Mugabe’s tyranny: Samantha Christodoulatos gives us more insight into Zimbabwe’s situation

Zimbabwe’s president Robert Mugabe has terrorized white Zimbabwean settlers for a number of years referring to them as non-African and forcing them to leave their homes and land for the ‘rightful’ owners who according to him are the black citizens. The atrocious acts committed on the white settlers because of the color of their skin is horrific.

It is astonishing how someone can still think and act like that in this day and age and get away with it. Mugabe and the white African, a documentary recently aired on More 4 sparked a lot of debate on twitter.

We spoke to Samantha Christodoulatos, a Journalism student at the University of Glamorgan to get a clearer picture and find out if the documentary was a true depiction of the situation in Zimbabwe.

What did you think of the film and has the situation improved in Zimbabwe?

As in the film, race and land are still very important issues in the country. Much of the land is not being used to its full potential and so economically Zimbabwe is still struggling. Many in the rural areas are still suffering and dying of hunger, a stark contrast to what was once the bread basket of Africa before the land reform act.

I think the film is right in showing white farmers to be victims of cruel and unfair redistribution of land. But it doesn’t show how racially biased land was distributed in fist place or explain why and how Mugabe gradually became racist. It is a bit one-sided and doesn’t give a full picture, especially in political context.

Has your family been affected in any way?

Well following the land redistribution the economy collapsed and Zimbabwe battled record hyperinflation. Like many others my family had to deal with food and fuel shortages and power and water cuts. Politics was not something one could openly talk about either out of fear. Everyone had to adapt in some way, it was more a case of who you know and not what you know to get things.

Do you think the world is doing enough to stop Mugabe?

The world is not doing enough to stop Mugabe – too much time has already passed with him in power and thousands have paid the ultimate price. He has shown time and time again that he can get away with anything; elections have been rigged, the media censored, human rights abused, critics silenced and still African leaders and the West continue to watch and not take action.

What do you think about the prospects of Zimbabweans in the diaspora voting?

I think it’s highly unlikely that Zimbabweans in diaspora will be able to vote in next elections. Mugabe barred them from doing so in the previous two critical elections so its clear he doesn’t want outside votes standing in the way of his grip on power.

I voted twice in 2008 in the May and June re-election and there is no doubt that it was rigged. The country can no longer claim to be democratic so whether those in the diaspora choose to exercise the right to vote or not, if even given that opportunity, I believe the results are already predetermined. But one can always hope for a miracle!