Africa has lost a gem

Death is inevitable, and Shakespeare put it succinctly when he said it would come when it would come. Last Friday, the world received the news of the death of Mr Robert Gabriel Mugabe, ex-President of Zimbabwe, who was receiving treatment at the Gleneagles Hospital, a private health facility in Singapore, for an undisclosed illness.

News of Mugabe’s death has generated mixed reactions from Zimbabweans both home and abroad, as well as people from around the world. This is espected about a leader who led his country through the struggles to a liberated nation from colonialists. While some say his 37 years in power were marked by economic mismanagement and corruption, a section of the public share the view that he did some good to try to protect the country's natural resources from opportunists.

The Daily Graphic shares in the view of those who want to remember the ex-President for his contribution to the liberation of his country and the African continent at large, as well as his leadership qualities that made him improve access to education across the gender divide.

We also note that beyond education, the late President sought to empower people, and we are not surprised that some women thank him for making it possible for them to stand on their feet today because of his empowerment measures.

Indeed, some of Mugabe’s policies seemed controversial, especially the seizure of land from thousands of White farmers between 2000 and 2001 under a government programme of land reform. But others thought it was the only way that land could revert to the Blacks for them to embark on productive ventures to live meaningful lives.

But the Daily Graphic notes that the world cannot wish away Mugabe’s towering role in his country’s liberation struggle and the selflessness he exhibited towards affairs of his country. He was also a man of strong principles, a character trait that was needed by a pioneering leader of a new and developing nation.  To us, therefore, Africa has lost a gem and rare species of African character.

Like all humans, the late Mugabe could not be perfect and we do not say he was a saint. But he has left a lot to the current and future generations to ponder over. He showed that even under extreme difficult conditions, one could achieve a lot if one remained focused. This is seen in the several degrees he acquired, even when he was in prison.

As we mourn this great son of Africa, we are also concerned about reported disagreements between the government of Zimbabwe and his family over arrangements for his burial.

While top officials of the ruling ZANU-PF party are understood to have told Mugabe’s close family that his remains should be interred at a hilltop monument outside the capital, Harare, friends and allies of Mugabe’s second wife, Grace, have said that Mugabe made it clear he would prefer to be buried at his home town of Zvimba, about 60 miles from Harare, with only close relatives in attendance.

It is the prayer of the Daily Graphic that these differences will be resolved early to bid a fitting farewell to this African hero.

We also entreat all Zimbabweans to put the past behind them and allow the death of the ex-President to bridge the gap among them and bring them together to build a prosperous country based on mutual trust, peace and unity.

As preparations are underway for the funeral of the ex-combatant leader, we want to wish the family of the late President, the government and the people of Zimbabwe our heartfelt condolences.