5:00pm Sunday 14th March 2010
By Lawrence Dunhill
A ZIMBABWEAN cricketer famous for embarrassing Robert Mugabe came to Marlow to see a collection of sculptures from his homeland.
The Spirit of Zimbabwe sculpture exhibition was given a grand opening at Christ Church URC on Friday as Henry Olonga talked and sang to a sell out audience.
The church was decorated with dozens of sculptures – brought over because the market for Zimbabwean artists to sell their work to tourists has completely collapsed.
Olonga, along with current England coach Andy Flower, staged a black armband protest at the opening match of the 2003 World Cup in a “silent plea to those responsible to stop the abuse of human rights in Zimbabwe”.
The game, played in Zimbabwe, had been a showpiece occasion and a warrant was quickly issued for Olonga's arrest on charges of treason, which carries the death penalty in Zimbabwe.
Olonga, now 33, had been the first black player to represent Zimbabwe but was forced to retire from international cricket and temporarily go into hiding.
He now lives in Putney, London, and has not returned to his country since.
He told the Bucks Free Press: “It wouldn't be prudent for me to go back without any assurances that I'll be safe.
“In 2003 it was pretty hairy for me and I just don't know what it would be like now.
“Things have improved steadily as there's a power sharing deal between the two major parties but the political issues still exist. There are still problems with corruption.”
He was impressed by the exhibition, which featured the artists' personal stories as well as their work.
One of the artists, Lizeni Nasho, had carved a head from hard verdite stone. She is a widow and supports around twenty people including her two daughters through her carving, which involves her walking a round trip of twelve miles to work each day.
Church secretary Martin Ashford said: “The audience loved every minute of Henry's talking and singing. "He has a beautiful easy elegance in the way he does both those things and he seemed genuinely pleased with the effort that has gone into the show and the quality of the work that we have on display.”
He said more than £4,200 worth of sculptures were sold on the night.
Since the protest Olonga has spent his time doing singing and public speaking gigs.
The fast bowler was the youngest player ever to represent Zimbabwe when he made his debut in 1995 and helped his country to its first ever Test victory in that very game.
Though he later took six wickets in a one-day game against England, Olonga said his bowling was unpredictable.
He said: "Batsmen never knew what was coming and I never knew what I was sending down. I don't think an English county side would have risked having me when I came over here."
He now plays for amateur side Lashings.
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