Bob Mugabe@ 90 and Nyerere’s Legacy
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| Mugabe and First Family prepare to cut the birthday cake. P Courtesy |
During the celebrations, Mugabe warned Zimbabweans against talking about succession. He said, For, “Why should it (succession) be discussed when it is not due? Is it due? As you can see (I am) still fit as a fiddle.” Mugabe made the implications about his succession talk clear: “ I am going to fight against this one quite blatantly because that is what is destroying the party.” Two names are mentioned in his succession race: Joyce Mujuru (Vice President) and Emerson Munangagwa, Defence Minister.
Mugabe used his 90th Birthday to eulogize the late Mwalimu Julius Nyerere, the founder of Tanzania. “I want to say, when all honour has been showered on heroes in Africa,” Mugabe said, “…the man who has been humiliated is Mwalimu Julius Nyerere.”
Ironically however, Nyerere did not cling to power like Mugabe and all those who pretend to honour and eulogize him. Nyerere would not allow a million bucks to be spending on dining and wining while children in his country or in any African countries went to bed hungry. Mugabe spent a million bucks for just a birthday party. It needs the courage of the mad to spend such humongous amount of money in a country like Zimbabwe where unemployment is in double digits. What leaves many shocked is the fact that the same dictators who pretend to honour and remember Nyerere do completely different from what he stood and fought for.
While Mugabe’s ZANU-PF has already said that he is going to run for presidency come next elections, Zimbabweans, especially the new generation, are tired of the one man show. It is true that Mugabe is credited for having ushered Independence in Zimbabwe, however, Zimbabweans of today are not looking for a freedom fight. Instead, they’re looking for a leader who can redeem their lost glory.
By Nkwazi Mhango