Online Reporter
Wallace Ruzvidzo-Herald Reporter
POLITICAL differences should never foreclose dialogue and reconciliation as Zimbabwe’s political history demonstrates that constructive engagement, rather than division, is essential to national stability and progress, President Mnangagwa has said.
In a recent interview with the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation, the President reflected on his relationships with several key figures in Zimbabwe’s political history, including the late former President Robert Mugabe, the former First Family, former Vice President Joice Mujuru and the late former Vice President Dr Joshua Nkomo.
He said these relationships were shaped by mutual respect, shared liberation struggle experiences and a consistent commitment to national unity.
On his relationship with the late Cde Mugabe, President Mnangagwa said the two had reconciled well before his death, revealing that they had held candid discussions to resolve misunderstandings while the late nationalist was still in office.
“I think he was misinformed because later on we discussed and he said, ‘Ah Emmerson, I am sorry about what happened, this was the work of people,’” President Mnangagwa said.
“We met even when he was still in power. He told me what had happened, then we reconciled and I came back. He told me what had happened and he was sorry.”
When asked whether third parties had attempted to sow divisions between them, President Mnangagwa confirmed that there had been individuals who had manipulated the situation.
“Yes, (there were third hands) . . . who had manipulated him,” he said.
“And I said, ‘Mr President, we have come from far, let us move on, let us forget.”
Asked whether the reconciliation had been complete by the time Cde Mugabe passed away, President Mnangagwa said the two had fully resolved their differences.
“Totally. We had opened up to each other, opened up totally,” he said.
Turning to his relationship with the former First Family, President Mnangagwa dismissed suggestions of animosity, saying relations remain cordial and cooperative.
“Of course, we have no issues at all (with the former First Family),” he said.
“If she has any problems, she comes to me and I solve them running,” he added, referring to former First Lady Grace Mugabe.
President Mnangagwa also said there were “totally no issues” between him and former Vice President Joice Mujuru, noting that perceptions of rivalry had never reflected reality.
“We have no issues,” he said.
“We were together in the war and there are no issues at all. We are just comrades; totally no issues,” he said. “People perceive that we would quarrel and do things; that was the perception, but to be honest, no.”
Reflecting on the period leading to the signing of the 1987 Unity Accord, President Mnangagwa said he played a critical behind-the-scenes role as an intermediary between former President Mugabe and the late Dr Nkomo, helping to bridge divisions between ZANU and ZAPU, as well as between ZANLA and ZIPRA.
“Mugabe was my boss, but he was very strong-headed. If he made a decision, he stood by it. It was very difficult for him to be flexible,” he said.
“So, when these things happened, we felt there was a way of accommodating each other as ZANLA and ZIPRA, ZAPU and ZANU.”
He said his longstanding relationships on both sides enabled him to act as a trusted emissary.
“I think, to some extent, I had friends on the ZAPU side; I could go and speak to ZAPU friends or ZANLA and I had ZIPRA friends also,” he said. “So it was easy for me to go across to an extent where I became an emissary between Mugabe and Nkomo.”
“Mugabe would send me to Nkomo and Nkomo would send me to Mugabe.
“I would arrange meetings between the two quietly, they would meet quietly and the only person who would know is me.”
President Mnangagwa also reflected on constitutional debates that shaped Zimbabwe’s governance system, including discussions on whether the country should adopt an executive or ceremonial presidency.
“We debated for quite some time whether we should have an executive President or a titular President,” he said.
“I was for an executive President with executive powers. Others were of the view that we should have a titular President with an executive Prime Minister, but I said no, we should go for an executive Presidency. Mugabe was also for the same, we agreed on that and we moved that way.”
At independence in 1980, Zimbabwe initially adopted a Westminster-style system, with an executive Prime Minister as head of government and a largely ceremonial President as head of state.
Cde Mugabe served as Prime Minister, while Canaan Banana was President.
In 1987, following the signing of the Unity Accord between ZANU and ZAPU, constitutional reforms were enacted.
The office of Prime Minister was abolished, and an executive presidency was established, combining the roles of Head of State and Head of Government.
Cde Mugabe became Zimbabwe’s first Executive President.
