Categories: Stories

Forget the brutal regime, Zimbabwe is beautiful, says British journalist

A British journalist who recently visited Zimbabwe says those not visiting the country because of its terrible reputation are making a big mistake.

“Whatever its political problems, Zimbabwe is one of the most beautiful countries in the world, and its people the kindest and most welcoming,” Peter Oborne wrote in the Daily Mail.

“Zimbabwe has a terrible reputation, and for excellent reasons,” he wrote. “It is ruled by a brutal dictator who is surrounded by a corrupt clique of ministers who have impoverished their country and stashed billions overseas. The economy is in free fall, there is mass unemployment and every reason to fear for the future.

“So it is understandable that few British people choose to go on holiday to this former British colony. But they are making a terrible mistake.”

And Oborne who came to the country with his family hopes to return to the country again and again.

“Some people worry whether you are supporting the corrupt regime of Robert Mugabe by going on holiday to Zimbabwe. I don’t think so,” he writes.

“Looked at from a different prospective, you are helping the hard-pressed local people by bringing them your business. We hope to return again and again.”

(164 VIEWS)

This post was last modified on November 12, 2016 7:48 pm

Charles Rukuni

The Insider is a political and business bulletin about Zimbabwe, edited by Charles Rukuni. Founded in 1990, it was a printed 12-page subscription only newsletter until 2003 when Zimbabwe's hyper-inflation made it impossible to continue printing.

Recent Posts

Britain says amendment of the Zimbabwean Constitution is a sovereign, legislative matter for Zimbabwe to decide

Britain says amendment of the Zimbabwe constitution is a sovereign, legislative matter for Zimbabwe to…

March 24, 2026

Who started the war?

It is now 47 years since I wrote the short story below for a South…

March 4, 2026

Zimbabwe 2026 monetary policy statement at a glance

Zimbabwe has released its 2026 monetary policy statement in which it seeks to stabilise its…

March 1, 2026

Was Chombo Mugabe’s number two?

Far from it, on paper that is. Ignatius Chombo was one of the longest serving…

February 6, 2026

Zimbabwe’s 2026 citizen’s budget

Zimbabwe on Thursday announced a ZiG290.9 billion budget with revenue expected to be ZiG287.6 billion,…

November 30, 2025

IMF says Zimbabwe’s economic recovery in 2025 is stronger than previously anticipated

The International Monetary Fund says Zimbabwe’s economic recovery in 2025 is stronger than previously anticipated…

November 8, 2025