Soothing but shrewd

Ranjeni Munusamy writes: ‘Father Fidelis Mukonori calls me to sit beside him outside the St Ignatius Loyola church at Chishawasha. He lifts his elbow so I can slip my arm through his – it is a natural action, as if we are accustomed to sitting like this. I understand Robert Mugabe’s lifelong trust in the priest. He is warm and soothing, even though he is a shrewd political operator.’