Rhosarian 2019

The Rhosarian 1/19
C.G. Tracey, Rhodesian ubiquitous
.... Of Tracey, Dr Isaac Samuriwo, a
Salisbury black businessman and senator
in the last parliament, said, ‘Through his
efforts, many whites have learned that
there were blacks of the highest calibre in
any field. We need people like C.G. Tracey
in the new state of Zimbabwe ... people
who are dedicated to the cause of unity and
who know no colour bar.’ ...
Although firmly apolitical, Tracey was
drawn unofficially more into the shadowy
world of diplomacy as successive
Rhodesian governments struggled vainly
to reach a political settlement.
Regarded as a man who could be trusted
implicitly, and with his vast network of
contacts, he was soon to be seen in
Whitehall, in Washington, in Paris. His
lean, angular figure flitted from continent
to continent and like some restless shadow
he popped up in the homes and offices of
some of the most important and famous
people in the western world.
The travel restrictions imposed on
Rhodesians after UDI seemed rarely to
hinder this subtropical Kissinger. ... ‘It
was tragic when in 1965 UDI came and
sanctions were imposed,’ Tracey said. ‘I
never agreed with UDI but equally I
considered sanctions to be immoral. Once
UDI had taken place, I felt that it was
imperative that all of us should defend our
country to the best of our ability, regardless
of our political beliefs.’
I was delighted to read the following, from an
article in the Harare Sunday Mail of 27
November 1983, by Tendayi Kumbula:
Tracey: A human dynamo with flair for
innovation. Mr Edward Padya, one of the
first two blacks ever appointed to the Cotton
Marketing Board in 1978 at Mr Tracey’s
insistence, said the other day, ‘He is a very
good person. He battled the colonial regime
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October 2019
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to get black representation on the Cotton
Marketing Board. Although it was opposed
for a long time he finally succeeded and so
Mr Axon Gumbo and I were appointed.
In the early meetings he helped us a lot,
even translating the proceedings into Shona
for us so we could keep up with the
discussions. In short I can say we have lost
a man [on retirement] who has a great love
for Africans. He did a lot for us and for
other African farmers, including taking
some of us outside Zimbabwe so we could
see what other people did with the cotton
they bought from us’.
The greatest compliment paid to me was by
someone who said I was a true patriot. So my
love of my country is the right way, I suppose,
of describing overall what motivates me. I
happen to think that this is the best country
there is, and I am determined to try and keep
it this way for all people, black and white.
EPILOGUE
Looked at objectively, the situation is more
than depressing and bleak and, as I write this
in 2008, no one can guess what the next few
months will bring. ...
I look back over the last 80 years and apply
the old phrase, ‘What if ... ?’ But that is
academic. Zimbabwe is in danger of joining
the ranks of derelict African countries - its
agriculture, and particularly its tobacco and
food sectors, have been mortally wounded.
An atmosphere of mistrust and corruption is
widespread. To correct these alone would be
a major task. ...
Those eight decades of progress cannot be
taken away, although the developments of
which we were proud have been so misused.
The title of this book was discussed at
length. Finally we settled for Wendy’s choice:
All for Nothing?...
G.G. Tracey
Harare, August 2008