Tarentaal resident Brien Rooken Smith celebrated his 90th birthday on 4 January.
Brien, a Tarentaal resident for almost a year, was born in Nakuru, Kenya, and grew up on a sheep farm in Tarkastad in the Eastern Cape.
After school, he joined the Southern Rhodesia Internal Affairs Department, eventually attaining the post of District Commissioner in Filabusi, Matabeleland.
He married Lise Ridge in 1956 and they had two children, William and Susan.
In 1970, Brien was appointed as private secretary to Ian Smith, the Rhodesian Prime Minister.
William says this was an interesting, post-UDI phase in Rhodesia’s history and gave Brien first-hand exposure to political wheeling and dealing with the United Kingdom (UK), South Africa and Portugal. After a ‘tour of duty’ in the Prime Minister’s office, Brien was transferred to the Ministry of Information in Salisbury (Harare), where his Shona language and African customs skills were put to further good use.
This was followed by another brief spell back with Ian Smith, then a break from government and a post as human resources director at African Associated (AA) Mines in Bulawayo. This marked another very interesting phase in his career, says William. After Zimbabwe’s independence from the UK in 1980, the country’s economy opened up again and mining prospered.
Keeping a handle on labour developments at AA’s mines at Zvishavane and Mashava, Brien once again made good use of his local language and African customs skills and it was another rewarding phase for him.
Following his retirement from AA Mines, Brien and Lise stayed in Bulawayo until they moved to SA about 15 years ago. Lise sadly passed away three-and-a-half years ago.
“They were very happily married for over 60 years and provided a great example of ‘how to do marriage right’ for the rest of us,” says William.
“For those of you who have met Dad, you will know that he is a real people person, super-gregarious and friendly. He has already made lots of new connections at Tarentaal and my family and I would like to thank Tarentaal for making Dad welcome. It looks like his 90th year is turning out pretty well so far,” he adds.
