Greeks in Zimbabwe
Total population | |
---|---|
Greeks 3,000 | |
Regions with significant populations | |
Harare, Bulawayo | |
Languages | |
Religion | |
Predominantly Greek Orthodox |
The Greeks in Zimbabwe comprise about 3,000 people of
Most of the Greek community are to be found in
In the modern era, many Greeks came by way of Cyprus, Greece and to a lesser extent South Africa, the Congo and Egypt to Zimbabwe, coming in waves from the 1950s to the early 1970s. The vast majority of these migrants came to Harare, which still feature noticeable Hellenic heritage with churches, restaurants, small businesses, and social clubs. Suburbs that became Greek hubs during this era include Milton Park, Greendale, Newlands, Highlands, and Eastlea, the latter where the Hellenic Club of Harare is based.[4]
History
Background
Few Greek people resided in early Rhodesia, due to an immigration policy that favoured British settlers, while discriminating against Europeans particularly those from non-Protestant backgrounds. Rhodesian whites created an image of a thriving settler community presiding over the African majority.[5] One of the reasons for screening immigrants was to avoid “poor white aliens” entering the colony. Rhodesian settlers considered whites who lived below their expected standards as undesirables, or they were simply known as the “other”. As they began to enter the country, Greeks were negatively stereotyped as undesirables and often faced hurdles settling in the country.[5]
The line of thinking behind this policy was clearly articulated by
The average British-born Rhodesian feels that this is essentially a British
country, pioneered, bought and developed by British people, and he
wants to keep it so[5]
Displaced persons and refugees
Many Greeks immigrated to Zimbabwe for a better life, in the wake of World War II and the Greek Civil War, fought from 1946 to 1949. Rhodesian authorities who had long discriminated and limited the entry of non-Protestant and British migrants as 'undesirable whites', were pressured by the British government to accept more refugees.[6] As a member of the International Refugee Organization, the country allowed a few Greeks and Poles to settle in the early 1950s. Although most arrivals found work in retail and manufacturing jobs in Harare, some found work in hydroelectric construction and heavy industry where there was a severe shortage of labour in the early post-war period.[3]
The "Golden Age"
A greater influx of Greek immigration took place in the 1950s and 1960s due to economic and political problems in Greece and as the country's economy expanded during the Federal years. Many Greeks emigrated from Greece during this period, a small minority of whom came to Zimbabwe. Many Greeks settled in the central districts of Salisbury, finding work in retail, manufacturing, construction and hospitality. The Greek community's population peaked in the mid-1970s, with over 15,000 Greeks and their Zimbabwean descendants.[4]
Greek Cypriots
A disproportionate number of Greeks came to the country directly from Cyprus. Cyprus was also a British territory and most were able to immigrate to the country as
The Greek community in Zimbabwe numbered between 13,000 and 15,000 people in 1972 but following the deterioration of Zimbabwe's domestic and financial situation has been reduced to a fraction of its former size.[1] The country's highest-scoring flying ace of World War II, John Plagis, was the son of Greek immigrants from the island of Lemnos.[8]
Present situation
Since 2000, a growing number of Greek Zimbabweans sought Greek passports, in the wake of the country's economic crisis. Most have done so in order to gain easy access to the
The local Greek community and Greece itself are active in the field of humanitarian assistance to Zimbabwe.[9] [dead link]Apart from a few landowners and businesspeople the majority of Greeks in the country are occupied in trade and other activities that contribute to the country's economy.[10][dead link] There are Greek communities in various cities in the country, including Bulawayo, Mutare, Gweru and Harare where the local community has been operating a Greek school since 1954.
Notable people
- Ioannes Antoniades, Former mayor of Gweru (born in Othos of Karpathos island, 1864)
- political theoristand activist
- Kiki Divaris, former model, designer, and national hero.
- Mario Frangoulis, Greek singer (born 1967, from Kasos island)
- Vangelis Haritatos, Deputy Minister for Lands, Agriculture, Water, Climate and Rural Resettlement
- art collectorand owner of Delta Gallery
- John Plagis, Flying ace in the Royal Air Force (1919–1974, from Lemnos island)
- Sabrina, Greek singer (born 1969)
- Aravella Simotas, Zimbabwean-American politician (born 1978)
- Brian Raftopoulos, author, academic, and historian
- John Traicos, Zimbabwe & South African test cricketer (born 1947, from Lemnos & Kalymnos islands)
- George Zambellas, Chief of the Naval Staff of the Royal Navy (born 1958, from Castellorizo island)
See also
References
- ^ a b c d Cultural Relations and Greek Community Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Greece)
- ^ Mlambo, Alois (2000). ""Some Are More White Than Others": Racial Chauvinism as a Factor of Rhodesian Immigration Policy, 1890-1963".
- ^ a b "Uncovering 'undesirable whites' in the colonial archive".
- ^ S2CID 127302759.
- ^ .
- ^ Mlambo, Alois (2000). ""Some Are More White Than Others": Racial Chauvinism as a Factor of Rhodesian Immigration Policy, 1890-1963".
- ^ Mlambo, Alois (2000). ""Some Are More White Than Others": Racial Chauvinism as a Factor of Rhodesian Immigration Policy, 1890-1963".
- OCLC 654945475.; Charousis, Chariton (December 2010). Έλληνες Άσσοι σε Συμμαχικές Αεροπορίες κατά το Β΄ Παγκόσμιο Πόλεμο [Greek Aces in Allied Air Forces in World War II] (PDF). Aviation Review (in Greek). Athens: Hellenic Air Force: 114–127. Retrieved 14 September 2013.
- ^ Greeks 'strongly behind' Zimbabwe Archived August 21, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Hellenic Republic: Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Zimbabwe: The Greek Community Archived May 7, 2008, at the Wayback Machine