I will be attending Zimfest this year all going well
For all the Zimbos out there – I have been invited back to Zimfest this year thanks to the team at ‘We Zimbabwe’. I will be giving a short talk on the Friday and also signing books and singing on the Saturday fingers crossed… hope to see you there – 3rd and 4th of September – details to follow
Hi Henry,
Do you know that the majority of ZImbabweans don’t back you? You do not represent the common, black Zimbabwean, even your brother stated in an interview that you were used for nothing. Look at where Flower is now and compare with your situation. Your friends were predominantly white people yet you want to come and now tell us of the racism you faced in the dressing room, huh?
You asked the Australians, NZs, etc not to tour Zimbabwe when there was a lot of young boys – majority who came from high density programmes like Takashinga, whose livelihood depended on playing Test Cricket.
You go around embracing the British, what do you have to say about the atrocities they’ve commited in the colonial world (for which the Queen has refused to apologise?) What do you have to say about the innocent lives they’ve ended in Afghanistan and Iraq? If you had a problem with the regime, the best you could have done was talk to your fellow countrymen not this nonsense you are preaching to us.
You are not a hero, Henry and you can tell us nothing about Blood, Sweat & Treason because never on any given day did you ever go hungry in Zim or queue for Roller Meal (I’m sure you’ve never heard of Roller Meal because you are a Ngwerewere boy who was so out of touch with reality).
You’ve lost the plot, dawg.
Hi Mate,
Do you know that the majority of Zimbabweans don’t back you?
• I don’t know who backs me or not but I have never counted them or asked them personally so I cannot say. You seem to have done a full survey as in you have spoken to the majority of Zimbabweans, all 12 million of them excluding those in the Diaspora and asked them of their opinion whether they back me? It is never as cut and dried as that when it comes to Zim politics. I suggest the fact that Zimbabwe is in a power sharing agreement must mean something about ‘how’ people back in Zimbabwe.
You do not represent the common, black Zimbabwean, even your brother stated in an interview that you were used for nothing.
• My stance was against human rights abuses, corruption, violence etc. If you were a victim of those things yourself I am sure you would like representation at some level, even from a has-been mediocre cricketer like myself. Easy to speak out against me when nothing has happened to you, but the day you get abused – trust me, I think you will think again and pray to God that someone advocates on your behalf. As for my brother, he has his opinion like everyone else and he is entitled to it – doesn’t mean that he is right . If just because he said something makes it true then you are easy to convince. So what is your personal opinion on those issues? Rape, torture, corruption, hate speech, racism, violence, intimidation that many ‘common’ Zimbabweans have been through? And what is a common Zimbabwean in your opinion?
http://www.zimdiaspora.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2963:i-will-never-forgive-robert-mugabe-his-thugs-raped-me&catid=55:lnternational-news&Itemid=297
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/africa/article4116638.ece
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/jun/14/zimbabwe-diamond-trade-abuse
I cannot vouch for the accuracy of these articles but hey – these are just three of thousands of stories about abuse in Zimbabwe.
Look at where Flower is now and compare with your situation.
• Good for him – I am pleased for him but what has that to do with me? I am not a coach and have no desire to be one. He has done well in life and what’s wrong with that? Did you expect me to be in the same place as him? I am confused at how one man’s success should reflect on another. He was the best player Zim ever produced so why is it a surprise that he has gone further in life.
Your friends were predominantly white people yet you want to come and now tell us of the racism you faced in the dressing room, huh?
• Again – I am not sure where this info came from Dawg. I have many black and white friends – I just don’t have a slanted view against white people, or Indian, or Chinese or any people group for that matter. I accept any people, nation, tribe, tongue and race as my fellow man. Besides, I faced racism outside the dressing room as well. Have you read the book where I touch on other areas? I speak about going to Apartheid south Africa and hating it, I speak about being ostracised from a young age and many other things mate. But I had many other positive experiences as well.
You asked the Australians, NZs, etc not to tour Zimbabwe when there was a lot of young boys – majority who came from high density programmes like Takashinga, whose livelihood depended on playing Test Cricket.
• This is true, and it was a tough call for me, but those young boys are still there a couple of years on but thankfully the situation in Zimbabwe is improving slowly – politically, economically and stability-wise. If it wasn’t I would still be opposed to them touring. I was not opposing the young boys or their right to earn a living per se – many whom I admire and played with – but the despicable regime. To be fair, at the time we were not playing our best cricket anyway and withdrew from tests – not based on anything I did by the way. So I would be interested in what your view was of South Africa during the apartheid era when teams boycotted? Was it right or wrong? Interestingly, when change began to emerge ( even in 1992 prior to full democracy arriving ) many people who opposed the sporting ties softened their positions and SA played in the World Cup – I too have softened now – I am actually supporting Zim’s re-introduction to test cricket. In spite of the problems that still exist, the board’s administration not changing and The Mugabe regime still being at the helm. It’s becasue I can see the silver lining on the cloud. The change that many hoped for is on the horizon.
You go around embracing the British, what do you have to say about the atrocities they’ve committed in the colonial world (for which the Queen has refused to apologise?) What do you have to say about the innocent lives they’ve ended in Afghanistan and Iraq? If you had a problem with the regime, the best you could have done was talk to your fellow countrymen not this nonsense you are preaching to us.
• I have never supported or condoned what the British have done in the past or present and you perhaps do not know that I am a God fearing man who hates any kind of subjugation, oppression or war that obliterates innocent lives – please try not to jump to conclusions about what I support and do not. I have even written a little about Rhodesia’s segregation in the book and how wrong and unfair it was. Yes the British government has given me refuge and it would be amiss of me not to be grateful and rant about history. They have their flaws – but so does Mugabe. Can you see that Mugabe is a tyrant or do you see him as beyond reproach? If so, we just have to agree that we see things differently.
You are not a hero, Henry and you can tell us nothing about Blood, Sweat & Treason because never on any given day did you ever go hungry in Zim or queue for Roller Meal
• You may have missed the point my brother – I was not speaking out for myself because I had experienced those things. I was speaking out on behalf of those who had experienced them and had no voice or platform to speak for themselves. I never did this to be a hero either my friend – and you are wrong about whether I can tell you something or not – this is simply the story of my life and I lived it and you, I am sure, were not there. You do not need to listen to me or buy my book, or watch my short films. But know this – there was blood and sweat and treason. I did bleed for my sport, I did play and sweat for Zimbabwe and I am still viewed as a treasonous traitor by many – perhaps even including yourself. But I am pleased that not everyone shares your view and some can see that I am indeed a passionate and patriotic Zimbabwean at heart and everything I did, I did because I care for that land.
(I’m sure you’ve never heard of Roller Meal because you are a Ngwerewere boy who was so out of touch with reality).
• That’s just a cheap dig my friend. I am sure that in your world which brand of maize meal you eat makes you a true Zimbabwean. If that is true then hey – we are worlds apart.
You’ve lost the plot, dawg.
• Mate I wish you well and I hope that one day we will have common ground. Personally I do not think that I have lost the plot, I think I have carefully weighed it all up and see very clearly. Perhaps I am deluded – in which case others can chime in.
Best wishes,
Henry
There I was thinking I was going to be reading comments on Henry attending the Zimfest [ which I believe is now a one day event – Friday the 3rd…but check out the website to confirm http://www.zimfestlive.com/%5D.
Instead I got to read a mindless rant from Raymond, and a fantastic riposte from Henry, well thougth out and considered.
I just received my copy of “Blood Sweat and Treason” and can’t wait to read it. If nothing else but to hear the names of people and places that wil remind me of my own history in Zimababwe.
Henry – all the very best with everything.
Ta Gareth and I hope it is an enjoyable read. Take care
Keep fighting Henry, you where an inspirational cricketer and hopefully one day the people of Zimbabwe see the sunlight again and recognise all those that are trying to help.
All i myself am is an australian supporter of cricket, who enjoys seeing players give it their best who happens to have travel a lot including Zim.
take care
Rod
Dear Henry,
13 years ago yesterday, I flew back from Harare airport having taught for a year in a school in Mashonaland province. It was a very sad day, but with me I took so many informative memories from such wonderful people that have shaped my perspective on life ever since.
I long for the day that I can return and help in some way with the rebuilding of such a beautiful country.
As it happens I saw you on CNN being interviewed under Barnes bridge and later that day received a text from a old friend and mukoma in Bulawayo. I think Zimbabwe was calling out to me!
I googled your name and found your website which has brought my attention to the Zimfest taking place tomorrow. I look forward to hopefully getting chance to meet you there tomorrow.
If good men do nothing, evil prevails. To Raymond and all those that have the same narrow minded outlook on life, I say – look beyond the creed and the colour my friend and understand that we are brothers and sisters with more in common than differences.
Love, peace and untiy. Mukoma Jonathan