LONDON - The distinguished Zimbabwean businessman, C.G. Tracey, died at the home of one of his daughters on 22 July at the age of 86. The finest obituary for this extraordinary man is his lifes work, his love for his family and fellow Zimbabweans and all of those great qualities is contained in a new book, which the late great C.G. saw published in his lifetime. <It is now on sale in paperback form in Africa, the UK and United States, All for Nothing My Life Remembered by C.G. Tracey (Weaver Press, Zimbabwe). His death marks the end of an era, said the Zimbabwean writer, historian and businessman Lawrence Vambe when told of C.Gs death. He was such a highly intelligent, clever and articulate man whose great interest and love was Zimbabwe and the people of Zimbabwe.
A spokesperson for Weaver Press said: C.G.Tracey became a farmer at 16 at the beginning of the Second World War. Entrepreneur, businessman, plant-breeder, sanctions-buster, chairman and director of many companies, husband, father and gentleman, C.G. was active and involved through the many unsettled years of Zimbabwes history.
Despite having been a strong supporter of Rhodesia before 1980 (he was the Chairman of the Rhodesia Promotion Council in Salisbury), C.G. whole-heartedly welcomed and assisted the new Mugabeled government and became Chairman of the Zimbabwe Promotion Council.
Added the Weaver Press spokesperson: Having had considerable influence in the development of our still fledgling nation, in the closing years of his long life he suffered the loss of his own farm in a period in which his brother, sister and children were all tragically affected and his sister-in-law was murdered.
Judge Paddington Garwe seized Mount Lothian farm in 2003. It was owned by C.G. who was one of the first white farmers to embrace Zimbabwes Independence. Tracey was both heartbroken and confused about being forced from his home and his lifes work.
The Sydney Morning Herald reported in April 2003 that neighbours of C.G. said he refused to discuss his eviction, fearing reprisals. A neighbour explained that Tracey was forced off the farm by violent ruling party members posing as landless peasants.
Garwe was appointed Judge President in 2001 after Robert Mugabe purged the judiciary which, until that time, had ruled against illegal land grabs and evictions.
Professor Ray Roberts of the University of Zimbabwe said of the late C.G and his book: Traceys career is remarkable if not unique in its diversity and the many sidelights that it throws on the history of this country make it an important document. When a more balanced view of our history comes to be made, these memoirs will become a much quoted source. – (All for Nothing My life Remembered by C.G. Tracey will be reviewed by Trevor Grundy in a forthcoming edition of The Zimbabwean.)
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Hilarious. He collaborated with savages in his people’s disposession and was then confused and sad when they dispossessed him? He deserved far worse.