POV Community Engagement & Education Discussion GuiDe Mugabe and the White African A Film by Directors Lucy Bailey and Andrew Thompson and Producers Elizabeth Morgan Hemlock and David Pearson

www.pbs.org/pov PoV Letter froM the fiLMMAkers

We have worked together for 10 years — and much of that time has been spent filming in Africa, for which we have a huge passion. We’ve recently been working on short films in Africa; we have been privileged to tell the stories of people who are so poor that they would never have “mattered” otherwise.

We have been in many life-or-death situations with the people we’ve filmed and have cried and laughed with them as we shared some of the most intimate moments of their lives. Because of that, for some time we have been developing and work - ing on ideas for longer-format documentaries set in Africa. The story of Mugabe and the White African is a story that we feel the world should hear.

Much has been reported about the eradication of white-owned farms in Zimbabwe and the deterioration and subsequent col - lapse of the country. We have all seen news images of beaten farmers and seen the desperation in people’s eyes as they live in hunger, hopelessness and fear. We wanted to make a film about a big issue like the land reform program policy in Zim - babwe, but in a very intimate and personal way. our subject was Mike campbell, the Zimbabwean commercial farmer who made legal history when he took President Robert Mugabe to the international court of the southern African Development community (sADc) in 2007 and won his case a year later.

We believe the audience for our film is sophisticated and can read images and characters. Therefore, there is no commen - tary, and we allow our “characters” to speak for themselves so as to build up a compelling narrative. The film hinges on emo - tional moments in image and sound, so its impact on the memory will last long after the facts have been forgotten. This has been our trademark, particularly in our work for comic Relief. The camera dwells on details — we like shots that are lavish and lingering and show a trust in the relationship with our subjects. This story is epic and at the same time intimate, and the shooting style reflects this. We let the unfolding action dictate the pace, but the feel is cinematic and in the moment.

We have done everything we can to tell this extraordinary story, one that would no doubt otherwise forever have remained a “newspaper snippet.” We want this film to take the viewer to the heart of a historical moment, one that could be pivotal to Africa’s future. The film responds to what unfolds, but at the end of the day we want viewers to be able to make up their own minds.

We completed our film in the spring of 2009. Mike campbell passed away at his temporary home in Harare on April 6, 2011. He never recovered from the injuries he suffered while being kidnapped and tortured by a gang trying to throw him off his farm on June 29, 2008, just two days after the presidential run-off election. Mike was an amazing and brave man. We will miss him.

Lucy Bailey and Andrew Thompson , Directors

DISCUSSION GUIDE Mugabe and the White African |2 PoV Letter froM the fiLMMAkers

Producers’ stAteMent our company, Arturi Films, has a slate of feature films in development. The films’ common strengths are that that they en - able the audience to go on an emotional journey with the characters in the story. The story of Mike campbell and this fight for justice and the return of law in Zimbabwe immediately struck a chord with us; immediately we felt that it would resonate with a wider audience, especially because Mike was fighting for human rights and against racism. The fact that he was tak - ing this action because his own president was the perpetrator of human rights abuses and the story was based in Africa, gave it a relevance and urgency that we don’t come across very often.

We thought that we could bring something unique to Andy and Lucy’s vision for the film. Financially and creatively, we were willing to take the risk alongside our directors.

Mike campbell was an exceptionally courageous man with great dignity and humor. His willingness to allow us to tell his story was important as it gave the world a clear sense of what was really happening in Zimbabwe. it was a great honor for us to work with him, his son-in-law Ben Freeth and the family, and the film is a testimony to Mike’s sense of fairness and de - sire for justice and the rule of law. Audiences the world over have been touched by the strength of his character and his de - cency, reflected so beautifully in the Zimbabwe national Anthem:

Oh lift high the banner, the flag of Zimbabwe The symbol of freedom proclaiming victory; We praise our heroes' sacrifice, And vow to keep our land from foes; And may the Almighty protect and bless our land. Oh God, we beseech Thee to bless our native land;

The land of our fathers bestowed upon us all; From Zambezi to Limpopo May leaders be exemplary And may the Almighty protect and bless our land. Blessed be the land of Zimbabwe..

David Pearson and Elizabeth Morgan Hemlock , Producers

DISCUSSION GUIDE Mugabe and the White African |3 PoV tAbLe of contents credits

4 Introduction Writer 5 Potential Partners Faith Rogow, PhD 5 Key Issues Insighters Educational Consulting

5 Using This Guide background Writers and editors

6 Background Information Kristine Wilton 6 Zimbabwe 7 Mount Carmel Farm Guide Producers, PoV 8 Southern African Development Eliza Licht Director, Community Tribunal Community Engagement & Education, POV 9 Definitions of Racism Jamie Dobie 10 General Discussion Questions Coordinator, 10 Discussion Prompts Community Engagement & Education, POV 12 Taking Action Design: Rafael Jiménez 13 Resources Copy Editor: Natalie Danford 15 How to Buy the Film

thanks to those who reviewed this guide:

Timothy Scarnecchia Associate Professor, Department of History, Kent State University introduction David Moore Professor, Development Studies, in Zimbabwe, de facto dictator Robert Mugabe has un - University of Johannesburg leashed a “land reform” program aimed at driving whites Sara Cohan from the country through violence and intimidation. Mugabe Human Rights Education Specialist and the White African , a 90-minute documentary, much of which was filmed clandestinely, tells the alarming story of one family of proud “white Africans” who fight back.

The courage Mike campbell and his family display as they defend their farm — in international court and on the ground — is both inspiring and harrowing. As an outreach tool, this record of the campbell family’s experiences raises questions about race, racism, human rights, international law, the strength of faith and family and, ultimately, the complex legacy of european colonization of Africa.

DISCUSSION GUIDE Mugabe and the White African |4 PoV PotentiAL PArtners key issues

Mugabe and the White African is well suited for use in a variety of Mugabe and the White African is an excellent tool settings and is especially recommended for use with: for outreach and will be of special interest to people looking to explore the following topics: • your local Pbs station • Groups that have discussed previous Pbs and PoV films Africa relating to Africa, land rights, human rights or international African nationalism law, including Promised Land, Agriculture The Reckoning: The Battle for the International Criminal black nationalism Court, Sierra Leone’s Refugee All Stars and Good Fortune. british colonialism • Groups focused on any of the issues listed in the key issues section dictatorship • high school students human rights • faith-based organizations and institutions imperialism • cultural, art and historical organizations, institutions and international law museums Justice • civic, fraternal and community groups Land ownership • Academic departments and student groups at colleges, Land reform/land use policy universities and high schools Mugabe, robert • community organizations with a mission to promote Political power and patronage education and learning, such as local libraries race racial and class privilege racism usinG this Guide reconciliation

This guide is an invitation to dialogue. it is based on a belief in the power reparations of human connection, designed for people who want to use Mugabe social justice and the White African to engage family, friends, classmates, colleagues southern African development community and communities. in contrast to initiatives that foster debates in which participants try to convince others that they are right, this document Violence envisions conversations undertaken in a spirit of openness in which peo - Zimbabwe ple try to understand one another and expand their thinking by sharing viewpoints and listening actively.

The discussion prompts are intentionally crafted to help a wide range of audiences think more deeply about the issues in the film. Rather than attempting to address them all, choose one or two that best meet your needs and interests. And be sure to leave time to consider taking ac - tion. Planning next steps can help people leave the room feeling ener - gized and optimistic, even in instances when conversations have been difficult.

For more detailed event planning and facilitation tips, visit www.pbs.org/pov/outreach

DISCUSSION GUIDE Mugabe and the White African |5 PoV bAckGround inforMAtion

ZiMbAbWe Land and economic reforms Located in southern Africa, Zimbabwe is a land-locked na - under British colonial rule and the white minority ruled tion of 13 million people. The population is approximately 98 Rhodesian government, it was commonplace for whites to percent black African and 1 percent white. seize for themselves the best tracts of farmable land, leaving black peasant farmers to work the remaining swaths and any Prior to independence in 1980, the nation was known as tribal reserves. By 1980, when Zimbabwe declared inde - Rhodesia and was controlled by the British. Attempts to pendence, approximately 6,000 white commercial farmers overthrow white rule, including ongoing guerilla attacks, owned 15.5 million hectares (or 47 percent) of the country’s began in the 1960s. These attacks, along with united nations agricultural land; 8,000 black small-scale farmers owned or sanctions, ultimately led to elections in 1979 and full inde - leased 1.4 million hectares; and 700,000 peasant farmers oc - pendence (including the renaming of the country) in 1980. cupied 16.4 million communal hectares. During this period of war, Robert Mugabe rose to promi - in the first two decades of Mugabe’s rule, Mugabe addressed nence as the leader of the Zimbabwe African national union this historical inequity gradually, so as not to disrupt essen - — Patriotic Front (ZAnu-PF) and became the nation’s first tial agricultural production completely. Through lawful re - prime minister. The Mugabe government preached reconcil - distribution, the amount of white-owned land was reduced iation and unity, both between rival parties and between by one quarter as blacks bought up farms and the govern - blacks and whites. However, Mugabe increasingly consoli - ment purchased and redistributed approximately 3.6 million dated power; in 1987, the position of prime minister was hectares of land to 70,000 peasant households. abolished and he became president. in 2000, with his party threatened by the new opposition party Movement for Dem - By 2000, however, Mugabe’s popularity was waning, as ocratic change (MDc), Mugabe initiated a wave of land in - were his government’s financial resources. Legal redistribu - vasions with help from a war veterans’ association. since tion had been weakened by corruption and cronyism, and then, he and his party have mobilized violence and rigged Mugabe found it more and more difficult to keep political elections to guarantee their own victory. promises to increase black land ownership. To boost his poll numbers, Mugabe intensified his anti-white rhetoric and General elections held in March 2008 reflected foundering began a campaign of involuntary land seizures. Part of this support for Mugabe’s ZAnu-PF-led government, with the campaign was known as the “fast track” process: Landless opposition winning a majority of seats in parliament. MDc black applicants living in communal areas were invited offi - opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai won majority votes in cially to apply for land of their own. They filled out forms the presidential polls, but not enough to win outright. The made available through government or civil institutions. The subsequent run-off election was marred by violence, intimi - forms were then reviewed to establish eligibility and priority dation and fraud. As a result, Tsvangirai withdrew, and the level, and the applicants were matched up with farms that process was condemned internationally. had been selected for resettlement. To ensure a degree of international and domestic legitimacy, The farms to be resettled were to be selected according to the southern African Development community (sADc) — a convoluted process that would identify a reason that a par - led by Thabo Mbeki, then president of south Africa — bro - ticular property had been targeted. Aggrieved landowners kered a power-sharing agreement that left Mugabe as pres - who believed that their land had been chosen arbitrarily ident and installed Tsvangirai as prime minister. However, could appeal to provincial authorities, though once farms conflicts have continued. Mugabe, now in his eighties, has were selected, they could be taken by force no matter what publicly called for early elections soon, but there is yet to be the landowner did to appeal the decision. in 2001, Mugabe a new constitution, which was a requirement of the power- retroactively amended the process so that ownership of any sharing agreement. even though no election date has been selected land was transferred immediately, without even the set, most observers already fear a repeat of the extensive vi - possibility for appeal. owners had 90 days to vacate. Blacks olence that followed the 2008 elections. applying to receive farms often submitted their applications not to civic structures, but to the war veterans’ militias oc - cupying the relevant farms.

DISCUSSION GUIDE Mugabe and the White African |6 PoV bAckGround inforMAtion

This new aggressive land redistribution policy was rife with culture/Movies/2010/0811/Mugabe-and-the-White-African-movie- corruption from the start, with farms given to party insiders review with no experience in tending fields. even when peasant salopek, Paul. “Mugabe’s Rise and Fall Are Template for Difficult era in farmers were the recipients of farms, they often failed to re - Africa’s History.” The Seattle Times, April 3, 2008. ceive proper training. About 20 percent of Zimbabwe’s total http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2004324059_ land area was redistributed, sparking an exodus of white (ex - mugabe03.html perienced) farmers, crippling the economy and ushering in shaw, William H. “‘They stole our Land’: Debating the expropriation of widespread shortages of basic commodities. White Farms in Zimbabwe.” The Journal of Modern African Studies 41, no. 1 (2003). several subsequent actions weakened the economy even further, including a costly intervention in the second congo smiley, Xan. “Zimbabwe, southern Africa, and the Rise of Mugabe.” War (1998-2003), a 2005 “urban renewal” program result - Foreign Affairs Magazine , summer 1980. ing in the destruction of the homes and businesses of 700,000 (mostly poor) supporters of the opposition and, in Mount cArMeL fArM 2007, the institution of price controls on all basic commodi - ties that led to panic buying and empty store shelves for Mike campbell was born on a farm in Klerksdorp, south months at a time. The central bank continued to print money Africa, into a family that had farmed in Africa since 1713. in to pay war veterans and foreign debts, leading to hyperin - the early 1970s, Mike served as a captain in the south African flation, which in turn led to a severe economic crisis that was army and fought in the Rhodesian Bush War. only averted by the dollarization of the economy under the in 1974, campbell moved to Mount carmel farm in the coalition government in 2009. Zimbabwe’s economic insta - chegutu district of Zimbabwe. He bought the 3,000-acre bility continues today. plot and began stocking it with game and planting it with corn and mangoes. eventually, he opened a safari lodge that sources: became a popular tourist destination. until three years ago, BBc news. “Robert Mugabe, Zimbabwe strongman.” the farm boasted 45 giraffes, 300 impala, 150 wildebeest and http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/643737.stm 50 eland, as well as waterbuck, warthogs, zebras and game BBc news. “Zimbabwe country Profile.” birds. By the end of the 1990s, Mount carmel farm was the http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/country_profiles/1064589.stm#media largest mango producer in Zimbabwe, generating much-

“Has Zimbabwe’s Runaway inflation Been Tamed?” TIME , March 26, 2009 needed export earnings for the country. More than 500 peo - http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1887809,00.html ple lived on the farm, including workers and their spouses and children. After a 24-year loan on the farm had been re - Hellum, Anne and Bill Derman. “Land Reform and Human Rights in paid, the farm was legally transferred into the family’s com - contemporary Zimbabwe: Balancing individual and social Justice pany name upon receipt of a “certificate of no interest” from Through an integrated Human Rights Framework.” World Development 32, no. 10 (2004). the Mugabe government, which had the first purchase op - tion on any sale. Human Rights Watch. “Fast Track Land Reform in Zimbabwe.” http://www.hrw.org/en/reports/2002/03/08/fast-track-land-reform- Mount carmel farm: Land reform and court battle zimbabwe The difficulties for campbell and the 500 people living on institute of Development studies. “Zimbabwe’s Land Reform Ten Years Mount carmel farm began in november 1997, when the on: new study Dispels the Myths.” property was listed for acquisition as part of the govern - http://www.ids.ac.uk/go/news/zimbabwe-s-land-reform-ten-years-on- ment’s land reform program. The acquisition was part of Mu - new-study-dispels-the-myths gabe’s inequitable land redistribution, under which land is Kinloch, Graham c. “changing Racial Attitudes in Zimbabwe: often allocated to senior political associates, the elite and colonial/Post-colonial Dynamics.” Journal of Black Studies 34, no. 2 wealthy friends of Mugabe and his government. The man (2003). planning to move onto campbell’s farm is one of the coun - Klein, Andy. “Mugabe and the White African: Movie Review.” The try’s former most visible political leaders, nathan shamu - Christian Science Monitor, August 11, 2010. yarira, previously the spokesman for Mugabe’s ruling http://www.csmonitor.com/The- ZAnu-PF party.

DISCUSSION GUIDE Mugabe and the White African |7 PoV bAckGround inforMAtion

in 2000, armed gangs of supposedly landless former inde - sources: pendence fighters — urged on by Mugabe, who had “can - Herbstein, Denis. “Mike campbell obituary.” The Guardian , April 24, 2011. celled” all title deeds and declared that all land belonged to http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/apr/24/mike-campbell-obituary the government — began invading white-owned farms. After “Mike campbell.” The Telegraph , April 8, 2011 the farm invasions began, campbell, his family, their workers http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/politics-obituaries/ and other farmers in the district became the target of unre - 8439131/Mike-campbell.html lenting state-sponsored violence and intimidation. The safari Mugabe and the White African. lodge was burned down, wildlife slaughtered and cattle rus - http://www.mugabeandthewhiteafrican.com/ tled. After getting no recourse in the Zimbabwean courts, campbell took his case to the sADc tribunal in october 2007, and in March of the following year an additional 77 southern AfricAn deVeLoPMent white commercial farmers joined the case as interveners. coMMunity tribunAL Just two days after the July 2008 Zimbabwean presidential The southern African Development community (sADc) run-off election, Mike campbell, his wife and his son-in-law tribunal, the region’s highest court, was established as an Ben Freeth were abducted by militia and taken to a remote institution of the sADc in 1992, although it only became camp, where they were tortured for nine hours. campbell operational in August 2005. sustained severe head injuries, broken ribs and damage to The sADc’s original objective was the political liberation of his lower limbs caused by “falanga” (a method of torture that southern Africa, but its mission has grown to one of pro - involves beating the soles of the feet). His wife, Angela, was moting sustainable and equitable economic growth and forced to sign an agreement that the family would not con - socio-economic development through efficient productive tinue its court battle. All three were dumped on the road - systems, deeper co-operation and integration, good gover - side; once discovered there, they were rushed to the nance and durable peace and security, so that the southern hospital. African region emerges as a competitive and effective player campbell’s injuries prevented him from attending the sADc in international relations and the world economy. The sADc tribunal’s final hearing. However, Freeth, despite being currently has a membership of 15 states: Angola, Botswana, wheelchair-bound and having sustained a fractured skull, Democratic Republic of congo, Lesotho, Madagascar, was able to represent the campbell case. During this hear - Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, namibia, seychelles, south ing, the international court of the sADc ruled that the land Africa, swaziland, united Republic of Tanzania, Zambia and reform program was discriminatory and was not being con - Zimbabwe. ducted according to the rule of law. Therefore, it granted The sADc tribunal, which sits in namibia, is one of eight in - campbell and the other dispossessed white farmers the re - stitutions under the umbrella of the sADc. The tribunal has turn of their property. However, the Harare government re - jurisdiction over disputes between sADc states and disputes fused to honor that ruling, and campbell and his family between persons and member states. A person may only continued to be victimized. A year later, a government- bring a case before the tribunal if he or she has exhausted all sponsored militia burned the campbell and Freeth home - other legal avenues in his or her state of residence. since steads to the ground. 2007, five suits have been filed in the tribunal — two con - campbell, continuing to seek justice, launched another legal tract claims against sADc, a contract claim against Zanzibar action in early 2011. This case sought to compel sADc heads and two cases against the government of Zimbabwe, in - of state, including President Mugabe, to restore the functions cluding campbell v. Republic of Zimbabwe. of the tribunal, which had been suspended following the rul - in the case of campbell v. Republic of Zimbabwe, the tribu - ing in favor of the white farmers. unfortunately, campbell nal determined that the plaintiff’s farm was illegally seized never recovered from the injuries he sustained from the bru - by the government and the plaintiffs were owed compensa - tal beating, and he died on April 6, 2011 at the age of 79. tion. The tribunal condemned the seizures as “racist” and as campbell is survived by his wife, Angela, their son, Bruce, theft on a grand scale. in the course of litigation, the camp - two daughters, cathy and Laura, and six grandchildren. bells were issued orders demanding that the government cease expulsions from the farm. The government of Zim -

DISCUSSION GUIDE Mugabe and the White African |8 PoV bAckGround inforMAtion

babwe not only did not comply with the cease and desist some people define prejudice as separate from racism, re - order, but it also failed to comply with the final decision. serving the latter term for those who actually have the Though Zimbabwe is a member of the sADc, it replied that power to act on or institutionalize injustice based on their the tribunal has no force and refused to recognize it as a le - beliefs. gitimate body of legal authority. in recent years, justifications for racial inequity based on sci - Following Zimbabwe’s non-compliance, the sADc effec - entifically identifiable characteristics used to distinguish one tively shut down the tribunal in May 2011, citing a need to re - race from another have largely been discredited by DnA and view the tribunal’s role and functions. other evidence. The absence of a scientific basis bolsters the arguments of those who see race as a social construct de - sources: signed to benefit some groups of people at the expense of Amnesty international. “sADc Tribunal struggles for Legitimacy.” others. http://blog.amnestyusa.org/justice/sadc-tribunal-struggles-for- in Western countries, this social construct has resulted in legitimacy/ white privilege, a condition in which all whites — even those “Mike campbell.” The Telegraph , April 8, 2011 who actively oppose racial discrimination — benefit from the http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/politics- existence of racism. obituaries/8439131/Mike-campbell.html in Zimbabwe, because Mugabe’s government ostensibly rep - southern African Development community. resents and is run by the country’s black majority, his dis - http://www.sadc.int/ criminatory race-based policy to combat historical southern Africa Litigation centre. “For Mugabe’s sake: sADc Leaders race-based injustices has turned common Western con - sabotage the sADc Tribunal and undermine the Rule of Law.” structions of racism upside down. in Mugabe’s “Africa for http://www.southernafricalitigationcentre.org/news/item/ Africans” rhetoric, blacks alone are entitled to the protec - Press_Release_For_Mugabe_s_sake_sADc_Leaders_sabotage tions and benefits of government, while whites are either de - nied citizenship entirely or relegated to second-class status definitions of rAcisM based on their race alone. in the united states and other Western nations, definitions of in discussions of the film, some people may see Mugabe’s racism reflect a history of slavery and colonization by cau - actions as a continuing response to the damages of colonial casians of peoples of color. in this context, the term racism racism, and under those circumstances they may reserve the has been used to mean: term “racist” for actions taken by whites. others will see Mu - gabe’s race-based policies as being no different from white - Prejudice, i.e., the belief that one race is superior to another discrimination against blacks and will think the term “racist” (typical in the rhetoric of hate groups, or the everyday use accurately describes Mugabe’s policies. of racial slurs or jokes);

- individual discriminatory acts based on skin color or other source: racial traits (e.g., a landlord refusing to rent to members of PBs. “Race: The Power of an Illusion.” a particular racial group); www.pbs.org/race/ - institutional policies that intentionally discriminate on the basis of race (e.g., redlining to prevent blacks and other mi - norities from securing mortgages for properties in certain neighborhoods);

- institutional polices that unintentionally reinforce or create discrimination based on race (e.g., basing school funding on property tax assessments, resulting in perennial underfund - ing of schools in poor neighborhoods where minorities are overrepresented).

DISCUSSION GUIDE Mugabe and the White African |9 PoV GenerAL discussion Questions discussion ProMPts

Immediately after the film, you may want to give nationalism, Land and the Legacy of european people a few quiet moments to reflect on what they colonialism have seen. If the mood seems tense, you can pose a • Ben Freeth says, “This case is a direct challenge to Robert Mu - general question and give people some time to gabe and his government. But it’s also a challenge to the rest of the themselves to jot down or think about their answers world. We want the world to wake up to the injustices of what is before opening the discussion. happening inside Zimbabwe. We want people to face the problem, Unless you think participants are so uncomfortable to face the real issues at stake.” in your view, what are the “real is - that they can’t engage until they have had a break, sues” and why are they a challenge not only to Zimbabwe, but don’t encourage people to leave the room between “also a challenge to the rest of the world”?

the film and the discussion. If you save your break • Mugabe frames his anti-white policy as a reaction to the dam - for an appropriate moment during the discussion, aging aspects of the legacy of British imperialism: “Africa for you won’t lose the feeling of the film as you begin Africans, Zimbabwe for Zimbabweans. The land is ours. it’s not eu - your dialogue. ropean. it’s our land.” He argues that removal of whites achieves One way to get a discussion going is to pose a gen - “justice for his people; sovereignty for his people.” in what ways eral question, such as: does taking away land from whites begin to redress historical in - justices and in what ways does a racially determined policy simply • if you could ask anyone in the film a single continue to embed institutional racism in government policy? in question, who would you ask and what would the campbell’s case, why might it matter that they purchased their you ask him or her? farm after Zimbabwean independence (and didn’t simply inherit it • What did you learn from this film? What from european colonizers)? insights did it provide? • Why might Mugabe be so focused on redistributing land • if a friend asked you what this film was about, ownership? What is the relationship between owning land and what would you say? What are the key power?

themes? • campbell is, by all accounts, a model employer. He and Freeth • describe a moment or scene in the film that think of their workers as a community and are concerned that if you found particularly disturbing or moving. they lose the farm, their workers will lose their livelihood. never - What was it about that scene that was theless, they own the land and have more power than their em - especially compelling for you? ployees. so what is the distinction, if any, between being an excellent employer concerned with the well-being of one’s work - ers and being paternalistic (i.e., taking the prerogative of deter - mining what is best for someone else)? How is the employer/employee relationship affected by the historical context in which it occurs (which, in this case, is a legacy of white euro - peans discriminating against black Africans)?

• campbell says, “if we win the case, the whole land reform pro - gram in Zimbabwe becomes illegal. Then every farmer that’s been kicked off his land has got the right to come back to his farm!” in your view, is this a desirable outcome? Why or why not? should Additional media literacy questions are available at: those whose land rights stem from British rule get their farms back, www.pbs.org/pov/educators/media-literacy.php or only those who, like campbell, acquired their land after inde - pendence?

DISCUSSION GUIDE Mugabe and the White African |10 PoV discussion ProMPts

• What do you make of the encounter between Peter ity? What processes should be used to enforce their deci - chamada and Ben Freeth? (chamada is the man who shows sions? up to claim the farm, saying the government has given it to • explain how the court case exemplifies the saying “Jus - him.) chamada says, “The land belongs to the black peas - tice delayed is justice denied.” if justice for white farmers is ants. it is ours! The government took it from you people to impossible under Mugabe, should other nations respond? if redistribute it to the black poor majority… This country will so, how? Which factors determine whether or not other never be a colony again.” How does Freeth counter this ar - countries should intervene? gument? How would you? • Jeffrey Jowell says, “Democracy is not only about what the majority of the people think; it’s also about protecting race and identity fundamental human rights, making sure that you can’t do certain things to individuals.” Where do you see examples of • Attorney elize Angula uses the label “racist” to describe this interpretation of democracy and where do you see ex - Mugabe’s policy prohibiting whites from owning farms, ex - amples of democracies falling short of this ideal? plaining, “if we were to lose this case, Africa will have a pres - ident that says, ‘You can discriminate on the basis of color, of race.’” Does her view match your own understanding of fighting injustice the term “racist”? in your view, does it provide support for • Freeth says, “i think we have been put here for a pur - completely “color blind” policies? if not, under what circum - pose. And we must carry out that purpose for which we stances would it not be racist to treat people of different were put here.” What values are they fighting for? if they races differently? succeed, how will those values strengthen or weaken Zim - • Angula says, “Mike is a true African completely. And babwe? what i like about Mike is that Mike doesn’t try to be a black • campbell says, “i wouldn’t like my grandchildren to, one African. He is a white African. He will talk about things that day in the future, say, ‘You know, my grandfather had a farm happened in his experience as a white African.” Why is in Africa. But a few guys came along and said ‘boo’ to him African identity an issue for the campbells and Freeths? and he packed his bags and ran away and left the farm.’ i’d What do you think Angula means when she commends rather they had the impression that we fought for the farm, campbell for not trying to “be a black African”? What do you whether we keep it or lose it. At least we’ve tried our best.” learn from the film about the construction of racial, ethnic How would you describe the legacy that campbell is leaving and national identity? his grandchildren? • Freeth approaches his situation with a universalist view • claire Freeth asks, “Do you just walk away? Do you just of humanity, explaining that Mugabe’s desire to drive white do nothing, or do you stand for what’s right and what you people out of Zimbabwe is “wrong because we are all chil - believe is right for other people?” Zach Freeth adds, “if good dren of God.” Who benefits from this view of humanity? men do nothing, then evil will prevail and you have to fight Who might be harmed by it? How might a Mugabe sup - the evil.” Have you stood up and fought for things? What? in porter react to this view? How might it help or hinder what situation would you be willing to do so? prospects for reconciliation? • Angela campbell explains how her family’s faith sus - tains them, saying, “There’s no manmade thing we can trust. seeking Justice The law, the order, the police — everything has been torn • campbell and Freeth seek justice in an international away, ripped away from us. And so we’ve actually been left court in namibia on the grounds that Zimbabwe is a signa - in a wonderful position, really, of just trusting God for every - tory to the southern African Development community thing.” How do these people draw strength from their reli - treaty. Yet after receiving a judgment in their favor, they still gion? wonder if they will be safe on their farm. in your view, under • Would you describe the campbells and the Freeths as what circumstances do international courts have appro - heroes? Why or why not? priate jurisdiction? What is the source of their author -

DISCUSSION GUIDE Mugabe and the White African |11 PoV discussion ProMPts

Moving toward reconciliation representatives know what you think the policy should be, particularly in relation to whether or not Mugabe should be • Mugabe says to whites, “our present state of mind is removed by force, arrested and/or tried for human rights that you are now our enemies.” Who benefits most from de - abuses. claring whites to be “enemies”? can you think of ways that the Zimbabwean government could address race-based his - • Join local community groups and national organiza - torical wrongs without making whites into “enemies”? tions that are advocating to end ongoing human rights vio - lations in Zimbabwe. • Ben Freeth and attorney Jeremy Gauntlett see Mu - gabe’s land reform policy as a power grab that provides pa - AfrIcA AcTIOn tronage opportunities for Mugabe’s relatives and supporters. http://www.africaaction.org Assuming that this is true, how does it complicate the task Africa Action is the oldest human rights organization fo - of those who believe in the need for land reform policy that cused exclusively on Africa. in partnership with activists and more equitably distributes land ownership to blacks? How civil society organizations throughout the united states and might people seeking justice and equity separate out the Africa, Africa Action is working to change u.s. foreign policy corrupt aspects of Mugabe’s government from legitimate ef - and the policies of international institutions in order to sup - forts to redress historical inequities? in your view, would it port African struggles for peace and development. have made a difference in campbell’s case if the Mugabe government had turned over the farm to campbell’s em - AMnEsTy InTErnATIOnAL ployees rather than delivering it to someone else as a pa - http://www.amnesty.org tronage reward? Why or why not? The Take Action section of the Amnesty international web - • What might white farm owners like the campbells do site allows visitors to sign up for Amnesty international’s to help redress historical inequities without acquiescing to Zimbabwe blog to receive emails when new postings, in - the notion that whites should not own land? cluding news and actions, are available.

InTErnATIOnAL crIsIs GrOUP tAkinG Action http://www.crisisgroup.org

• Follow up a screening of the film with a panel discus - The international crisis Group is an independent, nonprofit, sion or teach-in on the historical legacy of european colo - nongovernmental organization committed to preventing nialism in Africa. and resolving deadly conflict.

• convene a study circle to look at reconciliation strate - AfrIcAn cOMMIssIOn On HUMAn AnD gies that nations such as south Africa have used to heal from PEOPLEs’ rIGHTs longstanding social inequities or human rights abuses. iden - http://www.achpr.org/english/_info/news_en.html tify race, gender or ethnic inequalities that have existed or do exist in your community. consider applying what you established by the African charter on Human and Peoples’ have learned about reconciliation to your community. Rights, which came into force on october 21, 1986, the African commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights is • examine how south Africa and other African nations charged with ensuring the promotion and protection of have addressed land redistribution issues in pursuit of racial human and peoples’ rights throughout the African continent. equity. use what you learn to inform the creation of a set of recommendations for Zimbabwe. IDAsA • investigate historical land ownership policies in your http://www.idasa.org/donate/take_action community. Look at who was prevented from owning land in The Take Action page of the idasa website provides ways to particular places; the consequences of exclusionary owner - get involved in building democratic societies in Africa, in - ship policies on subsequent generations; and possible reme - cluding promoting the African charter on Democracy; sign - dies for the resulting inequities. ing up for the Right to Know campaign; getting involved in • Find out the current u.s. foreign policy approach a reflect circle; joining a study tour; and subscribing to the toward Mugabe and Zimbabwe. Let your elected idasa newsletter.

DISCUSSION GUIDE Mugabe and the White African |12 PoV resources

fILM-rELATED WEB sITEs What’s your POV? Original Online content on Share your thoughts about POV Interactive (www.pbs.org/pov) Mugabe and the White African by posting a comment on the POV Blog The PoV Mugabe and the White African website www.pbs.org/pov/blog or send an email to [email protected]. www.pbs.org/pov/mugabe includes a photo gallery of images taken during the filming of the movie; a timeline of Zimbabwe’s history Zimbabwe and the progression of land redistribution under Mugabe’s rule ; bios of the key players in the film; a film ALL AfrIcA update; and a map of the campbells’ Mount carmel farm http://allafrica.com/zimbabwe and the surrounding region. As with all PoV film websites, This news organization specializes in covering Africa and is viewers can also access a video interview with the a good place to find recent news about Zimbabwe. filmmakers and participate in a live chat the day after the premiere broadcast . educators may record the film and BBc nEWs. “ZIMBABWE cOUnTry PrOfILE” show Mugabe and the White African in their classrooms http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/ for one year following the broadcast. Additionally, video country_profiles/1064589.stm clips from the film are available for streaming along with A good starting place for general information about Zim - the free lesson plan. All viewers can download and print babwe, including historical overviews and links to current out the free discussion guide for background information, news stories. discussion questions and tips for screening Mugabe and the White African at community events. frEETH, BEn. Mugabe and the White african London: Trafalgar Square Publishing, 2011.

Ben Freeth has published a book of the same name, chroni - cling his family's fight to keep hold of their farm after it was claimed by Mugabe's government.

U.s. DEPArTMEnT Of sTATE “BAckGrOUnD nOTE: ZIMBABWE” www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/5479.htm This overview includes general information about Zimbabwe as well as summaries of u.s.-Zimbabwean relations and Zim - babwe foreign policy.

ZIMBABWE www.gta.gov.zw The official web portal of Zimbabwe provides information on the country from the government’s perspective.

DISCUSSION GUIDE Mugabe and the White African |13 PoV resources

human rights and international Law Land reform

HUMAn rIGHTs WATcH HUMAn AnD cOnsTITUTIOnAL rIGHTs “WOrLD rEPOrT 2011: ZIMBABWE” “ZIMBABWE GOVErnMEnT AnD fArMErs www.hrw.org/en/world-report-2011/zimbabwe LOckED In LAnD rEfOrM DIsPUTE” This links to the organization’s current report on the status http://www.hrcr.org/hottopics/zimbabwe.html of human rights in Zimbabwe. For information about previ - Though somewhat dated, this web page includes conven - ous years, search “Zimbabwe” on the organization’s home - ient links to documents central to land reform in Zimbabwe. page. POV. “PrOMIsED LAnD” sOUTHErn AfrIcAn DEVELOPMEnT cOMMUnITy www.pbs.org/pov/promisedland http://www.sadc.int especially useful on this site for a previous PoV film on this The website of this coalition includes information on mem - topic are the links and background information on how ber states, land reform policies, the tribunal and the official south Africa and other regions of the world have handled decision in the campbell case. land reform issues.

DISCUSSION GUIDE Mugabe and the White African |14 hoW to buy the fiLM PoV

To order Mugabe and the White African for home use, go to www.mugabeandthewhiteafrican.com

Produced by American Documentary, inc. Major funding for PoV is provided by PBs, The John D. and and beginning its 24th season on PBs in 2011, catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, national endowment for the award-winning PoV series is the longest- the Arts, The educational Foundation of America, new York running showcase on American television to feature the work of state council on the Arts, new York city Department of cultural today’s best independent documentary filmmakers. Airing June Affairs, FAcT and public television viewers. special support pro - through september with primetime specials during the year, vided by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and sciences. PoV has brought more than 300 acclaimed documentaries to Funding for PoV’s Diverse Voices Project is provided by the millions nationwide and has a Webby Award-winning online se - corporation for Public Broadcasting. Project Voicescape is a ries, POV's Borders . since 1988, PoV has pioneered the art of partnership of Adobe Youth Voices, PBs and PoV. PoV is pre - presentation and outreach using independent nonfiction media sented by a consortium of public television stations, including to build new communities in conversation about today’s most WGBH Boston and THiRTeen in association with WneT.oRG. pressing social issues. Visit www.pbs.org/pov. American Documentary, Inc. www.amdoc.org POV Digital www.pbs.org/pov American Documentary, inc. (AmDoc) is a multimedia company PoV's award-winning website extends the life of our films online dedicated to creating, identifying and presenting contemporary with interactive features, interviews, updates, video and educa - stories that express opinions and perspectives rarely featured in tional content, as well as listings for television broadcasts, com - mainstream media outlets. AmDoc develops collaborative munity screenings and films available online. The POV Blog is a strategic-engagement activities around socially relevant content gathering place for documentary fans and filmmakers to discuss on television, online and in community settings. These activities their favorite films and get the latest news. are designed to trigger action, from dialogue and feedback to educational opportunities and community participation. POV community Engagement and Education www.pbs.org/pov/outreach Join our community network! PoV films can be seen at more than 450 events across the coun - www.amdoc.org/outreach/events try every year. Together with schools, organizations and local Learn about new lesson plans, facilitation guides and our other PBs stations, PoV facilitates free community screenings and free educational resources and find out about screenings near produces free resources to accompany our films, including dis - you. Joining our network is also the first step towards hosting cussion guides and curriculum-based lesson plans. With our your own PoV screening. community partners, we inspire dialogue around the most im - portant social issues of our time. You can also follow us on Twitter @PoVengage for the latest news from PoV community engagement & education.

Front cover: Mike campbell (center right) and Ben Freeth (center back) with some of the workers on their farm in chegutu, Zimbabwe Photo courtesy of Arturi Films Limited

The see it on PBs logo is a trademark of the Public Broadcasting service and is used with permission. All rights reserved.