Ian Smith's death: what they said

Ian Smith's death: what they said

• Ian Smith: Man whose folly unleashed Robert Mugabe

• Former Rhodesian PM Ian Smith dies

• 1919-2007: Ian Smith Orbituary

• Ex-PM Ian Smith's rebeal son dies in UK

• Ex-PM Smith taken ill in South Africa

"Ian Smith brought suffering to the people of Zimbabwe, there is very little good he did. We can be sad that that he died, but I cannot praise the devil. I have to stand with the masses. Oppressors should not be celebrated. The suffering we see today in Zimbabwe is a continuation of Ian Smith’s legacy of segregation and dictatorship. In our culture, we say afa anaka, so we are sorry he died."

Legendary Zimbabwean singer Thomas Mapfumo, talking from England where he begins a tour on Friday.

"At least 50 000 of our people were killed by his soldiers. Some of us suffered in jail...detention without trial and in exile but we said at independence let bygones be bygones. We extended the hand of reconciliation to Smith at independence, allowed him to live freely in Harare because we were not fighting him but the system he stood for. Now that he has passed on, we extend our condolences to his family and relatives."

Sikhanyiso Ndlovu, Zimbabwe's Information Minister.

"Smith will not be mourned or missed here by any decent person because he was an unrepentant racist whose racist stance and opposition to our independence caused a war, and he was responsible for a lot of deaths and suffering."

Bright Matonga, Zimbabwe's Deputy Information Minister.

"I would rather not say anything than make an emotional comment. Let me not say anything about him."

Didymus Mutasa, Zimbabwe's Security Minister.

"It is finally over for him. His was a life of service to Africa. Whatever came by him, he at least tried.”

Ian Smith’s eldest son, Robert.

"He was a very good leader, he was very well respected among his staff, workers on the farm, the general public in the country, in Shurugwi and all those who knew him personally. All those have great respect for him. Our intention is to to continue farming and to produce food for this country."

Owen Jarman, the manager at Ian Smith's Gwenhoro farm.

"He was a fine gentleman, truly loved by all of us during Rhodesian days and respected always."

Kevin Woods, a former special branch policeman and apartheid spie.

"He has left some unhappy memories for people like me but I am sure that he has left happy memories for friends and family. I am glad he had a peaceful end in a safe place."

Judith Todd, the daughter of one of Smith's foremost political opponents, the late Sir Garfield Todd. Judith and her father, a former Rhodesian Prime Minister, were jailed by Smith for opposing his unilateral declaration of independence (UDI).

Ian Smith hugged us at the NCA offices after the announcement of the No Vote victory during the constitutional referendum in 2000, clearly indicating the dilemna opposition forces were in, if Smith could see this as his victory. His death signals an end of an era, Mugabe is how is old?

Grace Kwinjeh, political activist and member of the MDC.

"Many of his political decisions and policies were disastrous for this country. The draconian legislation passed under his tenure as prime minister in the 1960s and 1970s and the Unilateral Declaration of Independence announced by him in November 1965 were the root cause of the civil war that erupted in then Rhodesia in the 1970s. Those policies also radicalised black nationalist movements and directly spawned the violent and fascist rule of Zanu-PF today. I think history will show that his policies contributed to the disastrous state that Zimbabwe is in today."

David Coltart, a human rights lawyer ad MP for Bulawayo South.

"He was a historic relic, and many people are concerned today about their daily lives, about survival."

Eldred Masunungure, a Zimbabwean political analyst.

"There are very unfortunate similarities between Robert Mugabe and Ian Smith in terms of practising racism, violence, bad governance and bad policies. But that must not be taken to mean Ian Smith is vindicated but just that Robert Mugabe inherited certain traits from Smith."

John Makumbe, a Zimbabwean political analyst.

Send us your thoughts on Ian Smith’s death. Include your name and location. E-mail: letters@newzimbabwe.com

JOIN THE DEBATE ON THIS ARTICLE ON THE NEWZIMBABWE.COM FORUMS
newsdesk@newzimbabwe.com