Crunch time for Mugabe – missing the chance for greatness

By Sajjad Malik
0 Comment(s)Print E-mail China.org.cn, November 22, 2017
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Robert Mugabe [File photo]



The most important piece of timing for politicians, sports stars and showbiz icons is when to retire from the limelight with honor, respect and dignity. There are people who inherently know the right time and go down in history as statesmen and women, and heroes. Others fail and are condemned forever.

Robert Mugabe is one of very few, living leaders who garnered a lot of respect for waging a war against colonialism in Rhodesia (Zimbabwe) and winning freedom for the people, later winning accolades in successfully leading his nation in the difficult days after becoming independent from Britain in 1980.

However, after more than 37 years of uncontested rule, and at an advanced age of 93, the iron man has lost his grip on the scepter, and along with it the touch with the people so vital for any leader. The result is there are no loud voices in his favor as he seeks to save his legacy.

He made many mistakes to come to the present lamentable pass. For me, the deadliest was his failure to realize that it was time to go home and tend the garden and lecture youth about the virtues of good life. It's also a good chance to write a book – a biography for the guidance of others.

However, for those addicted to power, in many ways, retirement is akin to death. You have to change an entire lifestyle and unlearn a lot of things in order to properly live the post-retirement life.

There are people who are gifted with a better sense of history and purpose of life. The great Nelson Mandela of South Africa, Mugabe's next door neighbor, was one who knew how to lead, rule and then go off into retirement.

The first American president, George Washington, is another that comes to mind with Mandela. Both are remembered as great leaders because they resisted the urge to cling to power.

Such leaders carve out a permanent place in the history of their own countries and the world and are looked upon as role models by successive generations of humanity. There are others who just vainly wait and wait for the dead and dark hours to come. Finally, they are sent packing into oblivion.

Mugabe first built the country and then ruined it by his sheer obsession to live and rule forever. With advancing years, he became more strict and undemocratic, and alienated the people who had stood behind him solidly for years.

In the latest arbitrary act, he sacked his deputy, Emmerson Mnangagwa. The dismissal was designed to make Grace Mugabe, the wife, front runner to become the next president. The move created waves of anger within not only in the ruling Zanu-PF party, but also among the masses.

The powerful institution of army watched the deteriorating situation from a distance for some time and then decided to intervene.

Mugabe is still adamant he won't go. However, his obstinacy is like that of a child who wishes for a moon. He could save some grace by announcing his resignation as a mark of protest at the intervention of army.

He could have told the people he was leaving in protest as the army had made him dysfunctional. A well written farewell speech could have served the purpose.

He has resisted the demand of resignation but already he is on the way to lose presidency, respect and legacy in the process. The Zanu-PF in a special meeting decided to sack him as party president and appoint Mnangagwa in his place. It also expelled Grace Mugabe.

The army has shown maturity in the current power struggle and resisted any declaration of martial law, which shows it has no intention to rule the country or destroy democratic institutions. It also held talks with Mugabe to persuade him step down instead of bundling him out or putting him on trial as happens so often after a military coup.

Mugabe was forced to quit, and he cannot recover from the disgrace. It is pity to see a man like him going downhill in such fashion. There was a huge rally on Saturday against his rule. There is so far none in his support. I recall a poem, "Patriot into Traitor" by Robert Browning, which aptly depicts his state.

Sajjad Malik is a columnist with China.org.cn. For more information please visit:

http://www.china.org.cn/opinion/SajjadMalik.htm

Opinion articles reflect the views of their authors, not necessarily those of China.org.cn.

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