Last week, the family of the late Robert Mugabe, the former president of Zimbabwe who would have celebrated his 100th birthday, commemorated his life with a private ceremony in Zvimba, his rural home. Born on February 21, 1924, Mugabe’s legacy is complex, embodying the journey from a liberator to a controversial figure in Zimbabwe’s political landscape.
He passed away on September 6, 2019, at the age of 95, after receiving medical treatment in Singapore. His removal from power in 2017, following a military coup, marked the end of his 37-year reign.
Jealous Mawarire, a relative and former spokesperson for the Mugabe family, confirmed that the celebration took place on February 24, 2024, in Kutama, located in the Mashonaland West Province of Zimbabwe. The event was attended by close family members and associates, including Mugabe’s longtime security aide, known as Wonder.
Mugabe is recognized for his efforts in expanding access to health and education for the black majority in Zimbabwe. Nevertheless, his tenure was also characterized by the violent suppression of political dissent and economic policies that led to the country’s severe financial decline.
Opinions on Mugabe’s rule are deeply divided. To some, he remains a revolutionary hero who combated racial injustice and resisted Western imperialism. Others, however, view him as a tyrant responsible for human rights abuses and economic mismanagement.
Political analysts often reflect on Mugabe’s legacy with mixed feelings. He played a pivotal role in achieving independence for Zimbabwe, ending decades of white-minority rule.
Yet, his reluctance to appoint a successor and determination to maintain power, often outmaneuvering rivals like Joshua Nkomo and Morgan Richard Tsvangirai, is seen as a critical flaw in his leadership. Mugabe’s centenary birthday celebration is a moment of reflection on a figure who shaped Zimbabwe’s history in indelible ways.
