'Stay with us....and constitute a nation based on national unity'

'Stay with us....and constitute a nation based on national unity'

• Farmers hit by fertilizer shortages

• Cops want to quizz minister over GMB thefts

• Mugabe official had EIGHT farms

• Deputy Minister Matonga kicked out of farm

• Farmer set on fire in Zimbabwe

• Farmers' unions reject amalgamation

• White farmers 'invade' Zimbabwe farms

• White farmer savagely attacked in Chipinge

• Minister Chombo evicted from farm

• Zanu PF factions battle over farms

• Moyo in hot water over state farm

• Nkomo declares war on 'saboteurs and infiltrators'

• Nkomo orders Moyo, Made and Chinamasa to surrender farms

• No nationalisation - Moyo

• Zim to nationalise land - Nkomo

• Mugabe protects South African land

• Supreme court says land seizures 'legal'

• Zimbabwe court throws settlers lifeline

• Six farmers arrested in Karoi

• Supreme Court blow for farmers

• Zimbabwe land grab law challenged

On 27 January 1980, a triumphant Robert Mugabe was received on the streets of Harare from exile, giving much hope to Zimbabwe. On that day, the BBC ran a story on Mugabe's return which we publish in full, the irony is obvious:

RHODESIA opposition leader Robert Mugabe has made a triumphant return to his home country after five years in exile.

Cheering crowds greeted Mr Mugabe's arrival in the capital, Salisbury, from Mozambique where he has been gathering support for his Zimbabwe African National Union (Patriotic Front) or Zanu (PF) party.

The Rhodesian black nationalist leader, who spearheaded a guerrilla war against the Salisbury government, told a tumultuous rally of supporters there would be no more injustice based on race and colour.

An estimated 200,000 or more people were at the Zimbabwe grounds in the Highfield black township of Salisbury to greet Mr Mugabe.

It was by far the largest crowd to attend a rally given by any of the black political parties taking part in next month's election.

The last barrier to Mr Mugabe's return was an assurance from President Machel of Mozambique to the British governor that 71 detainees held at Mr Mugabe's request would be released soon.

British officials say at least three of the men being held are election candidates and two are abducted white people.

During the rally, Mr Mugabe spoke mostly in his native Shona, but he appealed in English to white Rhodesians, saying "Stay with us, please remain in this country and constitute a nation based on national unity."

He spoke of the hunger for land was the "deepest of all grievances among our people".

He continued: "We will not seize land from anyone who has a use for it. Farmers who are able to be productive and prove useful to society will find us co-operative."

He said in other areas of the economy, he would "try to leave things as they are".

Mr Mugabe had strong words about Britain. He accused British Governor Lord Soames of manipulating the political situation against Zanu.

A man suspected of being a supporter of Bishop Muzorewa, the outgoing prime minister, was seized by members of the crowd and accused of carrying a gun.

He was carried in front of the rostrum where Mr Mugabe was standing and kicked and punched and eventually stripped of his clothes and hurled under the stand - BBC
JOIN THE DEBATE ON THIS ARTICLE ON THE NEWZIMBABWE.COM FORUMS
newsdesk@newzimbabwe.com