Although Olonga is now concentrating on a successful music career in the UK, he is upset that the Zimbabwean government has refused to renew his passport.
“Zimbabwe has turned its back on me so to speak. I have attempted in vain to have my passport renewed, but without success. Therefore I have been forced to move on with my life in another country,” said Olonga.
Olonga, who fled the country in 2003 after protesting against the tyranny in his own country ahead of 2003 World Cup by wearing black armbands, said his heart was always craving for his motherland.
“In my heart I will always consider myself a Zimbabwean,” said Olonga, now happily living in London with his Australian wife.
The veteran cricketer rubbished reports that he turned his back on his country, saying most people fail to appreciate his work towards the development of cricket back home.
“It really saddens me and shows me that people don’t look very deep into what I have said and done when they ask the question or assume I have turned my back to Zimbabwe,” he said.
Born in Zambia to a Kenyan father and a Zimbabwean mother in 1976, the former fast bowler said he had been praying for the government to renew his passport and if his dreams were anything to go by he would willingly accept the permit and bury the differences.
“Should the Zimbabwe government have a change of heart towards me I would gladly welcome a new passport,” said the dread-locked Olonga. “Currently, I am pursuing a new career in the music industry which is tough to break into but I am making small inroads.”
Post published in: Entertainment