Mugabe 'doesn't have the stamina'

President Robert Mugabe and his Zanu-PF might have swept to victory through foul means as alleged by rivals, but the grim reality of dealing with a stunted economy and creating jobs are the sternest test for the 89-year-old ruler.

Mugabe might also not have the stamina to effectively supervise his ministers, a situation which could further entrench corruption and fuel economic collapse.

Since 1980, Zimbabweans have known only one president and that is Mugabe, whose 33 years in office is likely to be extended by a further five years.

A look back into time shows that in the 1980s Mugabe, who is now referred to as "Mdara Bob" because of his advanced age by both friends and foes, is responsible for creating one of Africa's most educated nations, building hospitals and also making the country the breadbasket of Africa.

But those were the glory days which have been eclipsed by charges of elitism, cronyism and corruption and human rights abuses.

In the late 1990s under Mugabe's watch the economy began an unprecedented downward spiral that he and his recycled deadwood failed to repair.

In recent years, political rivals have accused him of turning a nation once known as the breadbasket of southern Africa into one racked by hunger and once sky-high inflation.

But against odds he has soldiered on defying old age and ignoring charges of human rights violations.

In 2008, his party lost to his bitter rival, Morgan Tsvangirai, who did not get enough votes to avoid a runoff.

Opposition party supporters were beaten, tortured and killed, rights groups said, and Tsvangirai withdrew from the runoff in protest. The post-election violence left about 200 people dead and thousands injured.

Regional leaders dismissed that election as a sham and pressured the two to form a power-sharing agreement, which led to a tense coalition in 2009.

Mugabe's main opponent became prime minister, and the squabbles continued.

But this time Sadc, which helped Zimbabwe during the transition phase, has given Africa's oldest leader a clean health bill endorsing the elections as free and fair.

Economists and political advisors say with Mugabe at the helm, armed with his populist expropriation policies, there is no way Zanu-PF could rescue the country from the edge of a precipice.

Renowned economist John Robertson said Zanu-PF enforced policies such as indigenisation will "indeed bleed the economy" and "discourage investors".

"We need restoration of the rule of law, including inhibition of unauthorised land and other property acquisitions," Robertson said, adding that Zanu-PF's empowerment policy was benefiting a few.

When Mugabe ruled alone without a coalition government donors distanced themselves, sending Zimbabwe on a downward economic spiral.

By 2008, the nation's inflation had soared to 200 million percent.

Food shelves were empty, and a loaf of bread cost about one trillion Zimbabwean dollars.

International isolation continued to hit the economy as corruption remained rife.

But since 2009 when the coalition government was formed, economic experts say the country has made major strides. Since 2010, the nation's gross domestic product "has grown by an average of over seven percent and inflation has remained in the low single digits," the International Monetary Fund said last month.

"Government revenues have more than doubled from 16 percent of GDP in 2009 to an estimated 36 percent of GDP in 2012, allowing the restoration of basic public services."

But that might change as Mugabe threatens to takeover foreign owned firms and with two thirds majority his party has the leverage to tighten the screws on foreign entities.

Among the major economic challenges, Mugabe's government ought to address is massive unemployment ' hovering above 80 percent, revive industry currently operating at way below 50 percent capacity, attract foreign direct investment (FDI), which has dwindled by 57 investments over the past year.

Mugabe has his recycled ministers since 1980 to look up to for solutions and political analysts doubt the former ruling party has ideas to confront problems they could not solve since 1980 to 2008.

A new Constitution that had the input of the major political parties is already under threat with Zanu-PF legal pointman Patrick Chinamasa indicating that the charter that among other democratic advances whittles powers of the president and also imposes term limits on army generals known to support Zanu-PF rule.

Celebrations in the capital, Harare  are muted with mutterings and questions of "where to now" from a shocked electorate.

Inside Zanu-PF, its reality check as factions eyeing to succeed him renew their fight after an uneasy four-week truce.

It's back to the trenches and Mugabe is right in the middle of that storm.

He would now want to hand over the baton but to whom with Joice Mujuru and Emmerson Mnangagwa both eying to take over?