Where We Have Hope: A Memoir of Zimbabwe

by Andrew Meldrum

Where We Have Hope is the gripping memoir of a young American journalist. In 1980, Andrew Meldrum arrived in a Zimbabwe flush with new independence, and he fell in love with the country and its optimism. But over the twenty years he lived there, Meldrum watched as President Robert Mugabe consolidated power and the government evolved into despotism. In May 2003, Meldrum, the last foreign journalist still working in the dangerous and chaotic nation, was illegally forced to leave his adopted home. His unflinching work describes the terror and intimidation Mugabe’s government exercised on both the press and citizens, and the resiliency of Zimbabweans determined to overturn Mugabe and demand the free society they were promised.

Genres: Africa, Zimbabwe, Nonfiction, Memoir, History, Travel

304 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2004

Reviews

[Kiragu · Rating 5 out of 5]

As one who has held partisan views to the political situation in Zimbabwe, I had to read in disbelief and shame as this book shattered most if not all of those views. The book has given me a factual glimpse and even understanding of a matter I have always wanted to be well informed about; that of Mugabe and Zimbabwe.

[Ron Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

In 1992, while visiting my brother in Botswana, we popped across the border to Zimbabwe for a couple of days. I recently re-read my journal from that trip. It covered what you would expect from an American in Africa: an encounter with a cackle of hyenas in our camp, elephant sightings at dusk, and the exchange rate which made our food and lodgings ultra cheap.

Robert Mugabe, Zimbabwe's leader, had already become despotic, though most of the world didn't realize it. He had sent soldiers into the region we visited to terrorize his opposition with torture and murder. Like a typical American, I knew none of this.

Meldrum tells the real story from a newspaper reporter's perspective, starting with the heady first days of independence until the government kicked him out of the country more than twenty years later. Where We Have Hope is no literary masterpiece, but it is a fast-paced, readable accounting of how the power-obsessed Mugabe and his minions turned a promising democratic beacon into one of the worst examples of megalomania in Africa.

We in the West should be aware of what occurs in countries such as Zimbabwe by reading accounts like Meldrum's. We also should be aware of contrasting examples in the same region, such as Botswana and Zambia, which prove that Zimbabwe does have reason to hope.

[Alison · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book gives very insightful details and information about the Mugabe era Zimbabwe, how the nation has changed since being Rhodesia, and the various tensions and horrible violence that people have been living through in recent times. Written by a white journalist, it is an interesting perspective on the warmth of the people and the iron hand of the government. I loved this book.

[Rigatoni Baloney · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was particularly taken by Meldrum's reflections after interviewing Ian Smith, late in the book, around page 250. Meldrum's analysis was insightful with regard to Mugabe's use of force to gain power and thus to maintain it. He wrote "Violence corrupts. No matter how just the cause, the killing of others infects the perpetrator. Mugabe paid lip service to national reconcilation in the early 1980s but when his power was challenged in 2000 he had no compunction about unleashing violence in order to maitain his grip."

[Daniel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Andrew Meldrum may be a little full of himself, but the book is a well-written account of the decline in Zimbabwe from the point of view of a foreign correspondent. Although I would in no way like to defend the current government, it is good to remember that there have been times/places where a journalist would not survive to write a book such as this one. I take heart in the fact that the Shona are basically kind people so that even their dictators aren't as bad as others.

[Badi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Having traveled to Zim in 2006, I saw firsthand how beautiful this country and the people of this country, truly are. It is amazing and horrifying that a place with such potential has been destroyed by one man. This book gives me the back story to the situation that Zimbabwe is in today.

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'll admit to being sceptical about reading an account of Zimbabwe written by a white American, but it took me no more than about half a page to be hooked! Just goes to show my own prejudices, I suppose.
Anyway, Andrew proves in his writing that he took his adopted home country right to his heart and cares about it as much as any born and bred Zimbabwean could ever do. If you want to understand what went wrong (and why there is nevertheless lots of optimism still) in the first 20 years or so of an independent Zimbabwe, this is the book to read. My connection with the country is through friends and music, and even though I have yet to visit it, I already feel I have a vested interest in seeing it succeed in fulfilling its undoubted potential as a prosperous democracy. I'm even learning Shona :-)

[The South Side Story · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Memoir of Zimbabwe”, Meldrum told the story of Zimbabwe in the most transparent way that we can only learn how from where we are and where we found it. I wish to know the impact this experienced had on the veterans some day and the youth militia. To understand how they are coping with the past. This book opened up the idea of understanding other literature based in Zimbabwe by providing the reports of how it came to be the way it is at this present moment.

“Things must get worse before they can get better”

[Erin Dowling · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this felt a little more non-fiction book than memoir at times and I was hoping for more of a memoir like feel to the book. But other than that it was a good book. Which is why I gave it 4 stars.

Just wish the author hadn't been forced out of the country in 2004 because there was so much more that happened after that that I would have been interested in reading about. Obviously that's not his fault.

[Irene]

The author worked as an international journalist in Zimbabwe from 1980 to 2004 when he was expelled for reporting on the human rights violations of the Mugabe government. This is both a personal memoir and a political account of state violence, failed land reform, racial tension, voter suppression, economic corruption and relentless hope. I appreciated this look at a country and people by an author who both loves it and is not afraid to critique it.

[Emerson Grossmith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this about 7 years ago--crunched it in between Peter Godwin's and Alexandra Fuller's books. I think Meldrum was the last American news correspondent in Zimbabwe. Mugabe did his best to kick anyone whom he didn't like out of Zims. I highly recommend it. I shall read it again when I can find it.

[Lucinda Shaw · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really interesting history of Zimbabwe, very detailed account of what happened.

[Cynthia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not the only account in circulation on what happened in Mugabe's Zimbabwe but definitely one to read.

[Joe Willis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book, reveals how dummy his beautiful nature is unfortunately shrouded in a brutal and depressing history that affects its people even today…

[Tove R. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! Life for most Zimbabweans is really hard, even today. During Mugabe's hateful years it got worse and worse. The story is told by a journalist who went there to write about a new fabulous African state, but it turned out to be a nightmare. He dared to tell the world the truth about what was going on. Highly recommended!

[Nuzhat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great account of the decline of Zimbabwe through 2003 because of the governmental policies installed to keep power. He has such a love of Zimbabwe and its people which I can relate to that his disappointment is reflected in his writing as these policies and crackdown on the freedom of the press directly affected him with his ultimate deportation. I read this book in 3 days once I got it from the library a very unusual feat for me when I'm back at work. If you're interested in Zimbabwe, this book is for you.
I would be interested to read his perspective (from South Africa) of the last 7 years and the MDC 'coalition' govt.

[Lucy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the memoir of the last foreign journalist to be expelled from Zimbabwe. Andrew moved to Zimbabwe in 1980 because he wanted to observe the birth of democracy in an African nation. He starts out idealistic and falls in love with the country. He marries and stays for 20 years. He would have remained for the rest of his life if he had been able to ignore and not report on the injustices he witnessed. This book reveals the horrible extent of the ruination of all of the democratic principles that he so optimistically hoped for. And yet, he still hopes to return to Zimbabwe some day... hence the title.

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really good examination of how Zimbabwe went from a hopeful, energetic pride of African independence to just another corrupt, failed state. A quote from the epilogue sums it up: "Those who use violence, even for a just cause such as ending Rhodesia's minority rule, often find it too easy to employ violence again for less noble purposes." Those less noble purposes all too often involve enriching themselves at the expense of the country. However, if this is true, then the next generation should do better as long as Zimbabwe can avoid the type of civil war that has plagued so much of Africa lately.

[E.M. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Andrew Meldrum delivers a good historical perspective through his journalist narrative, staying mostly objective throughout. He steps through Zimbabwe's emergence as an elated independent state with a rebel leader to a choked nation with a paranoid despot hanging on to control, just a couple years before the 2008 elections. This book is a good primer of recent history and the players in politics now as well.

[Molly · Rating 2 out of 5]

despite important and compelling content about Zimbabwe under Robert Mugabe, this did not resonate with me. A memoir to me should contain who a person really is in the experience. Meldrum seems to maintain the role of a journalist, only superficially throwing himself into the mix. Clearly his courageous love of the country is real but I did not come away feeling the spirit of it. I would have learned a lot more had it maintained my interest, but had to keep dealing with a wandering mind.

[Alison Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

A grim factual account of the atrocities and torture carried out my ZANU-PF to keep tyrant Robert Mugabe in power in Zimbabwe. Meldrum was an American journo, who lived inZim for 23 years, he loved the country, but was illegally thrown out by the Mugabe Govt in 2003.He was the last foreign journo in the country. If you want to find out about a modern African despot and corruption beyond belief, read this book.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this book interesting. I thought the political situation in Zimbabwe from 1980-2003 was well-covered. However, what the political situation was like pre-1980 remained a bit fuzzy to me over the course of the book. Also, I thought this book would have been greatly improved by including a lot more information about Zimbabwean culture to better bring the country and its people to life. Still a worthwhile read.

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a deeply moving (true) story of a journalist's experience living and reporting in Zimbabwe for twenty years. I cried more than once reading it, but despite the innately depressing topic, it has a constant theme (like the title suggests) of hope. I would recommend this to anyone, but especially to those who have any interest in African politics and or human rights.

[Lindsay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super good book. Gives a great account of one journalist's experience from Zimbabwe's independence to 2004. If you are interested in press freedom or an overview of the break down of democracy under Mugabe you should definitely give this one a read. It is very engaging and readable. I read it over 2 days while traveling.

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's bizarre to me that nearly all of what's in this book happened during my lifetime. The book ends with Andrew Meldrum's illegal deportation from Zimbabwe in the spring of 2003 -- three months before I landed in Zimbabwe as a missionary.

Not a literary masterpiece, but an eye-opening report of the current tyranny in Zimbabwe. I miss Zimbabwe...

If you read it, you will be surprised.

[Teo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gripping memoir of a journalist who risked it all for 23 years in Zimbabwe, in the name of democracy, human rights and free press. An admirable man, dedicated and inlove with Zimbabwe and its people. Heartbraking account of the decline of a once promising country, under the devilish Mugabe who -yes, as we speak! - still keeps the beautiful people of Zimbabwe hostage to terror and abuse.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Each chapter stands on its own in this review of journalist Andrew Meldrums years in Zimbabwe. From independence in 1979 to his expulsion in 2004, Meldrum chronicles the changes that brought Zimbabwe from a nation of hope to one of increasing despair.

[Katy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The director of my library knew the author's brother when she was at university, and she knows I'm interested in Zimbabwe, so she recommended it. It's another episode/perspective in Zim's heartbreaking decline...

[Al · Rating 2 out of 5]

Boring, boring and yet again boring!
Writing for a newspaper is not quite the same as writing a book - while I was really interested in the topic the boredom set in fairly early and halfway through the book packed it in.

[Brian Trinder · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very well written book from a journalist's perspective. The author tells a great story of post independance Zimbabwe from an unbiased point of view. Well worth a read if you are interested in events in post independance Zimbabwe.