Robert Mugabe: Is death the sanitiser for Africa’s big men?

Was Robert Mugabe a liberator or a tyrant? The answer to the question on the man’s legacy, like with all his peers is, is making it increasingly complicated to mourn Africa’s big men.

As fate would have it, Zimbabwe’s enigmatic ex-president died in a week characterised by yet another round of xenophobic attacks in South Africa. I wonder what the combative pan-Africanist would have said about the attacks, knowing that he had a hand in the debacle.

On one hand, Mugabe fervently pursued pan-Africanist ideals, told off imperialists and repossessed White-owned farms. On the other hand, he stripped his citizens of their dignity, hounded, tortured and killed his opponents, ran a corrupt patronage system synonymous with his peers, and ruined the economy, forcing thousands of Zimbabweans into economic refugee in South Africa – setting them up for xenophobic attacks.

The contestation over the legacy of Uncle Bob is something we have seen before, and will see again – because you can’t play nature. The storyboard of his legacy is no different from that of most heroes of liberation struggles across the continent. Pick a random country with a “liberator” president and apply the shoe to see if it fits.

Part One: They came to power on the back of strong nationalist and anti-imperialist rhetoric and credentials. They promised democracy and rule of law, economic transition, equal opportunities and security of life and persons. The citizenry rallied behind them because of the trauma of war, tyranny or genocide. They have the backing of a partisan army that ensures stability.

Part Two: A little later, the veil was lifted and the liberators became the new oppressors, only with better methods. A new class of political and economic exiles emerged. Corruption, patronage and security became the preserve of their kinsmen. Election results are doctored. Media and rights of expression are suppressed and opponents jailed or murdered. And after wheeler-dealing, they changed constitutions to stick around for life, allowing enough time to aggrieve millions more.

The problem with Part One is that it usually comprises lies and empty talk for the masses, and the facets that work only feed a small powerful and privileged class – the haves. Consequently, Part Two creates a huge mass of oppressed disenfranchised citizens who powerless to speak and act – the have-nots.

As a result, every time one of them dies, you have one side loudly waxing lyrical about the leader’s credentials, and another side getting reminded how decency and African culture dictate that we do not talk ill of the dead.

It is this notion that death sanctifies and absolves politicians of their offences that must be rejected, especially on a continent where leaders are all-powerful and literally untouchable during their reign.
Oppressed citizens have to wait for nature to offer justice, before they can talk. So to tell them that is unAfrican if they call out a tyrant in death is emotional blackmail.

Meanwhile, those who continue to eulogise and acclaim their pan-African credentials, are not the have-nots who have to deal with state-inspired deprivation and intimidation.

It is mostly the privileged, who are also actively participating in spirited grand larceny of public resources, or enjoying the patronage of the ruling governments and parties. The ones who preside over or make excuses for the torture and elimination of opponents, those whose children are enrolled in international schools, and like Mugabe, who will likely die abroad, on taxpayers’ money.

I have looked at Mugabe’s peers across the continent and wondered whether they care about how they will be remembered. It is hard to tell because sometimes they are progressive and will launch futuristic projects for their citizens, making it look like they care about posterity.

But then, sometimes they resort to barbarism, oppress and sometimes kill the same citizens. It is good to call for decorum and remind others how to behave when a leader dies. But you know what would be even better? If you called out your favorite leader every time he tends towards tyranny. Do this more often, and you won’t have to worry about sanitizing their legacy.

But seeing as answering the question on legacy is complicated, how about this: Is it African to impoverish, steal from, maim and kill those under your care, because death will absolve you of your transgressions?
Stay tuned, for the next big man!

Mr Rukwengye is the founder, Boundless Minds.

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