Dr Mugabe is what the doctor ordered

09 Nov, 2014 - 06:11 0 Views
Dr Mugabe is what the doctor ordered DR GRACE MUGABE

The Sunday Mail

Huston Tamuka

There has been a lot said in Zimbabwe regarding the so-called entry of First Lady Dr Grace Mugabe into politics.

DR GRACE MUGABE

DR GRACE MUGABE

Many Zimbabweans seem to have a lot to say about the matter, especially and most surprisingly, the opposition, who rather than concentrating on their own party seem more interested in the happenings in Zanu-PF.

I have decided to add my two cents to this discussion.

The mere fact that there is so much talk about Dr Mugabe’s so-called entry into politics means that her decision is not only significant but very viable.

Put differently, if she were a nonentity, who stood no chance of capturing high office, then people would just ignore her move, dismiss and laugh her off as somebody who misunderstands her own importance.

That her nomination to the helm of the Zanu-PF Women’s League has been met with so much criticism and praise, depending on one’s political affiliation, demonstrates that Dr Mugabe is a serious personality.

I refer to her “so-called entry into politics” as such because I am not convinced that she is only making her entry into politics now. If anything, from the day she married President Mugabe, she entered politics.

Not only does she travel with him; she sits at many a table with him; has seen him in action, heard him speak on countless occasions; lives with him and would have learnt a lot from him.

In Shona, we say kugara nhaka kuona dzevamwe.

If anyone has had an opportunity to observe, learn and thus qualify to lead, it would be Dr Mugabe who has sat, as it were, at the feet of a wise, principled and resolute man called President Mugabe.

In addition, as the First Lady not only would she have interacted with politicians and Cabinet ministers, but she would have also shared the burden of leadership with her husband, therefore giving her a unique understanding of issues in Zimbabwe.

More importantly, she and her family have been greatly affected by the politics of Zimbabwe by virtue of being the First Family.

The more resolute the President became on issues of land, indigenisation and sovereignty, the more incessant and acerbic the attacks became on her, in particular, and her family, in general.

Who can forget the various insults heaped on Dr Mugabe. In the eyes of some media sections, she can’t do any right.

If she travels with her husband, she is said to be going on a shopping spree whilst the people of Zimbabwe starve.

Yet, if any other leader travels with his spouse, it is said that behind every successful man is a strong woman!

If Dr Mugabe benefits from the land reform programme it is described as “land grab”, but if another woman gets land it is described as “women’s empowerment”.

So clearly, she can’t do any right in the eyes of some sections of the media and their Western backers.

Several aspects have demonstrated that not only is Dr Mugabe a viable politician but is actually ideal and well-suited to leadership.

That she is the First Lady is an advantage. Not only has she learned from a wise man, she also has his support which means that she has been examined and found worthy to lead.

If anything can be said about Dr Mugabe, it is that she loves the people of Zimbabwe. Her numerous charities and huge home in Mazowe where the most disadvantaged children in our society are given a chance to lead a normal life shows a kind-hearted woman.

Her “Meet the People” tour was not just a meet-and-greet event. She used the opportunity to distribute food and farming implements.

Her food and implement distribution were all about empowering women.

If actions speak louder than words, then her donations sent a very loud message.

Her programme took her right around the country. Unlike some leaders, she did not concentrate only on the area that she hails from. In doing that, she showed that she is for all Zimbabweans.

In addition, her rallies heralded a welcome change in Zimbabwean politics.

She demonstrated that going forward, a spade will be called a spade and leaders will be called to account when they fail the people that they are meant to serve.

This, for me at least, was a welcome breath of fresh air in a society where our politicians had gotten used to doing as they please without being brought to book.

She demonstrated that she is a leader who is more worried about serving the people than about maintaining the status quo.

She did not speak with a forked tongue neither did she beat about the bush. At last someone who can speak truth to power without fear or favour.

A few years ago, many people watched with fascination as Hillary Clinton tried to capture the Democratic nomination to run for the United States presidency.

She is still seen as the most viable candidate for the Democrats in 2016.

The question must be asked: Why is it encouraged and welcomed as an important step for the advancement of women’s rights for Hillary Clinton to run for the highest office in America, but frowned upon and described as dynastic politics if the Zimbabwean First Lady should march towards high office?

The people of Zimbabwe have asked her to lead and the burden that she feels for the nation compels her to heed the call.

A word of caution, though, is that as a mother of the nation, the duty, nay the responsibility, to unite the country regardless of differences remains with her.

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