THIS week I stumbled on some interesting sites on the internet while I was doing my research on the liberation war in Zimbabwe.
As a youth born just when the country had attained independence I often come across my peers complaining that state media and ZANU PF have ‘over-done’ the telling of liberation war.
Perhaps many young people today have some knowledge but lack interest in researching and retelling the Zimbabwean liberation war history and may even blame ZANU PF for an overdose of this defining period in our country’s history.
This week I found out that Rhodesia lives on the internet and Rhodesians proudly tell their side of the story on more than ten websites and Facebook accounts.
Rhodesian websites on the internet are shockingly cheeky in that they use our map of Zimbabwe, the Flame Lily and other national symbols to reminisce and provide themselves with comfort in foolishly believing one day they will return to once-again rule the country.
A website named Rhodesians Worldwide has a motto that says ‘keeping the spirit alive’ and produces a magazine for its thousands of members and also manages donations for Rhodesian projects.
Another site is called the New Rhodesian Forum, a platform where former Rhodesian army members interact and share ideas for the future.
The forum also provides all the history and training schedules of the army units including the notorious Selous Scouts.
There is also a Rhodesian Worldwide Fund which seeks to fund the compensation of soldiers and also fund literature and research into Rhodesian history and artefacts collection.
A weirdly named M’dala Trust also exists to fund their war veterans whom they regard as heroes and ‘men among men’ who deserve honour and respect.
True to their being these sites also delve into articles and photos on the land reform, in particular land invasions, which they use to justify their greed for our land and to naturalise their hatred for black Zimbabweans, who have taken back their land.
These websites also contain links on Rhodesian authors’ book sales such as Peter Godwin.
The sites provide links to online retailers of the Rhodesian flag, pictures of the Flame Lily which they have a copyright to and links other sites.
On the other hand not much exists on the internet to tell of the Zimbabwean liberation struggle or provide video link, articles, documentaries or even sales of guerrilla artefacts.
Zimbabwe Heritage Trust an NGO in Harare is the only organisation in this country actively involved in research and publication of this most important part of Zimbabwean history.
This NGO which has offices in all the provinces has several videos on YouTube and has a Facebook account and twitter account and holds meetings and lectures in colleges, communities and schools in its quest to try and tell the Zimbabwean story from a Zimbabwean perspective.
Some analysts have given this NGO credit for the recent Zanu PF electoral landslide victory as its officers worked hard to inform the masses of the need to safeguard our heritage and take pride in ourselves as a people.
I would suggest that government through its Ministry of Sports, Arts and Culture should provide material and institutional support to this NGO, which is doing great work to bring the Zimbabwean story to the world.
The presence of these websites and the Rhodesian associations that they represent should challenge us as Zimbabweans to invest more in telling the Zimbabwean story and more importantly to always remember that a certain group of white settlers still has hopes of one day returning to this beautiful country, our home and call it their own.
This should also give an opportunity for the youth of today to research and take a leading role in bringing the story of Zimbabwe’s liberation to the internet and social media with pride and knowledge that Zimbabwe will never be a colony again!