black and elected 15 seats. Pdf the simultaneity of past and present in ian douglas smiths.
Ian smith was certainly no racist, nor were most members of the rhodesia front, the ruling political party of rhodesia. Ian smith talks about president robert mugabe youtube. Led first by winston field, and, from 1964, by ian smith, the rhodesian front was the successor to the dominion party, which was the main opposition party in southern rhodesia during the federation period. M iort reislan yaie law school locked in south central africa by zambia, mozambique, botswana and. For more than a decade, ian smith served as rhodesias prime minister during the era of white.
How did ian smith get in the position to become prime minister of rhodesia. Perhaps it is not just because they were obsessively promugabe, but because they have another agenda in mind for the future of all western nations. He also describes the various agreements that rhodesia was party to. You had to think in terms of duty and getting things done, pulling your weight, or taking your share to keep civilization running. Ian smith describes in an almost blowbyblow fashion the meetings and behindthescenes political wrangling that went on as rhodesia tried to gain its independence, then tried to prevent a takeover of the government by communistbacked insurgent groups. Books gone through four printings is that he criticizes islamist ideologues by citing traditional ottoman sources. Ian smith talks about president robert mugabe ap archive.
I found it very interesting to see the story through ian smiths eyes. Was rhodesias ian smith right african rule will lower the. Cuba supported angola and there was increasing soviet support in southern. Apr 04, 2020 ian smith, in full ian douglas smith, born april 8, 1919, selukwe, rhodesia now shurugwi, zimbabwedied nov. May 07, 2012 in contrast, ian smiths rhodesian era turns out to be better than our black government. Politicians worry about the next election, statesmen worry about the next generationian smith. The prime minister of rhodesia southern rhodesia before 1964 was the head of government in rhodesia. The extraordinary combat memoir of a rhodesian reconnaissance specialist paperback by. That moment of doubt occurred in april 1980, during a meeting with robert mugabe, who the previous day had taken office as the first prime minister of.
Joshua nkomos zapu and robert mugabes zanu parties overcame their differences to form the patriotic front pf to confront ian smith. I thoroughly enjoyed this book as it showcased repeatedly ian smiths integrity, courage, and firmness. His recent death has caused his words to come back hauntingly to all those who believed and the always diminishing few. He says he relishes the prospect of facing charges of genocide threatened by president robert mugabe. Offered an opportunity to join a rhodesian death squad dealing in germ warfare and other nasties, and faced with the torture and murder of his close staff. All our arms and military equipment also came via south african assistance. Ian smith last white leader of rhodesia, now zimbabwe, who fought to preserve minority rule.
Ian smith, former president of rhodesia, spares few of his opponents as he gives a. The goal of the rf was rhodesian independence under guaranteed minority rule. Historical dictionary of rhodesiazimbabwe african historical dictionaries. To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up. Rhodesia revealed douglas schorr, milton schorr on. The memoirs of ian douglas smith is a 1997 autobiography written by ian smith, focusing on his time as prime minister of the british selfgoverning colony of southern rhodesia, later rhodesia april, 1964 june 1, 1979. Thanks mods r rhodesia is a discussion place for all people interested in the country of rhodesia.
Then you can start reading kindle books on your smartphone, tablet, or computer. Betrayal, the memoirs of ian douglas smith, the former prime minister of the african nation once called rhodesia. Why ian smith must be cast as the villain why would msm be so concerned about people having a positive impression of ian smith and rhodesia. Smith has died in south africa aged 88, the british broadcasting corporation.
Ian smith, defiant symbol of white rule in africa, is dead. All that aside, this is not a very interesting book. General elections were held in rhodesia on 7 may 1965. Popular rhodesia books showing 150 of 108 dont lets go to the dogs tonight. Converse the christian science monitor a view of salisbury. John vorster then went on to explain that if ian smith would not accept, then the south african railways would become too congested to transport anything more in or out of rhodesia. Ian smith has publicly stated that the economic threats to rhodesia are of much greater concern to him than the mil i tary threats one hundred percent of the chromite according to the world bank. What ian smith said would happen in this book, did happen. Under the internal settlement in 1979, after a long period of conflict, the country became known as zimbabwe rhodesia, with abel muzorewa as its first black. Alternatively, you can purchase copies of various types through library of congress duplication services. He is especially old for a doctor and especially old for an african.
Published on mar 16, 2007 selected comments on zimbabwe rhodesia by former pm ian smith probably his last ever tv interview, land owner kathy olds, and aid. Commemorations also include the writing of books and running antizimbabwe. Ian smith born on 8 april 1919 in rural rhodesia, ian smith was the third child and only son of john and agnes smith, both later awarded mbes for public service. The lawfulness of international concern by m ies s.
Field was replaced as prime minister in april 1964 by his deputy, ian smith. The memoirs of ian douglas smith hereafter referred to. The rhodesian front was a conservative political party in rhodesia or southern rhodesia when the country was under white minority rule. A very interesting book about a much maligned political leader of the 70s and 80s. Ian douglas smith, the former prime minister of britains rebellious colony of rhodesia, who rose to power and slipped from it, committed to an.
Ian douglas smith gclm id 8 april 1919 20 november 2007 was a politician, farmer, and fighter pilot who served as prime minister of rhodesia or southern rhodesia. Council demand dependence deputy discussions election federal field forces foreign formed further future granted guerrilla home ian smith independence interim government issue joshua nkomo june land later leaders london majority rule march. Thanks to smith, white rhodesia dealt with its most dangerous enemy at the moment when its hand was weakest. The independent revisits the life of a notable figure. Mar 16, 2007 selected comments on zimbabwe rhodesia by former pm ian smith probably his last ever tv interview, land owner kathy olds, and aid to nkomo ernest mtunzi. Ian smith was born in 1919, the son of british settlers in selukwe, southern rhodesia. Unsurprisingly, much of what was written about the man and his attempt to save his country from. Prime minister ian smith s government issued a unilateral declaration of independence from britain in 1965, and he remained prime minister when the country was declared a republic in 1970. The rf swept all aroll seats in the 1965 election, and smith used this parliamentary strength to tighten controls on the political opposition. Some images display only as thumbnails outside the library of congress because of rights considerations, but you have access to larger size images on site.