PRESIDENT Robert Mugabe has not hidden his disdain for
everything associated with Zimbabwe’s erstwhile colonial master Britain,
especially since the turn of the century when his administration embarked on
the controversial land redistribution exercise.
Accusations from his opponents and Western countries of
human rights abuses have not bode well with the former guerilla leader now in
his 37th year as ruler of Zimbabwe.
Mugabe hates Britain and all that defines it. Or does he? But
a closer look at Mugabe’s dressing and the way he presides over national
ceremonies reveals a deep love for not only British culture and its power
trinkets, but all traditional colonial pageantry.
Once again this week Mugabe was on hand to officially open
the 5th Session of the 8th Parliament of Zimbabwe, the last before another
general election that the Zanu PF leader will contest at the ripe old age of
94.
Once the darling of Zimbabweans, Mugabe has turned into a
hated dictator as the trappings of power got the better of the former freedom
fighter, security around him has become tighter and as usual every inch of
Harare was crawling with security details.
Journalists covering the event are routinely frisked, the
Press Gallery is packed mainly with Central Intelligence Operatives rolling
menacing eyes on every movement.
Finally after the long wait about mid-morning the Emperor
of Harare arrives unmolested by poverty-weary citizens closed off from the
ceremony because some roads have been barricaded and the heavy security scares
them away.
Chauffeur-driven in a vintage century old British-made
gleaming Rolls-Royce once used by Lord Soames, the last governor of Rhodesia,
and flanked by his wife Grace, Mugabe rolled into Parliament after inspecting a
quarter guard of honour mounted by 200 soldiers from the crack Presidential
guard, who had stood in the sweltering early summer heat for hours on end.
Queen Elizabeth would be green with envy at the way the
event was choreographed in what appears to be an apparent endorsement of
Mugabe’s sworn enemy’s cultural edifice. A visitor could be forgiven to think
they had arrived at 10 Downing Street, seat of British power.
Mugabe does not miss an opportunity to denigrate Britain
and its Western allies particularly the United States for meddling in the
internal affairs of Zimbabwe and sponsoring regime change merchants in the form
of civil society groups and opposition parties.
His long and colourful procession from State House
punctuated by music and a wailing motorcade, before the military parade was a
show of the best the British have to offer. It was like a celebration of
British culture with little to show that the event is Southern Africa in a
small country once ruled by the Munhumutapa.
Police on horseback, donning a hundred-year-old Rhodesian
style uniform complete with pith
helmets and a full complement of Zimbabwe’s top military
brass was on hand to receive the tired looking President who resplendent in his
Presidential apparel that included medals and the ceremonial sash.
Mugabe limped on, oblivious to a motley group of apostolic
sect members clad in white apparel who piously sang: “Gabriel mutungamiriri
(Gabriel our leader)” beyond a steel barricade in adjacent Africa Unity Square
that still resembles the British Union Jack.
The Mbare Chimurenga choir also gyrated singing Mugabe’s
praises and declaring the Zanu PF leader ruler of the land “forever”.
As the national anthem was sung Mugabe stood at attention,
four MiG jets flew past, while a 21 gun salute sounded nearby after which
Mugabe took to inspecting the smartly dressed soldiers.
Behind Mugabe, the hierarchy of the judiciary also
appeared, led by Chief Justice Luke Malaba, clad in the colonial red gowns and
off-white toupees (wigs) worn by barristers in commonwealth countries made
their way onto the tarmac briefly before shuffling into the legislative
chambers.
Mugabe angrily pulled out of the Commonwealth of former
British colonies over accusations he had stolen the 2002 presidential election
and used violence to retain power.
Traditional leaders accused of being part of Mugabe’s
coercive apparatus in his nefarious power retention schemes over the years,
again in colonial apparel, followed suit.
Critics argue that Mugabe, who presides over almost all
State ceremonies including burial of national heroes among them his first wife
Sally, cannot stand to sit at home and allow someone to take over “because he
loves these events and would hate to watch anyone take charge”. Newsday
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