Why would Douglas' Rogers parents hang on and live life on the edge in Zimbabwe?

[Cheryl Ann]

Douglas Rogers has written a compelling book, The Last Resort, about life in Zimbabwe in the 21st Century. His story is a personal memoir and love story of the land, the people, and most importantly, his stalwart parents, Lyn and Rosalind. One wonders why Douglas’ parents or any white farmers have remained in Zimbabwe since most of the 4,500 white farmers have been forced off their farms through land invasions or the “resettlement program.” The Rogers’ and most white farmers in Zimbabwe are descendants of Afrikaners or Britons who came to Africa as long as 350 years ago, and settled in Zimbabwe (formerly Rhodesia) or migrated from South Africa. Since being forced off their land in the past decade, most whites have left and moved to South Africa, Mozambique, Zambia, or wherever someone will take them in. But the Rogers’ choose stay on their game farm in a river valley outside the city of Mutare. They are determined to keep hold of their home and once popular backpacker lodge resort, although no tourists come through anymore.

As the drama unfolds in the warp and woof of his parents’ world, Douglas reveals how life has changed in Zimbabwe and at the lodge, "The Drifters," and The Last Resort becomes a microcosm of the tragedy in Zimbabwe.
WHY would the Rogers' or any white farmers want to continue to stay on?

[Craigo]

Cheryl

Where would you have them go? Why should they leave? Like Douglas, I too was born in Mutare so this is a very compelling read for someone who emigrated in 2000 at the very start of the latest troubles. I have a 76 year old mother who would rather die in Africa than be transplanted to some foreign soil. We are Africans born and bred no matter where we relocate to.

The deeper issue is an underlying connection to the soil, to the land that perhaps is a result of being part of living in and being part of the landscape. The lack of urbanization means that most Zimbabweans black and white feel this connection. These are people who carved something out of wilderness, modern day pioneers - who continue to struggle on the frontiers where there is no safety or security. In that, they belong exactly where they are. Anything else feels like dying. My own personal experience, migration is a small death, a disconnection from something, being somewhere else but not really fitting in.

To begin to understand the WHY is to know (without understanding) at some deeper soul level that each of us in connected to some place. A place worth living for and a place perhaps even worth dying for.

[Cheryl Ann]

Craigo,
Your response is so powerful and meaningful as all humans absolutely need a connection to place which is part of their "deeper soul level." I think that is why Douglas' book is such a compelling read because you feel that need with his parents and as you share, also with your Mom. My question was to try to understand why one chooses to stay even when they know that they are not safe and may choose death rather than leave their beloved homeland. You have so articulately answered that. I feel your pain. Thank you for sharing.

[Nancy]

I have good friends who live in Zimbabwe and I have traveled many times to this beautiful, if beleagured country. One of my best friends is a white Zimbabwean (originally from Ireland) whose late husband was a farmer. She still lives in Harare. She passionately loves the country and raised her children there. Although many of her friends have left, she still has many there and a quite full life. She is not blind to the problems but still sees her life there as a glass half full. She would NEVER go back to the northern hemisphere and she loves the lifestyle, the climate and her yard with birds and water feature. So I understand.....