Growing up in Southern Africa is something Karen Clegg will always cherish.
Clegg was born in Rhodesia — present-day Zimbabwe — in 1969 and spent the majority of her childhood in the midst of the Rhodesian Bush War. In 1979, the war culminated in a peace agreement and the country was established as Zimbabwe, but Clegg will always consider herself a third-generation Rhodesian.
The state endured international isolation and a 15-year guerilla war, but it was Clegg’s childhood, and for her, it was an “incredible experience.”
“Despite everything, it was a fantastic childhood,” she said. “I don’t have a lot of bad memories of that time.”
The late-Robert Mugabe soon came into power, and despite endless promises, nothing changed.
“It’s a sad story of what happened to people at the time. We all eventually decided when it was finally time to make the move. This was not a move from Rhodesia though,” said Clegg. “It wasn’t Rhodesia anymore."
So, eight months pregnant and with her 7.5-year-old daughter in tow, Clegg moved her family to Canada in 1999.
“Corruption and human rights abuse was part of daily life under Mugabe’s dictatorship. We left a country that was spiralling into Hell,” said Clegg. In her early years in Canada, Clegg was a regular guest speaker for Probus and Rotary groups, bringing to light the crisis in Zimbabwe under the 37 year Mugabe dictatorship.
Now, in partnership with the LE Shore Memorial Library and the Collingwood Public Library, Clegg will speak for the public again, but this time the theme will be very different.
On Jan. 26 at the library in Thornbury, and Feb. 2 in Collingwood, Clegg will share the fond memories — and fears — she experienced growing up in Rhodesia during the war.
Clegg hasn’t spoken about life in Rhodesia in several years, but after her mother shared an old photo to Facebook, Clegg’s community became curious and interested to learn more.
The photo showcased Clegg and her younger sister — when they were about 11 and seven years old, respectively — with a Rhodesian flag draped over their shoulders and pride splashed across their faces. It was 1980, and her parents were hosting a “farewell to Rhodesia” party of sorts.
“Back then, our lives were really quite simple,” said Clegg. “But I don’t remember ever lacking anything. The war was a part of everyday life, but it was never really a fearful thing for me.”
Growing up, Clegg and her sister were taught how to use a gun at a very young age and to “be seen and not heard.” One of the things she remembers clearly is the “holidays” her family would take to neighbouring countries. Because of the restrict sanctions, entire communities would embark on massive convoys to South Africa in order to gather supplies.
“As kids, we thought this was cool because most of us knew each other. For years, we thought we were going on holiday,” Clegg recalled.
“If you had good parents, you never really knew how dangerous it was. We were told the rules, though. If mom said ‘down,’ you didn’t ask why, you dropped and hit the floor,” she continued. "But for the most part, it was fun."
After raising her two children in Canada, Clegg has gained a new appreciation for her own childhood. She still travels back to Southern Africa every other year, and for the first time ever this fall, she will be taking people with her.
Clegg designed Snowbirds Fly to showcase just how beautiful her home country is. She will be taking 10 people on an exclusive 18-day excursion to Botswana, Zimbabwe and South Africa in November in hopes that they will fall in love with her homeland as much as she has.
“Zimbabwe has so much to offer. Every time it’s been portrayed in the news it’s been negatively, but it’s no fault of their own. When you go there, I just know you will have the most incredible experience,” said Clegg.
“It finally occurred to me… My life experiences in Africa are a unique quality that I can share with people. People who appreciate authentic travel,” Clegg continued. “I’m going to take them to places that are special to me, I am going to show them the best that I think is out there.”
To hear more of her incredible childhood stories or learn how you can sign up for Snowbirds Fly, register for one of Clegg’s two upcoming talks. She will be at the L.E. Shore Memorial Library in Thornbury on Jan. 26 at 2 p.m., and at the Collingwood Public Library on Feb. 2, at 2 p.m. Register online here. Admission is free.
