First off, if I'm already wealthy in the mostly-post colonial UK, I'm going to stay there. Granted, the country was in a poor financial situation for
decades following WWII, but I don't have any reason to leave and seek my fortune in Africa, much less Rhodeezer.
But, let's say I'm a hardcore Rhodie. My grandparents were early arrivals during the British South Africa Company era, knew Cecil Rhodes by his first name, and
stole acquired hundreds of square miles of land. Now I'm sitting pretty in a 6,000 square foot manor on the north side of Salisbury. My compatriots and I are living a lifestyle that superficially seems far more English than a Sir in the Home Counties. Even lower middle class white Rhodies belong to lawn bowling clubs, send their kids to high end private schools, and take high tea at The Meikles. So much more civilized than the Boers next door. (raises nose)
Let's also say I hold a UK passport. All things considered, I'd GTFO. Why?
1) Unlike the later dismantling of apartheid in South Africa, the future of the white community wasn't so certain during the Zimbabwe Rhodesia transition era. Being a wealthy Borrowdale resident with such deep roots, I'd be thinking "they're gonna' come for me."
2) Rhodesia's white population was becoming a smaller and smaller minority through the years, due to lower birthrates than the "natives", slowing in-migration from the UK and former African colonies, and an increasingly transitory white population.
3) The aftermath of decolonization elsewhere in Africa is fresh in the memory of most Rhodies. Sure, there's some holdouts in Nairobi and Kenya's Happy Valley, but all of them knew victims of the Mau-Maus. 1980 is just as close to the Mau Mau rebellion as we are to 9-11. There's a few Whenwes in Salisbury and Bulawayo, but most headed to more developed Commonwealth/Anglosphere countries.
4) The country's economy isn't sustainable, much less conductive to lowering inequality on a large scale. Breadbasket of Africa, sure. There's also a growing black middle class, despite the lack of representation. However, Rhodesia/Zimbabwe's economy is based largely on resource extraction; unprocessed foodstuffs and scattered minerals. with the help of very low cost labor. The country is landlocked, surrounded by mostly hostile or indifferent countries, and getting those resources out is becoming increasingly challenging. There's also almost no value added industries, except maybe land improvement, weapons manufacturing, tight pairs of shorts, and sanctions busting.
... would you have stayed in country post-Independance to help build your new multicultural and democratic nation?
My hypothetical family already helped to build Rhodesia. The future is too uncertain. Sure, I'd want to be a part of a peaceful new "rainbow nation", but with Mugabe in charge, can I take him at his word? Sorry, but I'm cashing out and heading to Australia or Canada while the getting is good. Probably should have left during the Bush Wars.
