A recent incident involving an airline ticket that referred to Zimbabwe as “Rhodesia” has sparked widespread outrage among Zimbabweans on social media.
The ticket, initially believed to have been issued by United Airlines, has caused a stir, reigniting discussions about colonialism, national identity, and the socio-economic situation in modern Zimbabwe.
Clarification from the Airlines
After the backlash, The South African reached out to United Airlines for clarification.
The airline confirmed that the ticket was not issued by them but by Ethiopian Airlines instead, noting that the ticket number began with 071.
While The South African is awaiting a response from Ethiopian Airlines, the controversy surrounding the mistake continues to grow.
Mixed Reactions from Social Media
While many Zimbabweans were outraged by the outdated reference to Rhodesia, others found the situation somewhat amusing.
Some joked about the absurdity of an international airline using a name for Zimbabwe that hasn’t existed since 1980.
One Twitter user, @mlobiwazo, humorously posted,
“Imagine booking a flight in this era and discovering that, according to United Airlines, you are from a country that ceased to exist in 1980!”
Others sarcastically commented on the slow pace of some Western institutions in updating their records, with @amazingkid asking,
“How does this even happen? Has United Airlines not updated their database since Ian Smith’s time?”
The Controversial Nostalgia for Rhodesia
Some, however, took a more serious tone, using the incident to express frustration with the current state of Zimbabwe.
They pointed out that Rhodesia, despite its apartheid policies, had a more functional economy and infrastructure compared to today’s Zimbabwe. One user commented,
“Rhodesia built more in a few years than Zimbabwe has in decades.”
This nostalgic view of the colonial era is controversial, and though some Zimbabweans believe that Rhodesia’s economy was more stable, it remains a sensitive topic for many. @MrMakeHerSmile shared their thoughts, saying,
“Rhodesia will always be better. Zimbabwe is a cesspool of corruption.”
For some, the ticket’s reference to Rhodesia was a reminder of the country’s troubled economic state.
Yet, many Zimbabweans reject any suggestion of returning to Rhodesia’s identity, viewing it as an affront to the sacrifices made during the nation’s liberation struggle, which culminated in Zimbabwe’s independence in 1980.
The Deep-Rooted Pain of Rhodesian History
For many Zimbabweans, any mention of Rhodesia is a painful reminder of the colonial past and the liberation struggle that brought independence.
The suggestion of reverting to the old name is seen as undermining the hard-fought freedom and the painful history of oppression that Zimbabweans endured.