Mixed reactions in Zimbabwe over Ian Smith’s death

The death of Ian Smith, the last white prime minister of Rhodesia, now Zimbabwe, was met with mixed emotions in the capital Harare today. Many acknowledge that Smith led the country to great economic prosperity, fondly remembering a time when, during his illegal regime following his independent declaration of independence from Britain in 1965, the Rhodesian dollar was worth £1. (Today, with hyper-inflation, a pound will buy you a staggering 61,500 dollars). But they also remember that Smith made no secret of his racist attitudes, saying famously that he didn't believe in black majority rule - "not in a thousand years".

That quote alone would explain the bitterness of the deputy information minister, Bright Matonga, when he used the radio this morning to sum up the government's attitude to Smith's death in two succinct words: "Good riddance."

On the streets, reaction was more complicated, with many claiming "it was better during the Smith days". Amanda Phiri, 65, from Bulawayo, said: "I was at school when he was in power, and those were the good old days. There was plenty to eat, and good hospitals. I just wish he had ruled for much longer."

At Princess Margaret Cottages, an old people's home for whites only, Daniel Stevenson, 72, a former farming neighbour of Smith, said simply: "He's gone, mate. The world has lost a great statesman." He recalled a time when his own farm, in Shurugwi in the Midlands, was invaded by Robert Mugabe's so-called War Veterans, who threatened to kill him unless he gave the place up to them and left.

"I rang Smith, and he came over in a few minutes. 'Don't worry,' he told me. 'I've got more black friends than Mugabe.' He talked to the invaders, they all seemed pleased to see him, there was a lot of laughter, and they went off with a crate of whisky, and never came back."

Unlike other white politicians from his era, Smith stayed on in Harare in retirement, escaping arrest in 2000 when he described his successor Mugabe as "mentally deranged". He visited South Africa for medical treatment in 2005 and did not return before his death this week at a clinic near Cape Town.

There are plans developing for a memorial service in Harare – either at Smith's old home or in Harare Cathedral - despite fears that the government will attempt to ban it by calling it a political meeting.