The Last Rhodesians

They came as pioneers — tough, ambitious men and women who left Britain, South Africa, and beyond to carve out a life in the wild African bush. They tamed the land, built farms from nothing, fought wars, and created what many still call one of the most beautiful countries on earth. These were the original Rhodesians. And today, a tiny, stubborn group of their descendants remains — The Last Rhodesians.

The Pioneer Column raising the Union Jack

There’s a common misconception that all Whites were kicked out of Zimbabwe after 2000. That’s simply not true. While thousands left due to farm invasions, violence, and economic chaos, many chose to stay. Today, around 25,000 White Zimbabweans remain — a small but visible community making up just 0.16% of the population. These are The Last Rhodesians.

Cecil Rhodes’ Final WishEven the founder of the country wanted to stay forever. Cecil John Rhodes specifically chose to be buried in the Matobo Hills, Zimbabwe. His grave remains there to this day — a powerful symbol that, for some, this land was never just a temporary adventure. It was home.

The Golden EraAt its peak in the mid-1970s, just before the bush war intensified, there were around 300,000 White Zimbabweans (then Rhodesians). They ran highly productive commercial farms, built modern cities, and turned Rhodesia into the breadbasket of Africa. Harare (Salisbury) was known as one of the cleanest and most prosperous cities on the continent. Life was good — swimming pools, braais, rugby, and wide-open savannah.Then came independence in 1980.The Great ExodusWhen Mugabe took power, the slow trickle of emigration turned into a flood. By the late 1990s, the white population had dropped to around 70,000–80,000. Then came the violent farm invasions of 2000 and beyond. Chaos, death threats, murdered farmers, hyperinflation, and economic collapse followed.
Tens of thousands packed up and left for South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, the UK, and Canada. Entire farming communities disappeared almost overnight. It was one of the fastest exoduses of a minority population in modern history.The Last Ones StandingToday, only about 25,000 White Zimbabweans remain — roughly 0.16% of the population. They are truly the Last Rhodesians.These are the ones who refused to leave.Many are farmers who somehow held onto their land or fought their way back through joint ventures. Others run businesses, lodges, mines, schools, and conservation projects. You’ll still find them in Harare’s northern suburbs, on farms in Centenary and Karoi, and in the tourism hubs of Victoria Falls and the Eastern Highlands.Some notable names still holding the fort include:

• Kirsty Coventry — Zimbabwe’s greatest Olympian. She won four Olympic gold medals in swimming and is widely regarded as one of the best female swimmers of all time. She has remained in Zimbabwe and even served as Minister of Sports.
• Billy Rautenbach — Controversial but hugely successful mining and transport tycoon with major business interests in the country.
• Charles Davy — One of the largest private landowners and wildlife operators still active.
• Mick Pearce — Legendary architect who designed the iconic Eastgate Centre and returned to live and work in Zimbabwe.

Several prominent farming families who continue operating large-scale tobacco, sugar, and wildlife operations. Businesspeople in mining, manufacturing, and tourism who never gave up on the country.

Why Did They Stay?For many, Zimbabwe isn’t just a country — it’s home. Their grandparents are buried there. They know every road, every river, every mountain. Some say they’re too old to start over. Others are stubborn as hell and deeply attached to the land. A few quietly admit they’re still hoping for better days.Life for them isn’t easy. They’ve faced power cuts, fuel shortages, political tension, and occasional targeted threats. Yet many continue to contribute far more to the economy than their tiny numbers suggest — especially in commercial agriculture, conservation, and skilled professions.They are a living bridge between old Rhodesia and modern Zimbabwe — loved by some, resented by others, but impossible to ignore.These are The Last Rhodesians — the ones who stayed when almost everyone else left. Whether you admire their resilience or question their choices, one thing is undeniable: they have grit.And as long as they’re still there, a small piece of old Rhodesia still breathes in Zimbabwe.

The Great Irony: They Fought for the Land, Then Fled It

It’s one of the great ironies of modern Zimbabwe: while a stubborn core of White Zimbabweans chose to stay and fight for their place in the country, millions of Black Zimbabweans — including many who once fought in the liberation war — have fled in search of a better life. The Zimbabwean diaspora is enormous, with millions living in South Africa, Britain, Australia, and beyond. Most have made it clear they have no plans to return, except perhaps in a coffin. In stark contrast, many Whites remain deeply attached to the land. Even Ian Smith, the last Prime Minister of Rhodesia, wanted his ashes to remain in Zimbabwe. Yet Robert Mugabe, the man hailed as the Father of the Nation, died in a foreign hospital in Singapore in 2019, far away from the country he ruled for 37 years.

Famous White ZimbabweansZimbabwe has produced an impressive number of white world-class talents who proudly carry Zimbabwean/Rhodesian roots:

• Nick Price – One of the greatest golfers of all time, winner of three Major Championships and former World No. 1.
• Cara Black & the Black Family – Cara is a former World No. 1 tennis doubles player and multiple Grand Slam champion. Together with her brother Wayne Black and sister Byron Black, they formed one of the most successful tennis families in history.
• Andy Flower – Zimbabwe’s greatest cricketer and former captain, widely regarded as one of the best batsmen of his generation. He later became a highly respected coach for England and other teams.
• Bruce Grobbelaar – Legendary goalkeeper who won six English league titles with Liverpool and is famous for his “spaghetti legs” antics in the 1984 European Cup final.
• Wilbur Smith – Internationally bestselling adventure novelist whose books have sold over 120 million copies worldwide.
• The Princes of Monaco – Prince Albert II and his sisters, Princess Caroline and Princess Stéphanie, have Zimbabwean (Rhodesian) ancestry through their mother, Princess Grace Kelly, whose father was of Irish-American descent with strong ties, but more accurately, the family has deep Rhodesian connections through extended heritage and visits.

These high-achievers are just a few examples of the outsized impact White Zimbabweans have had on the world stage, despite their tiny numbers.

The Online Dream

On the internet, particularly in far-right circles, there’s endless romantic talk about “Making Zimbabwe Rhodesia Again.” And how in the west "We are all Rhodesians now, fighting Zimbabwefication." Memes, flags, and posts glorify the old country with the famous “Rhodesians Never Die” slogan. Some even fantasize about creating an Orania-style White mini-state inside Zimbabwe.
In reality, that dream is extremely unlikely. The numbers are simply too small, and the current government would never allow it. The Last Rhodesians who remain aren’t usually dreaming of a comeback — most are just focused on surviving, doing business, and living peacefully in the country they love.
They’ve endured farm attacks, economic crises, power cuts, and uncertainty, yet they stay. Stubborn, resilient, and deeply attached to the land. Whether you admire them or disagree with their choice, one thing is undeniable: The Last Rhodesians are still holding on, quietly keeping a small flame of the old spirit alive in modern Zimbabwe. Stubborn, resilient, and deeply attached to the land.