'Whites have crucial role in Zimbabwe politics'

FORMER Education minister, David Coltart, has said the white community has a huge role to play in the country's politics despite their public ridicule by President Robert Mugabe.

Coltart described politicians who always raised the racial card during campaigns as misguided and divisive elements.

He said he remain involved in politics because he is a Zimbabwean, born and bred in Zimbabwe, and love his country and all the people.

Coltart said whites have a role to play in Zimbabwe's politics, just like any other citizen.

"Whites have a role to play - every citizen has a role to play - in the politics of Zimbabwe, so long as we remember the role that we have played in creating the bitterness that exists in the country. In other words whites who have an agenda of re-creating Rhodesia belong to another age and cannot make a useful contribution to politics," said Coltart.