Opinion / Letters
Mugabe can learn from Mandela
06 Dec 2013 at 12:38hrs | Views
When world leaders gather in South Africa for the funeral of Mr. Mandela, one notable African leader will no doubt be present - Zimbabwe's Robert Mugabe. A presumed freedom fighter himself, Mr. Mugabe was no Mandela. Indeed, he can learn a lot from Mr. Mandela.
Both men led military campaigns to end white rule in their countries. However, while Mr. Mugabe attained victory long before Mr. Mandela and is still in power in Zimbabwe. Mr. Mandela created a much stronger South Africa and willingly gave up power after only one term in office. This is a very potent lesson for Mr. Mugabe.
Mr. Mugabe somehow got it into his head that blacks in Zimbabwe must be the "true" owners of the country. As such, he implemented a very destructive and senseless programme of property repatriation - at the expense of the country's whites. Through this, Mr. Mugabe transformed Zimbabwe from the region's bread basket to a major food importer. He vanquished his country's best farmers and ruined Zimbabwe's economy.
Mr. Mandela, however, was not so rash. He realized that when power shifted to the black masses, he could not destroy South Africa with "property repatriation" at the expense of whites. Mr. Mandela was no fool.
Though the lead anti-Apartheid campaigner, he realized that certain aspects of the system that he fought could not be destroyed. In particular - Apartheid science and technology could be useful. Mr. Mandela knew that science and technology will work for any colour. Being a much more sensible visionary than Mr. Mugabe, Mr. Mandela built upon these and other positive aspects of the system that he detested.
When Mr. Mugabe travels to South Africa for the funeral and sees the strong country that can be built when positive elements of old and new systems are built upon, let's hope that he will finally learn what true freedom fighters like, Mr. Mandela, can achieve - when they think with their brains and not with their guts.
Both men led military campaigns to end white rule in their countries. However, while Mr. Mugabe attained victory long before Mr. Mandela and is still in power in Zimbabwe. Mr. Mandela created a much stronger South Africa and willingly gave up power after only one term in office. This is a very potent lesson for Mr. Mugabe.
Mr. Mugabe somehow got it into his head that blacks in Zimbabwe must be the "true" owners of the country. As such, he implemented a very destructive and senseless programme of property repatriation - at the expense of the country's whites. Through this, Mr. Mugabe transformed Zimbabwe from the region's bread basket to a major food importer. He vanquished his country's best farmers and ruined Zimbabwe's economy.
Though the lead anti-Apartheid campaigner, he realized that certain aspects of the system that he fought could not be destroyed. In particular - Apartheid science and technology could be useful. Mr. Mandela knew that science and technology will work for any colour. Being a much more sensible visionary than Mr. Mugabe, Mr. Mandela built upon these and other positive aspects of the system that he detested.
When Mr. Mugabe travels to South Africa for the funeral and sees the strong country that can be built when positive elements of old and new systems are built upon, let's hope that he will finally learn what true freedom fighters like, Mr. Mandela, can achieve - when they think with their brains and not with their guts.
Source - Michael A. Dingwall
All articles and letters published on Bulawayo24 have been independently written by members of Bulawayo24's community. The views of users published on Bulawayo24 are therefore their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Bulawayo24. Bulawayo24 editors also reserve the right to edit or delete any and all comments received.
