Finally, the Zimbabwean dictator, Robert Mugabe finally got ousted
in a bloodless palace coup by the Military. It was declared via a city
broadcast that Robert Mugabe and Mrs Grace“Next President” Mugabe are safe and fine.
And at last, here comes the end of another 37 years of tyranny and dictatorial
regime in Africa. Nothing lasts
forever.
Emerging from a poor family, Mugabe thrived as a very “secretive
and solitary” child. He prefers to read alone and will not socialise. Funding
his education was a challenge but he struggled very hard and finally became a
teacher. Mugabe has survived a guerrilla warfare, a two-year imprisonment,
chronic political struggles, international trade sanctions and several
assassination attempts since he got into politics.
As Mugabe departs politically, it will be wise of us to learn from
everything that has happened to Zimbabwe with respect to forced alternation of
governments in Africa. Same forced change of governments that finally
transformed Ghana into an improved
democracy has gotten Egypt and Libya into a
lot more mess. There are Libyans that will prefer to wake Muammar Gadhafi now. That you are the opposition party does not mean you
know how to fix the country. Fixing the country is what the ordinary people
need, not quotable quotes.
 |
| Ex President Robert Mugabe |
Despite having the largest Platinum reserves on
earth and one of the most enriched Marange
diamond fields with over $14bn GDP, none was able
to translate into better life for Zimbabweans. 95% of Zimbabweans living in the
country are unemployed. 70% of Zimbabweans live below poverty line.28% of
children living under age 5 are stunted. In 2008, Zimbabwe's official inflation
rate had surged to an alarming 231,000,000%, the world’s worst ever!
Mugabe ruled with Iron fists. In a TV advert,
Mugabe’s party ZANU-PF featured images of a car crash with the statement
"This is one way to die. Another is to vote Zimbabwean Unity Movement.
Don't commit suicide, vote ZANU-PF and live”. Lands collected from white owners
by Mugabean force went to ZANU-PF politicians instead of the real owners
leading to chronic food shortage as demands failed to meet supply due to low
poor skills and exposure of black farmers. Mugabe’s regime also worsened the
tourism potentials of Zimbabwe in his 37 years of rule.
While the end of such rule has come, I have concluded that
dictators, being who they are, can still be better than one another. When I
remember Ghadaffi’s Tripoli, I remember Mubarak and the beauty of Egypt. But
till eternity, when I remember Mugabe, the only person I will remember is
Mobutu Sese Seko...and lest I forget, Idi Amin Dada. Mugabe did everything to
ensure that whatever reforms that will happen in Zimbabwe will be after his
death. Even amidst a shattered economy, Zimbabwe’s new constitution waited for
Mugabe to pass the baton. And while the whole country waited for his natural
exit amidst fear, Mugabe went out publicly to clear the way for wife
Grace Mugabe, to become the next president until this coup stopped him!
While this sounds progressive, the only problem with coups or
elections is that the wisdom or foolishness of the first man that takes
over government will determine how the destinies of the 16.4 million
Zimbabweans will go. If he is foolish, a beast came emerge after him. If he is
wise, another South Africa is in the making. Lands and property should be
appropriated in Zimbabwe. The Skills of the blacks must be developed to trigger
business growth. The new head must create a more enabling business environment.
Importation should only be permitted in areas of less comparative advantage and
not where the country has the raw materials available. Local content policy
must be enforced.
South Africa emerged right from independence. With the executive
working with a overhauled and more incorruptible judiciary, corruption can be
shut down in Zimbabwe. If the new leader can overcome the lingering problems,
the country can emerge in prosperity to be the next best African state to live
and work.
God bless Zimbabwe.
