A top official visited the family of a dead white farmer. Vice President Constantino Chiwenga went to the Chinhoyi farm of the Swanepoel family, offering condolences for patriarch Nick Swanepoel. The former Commercial Farmers’ Union president died back in May. Swanepoel was known as a voice for racial reconciliation during Zimbabwe’s tough land reform period, opposing hardliners in his own group. President Mnangagwa had previously praised his calming role.
Chiwenga highlighted Swanepoel’s key work on a major compensation deal. The VP credited him for helping create the Global Compensation Deed, a 2020 agreement where the government promised to pay white farmers for improvements on land that was taken. Chiwenga said he wanted to check on the family supporting that legacy. He noted the family’s ongoing commercial farming success, including generating their own electricity on the property.
The visit pushed a message of unity and non-racial collaboration. Chiwenga urged the country to follow Swanepoel’s example of dialogue to heal past wounds. Family members thanked the Vice President for the comfort during a hard time.
Chiwenga highlighted Swanepoel’s key work on a major compensation deal. The VP credited him for helping create the Global Compensation Deed, a 2020 agreement where the government promised to pay white farmers for improvements on land that was taken. Chiwenga said he wanted to check on the family supporting that legacy. He noted the family’s ongoing commercial farming success, including generating their own electricity on the property.
The visit pushed a message of unity and non-racial collaboration. Chiwenga urged the country to follow Swanepoel’s example of dialogue to heal past wounds. Family members thanked the Vice President for the comfort during a hard time.
