Regime change in Zimbabwe will 'never come', says Mugabe

It was as student at the University of Fort Hare that he first became aware of the evils of colonialism and the need to fight against it, Zimbabwean ‎President Robert Mugabe said on Friday.

He also again warned against countries thinking they can run "our affairs", vowing that a regime change in Zimbabwe will "never come".

Sharing stories of his time at the institution at its centenary celebrations, he said he discovered his African identity during his time at Fort Hare in the early 1950's.  

"It was during my days at this university that I became aware of the evils of colonialism... this galvanised our commitment to fight against all forms of oppression," he said.

"I personally regard this institution as the cradle of anti-colonialism. Here I was academically born. Here I was transformed and here I discovered my African identity and African personality."

'Change will never come'

Mugabe spoke of a time when he and several other student activists boycotted a scheduled event to honour an apartheid government governor.

"While we were having supper, [late activist and politician] Joe Matthews ‎whispered in our ears that who is coming is the embodiment of apartheid... we said let's boycott because he was carrying in his mind and body apartheid," he told the crowd.

Mugabe said there would be no equality in Africa until there was economic equality. He said students were impatient and they would make changes.

Mugabe arrived at the celebrations walking hand in hand with President Jacob Zuma. He was greeted by loud applause and ululation from the crowds in attendance. He said Africans were still trying to continue to prove they can run their own affairs.

"You get countries like France that think they can run our affairs. America has been quite open, they say they can change regimes and in Zimbabwe they say they will change. I say never. That is why I am still here, because regime change will never come," he said.