IN the end,
Zimbabwe's president and commander-in-chief, 86, who had to rely on bodyguards for support amid failing and ailing health at the African Union summit in Kampala this week, has fought as a soldier in the battle of ideas.
Mugabe's failing health and old age is now apparent, with a new gauntness to his face and a poignancy in the way he pulled down the Union Jack at Rufaro Stadium, major ritual of his youth on that historic April 18, 1980 independence day.
Mugabe: He cannot climbdown steps anymore without support
Rumours of cancer and impending death is growing. Mugabe has refused to end the suspense over his succession.
Still, the surprise of his ill health and pictures showing his psychomotor failure in
The aged dictator
It is in imagining a
This slow fade, and the "pulling power of the end of time" may not be how Mugabe wanted to go out. Even as he was lifted up by bodyguards in
It may be, however, that failing health is Mugabe's best ally in managing his complex succession crisis. While he seems somewhat robust, his collapse in
Privately, analysts who know
A Western diplomat once suggested a type of Supreme Leader post for Mugabe, in which the veteran leader would give up direct power and influence politics from the sidelines, while the
Zimbabweans the sudden shock of losing, with his death, the only president most of them have ever known.
It is apparent, Mugabe is fighting to regain strength. He needs to start thinking carefully about how to ensure a peaceful transition in the event of natural wastage. Mugabe must start preparing his people both politically and psychologically for his absence after so many years.
He has been a big, robust man, fond of marathon speeches, fiery anti West rhetoric, long conversations with his ministers and friends, but has been reluctant to step down even in this advanced age. In the face of adversaries who have done everything possible to get rid of him, pointedly
But it must be a betrayal of conscience to remain as president and commander-in-chief without the physical strength to do the job. Mugabe no longer has the stamina to continue. He must opt out of the 2011 election race.
We must laud Mugabe's own record of educating his population by collapsing barriers to education that were swept away with the defeat of dictatorial supremacist Rhodesian leader Ian Smith.
Mugabe has survived Western sactions. Will he survive failing health?
Gift Phiri,
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written by Matuzvi Adona, July 30, 2010
written by mark, July 30, 2010
written by Miles anderson, July 29, 2010
Now his Legacy will be The Man Who Destroyed Zimbabwe, a man who knows only fear from the Generals and an ability to turn that fear into hate for all of us. A man who has turned away from the Path Of Righteousness and sought comfort and succour from all that is Evil. God have mercy on his damned soul.
written by mark, July 29, 2010
Die quickly you rancid old dog and may satan chew on your bones .
written by kafe mani sadubeka ngomgodoyi,ixhegu, July 29, 2010
written by Sean, July 29, 2010
written by Mkaranga, July 28, 2010
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