DAVID Colville Smith, originally a farmer from Kintyre, died at his home in Harare on July 9.

He emigrated early in life to what was then Rhodesia and became a very successful farmer. He later entered politics and became Agriculture Minister in the Rhodesian government. Later when Ian Smith proclaimed UDI he became his Finance Minister and Deputy Prime Minister.

David Smith was wonderfully clear of racial prejudice and got on very well with everyone. When the Lancaster House conference on the future of Rhodesia took place in 1979 he made a special point of keeping in personal touch with Joshua Nkomo and Robert Mugabe, and he was a big influence in the acceptance of the settlement terms leading to elections and independence.

Robert Mugabe, who then became Prime Minister, had a high regard for David Smith and included him in his mainly black Cabinet. A year or two later David Smith had to resign because of ill health and lived quietly at his home in Harare for the past dozen years. He leaves a widow, Jean, and married daughters and grandchildren. He truly was the very best possible example of a Scot giving leadership abroad.