Position:Home>History> My father calls himself Rhodesian- what does this mean?
Question: My father calls himself Rhodesian- what does this mean!?
OK, firstly I know exactly what Rhodesia is, so don't feel the need to explain this!.
My father always clams up when asked why he calls himself Rhodesian instead of Zimbabwean!. His past is a little mysterious and I do not press him on the matter; I do know, however, that he served briefly in the Kings African Rifles as an RSM and later in the Rhodesian SAS- he then went on to fight as a mercenary in the Belgian Congo before coming over to the UK in 1980, with UDI!.
What I would like to know is, what does it mean that my father should call himself Rhodesian instead of Zimbabwean!? What are the cultural or political ramifications (in terms of his own beliefs) of this statement!?
I now consider myself white British but am of course fascinated by my roots- it's just a shame my Pa isn't a little more forthcoming!. All sesible answers welcome!.
Thanks!Www@QuestionHome@Com
Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:
I lived next door in Zambia, when Zimbabwe was still Rhodesia!.
Id guess that your father identifies with what the country was then, not the corruption riddled,poverty stricken savage toilet it is now!.
I think he may well believe that Africa was better off under British rule, or even white minority rule which as you know was what UDI was!.
Its not PC to say it, but if he believes this he is probably right!
He may not want to come out and say it though, even though it is factualy correct, it isnt politically correct!
Zimbabwe has gone backwards in every way since Whit minority rule ended, Politically, Economically, Industrially, Socially it is regressing at an alarming rate!. Life expectancy has plummetted, disease is rife, the health and education systems have collapsed, tribalism and extreme violence are on the rise!.!.!.!.!.!.!.compare that to british ruled rhodesia, its another world!
Your father relates to that other world i think, together with its values!.Www@QuestionHome@Com
Your father is showing pride in the country he onced lived, and also shows his disapproval for the destruction of that once-beautiful country!. Did you know that Rhodesia was the breadbasket of Africa!? People are starving now!.
The political ramifications!? Someone might call the PC police on him, but who cares!. Then again, I'm an American and we don't have those moronic "hate speech" laws that have been so badly perverted!.Www@QuestionHome@Com
listen to WIlliam K and Scobil
and if your father was Regimental Sergeant Major in the KAR he was one special soldier and leader of men!.!.!.!.!.!.!.!.a Semper Fi to him!.!.!.!.
I've met a lot of Rhodesian sailors in the Caribbean; the best answer I've gotten so far is "I didn't leave my country, my country left me!.!.!."Www@QuestionHome@Com
Well I think first of all you should sit down with him and try to get him to be more open !. Lots of us have had questions about our roots and never ask the right questions whilst we st5ill have the opportunity
Once our relatives pass on it means that any information they had will die with themWww@QuestionHome@Com
It sounds like he doesn't approve of Zimbabwe and doesn't want to claim to be from there because of that!.
It appears that he would rather think of it and himself as Rhodesia because of his feelings!.Www@QuestionHome@Com
Ask your FATHER!.
How the hell do we know what he's thinking!?
Zimbabwe was called Rhodesia for years - you DO know about Cecil Rhodes of course!.
Talk to your FATHER!.
Listen to Yankee Sailor and Thia!.!.!.Www@QuestionHome@Com
Probably the same reason some people call themselves Persian instead of Iranian!.Www@QuestionHome@Com
Doesn't mean anything but he was born in Rhodesia so sees himself as that and maybe he moved before the name change!?Www@QuestionHome@Com
It could mean that he's nostalgic for the racist Rhodesian system of government -- rule by the white minority, oppression of the black majority!. It could also mean that he disapproves of the current Mugabe government, for reasons that may or may not have anything to do with race!.Www@QuestionHome@Com