THE EDITOR, Sir:
IN YOUR editorial of July 1, you refer in glowing terms to President Thabo Mbeki of South Africa and his 'idee fixe' of an African Renaissance. Mr. Mbeki's pronouncements on this subject have always been heartening to those whose experience of African politics has left them bereft of hope for change for the better in that continent.
His actions, alas, have been very far from his words. As you point out, the shameful dictatorship of Mr. Mugabe has destroyed Zimbabwe economically and socially, and done a great disservice to the struggle of the people of Africa to extract themselves from the poverty and violence which seem to plague it.
Mr. Mbeki, for all his talk of good governance and democracy, has done very little to alter the situation in his neighbouring countries. His policy of 'quiet diplomacy' has been so quiet that one could hear a pin drop. He has supported Zimbabwe with endless credit for electricity and fuel, and has endorsed elections which have been clearly flawed.
In the last days of Ian Smith's regime in Zimbabwe's predecessor Rhodesia, President Vorster in South Africa brought about a change by applying subtle pressures and witholding support, without at any time intervening directly in Rhodesia's governance or affairs. Mr Mbeki is ideally placed to take similar action now, and to lead condemnation of Zimbabwe's Government from fellow African leaders who have an interest in the stability and development of the region.
He has totally failed to do so, and in his inaction he has failed the struggling and beaten people of Zimbabwe, and Africa as a whole.
I am an ex-Zimbabwean now living in Australia because of lost hopes and broken dreams. It is Mr Mbeki, not Mr Mugabe, who has caused me to lose all hope for Africa.
I am, etc.,
DAVID ASHTON
stn564@yahoo.com.au
Bathurst, Australia
Via Go-Jamaica
