Here is news of a man who I knew at my High School in Zimbabwe who is a Christian and a professional cricketer for our national side (Zimbabwe) who believes that his personal convictions could not be laid aside, even at the cost of the game he loves, as well as his life and security.
He was a cricketer, but now he is so much more than just a sportsman. Henry Olonga is my age. I am proud of him as a cricketer, a man of God and a fellow Zimbabwean, especially at a time like this. His website can be found at www.henryolonga.com
A Black armband show of defiance in the World Cup has contrasting results for two of Zimbabwe's prominent sportsmen
For Henry Olonga, the Zimbabwean right-arm fast bowler, the past year can only be described as the best of times and the worst of times.
His life up until two weeks before the start of the 2003 Cricket World Cup was sweet. Now he is lying low in Johannesburg after receiving death threats because he "had the temerity to protest" against what he describes as the oppression of President Robert Mugabe's regime.
Interviewed shortly before leaving, most probably for England, the lean and articulate 26-year-old seemed unfazed by the events he has been forced to endure lately events that have forced him to retire from
international cricket and become a political refugee from his own country.
He had just completed one of the best seasons of his career, his batting average was at a record high and he had taken nine wickets in the 2002 test series against Pakistan. Also, his singing career was taking off, and he was busy writing and recording new material for a possible CD release.
Then came the now famous incident when he and Andy Flower decided to protest against their country's deteriorating economy and record of human rights abuses by wearing armbands.
Two weeks before Zimbabwe's first game of the World Cup against Namibia held in Harare, Olonga and Flower were approached by someone he says he is not prepared to name "for security reasons".
Says Olonga: "He reminded us, quite rightly, of the stand the African National Congress took on the subject of sport during SA's apartheid years. He said you cannot have normal sport in an abnormal society."
Accordingly, when games were played in Zimbabwe, Olonga and Flower registered their discontent with the status quo by wearing black armbands, indicating that they were in mourning for the death of democracy.
Olonga was not paying lip service to a popular cause. His family is affected by the economic and political situation in Zimbabwe everyday.
His father and stepmother are separated because his father, a respected paediatrician, struggles to continue operating as a doctor in a country where patients cannot afford prescription drugs.
His stepmother, a nursing sister, has opted to work in England, where her salary keeps the home fires burning in Zimbabwe. "My father has chosen to stay in Zimbabwe because he has Zimbabwean people at heart at a time there are not that many doctors left in the country."
Dr John Olonga is Henry Olonga's inspiration to do what he felt was the right thing to do. "It was my father's example of doing your best for your fellow man that encouraged me to stand up for what was right and join the two-man protest."
This is where the story gets interesting. Here were two players, representing their country in a high-profile World Cup tournament, protesting on the field in exactly in the same manner. The difference was one cricketer was black and the other white. Immediately, Olonga was "fired" from his cricket club, while nothing of the sort happened to the squad's captain, Flower.
Olonga was banned from playing in any further games in Zimbabwe. Perhaps it was felt by the authorities, that as a black cricketer, Olonga had betrayed his country, while such behaviour could be expected of Flower, a white Zimbabwean.
In fairness, the Zimbabwe Cricket Union also tried to bar Flower from playing, but three of his white teammates rallied around him and said if Flower did not play, they also would not play. By the time Olonga had played his last game against Sri Lanka in East London where he managed to take a wicket, his alienation was complete.
He was forced to announce his retirement from international cricket. Flower and Guy Whittall, also announced their retirement. After the game in East London, the entire team, including Olonga, was taken on a boat cruise. The next morning they all boarded a bus for the airport to fly back to Johannesburg and then on to Zimbabwe.
Olonga was prevented from boarding the bus. He was told he was not entitled to that privilege as he had retired from the team, a move Olonga viewed as a ridiculous act of discrimination against him.
It is not hard to work out exactly what caused that rift. Olonga says that since the black-armband protest the team was divided into two camps.
One camp was all for cricket being played in Zimbabwe, irrespective of the prevailing conditions in the country. The other supported his and Flower's stand. It was very difficult to understand the situation. "Those team members who did not openly support us have the most to lose, farms for example, which are their families' livelihood".
By all accounts, Zimbabwe's cricket team is now in disarray. All at once, they have lost three of the most experienced members of their team with a further top player about to announce his resignation. However, Olonga is not bitter. "Life happens." He does not regret standing up for what he believes in. In hindsight, he is pleased games were played in Zimbabwe. It gave him an opportunity to protest, while Zimbabweans got to see some good cricket.
The other "nasty" that marred the East London game for Olonga was that he got a couple of emails from a secretary inside a Zimbabwean government minister's office, warning him that there were threats to
have him "dealt with".
Also, there was talk of him being hunted down by Mugabe's feared Central Intelligence Organisation and being returned to Zimbabwe on charges of treason. Naturally, he decided against returning home.
Olonga's next concern is whether or not he is going to be paid for his participation in the World Cup.
He is owed about $30000 by the Zimbabwe Cricket Union. In Zimbabwean terms this is a small fortune (more than Z30m using the official exchange rate). "They may choose not to pay me if so, I will just have to get on with my life," he says wryly. He feels that all that has happened to him recently proves an inalienable point. Sport and politics do mix.
"I don't think there is a single black person in SA that will say it was not right to speak out against apartheid. South Africans must never forget that, for as much as they say that sport and politics don't mix, preventing SA from competing internationally was one of the strongest
(antiapartheid) statements that was made to the world."
Olonga's career as an international test cricketer is over, possibly long before it should have ended. He is only 26, and despite a troublesome knee that can be corrected with minor surgery he is in peak fitness arguably at the top of his form. Although he says repeatedly that he has no regrets and he would do it all over again, one cannot help wondering how many people would take the same risk. Henry Olonga seems to equate his personal crisis with two components that of disaster and of opportunity.
"Everything I have done to date has brought me to this point and given me the opportunity to try and do something meaningful for my country.
"I have achieved every young boy's dream that of representing my country in a major sport. I hope one day to return to Zimbabwe and help rebuild and repair the mess the (current) government has made.
Zimbabwe pace bowler Henry Olonga's international career came to an end on Saturday night (15th March 2003) with a secret journey to a safe house in South Africa. He will hide until he is able to start a new life in a different country -- maybe in Kenya where he was born and where he has his family, or England, where he can take advantage of asylum.
Olonga's last few hours as an international cricketer were spent nervously, lest there was a tap on his shoulder that could have threatened his life. Seven plainclothes officers from Zimbabwe, believed to be from the Central Intelligence Organisation, arrived in East London on Friday and were entertained by World Cup organisers during the Zimbabwe-Sri Lanka tie on Saturday.
Their real purpose for being in the sleepy, coastal town was more sinister than watching their country's team bow out of the World Cup, a report in The Sunday Telegraph said. Olonga had received numerous threats during the last month, but this one was different. He had been told the officers intended to 'escort him home' where a likely charge of treason awaited.
The punishment for treason in Zimbabwe is death. The drama began in the mid-afternoon when officers from the World Cup-appointed Close Protection Unit came to the players' hotel and packed all of Olonga's personal possession in case he was intercepted after the match.
Olonga appeared on the field to perform 12th man duties early in the afternoon to create the impression that everything was normal. But things were far from normal despite Olonga's impossibly courageous attempts to stay calm. "He was pretty shaken, but he seemed to be coping as well as anyone can in a situation like that," said a teammate after the match.
Olonga, along with Andy Flower, wore black armbands in their opening match of the tournament and issued a joint statement mourning the death of democracy in Zimbabwe, a gesture that earned worldwide praise and
also the wrath of the Robert Mugabe regime.
Flower also quit international cricket on Saturday. Olonga issued the following statement explaining his decision to bow out.I"It is with great sadness that I am officially announcing my retirement from international cricket. My continued involvement with the Zimbabwean team has become untenable for the following reasons:
"The stand I took earlier in the World Cup has undoubtedly had repercussions that have affected both my career and my personal life. I have received threatening emails, which, I believe, make it dangerous
for me to return to Zimbabwe.
"I was never under the illusion that my stand would have no consequences, but I believe that one should have the courage of one's convictions in life and do all one can to uphold them.
"I believe that if I were to continue to play for Zimbabwe in the midst of the prevailing crisis, I would only be neglecting the voice of my conscience.
"I would be condoning the grotesque human rights violations that have been perpetrated against my fellow countrymen.
"To my fellow Zimbabweans: The Zimbabwe we dream of must merely remain in our hearts. We must be strong, stand united and strive to give our children the brighter day in which they belong."
CONGRATULATIONS to Andy Flower and Henry Olonga for their courageous, principled and correct stand for human rights and democracy in Zimbabwe. They have displayed true sportsmanship and put to shame all those who have remained silent in the face of all the evil that has been perpetrated on so many Zimbabweans. They deserve the full support of all Zimbabweans as well as their cricketing colleagues and the Zimbabwe Cricket Union. They have shown themselves to be much more than just excellent cricketers and they should walk tall among their cricketing colleagues and the whole nation.
Let their example be emulated by all Zimbabweans who care for their fellow countrymen who have been brutalised, victimised, starved, arrested, tortured and otherwise made to suffer for caring about their
country's destruction by a corrupt and uncaring regime that has ruled for 23 years.
Let their example be emulated by all their sporting colleagues and all sporting organisations - especially in the high profile international sports where Zimbabweans are actively participating such as tennis and golf. And here at home - especially in the people's sport of soccer. The issue is not about party politics, nor is it about that "red herring" of sport and politics being unconnected. The issue is about fundamental and universally accepted human rights and the rule of law - both of which are being denied to Zimbabweans by an illegitimate regime.
In fact, we should all follow the example of these two fine sportsmen by wearing black arm bands, not just at the cricket matches, but every day until this regime is consigned to the dustbin of history and Zimbabweans are free at last.
The following is part of an Interview with Henry that I found on the Internet;
SV
What was behind your decision to protest during Monday's game against Namibia?
HO
My faith in God. I believe that what we're doing is inspired of God. I believe it's the right thing to do and I'm not unaware of the dangers. But my faith is more in God's righteousness and God's ability to bring about something positive out of this than I am in the dangers
that I face.
I think I felt impressed to speak mainly because of my Christian morals. There've been many issues in the press regarding Zimbabwe, many issues that range from white and black issues to financial issues,
economic issues, but as a Christian I believe that I have the mandate to speak on those things that are moral, not so much white or black but right and wrong and I think with the deeply-seated convictions that I
have and knowing right and wrong I felt that my responsibility as a Christian was what would carry me through to do what I've done. And that's what I hold on to, I know that I'm doing the right thing as a
Christian, not necessarily just as a black player but I basically believe that Christians are called to be relevant to their society.
It's easy to waltz through life being tossed about by the winds of change but it takes more conviction and boldness to stand up for what is right. Sometimes that means swimming against the current, sometimes
that means resisting the devil as the Bible tells us to do and in my books resisting the devil is confronting him. It's not being passive, it's not being apathetic and just allowing things to meander but it's more about being proactive in speaking out and the greatest example of that is the Lord Jesus himself. He was proactive in confronting the Pharisees for their hypocrisy and it cost him in the end, you know.
The leaders and elders were not happy with him, in fact they were the ones that incited the crowd to do away with him by crucifixion. So I think whenever you take a moral stand you'd be naive not to believe
that it's going to cost you something, so we were aware of the cost but ultimately also aware that as Christians, or certainly in my case, I had to stand by my convictions.
SV
And when you look at counting the cost, as we speak now, do you think you'll ever play again for the national cricket team?
HO
Quite frankly yes. Yes I do. I'd like to believe that I'm still available for selection. Maybe that's naive but as far as I'm concerned I'm available for selection and I'd like to believe that I'm one of the players that are under consideration to play.
SV
What sort of support have you had from friends and fellow Christians since Monday's events?
HO
It's been wonderful. It's been overwhelming. People are behind us and there are a lot of people out there who believe in what we're doing.
And I think that in life if you decide to do the right thing,
irrespective of the consequences, whether they be good or bad, you have to prepare for the worstand we certainly sat down and thought of the worst case scenario but still decided that we would go ahead with it
because we were doing what was in our heart. And so because of that we also were optimistic that people would respond well because I think when people stand up and do the right thing you can tend to inspire
other people to do the same so we knew that there would be other people who would support us.
SV
Henry, "Our Zimbabwe" is a song of great hope for the nation and it's done a lot to lift people's spirits. How does that fit in with what's happened this week?
HO
"Our Zimbabwe" is a prophetic song. It's a song that speaks of the promised land. If you're a Bible reader you'll know that the promised land is not attained but by sacrifices and in the Biblical account of the promised land they were led into the promised land by a man named Joshua and he had to lead the young Israelites and teach them - the Bible says he had to teach them - to war. And one of the first encounters they had was the city of Jericho and God told them of course
to walk around the city seven times and give a shout, to blow trumpets and do all sorts of things and God taught them how to wage war in various ways. But the biggest lesson that comes in the story of Joshua for me is that the Bible didn't deny that there were giants in the
promised land. In fact the Bible spoke of giants clearly and they had to be dealt with in different ways and they had to be confronted. Giants are big, giants are scary, giants are intimidating, but they must be confronted and it's a wonderful story of how God led the Israelites into the promised land and how little by little bagan to give them territories. Unfortunately some were faint-hearted and fearful and didn't actually go out and conquer all of the promised land that God had granted them. "Our Zimbabwe" talks of that promised land.
It talks of a land of peace, it talks of a land where people live in harmony, it talks of a land where people are working together to build this nation. Now that isn't the case right now, in my opinion. I believe that that is a time to come. And so when we sat down and wrote "Our Zimbabwe" what we wanted to do was proclaim what was to come, through the eyes of faith. We believe that God's going to bring this about. And it's a matter of time before, I believe, that we can sing that song with real meaning.
"Our Zimbabwe" is not irrelevant now, it certainly is as relevant as it's been, but what it is is a call to people to believe that this nation can become all that God wants it to be, the bread-basket of Africa, whatever you want or whatever your picture of the promised land may be, but I still believe it's relevant and I still believe the very words that we said.
OUR ZIMBABWE
This land our land, is our Zimbabwe
A land of peace for you and me
Once born in pain and segregation
But now ver live in harmony
Now flies the flag our nations glory
We'll live with pride, inside our hearts
As we all stand to build our nation
This our land, our Zimbabwe
Though I may go to distant borders
My soul will yearn for this my home
For time and space may seperate us
And yet she holds my heart alone
Now flies the flag our nations glory
We'll live with pride, inside our hearts
As we all stand to build our nation
This our land, our Zimbabwe
Now flies the flag our nations glory
We'll live with pride, inside our hearts
As we all stand to build our nation
This our land, our Zimbabwe
We've been through it all
We've had our days
We've had our falls
Now the time has come for us to stand
To stand as one
The night has gone and with the morning
Come rays of hope that lead us on
So we will strive to give our children
A brighter day where they belong
The following is Andrew Flower and Henry Olonga's Official Statement;
'It is a great honour for us to take the field today to play for Zimbabwe in the World Cup. We feel privileged and proud to have been able to represent our country. We are, however, deeply distressed about what is taking place in Zimbabwe in the midst of the World Cup and do not feel that we can take the field without indicating our feelings in a dignified manner and in keeping with the spirit of cricket.
We cannot in good conscience take to the field and ignore the fact that millions of our compatriots are starving, unemployed and oppressed. We are aware that hundreds of thousands of Zimbabweans may even die in the coming months through a combination of starvation, poverty and Aids. We are aware that many people have been unjustly imprisoned and tortured simply for expressing their opinions about
what is happening in the country.
We have heard a torrent of racist hate speech directed at minority groups. We are aware that thousands of Zimbabweans are routinely denied their right to freedom of expression. We are aware that people have been murdered, raped, beaten and had their homes destroyed because of their beliefs and that many of those responsible have not been prosecuted.
We are also aware that many patriotic Zimbabweans oppose us even playing in the World Cup because of what is happening.
It is impossible to ignore what is happening in Zimbabwe. Although we are just professional cricketers, we do have a conscience and
feelings. We believe that if we remain silent that will be taken as a sign that either we do not care or we condone what is happening in Zimbabwe. We believe that it is important to stand up for what is right.
We have struggled to think of an action that would be appropriate and that would not demean the game we love so much. We have decided that we should act alone without other members of the team being involved because our decision is deeply personal and we did not want to use our senior status to unfairly influence more junior members of the squad. We would like to stress that we greatly respect the ICC and are grateful for all the hard work it has done in bringing the World Cup to Zimbabwe.
In all the circumstances, we have decided that we will each wear a black armband for the duration of the World Cup. In doing so we are mourning the death of democracy in our beloved Zimbabwe. In doing so
we are making a silent plea to those responsible to stop the abuse of human rights in Zimbabwe. In doing so, we pray that our small action may help to restore sanity and dignity to our Nation.'
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