My forebears rode out from South Africa in 1890 as members of the pioneer column, fought for King and Country in two world wars, voted for self government, championed the cause of sovereign independence, and went on to defy the world for 14 years before coming to terms with the winds of change sweeping across the continent

They were charitable towards the indigenous inhabitants of the land they called their home, they brought law and order to a society beset by chaos, they introduced public education and modern medicine to a people whose ranks were decimated by illiteracy and high mortality rates, they built an economy based on free enterprise and paternalism, they established parliamentary governance, and they looked forward to a time when the land they loved would take it's place among the nations of the free world

Regardless of their flaws and inconsistencies as human beings I am immensely proud of them and it is my hope that one day Zimbabweans of all races and colours will live together in peace and harmony not as blacks or as whites but as Zimbabweans

Rhodesia is history and with it so too is my family's legacy, despite this I will continue to celebrate our independence and honor the war dead.

On a final and parting note let me leave you with a verse or two from Clem Tholet's "Peace Dream"

"May the sweetness of your soil yet bring you riches,
And your pastures ever fill your belly's needs,
May the nations that you harbour find a way to live as one;
Keep your standards high - do not give in to greed.

May God be with you and keep you strong;
May your tomorrows be rich and long."