When Governments Stumble: Lessons from Zimbabwe's Past, Hope in Africa's Future

Ben Freeth established his credentials to write on this topic through his courageous and successful resistance to the bullying tactics employed by the Mugabe regime in Zimbabwe to throw him and his family off their land, a story told in Mugabe and the White African.

He now throws his net wider to ask: what response should Christians make to corruption and injustice when perpetrated by governments? Justice is a fundamental aspect of the Judeo-Christian faith.

Ben explores this theme through his own experience of government oppression in Zimbabwe, and through contemporary instances where Christians have - or have not - stood up to be counted. He considers the Biblical injunction to obey your rulers, and examines the issues of fear and complacency: sometimes Christians are compromised by their relationship with the ruling group. What is our duty? Most Christians feel powerless. What can we actually do, as individuals, and as a group?

Ben Freeth MBE is a British-born Zimbabwean farmer who successfully suedPresident Robert Mugabe in an international court in 2008. Since winning the suit he has been abducted, tortured and repeatedly harassed, and his farm was burnt to the ground. Ben is the author of Mugabe and theWhite African which tells his family's story. The story was also thesubject of a documentary which won Best Documentary 2009 (British Independent Film Awards), was nominated for the BAFTA Outstanding Debut Film2010, and shortlisted for an Oscar in 2010. He has also written WhenGovernments Stumble: Lessons from Zimbabwe's Past: Hope for Africa's future. Ben has lived in Zimbabwe for most of his life and is raising his three children there, together with his wife Laura. In 2010 Freeth was one of 44 people worldwide to receive an MBE from the Queen. Ben hasappeared on the BBC TV Andrew Marr Show, BBC Radio 4 Today Programme, BBC TV HARDtalk, as well as speaking at a number of festivals on the subjects covered in his book. He has been instrumental in setting up the MikeCampbell Foundation, (in memory of his late father-in-law who never recovered from the beatings he suffered alongside Ben), which is striving to bring about the restoration of justice, the rule of law and human rights to Zimbabwe and other Southern African Development Community (SADC) nations.