The funeral of Zimbabwe “Founder, Liberator, National Hero” (1) Robert Mugabe has taken place and his body will be laid to rest in a specially constructed mausoleum at the country’s National Heroes Acre’s hilltop. (2)  Not surprisingly, even in death the European media continues to vilify Mugabe using inference and suggestion – rather than facts and evidence – to attribute blame for the Zimbabwe economy. (3)  Yet it is clear that the impact of sanctions, not for any supposed human rights abuses but because of the land reclamation programme extend beyond Zimbabwe to the entire southern Afrikan region:

“Overall the growth rate for the entire SADC (Southern African Development Community) region is being stifled due to the Zimbabwe sanctions.” (4)

Another narrative that has resurfaced in the aftermath, including in part one of this show, relates to who is ‘qualified’ to speak about Zimbabwean issues.  This angle, propagated almost exclusively by critics of Robert Mugabe holds that non-Zimbabweans that profess opposing views are uninformed about Zimbabwe.  The irony is that the same qualification is not required for those that agree with them – especially if they are members of what they term ‘the international community’, a shorthand for Euro-USA axis (i.e. UK, EU, USA white commonwealth), as opposed to Pan-Afrika.  The logical conclusion of this position would have it that only those from Ghana, Ethiopia, Burkina Faso and Grenada are qualified to assess the legacies of Kwame Nkrumah, Haile Selassie, Thomas Sankara or Maurice Bishop respectively.  A state of affairs that would certainly hinder any meaningful Pan-Afrikan dialogue. (5)

Thus, the best way to discern the legacy of Robert Gabriel Mugabe is not to base it on imperialistic supposition but on the evidence.  Unfortunately, for the last twenty years, much of this evidence has been subjected to relentless obfuscation, misrepresentation and distortion.  Tonight, we attempt to address these.  It seems like an obligatory caveat to assert that “Mugabe was not perfect” but such an assertion merely places him within the realms of the rest of humanity.  His legacy may well be complex but it’s questionable whether it is one of the endless tyranny that dominates the European accounts.  Indeed, fulsome praise is generally drowned in a sea of castigation.  Yet Takudzwa Hillary Chiwanza, staff writer of The African Exponent, offer this appraisal:

“When it comes to land, Robert Mugabe did what no other African leader has really done. Robert Mugabe failed to put a halt to his excesses, resulting in a broken country. But on the fundamental issue of land, he is a hero, and will always remain one.” (6)

(1) Farirai Machivenyika (07/09/19) Founder, Liberator, National Hero. https://www.herald.co.zw/founder-liberator-national-hero/

(2) Zvamaida Murwira and Blessings Chidakwa (15/09/19) Special grave for Mugabe. https://www.herald.co.zw/special-grave-for-mugabe/

(3) BBC News (14/09/19) Mugabe funeral: Leader’s body kept in hometown after state funeral. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-49686131.

(4) Abayomi Azikiwe (26/08/19) Western Governments Seek Pretext to Maintain Zimbabwe Sanctions: Blatant interference in the internal affairs of Southern African state designed to halt economic growth agenda. https://www.globalresearch.ca/western-governments-seek-rationale-maintenance-zimbabwe-sanctions/5687140

(5) Alkebu-Lan Revivalist Movement (09/09/19) MUGABE: What should his legacy be? https://www.alkebulan.org/2019/09/08/mugabe-what-should-his-legacy-be/

(6) Takudzwa Hillary Chiwanza (15/09/19) Robert Mugabe Remains a Victorious Hero Over Land Issue.  https://www.africanexponent.com/post/10921-robert-mugabe-is-a-hero-when-it-comes-to-the-land-issue

we ask the question:

MUGABE: What should his legacy be? Part 2

1) Are non-Zimbabweans qualified to speak about Zimbabwe?

2) Why were sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe?

3) What impact did sanctions have on Zimbabwe and the region

4) Was reporting on Zimbabwe characterised by obfuscation, misrepresentation and distortion?

5) How do we go about discerning the true legacy of Robert Mugabe?

Our Special Guest:

Bro. Ldr. Mbandaka: Resident guest who is Spiritual Leader of the Alkebu-Lan Revivalist Movement and UNIA-ACL Ambassador for the UK and national co-Chair of the interim National Afrikan People’s Parliament.  Bro. Ldr is a renowned Afrikan-Centered Education Consultant and educator and is a veteran activist of over 30 years standing.  He is a featured columnist in The Whirlwind newspaper and author of Mosiah Daily Affirmations and Education: An African-Centred Guide To Excellence.