President Emmerson Mnangagwa has called on Zimbabwe and other former colonies to actively seek reparations, restorations, apologies, and reconciliation from former colonial powers, emphasizing that nations should not remain silent while their people continue to bear the scars of a painful colonial past.
This statement came during the launch of a study commissioned by the Zimbabwe National Elders Forum (ZNEF), titled, “The Untold Story of Injustices, Trauma and Losses Experienced by Indigenous Zimbabweans during the Colonial Era (1890-1980): A Case for Reparations.”
The Zimbabwe National Elders Forum, led by Reverend Dr. Mukonowengwe and comprising distinguished Zimbabwean citizens, has undertaken this research to address the colonial injustices suffered from 1890 to 1980 under British rule. Over the years, the Forum has gathered extensive evidence, particularly concerning land dispossession, to highlight colonialism’s deep and enduring impact on Zimbabwean society.
Historical accounts reveal that colonial land appropriation in Zimbabwe began in 1893, and was later institutionalized through oppressive legislation like the Land Apportionment Act of 1931 and the Native Land Husbandry Act of 1950. The Elders Forum aims to thoroughly document these events and shed light on the widespread injustices, trauma, and loss endured by indigenous Zimbabweans due to forced displacements and colonial land seizures.
This initiative emerges at a time when other former colonial powers have started acknowledging their past wrongdoings, as seen in the UK’s apology to Kenya’s Mau Mau and Germany’s apology to Namibia’s Mbanderu, Herero, and Nama peoples. Zimbabwe and other former colonies now await similar gestures of accountability from Britain and other colonial nations.
The Zimbabwean government, under the Second Republic, has demonstrated goodwill by compensating former white farmers for improvements made to lands redistributed by the State. President Mnangagwa underscored that, ideally, Britain should have provided reparations to Zimbabwe first, part of which could have been used for compensation. This proactive approach reflects the government’s commitment to justice and reconciliation.
Supporting the Forum’s study has become a key priority for Zimbabwe’s government, recognizing that addressing historical injustices is essential for national healing. By pursuing reparations, Zimbabwe can begin moving towards a more equitable future, with justice as the foundation of national healing.
The Forum has extended an invitation to knowledge institutions and other stakeholders to contribute to this landmark study, emphasizing that a multi-perspective approach is essential to fully understand colonialism’s human impact. Collaboration across society will enrich this work, ensuring that its significance resonates for future generations.
With government backing, the Elders Forum encourages Zimbabweans worldwide to unite in support of this critical endeavor.
This initiative represents an investment in the country’s collective future, honoring the resilience of the ancestors while paving the way for a fairer tomorrow for future generations.
