How can Mugabe be both reviled and venerated?

THE trouble with the Zimbabwe impasse is that it is fought on too many fronts. Yet it is one man that is a target or the antagonistic protagonist.

How can a man be reviled and venerated in equal measure at the same time?

His struggle credentials are well documented and his devilish side we are reminded of, lest we deify him to the point of Nelson Mandela even.

His image of himself is not left wanting, for he has emphatically chided lesser and comrade mortals that it is only God who will remove him.

His aggrandisement is on full display and all are awaiting a fall, for ‘tis said it is preceded by pride.

Compared to the Zimbabweans who fled his wrath, the numbers of South Africans who went into exile during the dark days of apartheid don’t tally, but are no less significant.

Much has been said about the temperament of Zimbabweans, their even being accused of cowardice for not standing their ground against this tyrant and his marauding murderers (recalling the Matabeleland massacres and of MDC followers, and the stealing of the election).

These men are now making themselves heroes by appearing to be removing him, but the reluctance and tragicomedy are playing out for all to see. Try as the popular media does to caricature him by mentioning his utterances of memorable sound bytes, that he is a learned man is indisputable.

His claim that he educated his people is not a false claim, but a hollow one if then he will make them the beggars and thieves that they have [allegedly] become in South Africa.

They are a welcome labour force to the former Rhodesians who could not stand a black leader after enjoying such lavish lives under Ian Smith.

They were welcomed by the apartheid government.

One thing that is apparent is that the African political elite in coming to power realises that the struggle was just a bit part of the puzzle.

But when in power and privy to the real going-ons in the world, to their astonishment and rude awakening, they can change nothing but play along with the people in charge.

They then loot and live unimaginable lives with their families, and are allowed as long as they don’t disturb the status quo and the poor masses are just numbers – sad but fact.

Disillusioned, New Brighton, Port Elizabeth