THE late former President, Cde Robert Mugabe, carved his
mark in championing education for all in Zimbabwe and should also be remembered
as a freedom fighter, who contributed immensely to promote freedom within Sadc,
deputy chair of a group of prominent figures and former statespersons known as
The Elders, Mrs Graca Machel, has said.
Speaking to journalists after delivering the group’s
condolence message to President Emmerson Mnangagwa at State House yesterday,
Mrs Machel said the late nationalist’s legacy of providing education for all
should be treasured.
“(Former) President Mugabe will be remembered as a freedom
fighter,” she said. “He contributed immensely for the freedom of this country;
he contributed immensely for the freedom of other people here in the region.
“But I must say also that the first years of development of
Zimbabwe, we say Zimbabwe was a beacon in this region, particularly in
education.
“Many of you benefited from the policies he championed to
make sure that education is available to everyone in this country. But, of course the young generation only remember the last
years, where there has been hardships.
“We appeal that it is important to have a cool and balanced
outlook on his contribution and honouring him, like the President took the
initiative to declare him national hero and to give all the honours of a
statesman.
“Countries have history and history has to be honoured.” Elders
chair and former Irish president Mrs Mary Robinson, who led the delegation,
said the group was saddened by the death of former President Mugabe.
“We came here as Elders to pay our respect to the President
following the death of (former) President Mugabe.
“I remember when I came here as President of Ireland on a
State visit in 1994, I was very well received by President Mugabe.
“Indeed, he even invited me to go in the car with him to
his old school, which was not on the agenda, but we did that.
“I was back here in 2012 in discussions about the
Constitution to help to have more gender dimensions, again he hosted a big
meeting and I met him at that time.
“But even more so, Mama Graca Machel has strong memories of
how supportive President Mugabe was during the early days.
“So, we wanted to present our credentials and our
condolences. And we also had a very good discussion with the President.”
Commenting on the 2008 incident, where delegation of the
Elders was refused entry into the country by President Mugabe’s government, Mrs
Machel said the incident does not put a stain on Cde Mugabe’s record as a
statesman.
“I would not want to dwell into some of the tensions. But
as you know, we did not come to Zimbabwe (at the time), but we did support
Zimbabwe from where we were.
“But for me, history is history, it has to be honoured even
in times of difficulties.” Meanwhile,
Vice President Dr Constantino Chiwenga yesterday described
Cde Robert Mugabe as an “iconic leader of African emancipation”, who empowered
the nation through the land reform programme “at the risk of his own life and
position”.
In a condolence message to President Mnangagwa, Cde
Mugabe’s family and the people of Zimbabwe, VP Chiwenga, who is presently
receiving treatment in China, said the former founding President prosecuted the
liberation struggle with distinction after taking over the reins of the party in
1977.
“It is with a deep sense of sorrow and shock that I learnt
of the untimely passing on of Zimbabwe’s founding father and former President
Cde RG Mugabe, on 6 September 2019.
“Cde Mugabe was the liberator of Zimbabwe, who upon taking
the reins of leadership of Zanu in 1977, led the prosecution of the liberation
struggle with distinction until the attainment of national independence in
1980,” he said.
“He will remain our founding father and iconic leader of
African emancipation.”
He applauded Cde Mugabe for leading Zimbabwe to become the
country with one of the highest literacy rates in Africa, as well as
law-abiding people, who respect the Constitution and electoral processes.
Cde Mugabe, he added, was a selfless leader, who put the
national interest ahead of his own.
“He leaves behind a legacy of a country with respect for
constitutionalism, whereupon elections are held as prescribed in the
Constitution and the highest literacy rate in Africa.
“At the risk of his own life and position, Cde Mugabe
courageously empowered the nation, through the land reform programme. . .
“As I extend my condolences from China, my heartfelt
sympathises are with his beloved family, His Excellency the President of the
Republic of Zimbabwe, Cde E.D Mnangagwa and the nation at large. May his dear
soul rest in eternal peace,” said VP Chiwenga.
The VP has been in China since July. He served as Commander
of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces from 2004 to 2017, with the then President
Mugabe as his Commander-in-Chief.
Prior to being Commander ZDF, Chiwenga also served Cde
Mugabe as Commander of the Zimbabwe National Army from 1994 to 2003.
Before independence, General Chiwenga was one of the
celebrated military officers, who signed the revolutionary Mgagao Declaration
that was a turning point in the history of the liberation struggle in 1975.
The declaration led to a seismic shift in Zanu as it led to
the removal of Reverend Ndabaningi Sithole as president.
He was later replaced by Cde Mugabe. The Zanu congress in
Chimoio, Mozambique, in 1977 endorsed the Mgagao declaration and affirmed Cde
Mugabe’s leadership. Sunday Mail
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