Harare First Lady should learn to keep friends while Mugabe remains in power

Zimbabwean First Lady Grace Mugabe listens to the address by President Robert Mugabe during a past function. PHOTO | FILE |   AFP

In Summary

• For the record, Zimbabwe President Robert Gabriel Mugabe is 90 years old. Mrs Grace Mugabe is 49.
• Talk of the party’s internal democracy aside, ZANU-PF is Mugabe.

By CHEGE MBITIRU
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The latest rising political star in Africa is Grace Mugabe, who not so long ago publicly appeared content gracefully appearing next to the aged strongman with an adoring smile.

For the record, Zimbabwe President Robert Gabriel Mugabe is 90 years old. Mrs Grace Mugabe is 49. It’s a normal human behaviour to grab whatever possible when closest to a shining star.

It’s a truism. Battle for Mugabe succession — he has, to be charitable, ruled Zimbabwe since independence from white-rule in 1980 with an iron fist — has simmered for years, in whispers. All pretences went with the wind when Mrs Mugabe hit the campaign trail cruise-missile style.

The launch countdown ignited in stealth. First the University of Zimbabwe awarded Mrs Mugabe a PhD in Sociology, reportedly two months after her enrolment, a remarkable feat. An honorary one would have been perfectly in order.

After all, she is a successful woman, perks accrued by being president’s wife aside, and has philanthropic credentials. Genuine or self-serving aside, some kids are at least better off than they would have otherwise been.

Then in August, the big-wigs in Mugabe’s ruling Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front, ZANU-PF, endorsed her as leader of the party’s Women League. Now, contrary to male chauvinists’ beliefs, organised women are a formidable force.

Talk of the party’s internal democracy aside, ZANU-PF is Mugabe. That the party congress this month would go along wasn’t even contemplative. Ignition button was on; Mrs Mugabe crisscrossed the country after targets.

A BIZARRE STORY

In the meantime, a bizarre story of a plot to remove Mugabe from office and even assassinate him — the plotters allegedly had been seeking hit men from abroad— circulated. By innuendos, Mugabe’s vice-president of 10 years, Mrs Joyce Mujuru, had a whiff of it. Target number one.

A BBC correspondent quotes Mrs Mugabe describing Mrs Mujuru at a rally as “corrupt and extortionist, incompetent, a gossiper, a liar and ungrateful.” On another occasion, Mrs Mujuru is “power-hungry, daft, foolish and a disgrace.”

If heroism and criss-crossing the countryside during the liberation war is an AK 47, as ZANU-PF bigwigs claim, is a qualification for leadership, Mrs Mujuru qualifies. Yet, Mrs Mugabe is on record saying of her critics, “They say I want to be president, Why not? Am I not Zimbabwean?” Credentials, please!

Mrs Mugabe (pictured with Mr Mugabe) had praises, notably for Emmerson Munangagwa. Like Mrs Mujuru, he held various ministerial portfolios in Mugabe’s administration. He’s “loyal and disciplined,” according to Mrs Mugabe. Both Mrs Mujuru and Mr Munangagwa have long been considered Mr Mugabe’s successors.

Well, comes the ZANU-PF congress, some chairs were empty, including Mrs Mujuru’s. Mr Mugabe told delegates, the party hadn’t kept anyone away. How cynical! The would-be occupiers had ears and heard; eyes and saw.

Mrs Mujuru and 14 ministers perceived to be supporters were declared persona non grata in ZANU-PF.

The BBC correspondent above quotes a political commentator, Ibbo Mandaza, as saying “When her husband goes, that’s the end of her political career if there’s such a career at all.” May be; maybe not.

One thing for sure, Mrs Mugabe needs to know, on the way up keeping friends and avoiding making enemies is wise. Any might be useful on the way down.