adminCaitlin Kamba
THE anti-Gushungo birthday celebration touting and mantra is a vivid reflection on the attempt to rig people’s opinion and freedom of expression.The machinations are nothing short of the bid for political relevance by his contenders who have dismally failed to beat him at the game of politics. It is prudent to highlight more on the nature of the celebrations and save souls from both mis- and disinformation by divisive elements.
One tends to wonder whether it is ignorance or deliberate omission of the fact that the celebrations are a token of appreciation to President Mugabe by Zimbabweans appreciative of his selfless sacrifice to the liberation cause of Zimbabwe and empowerment drive.
To then insinuate that President Mugabe called for the celebrations himself is losing the plot altogether.
The man, whether the West and its surrogates like it or not, is a revolutionary icon seized to the cause of black empowerment. President Mugabe is not a leader of SADC and AU by default but by merit. His detractors anticipated that Africa will decide otherwise when it came to choosing their leader, but the world shook as he emerged the leader of AU.
The European Union thus climbed down and temporarily lifted its travel ban on President Mugabe. Without sounding blasphemous, it is noble to take heed of the fact that the voice of people is the voice God. President Mugabe is divine ordained as reflective of his double election as SADC and AU chairperson.
Africans across the board never contested the ascension of President Mugabe after he was made AU chairperson thereby depicting that they are content with his leadership.
Drawing back to the birthday celebrations, it is then senseless not to celebrate such a living icon that has been accepted continentally. The shrinking voice of the West and its surrogates is thus undeniably making the ‘‘annoying’’ not ‘‘disturbing’’ noise under the guise of labelling the birthday celebrations extravagant and a violation of animal rights.
One funny point about the hullabaloo is, the plotters of the anti-birthday celebrations forget that this is Africa, which is full of natural resources both fauna and flora. We can afford to eat elephants and buffaloes in Zimbabwe everyday and manage to have a surplus to last for another millennium.
It is better to celebrate our leaders when they are still alive than have leaders and representatives such as Ms Jacqueline Zwambila of MDC-T who attends banquets of ex-Rhodesian soldiers as they re-live and commemorate the atrocities they committed in the then Rhodesia. The shameful ambassador had to be recalled home after exhibiting such buffoonery.
Close home, South Africa now commemorates Mandela Day in honour of the late Nelson Mandela. In London nobody questions the accolades they render to the queen for whom they composed songs and hymns. She is like their goddess, but when it comes to honouring African heroes they patronise us through our blindfolded brothers and sisters.
Certainly we cannot stop the nation from celebrating the life of President Mugabe. Let those who see the worthiness of a celebration go ahead. President Mugabe’s leadership has tangible results on the ground. The land reform programme; university scholarships; black empowerment and indigenous drive, to mention but a few of his people-driven policies, make him a darling of the nation. No one can ever take away that from him.
Long live, Gushungo!
Online Reporter