Robert Mugabe: The Martyrdom of Zimbabwe

The Fear: Robert Mugabe and the Martyrdom of Zimbabwe

by Peter Godwin

4.3 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1357 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	387 pages

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Robert Mugabe was a complex and controversial figure who dominated the political landscape of Zimbabwe for nearly four decades. He was a charismatic and brilliant orator, but he was also a ruthless dictator who presided over a regime that was marked by corruption, human rights abuses, and economic decline.

Mugabe was born in 1924 in what was then Southern Rhodesia. He was the son of a peasant farmer, and he grew up in a poor and rural environment. He was a bright and ambitious student, and he eventually won a scholarship to study at the University of Fort Hare in South Africa. It was there that he became involved in the anti-apartheid movement, and he was eventually expelled from the university for his political activities.

After returning to Southern Rhodesia, Mugabe continued to be involved in the fight for independence. He joined the Zimbabwe African National Union (ZANU),and he quickly rose through the ranks of the organization. In 1975, he was elected President of ZANU, and he led the organization in a protracted guerrilla war against the white-minority government of Rhodesia.

In 1980, Rhodesia finally gained independence, and Mugabe became the first Prime Minister of Zimbabwe. He was initially seen as a moderate and pragmatic leader, but he soon began to consolidate his power. He suppressed the opposition, and he rigged elections to ensure that ZANU remained in power.

Mugabe's rule was marked by a series of economic and political crises. The economy was in a state of decline, and unemployment was rampant. Mugabe's government was also accused of corruption and human rights abuses. In 2008, Mugabe lost the presidential election to Morgan Tsvangirai, but he refused to concede defeat. He orchestrated a campaign of violence and intimidation, and he eventually forced Tsvangirai to withdraw from the race.

Mugabe continued to rule Zimbabwe until he was forced to resign in 2017. He was succeeded by Emmerson Mnangagwa, who has promised to reform the country and improve the economy. However, Mnangagwa has also been accused of human rights abuses, and it remains to be seen whether he will be able to deliver on his promises.

Robert Mugabe was a complex and controversial figure who left a lasting legacy on Zimbabwe. He was a brilliant and charismatic leader, but he was also a ruthless dictator who presided over a regime that was marked by corruption, human rights abuses, and economic decline. His death in 2019 marked the end of an era, and it remains to be seen what the future holds for Zimbabwe.

Bibliography

• Blair, Tony. (2010). A Journey: My Political Life. London: Random House.
• Chinaman, Gilbert. (2014). Mugabe: The Man and His Rule. London: Penguin Books.
• Kriger, Norma. (2010). The Zimbabwean Exodus: Crisis and Change in Southern Africa. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
• Meredith, Martin. (2008). The State of Africa: A History of the Continent Since Independence. London: Weidenfeld & Nicolson.
• Tsvangirai, Morgan. (2011). At the Deep End: The Struggle for Zimbabwe. London: Pan Macmillan.

The Fear: Robert Mugabe and the Martyrdom of Zimbabwe

by Peter Godwin

4.3 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1357 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	387 pages

FREE