‘Very few are sad to see Mugabe gone’
GOREY COUPLE WHO FLED ZIMBABWE IN 2007 HAVE HOPE FOR THE COUNTRY
A COUPLE who fled Zimbabwe and made North Wexford their home ten years ago have said there will be very few who will be sad to see Robert Mugabe toppled from power.
Donegal-born Larry Farren, and his South African wife Althea were forced to leave their home in Bulawayo in Zimbabwe in 2007. They ran a successful printing business there for many years, but with the deteriorating political climate in Zimbabwe, they were left with little choice but to sell almost everything they owned, and to pack their lives into suitcases. Inflation of up to 15,000 per cent had caused a rapid depletion of their funds.
The repatriation agency Safe Home Ireland found a home for them at St Joseph’s Court in Gorey, and they later moved to Ardamine. In the years since, they have written several books relating to life in Zimbabwe. The country has struggled under the rule of Mugabe. He resigned on November 21 last as parliament debated his impeachment. Althea and Larry have kept an eye on developments in Zimbabwe.
‘Mugabe has been in power for 37 years,’ said Althea. ‘He is now 93 years old. For years rumours have circulated about his mental capabilities, his frequent visits to Singapore for medical treatment and the malevolent influence his wife has on him.’ ‘He has consistently been ruthless, avaricious and power-hungry; completely unconcerned about the plummeting economy and the plight of the people of Zimbabwe,’ she added. ‘The establishment of a Mugabe dynasty (probably his wife’s idea) would have been anathema to most Zimbabweans.’
‘His worst mistake, however, was the sacking of his First Vice President, Emmerson Mnangawa, publicly accusing him of “treachery” - again, probably at the behest of his wife, since she wanted the office herself,’ she said. ‘There must be very few who are sad to see Mugabe and his wife toppled from power.’ Mugabe has been replaced by Emmerson Mnangawa. ‘While many Zimbabweans may feel concerned about Mnangagwa’s track record, they have to hope that things will improve, because they certainly can’t get much worse,’ commented Althea. ‘They have lost faith in the different opposition parties, which have become fragmented and divisive. They deserve so much more than the miserable lives they’ve been forced to lead under Mugabe and his regime. For years they’ve had to contend with intimidation, rampant inflation, lack of health and education facilities and unemployment.’
Althea is hopeful for the future now. The new leader is seen as intelligent and pragmatic. ‘There is a feeling of patriotism and pride and a sense of belonging in the country now,’ she said. ‘The people of Zimbabwe don’t ask for much: they simply want to lead normal lives. So I hope and pray fervently that this will be the beginning of a bright new era.’
Asked if they would ever go back, her answer was ‘no’. ‘We love it here!’ she said.