Zimbabwe’s Next Hero?

The Republic of Rhodesia was a British colony and existed from 1965 to 1979. It was originally called Southern Rhodesia, a colony with a ruling white minority embattled by the wave of independence across Africa at the time, which declared itself independent and a republic in 1970. The result was a dissatisfied Black population, which led to an insurgency against the government by nationalist groups such as Zimbabwe African People’s Union (ZAPU) and Zimbabwe African National Union (ZANU). The latter eventually emerged as the Zimbabwe African National Union Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF). The altercation is now referred to as the Rhodesian Bush War. The then-prime minister, Ian Smith, conceded to the demand for independence in 1978 when an internal settlement was signed. He was succeeded by Abel Muzorewa who stepped down not long after for an election under the supervision of British colonial powers. This ushered in the reign of Mugabe as the first prime minister of Zimbabwe after the country was internationally recognized as an independent nation in April 1980.

Mugabe has become a somewhat controversial figure in African history. He was a revolutionary turned tyrant who passed away in 2019 after ruling for 37 years: first as prime minister, from 1980 to 1987 and then as president, from 1987 to 2017, when he was forced to step down. To date, discussions and debates still linger on whether he was a hero or a villain. His youth featured bouts of political frustration and radical activism. He was elected public secretary of the National Democratic Party, which was banned in 1961 and later joined ZAPU. Frustrated by the moderation of the group, he began publicly discussing starting a guerrilla war for independence. In 1963, he formed ZANU (now ZANU-PF) but was arrested and put in prison for almost ten years.

While in power as president, Mugabe broadened access to health and education, but later used violence against his political opponents and allowed the economic degradation of Zimbabwe. Mugabe overstayed his welcome while in power and became authoritarian. His reign is a testament to the importance of political rotation, but the reality in Zimbabwe is still a while off as his party, ZANU-PF has continued to remain in power.

The President is a 2018 documentary directed by Camilla Nielsson which speaks to the political reality in Zimbabwe. The 2018 election was the first presidential election held in the country without Mugabe in the running. But Mugabe had an heir in 80-year-old Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa who ran in his stead. The election was an important milestone for Zimbabwe as it was a symbol of freedom from Mugabe’s dictatorship. Nielsson’s The President closely followed the electoral process from the perspective of Mnangagwa’s opposition, the 45-year-old pastor, Nelson Chamisa. Mnangagwa won the election, and garnered international discontent as governments and international institutions suspected foul play from ZANU-PF and the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission. Amnesty International even described the last five years in Zimbabwe as ‘a brutal crackdown on human rights’. History is so far repeating itself with Chamisa once again running for the 2023 elections against Mnangagwa.