The world lost a significant man today. I won’t call him a great man, even though I believe him to be one, because there is too much controversy surrounding him, and in terms of greatness, he failed his mission.
Ian Smith was a war veteran who led his country of Rhodesia through what many thought were its most turbulent years.
As the architect of UDI (the unilateral declaration of independence) he gave Southern Rhodesia the sovereignty which had been its constitutional right years earlier.
Many people forget that Rhodesia could have had independence or union with South Africa, except for some intransigence and historical quirks which linked it temporarily in the 1950s with modern Zambia and Malawi instead.
I have argued before that the history of both South Africa and Zimbabwe would have been much different if the two nations had been made one when earlier opportunities presented.
I read Smith’s book “The Great Betrayal” with interest and wrote a detailed review on my original blog, which unfortunately I can no longer find.
Written in 1997, the book preceded many of president Robert Mugabe’s worst atrocities against his own people.
Smith gave a concise, logical and analytical account of his policies and philosophies which then, and with hindsight, are hard to refute in light of recent history.
Smith would have delayed one vote one value, but he would have gradually increased giving the franchise to educated blacks who participated in the legal economy.
That wasn’t quick enough for those who were motivated by revolutionary ideology, rather than pragmatism.
Smith’s biography can be read elsewhere. In terms of this article I just wish to record my regret that he wasn’t able to leave a lasting national legacy.
If he had handed power to Nkomo or Mugabe at the first sign of insurgency would Zimbabwe be better off today? I doubt it.
If the western world, especially the United Kingdom, had supported his long-term vision for Rhodesia, would the country be a better place today? I think so.
I know many Zimbabweans and I follow their country’s affairs with interest. Unless they are over 40 they don’t have much recollection of how it used to be.
That’s a shame for the young blacks of today who have been indoctrinated with a certain view of their nation’s history.
Smith’s plan for a meritocracy could have been accelerated, which in my opinion would have delivered the country its best possible outcome.
Ian Smith should be remembered with respect.
