Senile Mugabe; misdirected bitterness

Dear Mugabe,

At 95, an age that most will not get to, there is a lot to be thankful for. Chief being that, you have lived long enough to experience nine and half decades. A long time to have amassed volumes of knowledge, that people your age would greatly pass on to the next generations. At least that's what is expected from you.

You have seen so many seasons pass on, 37 of those years, you were the President of Zimbabwe. You became famous, for various reasons, some to which you deserve standing ovations; Zimbabwe is a sovereign country that prides in its land and vast natural resources; yes, Zimbabwe gives you credit for that. You also became famous, for being that "man" who clung to power and wouldn't let go, hence resignation became a bitter pill to swallow. To that effect, you became a resentful old man.

When the time came that you were expected to groom and give other capable candidates an opportunity to lead the country, you took it as if no one else was good enough. It became all about you and no one else, power blinded you and in the process, you became bitter. Yes, that is what you have become, a bitter old man, who took to resenting the next person, or anyone else, leading Zimbabwe to becoming a better nation.

Your recent utterances from your 95th birthday party show that you have become a gullible person, who easily feeds onto what people surrounding you tell you, despite their hideous intentions or agenda.  In your gullibility, discredited issues become your bible, and you allow to be used by political deserters; failures only bent on causing destruction and pulling the country downwards.

There are positive attributes that can never be taken away from you, and from these you can salvage your legacy.  Instead of being part of Zimbabwe's detractors, would it not be wise that you become one of the old man who dedicates his time to positive story telling? You could write memoirs and books, of how Zimbabwean and African heritage can be preserved. You had your chance to lead the country for 37 years and you did so in your own way; let the reigning President do so according to his best intentions.

You will be forgiven for being senile, because old age does not choose nor discriminate. You are also entitled to your opinion as a citizen, but you will not be forgiven for being acrimonious and divisive. You are prone to throwing tantrums and being disillusioned, but you should be reminded that in your time you made mistakes, you are no saint. Like the bible says, let he who has no sin, throw the first stone.

Zimbabwe has moved on without you, and doing better as expected. Do not let bitterness and hunger for power overshadow you so much so that you fail to see the developments that have come in with the new dispensation.

President Mnangagwa has been calling for love, peace, and unity of purpose for the good of our country. Guided by his great vision and leadership, Zimbabwe calls for you to play your part in building the country.

Anesu Pedzisayi