Mugabe and the White African

Description

Ben Freeth has an extraordinary story to tell. Like that of many white farmers, his family's land was 'reclaimed' by Mugabe's government for redistribution. But Ben's family fought back. Appealing to international law, they instigated a suit against Mugabe's government via the SADC (The Southern African Development Community). The case was deferred time and again while Mugabe's men pulled strings. But after Freeth and his parents-in-law were abducted and beaten within inches of death in 2008, the SADC deemed any further delay to be an obstruction of justice. The case was heard, and successful on all counts. But the story doesn't end there. In 2009 the family farm was burnt to the ground. The fight for justice in Zimbabwe is far from over - this book is for anyone who wants to see into the heart of one of today's hardest places, and how human dignity flourishes even in the most adverse circumstances.

Ben Freeth MBE is a British-born Zimbabwean farmer who successfully sued President Robert Mugabe in an international court in 2008. Since winning the suit he has been abducted, tortured and repeatedly harassed, and his farm was burnt to the ground. Ben is the author of Mugabe and the White African which tells his family's story. The story has already been the subject of a documentary which won Best Documentary 2009 (British Independent Film Awards), was nominated for the BAFTA Outstanding Debut Film 2010, and shortlisted for an Oscar in 2010. Ben has lived in Zimbabwe for most of his life and is raising his three young children there, together with his wife Laura. Freeth was one of 44 people worldwide who was invited to Buckingham Palace in 2010 to receive an MBE award from the Queen. Ben has appeared on the BBC TV Andrew Marr Show, BBC Radio 4 Today Programme, BBC TV HARDtalk, as well as speaking at a number of festivals on the subjects covered in his book. He has been instrumental in setting up the Mike Campbell Foundation which is striving to bring about the restoration of justice, the rule of law and human rights to Zimbabwe and other Southern African Development Community (SADC) nations.

""Superb . . . Thought-provoking, distressing, shockingly tense, and always very sad, it is surely one of the best documentaries of the year." --"Time Out "on the documentary" ""Potent mix of suspense, pathos, and indignation." --"Variety "on the documentary" "Freeth lays bare a beautiful but lawless land fouled by fear. A 'Clockwork Orange' state where racism, greed and violence are ultimately humbled by almost unimaginable courage. Richly described, bravely chronicled and utterly compelling." --Mike Thompson, BBC Radio's Foreign Affairs Correspondent "Potent mix of suspense, pathos, and indignation." --Variety on the documentary "Superb . . . Thought-provoking, distressing, shockingly tense, and always very sad, it is surely one of the best documentaries of the year." --Time Out on the documentary ""Freeth lays bare a beautiful but lawless land fouled by fear. A 'Clockwork Orange' state where racism, greed and violence are ultimately humbled by almost unimaginable courage. Richly described, bravely chronicled and utterly compelling." --Mike Thompson, BBC Radio's Foreign Affairs Correspondent"