Zimbabwe used to be a prosperous country which fed itself and exported food to most of Africa--a success story as a British Colony. The country gained independence in 1980 and Cde Mugabe, the democratically elected leader, has been in power ever since. There is now at least a 50% aids rate, poverty is omnipresent, there is only subsistence farming, and the gas shortage is critical. No gas, no goods, no transportation...
Despite the very grim situation, the countryside is vibrant and full of life. The road are full of people walking, riding donkey carts, waiting for rare buses. They wear colorful clothes and the children smile and wave at us everywhere. My favorite scene is watching the women carry the large bowls and baskets on their head and babies on their back. It's no doubt who the stronger sex is in Zimbabwe!
Harry said he is amazed at the decline he has seen in his three and a half years of visiting on safaris. It seems like such an awful shame to see a nation that was prosperous fall back into despair.
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