mdj696

**mdj696** · 13th October 10, 03:33 PM

Some of my family live in Rhodesia.

**Mike_Oettle** · 14th October 10, 09:25 AM

There is still a sizeable white community in Zimbabwe, which I grew up knowing as Rhodesia. But an immense number of them have left for foreign parts. Some have settled in South Africa, while others (like so many South Africans) have departed for faraway shores, and are to be found in every English-speaking country in the world, not to mention several where English is not much spoken.
It’s tough living in Zim, and I do not envy those who remain there (whether black or white). There has been a flood of black refugees from that country settling in South Africa in recent years.
It is a never-ending stream of humanity. If they cannot afford bus or train fare, they walk. They cross the Limpopo on foot, and not a few of them are eaten by crocodiles.
They settle in Johannesburg, Durban, anywhere they can find shelter.
Some are professionals, and have regular jobs in South Africa (the previous editor of the newspaper I work for is a black Zimbabwean).
Some have qualifications that are not recognised in South Africa, so you will find school teachers selling food or operating barber shops.
And many have no qualifications at all, and survive on charity.
Have you heard from your relatives lately, MDJ?
Regards,
Mike

**mdj696** · 14th October 10, 10:04 AM

Roger. I'm in contact with several cousins. Two cousins who ran Lomalinda Game Preserve in Rhodesia. An uncle Jimmy Murray, a very prominent doctor in Rhodesia, has passed away. From a recent family photo in Scotland his family appear to have moved back to Scotland, I'm researching now as what happened. Here in the US, what happened in Zimbawe is trying to take root here, just my opinion.From what I've seen on TV, things are really bad there. I'm a retired police officer and have seen this mess first hand. Only Breen family member born here in the US. My brother born in New Zealand where my mother met my dad during WWII. I've got great information on what tartans family were entiteled to wear. Viet Nam vet too. check my photos 701mb.com. photos, D company, Mike Jones 67-68.

**1oldsarge** · 15th October 10, 11:47 AM

Hello and greetings from another who has "pulled the pin"...

**Jack Daw** · 15th October 10, 11:58 AM

Hello and welcome from Houston, TX.

**Mike_Oettle** · 15th October 10, 01:30 PM

Hi, Mike – you have a namesake who lives about a mile from where I work!
Not sure whether there is possibly a connection.
Interesting to see the pictures of yourself and your dad. I presume he was in NZ with US forces to have me your mom?
People from many countries came to Southern Africa to fight with the Rhodesians and the South African forces. I wonder where they are today?
I doubt that many would have remained here after 1994.
The Rhodesians had a fearsome reputation. The British South Africa Police (which is no more, having been replaced by the Zimbabwean National Police) was referred to as “the regiment” and was recognised in Rhodesia as being the senior service.
The Rhodesian Army had a number of crack units, including the Rhodesian Light Infantry and the Selous Scouts.
The SA Army had the Reconnaisance Commandos, or Recces, the Parachute Brigade (nicknamed the Parabats, from 1 Parachute Battalion, where all volunteers were first posted), and other specialists.
And in both countries, part-time units had a vital role to play in defence.
The Zimbabwean army has been used chiefly for suppressing the people (thousands were massacred in Matabeleland by the North Korean-trained 5th Brigade), while the South African army is not a patch on what it used to be.
South African peacekeepers in the Congo (former Zaïre) have a negative reputation. (I don’t think I need to go into details.)
Regards,
Mike