Definitely Not the Opera

Intervening during times of upheaval

One day Gertrude Hambira was advocating for the human rights of farm workers in Zimbabwe. The next day she was fleeing for her life.
Gertrude Hambira was a human rights activist in Zimbabwe. When she intervened on behalf of farm workers in Zimbabwe, she put her own life on the line. (CBC/Thacker)

A few years ago, Gertrude Hambira became the first woman ever to lead the biggest farm workers' union in Zimbabwe.

She took charge at a time of incredible upheaval for her country. 

The government of Robert Mugabe was taking farms away from white families and giving them to black families. But in the process, countless black farm workers were also thrown out of work and even subjected to human rights abuses.

Gertrude felt compelled to intervene on behalf of the displaced workers. One of the things she did was create a film to document what was happening.

That didn't go over well.