NOTTINGHAM – Former Zimbabwean cricketer turned performer Henry Olonga has said he felt disowned by his own country when his citizenship was stripped away from him by law.
Olonga opened a can of worms recently after highlighting that he was no longer Zimbabwean during a recent broadcast with the BBC.
“I’m not Zimbabwean anymore in a pure sense,” Olonga said during the broadcast, while praising the support Zimbabwean fans showed their team at a recent Test match against England.
In a Facebook post, Olonga said he did not understand why there was outrage over his comments, given the fact that the country’s immigration laws had stripped him of his citizenship.
“I hear there is a fuss about my citizenship comments on the BBC. Much ado about nothing. Zimbabwe decided for me not the other way around.
“Seeing as Zimbabwe refused to ratify my citizenship when my passport expired in 2006, even after previously renouncing Kenya and Zambia (where I was born ).
“They first forced me to renounce all other options and then took the only one I had left away. They left me stateless for 9 years.
Olonga said while he would have loved to have remained Zimbabwean, the country’s authorities had ensured that this would not be the case.
“It was ultimately not my decision and would have happily remained a Zimbo. But I am a law abiding person so I am shut out by the rules. I am not allowed to be a dual national according to their rules so technically I am no longer Zimbabwean.
“I hope that clears it up so please familiarise yourselves with the facts before being so mean. Some people online ought to learn how to radiate good vibes – too much negativity and toxicity. Spread more love – the Almighty will be pleased.”
Olonga was born in Lusaka, Zambia. His father John Olonga was a Kenyan surgeon and his mother was Zimbabwean. He has two sisters and two brothers as well as ten half-brothers and sisters from his father’s first marriage.
One of his brothers, Victor Olonga, played professional rugby and became captain of the Zimbabwe national team.
Olonga and his teammate Andy Flower achieved international recognition by wearing a black armband at the 2003 Cricket World Cup, which was jointly hosted by Zimbabwe, Kenya and South Africa to “mourn the death of democracy” in Zimbabwe under the government led by Robert Mugabe.
The pair issued a statement to journalists at the Harare Sports Club in which they said; “In all the circumstances, we have decided that we will each wear a black armband for the duration of the World Cup. In doing so we are mourning the death of democracy in our beloved Zimbabwe.
“In doing so we are making a silent plea to those responsible to stop the abuse of human rights in Zimbabwe. In doing so, we pray that our small action may help to restore sanity and dignity to our nation.”
Olonga was exiled from his homeland and faced death threats, fleeing to England and never playing for Zimbabwe again.
Although Olonga, now 48, began his exile in England, he moved to Australia nine years ago.
Henry's story mirrors that of many others.
Not his fault, anyway who wants to be Zimbabwean in this crappie country nxaaa
I hv seen a lot of Zimbabweans getting upset with famous people who r distancing themselves from being associated with this country. There was a lot of anger when Trey Nyoni said he is not Zimbabwean. The truth is that Zimbabwe has nothing to offer to sportsmen, or anyone else who is not willing to be somehow corrupt really. I watched Olonga play, he was very good and passionate on representing this country. But Zim was very unkind to him. Look at the teachers, nurses and now the UZ lecturers. Modern day slavery at it's worst
Pa feya handione problem apa.Olonga izita ritori remuno.Pane surname ye Shona inotanga na O here besides Onana,Olomide ,Osofia ,Obama, Obasanjo.Let him go to his Roots
I don't blame him and I can tell that was during Uncle Bob and now zvachinja zvava better nemukuru aripo …nyangwe nesu tese tatova maCitizens and voting 🗳
He has never been zimbabwean this one he wore black armband during 2003 cricket world cup maybe he's gonna peel off that blue skin nonsense
What if Trump strips you because you are black… 😁😁😁
Bro the seawater affecting your brains
Munangagwa government sarenda 🙌
Former Zimbabwean*
We have no Olongas in Zimbabwe, we have Mupiniwasvotoka, Gumbadzetse, Pawakarambwa etc. This dude needs to find his nationality and stop blubbering nonsense
We still luv you bro dome of us learnt from you though we didn't make it to the national team but we coach out own kids to represent the nation
I know the pain 😢
I’m glad that I’m not Zimbabwean but I’m RHODESIAN ❤️🙏
Zanu is a curse. These people are all right. I dont understand how these adopted Roman Dutch laws have become a tool to oppress people
Powerful clap back
He is stupid well served
I'm upset at him in that akutibatanidzira on a political issue. One needs to direct their frustrations accurately. Learn to separate Zanu pf from Zimbabwe. Zanu pf is just a part of Zimbabwe. But if he really wants to have nothing to do with Zimbabwe it's bhoo. Akatondibhohwa because I see him as Zimbabwean.
The issue of his loss of citizenship is the law, nothing to do with politics. You can't be a dual citizen if you're not a citizen by birth. Read the current constitution for the facts and let go of the negativity.
But he's not even Zimbabwean by descent ,and he said Zimbabwe laws on dual citizenship decided for him. Morwadziwa nei imi munyika mutemo uchiramba Dual citizenship.
He showed his love for the country standing up for the masses during his playing days
The negativity in the comments is on another level,Zimbabweans are now beyond redimere