The people of Zimbabwe will soon be dealing with the news about the fall of he who considers himself infallible. Although President Robert Mugabe may falsely believe that he is blessed with ancestral immortalisation, the inevitable twilight years have caught up with him. Soon the sad eventuality will present itself and the nation will mourn the loss of yet another Zimbabwean life.
Mugabe will be declared a national hero. He will receive mouth-watering eulogies garnished with adjectival superlatives of the highest degree. His tombstone may have an epitaph engraved in gold as a symbol of respect. After all the graveside respect is done and finished, Zimbabweans will reflect on Mugabe’s legacy.
Zimbabwe’s political landscape will transcend other dimensions in an effort to save the country from further economic and political destruction. Politicians of all colour, size and creed will start to position themselves for the obtaining vacancy. Those vying to fill the void will present meticulously prepared resumés for the top job.
Interestingly, Zanu PF stifles any form of discourse on succession. Zanu PF members seem to be resigned to the hope that Mugabe will live and rule forever. The only person who seems to know and understand that Mugabe is a mortal is another Mugabe — his wife Grace. She is now making noises about the post and is fast emerging as the most dominating force within Zimbabwean politics. She consistently shows her willingness and preparedness for the ultimate job.
Grace has sounded her intentions loudly enough to raise eyebrows after assuming the “household force” status in the undeclared race to succeed Mugabe. She has so much in her favour; she has a suite at State House and is privy to Mugabe’s secrets. Her other advantage is that she has unfettered access to State funding. Grace is treading on a path paved with marbles on her journey to be crowned Queen of Zimbabwe.
People who are familiar with Zimbabwean politics know who Grace is and how she has achieved whatever she has. She got married to Mugabe in 1996. This, of course, was before the President was widowed and when she was reportedly still married to ex-Air Force of Zimbabwe wing commander Stanley Goreraza..
Until recently Grace has been a political nonentity having lived in the shadow of her husband for many years and never had the opportunity to make a career out of anything. She is currently secretary for the Zanu PF Women’s League courtesy of clinging on Mugabe’s vestigial fame. She speaks very little politics and more of bombastics.
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People dismiss her chances on the basis that she lacks leadership and interpersonal qualities to claim the crown. Her detractors claim that she is staking a claim to the throne in the belief that she has gained notable experience in ruining the country through the transfer of knowledge from her husband who is the incumbent.
Some people have been quick to dismiss Grace as an intellectual charlatan despite attaining a doctorate from the University of Zimbabwe. Sceptics question the validity of considering all people with doctorates as being attuned to the art and science of running a country. To bolster the possibility that some doctors do experience the “stupid doctor” syndrome, the incident of some doctors who were duped into believing that pure diesel could ooze from the bowels of the earth can be cited. In her case, she may suggest printing fake US dollar bills as a way of solving Zimbabwe’s economic woes.
Having so many historic faults should not, however, discredit Grace from the yet-to-be-run race. The basic tenet of life is that people mellow with age. She may no longer be part of her past. She could now have redeemed herself from any historical blemishes to become a worthy candidate. For her to assume the front-runner position could be proof that she is accounting for herself so well.
Is Grace really fit to be the country’s next President though? Maybe time will tell. As of now she cannot be trusted with her own mouth, let alone with the instruments of power. She is someone who will misfire dangerously whilst attempting to assert herself as the next best thing.
lMasola wa Dabudabu writes in his personal capacity.
