Former Zimbabwean Test cricketer Henry Olonga was just 26 and playing in the 2003 Cricket World Cup when the fast bowler made a decision that would see him ousted, not just from the team, but his homeland.
Protesting against the country’s then dictator, Robert Mugabe, Henry and teammate Andy Flower wore black armbands on the field to mourn the death of democracy in Zimbabwe, and released a statement denouncing the country’s president.
“It wasn’t an easy decision,” says Henry now from his family home in Woodcroft. At the time, the cricketer—who played 30 Tests and 50 One Day Internationals for Zimbabwe—was considered one of the world’s fastest bowlers, and had made a name for himself for, among other feats, his duels with Indian great Sachin Tendulkar.
“But we felt we needed to speak up about the atrocities and excesses of the Mugabe regime.”
The ramifications were swift. Henry was soon forced off the national team, and began receiving death threats, which saw him make the difficult decision to leave the country, first to South Africa, and then the UK.
“I’d literally lost everything,” Henry says.
“I’d lost my fiancé—she ended the relationship—I lost my property and investments, all of it gone.
“I left Zimbabwe where I had friends, family, church… everything, and I arrived in the UK with nothing, and I’m a total stranger. I had to start from scratch, figure out where I’m going to live, what I’m going to do for work.”
What happened next, is testament to the tenacity and courage of the first black cricketer to play for Zimbabwe, and to the support he received on his new journey—one that would eventually see him star on The Voice and be coached by superstar, Kelly Rowland.
“It was a testament to the friendliness of the people that opened their lives up to me,” he says.
“In the block of apartments I stayed in, there was a wonderful family for example, that demonstrated extraordinary hospitality—had me at their place for meals, I got to know their kids, and we became genuine friends.
“It made the blow a lot softer and I was able to start a new life.”
In 2015, Henry decided to move again, this time to Australia to raise a family with wife, Adelaide-born teacher, Tara, who he married in 2004.
“I was doing exactly the same thing again in a sense, the difference being that this time I could bring my stuff with me,” he laughs.
“Once again, I had to figure out what I wanted to do with my life.
“Thankfully Tara had a good job to come back to, so I had some leeway with regards to a timeline for me to find regular work.”
Once again, Henry’s new local community in Woodcroft made him feel welcome and helped him settle into his new country.
“Getting along well with good neighbours is really important, and we’ve got great neighbours on either side,” he says.
“Jason, who lives to the north of us is a fantastic guy, a fisherman, and he’s got me into it, so I love my fishing.
“We got plugged in with the kids’ school, made some good friends there, got a church life… we’re well settled in now.”
Henry stresses he has been blessed with opportunities. While he doesn’t readily identify as a refugee, his initial journey from Zimbabwe does align with the United Nations’ definition of a refugee—someone who has fled their home and country owing to “a well-founded fear of persecution because of his/her race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion”.
“A lot of people worked on my behalf [when he fled], so it would feel very different from a refugee that’s fleeing war on foot and crossing a border,” he explains.
“I didn’t have a problem with the language, so that wasn’t a barrier, and a very kind gentleman offered me an air ticket to England.
“He didn’t want me to pay him back, but he said next time I saw someone in need, I should pass it on. It was a really wonderful thing he did, and ever since, I decided that’s what I’m going to do.”
Much of Henry’s working life since has involved public speaking, and he’s also worked for numerous charities, including Second Chances, which supports people in prison and their families with custom-designed programs to create better futures.
“I just love sharing my stories and hope that people get challenged or encouraged,” he says.
“Whenever people ask me for help, I’m happy to do it.”
The other major part of Henry’s life, his wife and daughters aside, is his passion for painting, singing and performing, which saw him audition for The Voice in 2019, where he was coached by Rowland—the former Destiny’s Child member, solo artist and actor—and made it through several rounds.
Henry became an Australian citizen at a City of Onkaparinga citizenship ceremony earlier this year, and says overall, Australia is welcoming of people in distress, though he notes the “terrible” experiences of asylum seekers detained offshore.
“I was lucky I didn’t experience this, so I can’t speak to that, but anything that can improve that situation would obviously make people feel more welcome, rather than detainees in prison,” he says.
“I had a very smooth transition from life in the UK to here, but I wasn’t in distress, my papers were in order and my family had already settled here.
“Becoming an Australian citizen was a proud moment. The greatest thing about becoming an Australian is I know we’re probably going to be winning the cricket most of the time.
“I might be biased, but I think Onkaparinga is the best city to live in.”
This week (18–24 June) is Refugee Week, Australia’s peak annual activity to inform the public about refugees and celebrate positive contributions made by refugees to Australian society. It includes World Refugee Day (20 June)—a UN-designated day to celebrate the strength and courage of people who have been forced to flee their home country to escape conflict or persecution.
For more information on the refugee experience in Australia, visit the Refugee Week website.
The City of Onkaparinga is a Refugee Welcome Zone, with council having signed the Refugee Council of Australia’s declaration in 2015. Last year, council launched a ‘New residents’ webpage and welcome brochure to make life easier for anyone that’s recently arrived in Onkaparinga.
You can hear more of Henry’s story at a free author event at Woodcroft Library on Sunday 13 August (2-3pm), coinciding with the release of the expanded audiobook version of his memoir, Blood, Sweat and Treason. Reserve your free spot through Eventbrite.