Mandela-Mugabe lots in common, total opposites

There have been two health scares regarding two prominent African political giants over the past week or so. The world is presently shaken by the admittance of Nelson Mandela to Johannesburg's Milpark Hospital due to an undisclosed ailment. Judging from the number of prominent visitors who have flocked to visit the liberation stalwart, there might be some truth in rumours that he has suffered a collapsed.


Last week, news networks were also abuzz with rumours of Robert Mugabe having had emergency prostrate surgery in Malaysia. The Malaysian authorities first refused to confim or deny the rumours, then gave an all out denial later. Needless to say, Mugabe and his Zanu-PF party have rubbished these rumours and attributed them to the same elements that regularly churn out false rumours about his health and at times, his "death."
As I reflect on the two leaders, I come to a realisation that the two men share so much in common, yet paradoxically, they are total opposites. Both men have qualifications in law, and both attended the famous Fort Hare University in South Africa's Eastern Cape province. They are past victims of  oppressive minority regimes and had to face lengthy prison terms for their activism. Both are credited with playing key roles in bringing political independence to their countries and Africa in general. Madiba and Bob were the first democratically elected leaders of their respective countries and are both on record as having stepped into office with messages of unity, forgiveness, reconciliation and democracy. As we speak, both are subjects of media headlines with regards the state of their health.

With so much in common it is therefore ironic that Mandela's state of health has triggered a world wide display of affection with millions wishing and praying that their 92 year old hero recovers fully. Whenever rumours fly around about Mugabe's allegedly poor state of health ,on the other hand, the social networks  go abuzz with celebrations and death wishes. It is really testimony to how the choices we make in life at one point, affect our future. The fact that Mandela only stayed in power for one term and never used his position to opress his own people makes him the icon that he is today. Mugabe's decision to become Zimbabwe's life-long leader and his record of human rights abuses and the economic ruin of Zimbabwe have  made him one of the most hated men in the world.

Here is a man who had the opportunity of enjoying a similar status to that which Mandela holds today. At one point he was hailed as the epitome of what a modern day African leader should be, especially since he had inherited one of Africa's "jewels"- Zimbabwe. We sure hope that Tata Mandela will stick around longer. Africa's balance of power is currenlty leaning more to the side of dictators and dictators-in waiting. We definitely need the likes of Madiba to prevent a total tip over of the balance. As for Mugabe, it is only a tiny minority that is benefitting from his rule and therefore wishing him a longer life. Some only wish him a long life for the sole reason that they wantto  witness that day that he hauled off to the Hague.

Politics a filthy rich game for Zim ministers

Politics is a dirty game it is often said, but for some of Zimbabwe’s government ministers, it certainly is a great way to make a pretty penny. While some of us weep at the plunder and rape of our motherland, some are smiling all the way to the Swiss Banks.


Take a look at this article and also this one, and see if you are not gob-smacked at how one individual can have such obscene wealth having worked only as a "lowly-paid" civil servant. With several farms here and dozens of estates and mines there, Dr Ignatius Chombo like many of his Zanu-PF counterparts certainly has a lot to thank Robert Mugabe for. It is no wonder that while the world calls for change in Zim, the Zanu-PF bigwigs will fight tooth and nail and even kill, just to ensure that their party remains in power so that they can maintain a perpetual grip on the cookie jar.

Why we cry Beyethe! to Mzilikazi wa-Afrika

If you are abreast of current affairs in South Africa, you will probably not need an introduction to this multi-talented individual whose talents include music, poetry and of course, the highest notch in his belt, fearless investigative journalism. He has recently landed in controversial hot soup with the law over his exposés of political heavy weights, such as his article two weeks ago about South African police commissioner, Bheki Cele’s allegedly dodgy dealings in securing a new police headquarters. You can read about his ordeal in the past week here and here.



Although I have never met Wa Afrika, there are three main reasons why I have a soft spot for the chap. The name Mzilikazi is close to my heart as originally, it is the name of Mzilikazi Khumalo, one of Shaka Zulu’s lieutenants who fled from Shaka in the 1800s to set up the Ndebele State in the Southern part of what is now Zimbabwe, where my hometown of Bulawayo stands today. One of Bulawayo’s oldest townships is also named Mzilikazi and has a solid history of academic, social, sporting and cultural vibrancy. The fact that this King of the Ndebele happened to be one of my forefathers on my mother’s side obviously adds to the glitter of this modern day namesake .


The second reason why I find myself in favourable terms with this Sunday Times reporter, is his adoption of the title, Wa-Afrika. The English translation can be roughly understood to mean “Of Africa” or “From Africa.” This implies an awareness of his African roots and an association with not just his country of birth but the continent at large. It is refreshing to note in these days where many Africans are abandoning their unity and allowing the divisive gulf set by their oppressors to thrive. Here is a man who proudly proclaims that he is part of the larger family of Africans.


The two reasons above are not exactly objective reasons and are based on my understanding of the names and titles that the man bears, which might not necessarily be a reflection of him. That is why I have thus far restricted myself to using words such as “digging” and “favouring.” The third reason allows me to be more adventurous and be so bold as to say I hold deep respect for the man. Here is a man who is willing to expose anomalies such as the corrupt handling of public resources, a man who is not afraid to use the typewriter as a tool to defend democracy and transparency. Here is a man who is able to roll with the punches and even after being arrested, intimidated and threatened, is able to reclaim his position in the trenches. It is for this reason, more than the others that I and many others salute you Mzilikazi wa-Afrika.

Does Mugabe really want the West to go hell?

Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe has come out guns blazing to declare that the West must go "to hell." This latest damnation of the United States, Britain and other western powers is as a result of what he alleges are attempts to dominate Africa (and Zimbabwe in particular) through systematic regime changing sanctions imposed on him and his colleauges in Zanu-PF.



News reports have it that this emotional outburst was spoken at the burial of his sister, Sabina Mugabe and triggered a walk out by US ambassador Charles Ray. Most of us are accustomed by now to these outbursts which know no platform and are uttered as easily at a political rally as they are at solemn occassions such as funerals. Here we were, thinking that a funeral is a time for intense grieving that often has close family members heart broken and shying away from eulogies, let alone political outbursts about "hell!"



What tends to confuse many though are the contradictory statements which often come out of the aged leader regarding the West. On some days, the West is told to go to hell, while on some, they are asked to remove the sanctions and engage with the coalition government of Zimbabwe. If the sanctions are a no-event, why should there be so much noise about them? If the West should go to hell, why woo back the Bretton Woods institutions, namely the World Bank and IMF, to help rescuscitate the economy? Why seek approval to export your diamonds from the international diamond trade watchdog, the Kimberly Process, if indeed you can go it alone? One senses that the critical West must go to hell, but the piggy bank carrying West is welcome.



Speaking of diamonds, another point that raises eyebrows stems from Mugabe's comments at the funeral about the rich diamond fields of Marange. These gems from Eastern Zimbabwe were recently granted export approval by the Kimberely Process, hence President Bob took the opportunity at the funeral to blast and warn those that are after "individual aggrandisement. " They were reminded that these diamonds which are set to contribute up to 25% of the world's supply, should benefit the nation and not individuals. Too little, too late, it seems, if we have to consider that massive looting has already been done by Zanu-PF's top brass, backed by a military that has not hesitated to take lives while stamping their authority on the area.



The result is that the warning fails to instill much confidence that the procceeds of the diamonds will catupult Zimbabwe back to its old position of being the wealthiest nation in Southern Africa. Just as with the gold and platinum deposits, as long as action is limited to rhetoric meant to only entertain the gallery, no proper development will take place. Instead, looting will continue rampantly. We will still see Hollywood style mansions worth millions of US dollars mushroom in the richer suburbs of Harare, while the ordinary man toils to survive. The Western powers are not saints, that is a fact, but it does not take away another fact, that the worst enemies of Zimbabwe are the selfish, power and money hungry sons of its own soil.

Come September, we might finally have to take Malema seriously

So the truth is finally out, Nationalisation is on the ANC agenda, if reports in the South African Sunday Times are anything to go by. Quoting Julius Malema the issue tells us that the ANC Youth League have successfully placed on the agenda of the party's September National General Council, the issue of a government take over of mines as well as land reform along the lines of Zimbabwe.



Shame on those of us who ever doubted Malema's insistence that Nationalisation was part of the ANC's plans. At times his statements contradicted those of his boss, South African president, Jacob Zuma. On more than one occassion, JZ has gone to pains to allay investor fears that nationalisation of mines will take place or that a chaotic Zimbabwe like land reform programme will ever occur in South Africa. Even when Malema jetted off to Venezuela and then Zimbabwe to learn the ropes from his Marxist leaning peers, we convinced ourselves that he was on a solo megalomania driven mission.


Now the cat is out the bag and the fact that this controversial and potentially detructive idea is being toyed with at the highest party level can only confirm that Juju and his Youth League lieutenants are the only ones frank and brave enough to admit to the nationalisation agenda. It could also be a deliberately planned move to use the Youth League to test the waters and kick start the agenda while the rest of the party sits innocent like in the sidelines and claim that it is Youth League policy and not the official stance of the party. Whatever the case is, maybe it is high time that we began to look at Malema from a different angle. The man might actually be the only truthful reflection mouth piece of ANC policy. The September tete-a-tete will be the decider as to whether we finally take Juju seriously or not.

A Merry Xmas in Zimbabwe, finally.

A lot has been said already about the Government of National Unity that currently holds reign in Zimbabwe. Most of us have been quick to label it as the most unholy of alliances and indeed many problems have befallen Bob, Morgy and Arthur. There have been accusations and counter accusations of unfaithfulness and insincerity within the partnership which culminated, not so long ago, in one of the parties “disengaging” (Whatever on Earth that means!) from the GNU.

Spending the December holidays at home after almost a year away, proved to be something of an eye opener. It was refreshing to see supermarkets filled with food at affordable US Dollar and Rand prices, comparable to those charged in neighbouring countries. Tea pots were in full steam at coffee shops as were the braai spots in full smoke, people's faces were bright and cheerful for once after eons of gloom! Actually, the first sign of this improvement in Zimbabwe was made when we drove into Botswana’s Francistown. Conspicuous by their absence were Zimbabwean registered vehicles laden with groceries in the streets and parking bays of this tiny town. I suspect that a similar reduction of cross border shoppers has occurred in South Africa’s border town of Musina.

Indeed, people’s spirits were up and the Christmas spirit of the olden days characterized by shopping and merry making was the order of the day. The increased number of flashy vehicles on the roads, mainly imports from Japan, reflected the improved plight of my country man. It is astounding that less than a year of new governance can bring about such a notable changed in the economic situation. Some companies that ceased to operate over a decade ago have resumed production and foreign investors are creeping in although at a slow pace. I also heaved a sigh of relief that with the disappearance of the Zim dollar, I will no longer be the brunt of irritating and exaggerated jokes and questions about how many bagfuls of Zim dollars I had to carry around when shopping at home and how many millions are equivalent to a Rand.

There is still a lot of work to be done in Zimbabwe, numerous hurdles to be cleared by a cash strapped government. Roads need to be repaired, power supply needs to be increased, the health delivery system is in serious need of a massive boost, as is the case with education. The outstanding issues that the GNU partners continue to gripe about are a hindrance to full scale investment. For many though, as long as there is affordable food on the table, that is more than enough to be thankful for, they will happily dodge the potholes. Some Zimbabweans that left home to do menial, low paying jobs (often as victims of exploitation) in South Africa, Botswana, UK, etc have begun to trickle back home as and when opportunities arise. Some are taking advantage of the now stable economy to invest in new ventures and snap up property and real estate. One sees light at the end of the tunnel as far as the Zim Crisis goes and signs indicate God willing, many of us scattered in the Diaspora will soon make that long yearned for return to that beautiful land that lies yonder, between the Zambezi and the Limpopo.

Gideon the sanctions buster or inflation booster?

Zimbabwe's Reserve Bank governor Dr. Gideon Gono is definitely one of the controversial figures to emerge in the world of finance and politics.


A quick glance at his website www.gideongono.com reveals that the guv is a learned man of many achievements who was even wooed by the Bush administration to take up the post of Senior Vice- President of the World Bank.


Many of us will surely take that claim with a pinch of salt, though he also confesses that it made no sense to him either. He is after all, high on the "baddies list," compiled by the Americans.


Away from his website and state media reports, he is spoken of in less flattering terms. Here is a man made infamous by allegations of tinkering with unknown and unsound economic principles, over stepping the finance and other ministries to rechannel state funds and printing sky loads of money leading to "hyper-hyper" inflation.


Having been unilaterally re-appointed as Central Bank Guv last year in spite of the SADC brokered Global Politic Agreement that requires a joint Zanu-MDC appointment, the doc says he might step down if the West removes sanctions imposed on him and his peers. He said in a recent interview that he was appointed as a "sanctions buster" and therefore his tenure in office depends on whether the sanctions have been removed or not!


Rather comical some would say seeing as he has not over the years "busted" any of the so called sanctions and must now use his own seat as leverage. A far cry from the war tactics associated with the name Gideon would it not seem?


One would have expected that like his Biblical namesake, he has been blessed with a small but divinely strengthened army to take on and defeat the mighty Americans! His number two in command seems to be in the news as well for his own brand of "sanctions busting" involving a recent farm takeover. Now that's more like it!


As for the guv the title of "Inflation Booster," appears to steal the limelight from "Sanctions Buster!"