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Thandeka Moyo, Chronicle Reporter
BESIDES excessive shopping and visits to local tourist attractions, one of the favourite things I enjoy doing while away from my beautiful Zimbabwe is talking to locals.
Not that I am a good orator or a comedian, but I have always been wowed by their reaction to my English accent whenever I open my mouth.
Their first question is always, “Are you from Zimbabwe?” and I humbly say yes because I know and take pride in our good spoken English.
President Mugabe who has worked tirelessly to empower Zimbabweans turns 93 today and his English is the envy of many.
I used to listen to many of his presentations during my childhood days and honestly his English accent made me want to grow up fast and start speaking as he does.
One Zimbabwean once said that the ability to speak good English has made significant change in our lives and helped us explore other English speaking countries in search of opportunities.
“President Robert Mugabe himself is probably the best English speaker in Africa, and though we take pride in our native languages, at least his presentations portray us in good light,” he said.
Some have even gone to extents of comparing him to other presidents who leave us in stitches after breaking the Queen’s language.
“His English is way better than that of other Englishmen and I have never doubted his ability to discuss issues in a clear way during international summits.
I just love his accent and he makes me proud to be a Zimbabwean,” says Mr Bhekizulu Tshuma from Bulawayo.
Ms Charity Gono believes that President Mugabe’s good English can also be attributed to his unquenchable thirst for knowledge.
“He is very educated and that’s the reason why he is so good in English. I am personally grateful that I too made use of President Mugabe’s strategies and went to school and wherever I go, I tell people I am from Zimbabwe and I have my good English to prove it,” says Ms Gono.
As we join the nation to wish our leader a happy birthday, I would also want to appreciate him for his good English and for representing us well in other countries.
Online Reporter