Back and Next - Back and NextA typical demonstration of compassion
Friday, September 5, 2008
On Wednesday, the body of President Levi Mwanawasa, the deceased Zambian leader who last month succumbed to a stroke that had hit him while attending the recently convened African Union Summit in Egypt, was finally laid to rest in the Zambian capital of Lusaka.
The funeral ceremony of this great leader (although it was intended to be low key) eventually attracted mourners of high caliber; among them the Zimbabwean leader, President Robert Mugabe.
The picture shown on the front page of our Wednesday edition shows a rather empathetic Comrade Mugabe paying his respects to the former first lady of Zambia, the widow of the late Mwanawasa.
This picture, contrary to what many would have believed some months ago, does not only depict a scene of the true side of core African values, but is also an illustration of the level of attachment of a true African son to a noble African belief. The picture depicts the Mugabe many innocent people do not see, thanks to an organised conspiracy fueled by hate, racism, insubordination and xenophobia. It gives you an idea about the totality of a man, clearly devoid of grievance; clearly defying the image of savagery he has all along been made to look like. That image, in effect, has in it the poignant effect of shattering the most resistant of hearts.
Having been an arch critic of his government, very few would have believed that the funeral of Mr Mwanawasa would be attended by Mr Mugabe, let alone to pay so humble a tribute to the Zambian leader. Mr Mugabe did not only fly over to attend the former leader’s funeral, but he also showered praises on him for being “always very frank in expressing his honest views” in reference to the deceased’s repeated condemnation of his [Mugabe’s] policies.
The question is: where is it in history that a tyrant, a dictator, an autocrat, call it whatever you wish, would hail their critics for being “bold?” We better think twice! Mugabe is as human as any other leader in the world; in fact more human than some world leaders, who disguise themselves as saviours of human souls and defenders of freedom.
One very important lesson to be deduced from this landmark visit, however, is that nothing is impossible to achieve. The Zimbabwean opposition, more than anybody else, should take this lesson more seriously. The man is human; he listens; he is compassionate and caring; indeed, the problems of Zimbabwe are not insoluble.
The funeral ceremony of this great leader (although it was intended to be low key) eventually attracted mourners of high caliber; among them the Zimbabwean leader, President Robert Mugabe.
The picture shown on the front page of our Wednesday edition shows a rather empathetic Comrade Mugabe paying his respects to the former first lady of Zambia, the widow of the late Mwanawasa.
This picture, contrary to what many would have believed some months ago, does not only depict a scene of the true side of core African values, but is also an illustration of the level of attachment of a true African son to a noble African belief. The picture depicts the Mugabe many innocent people do not see, thanks to an organised conspiracy fueled by hate, racism, insubordination and xenophobia. It gives you an idea about the totality of a man, clearly devoid of grievance; clearly defying the image of savagery he has all along been made to look like. That image, in effect, has in it the poignant effect of shattering the most resistant of hearts.
Having been an arch critic of his government, very few would have believed that the funeral of Mr Mwanawasa would be attended by Mr Mugabe, let alone to pay so humble a tribute to the Zambian leader. Mr Mugabe did not only fly over to attend the former leader’s funeral, but he also showered praises on him for being “always very frank in expressing his honest views” in reference to the deceased’s repeated condemnation of his [Mugabe’s] policies.
The question is: where is it in history that a tyrant, a dictator, an autocrat, call it whatever you wish, would hail their critics for being “bold?” We better think twice! Mugabe is as human as any other leader in the world; in fact more human than some world leaders, who disguise themselves as saviours of human souls and defenders of freedom.
One very important lesson to be deduced from this landmark visit, however, is that nothing is impossible to achieve. The Zimbabwean opposition, more than anybody else, should take this lesson more seriously. The man is human; he listens; he is compassionate and caring; indeed, the problems of Zimbabwe are not insoluble.
Author: by Sanna Jawara
See Also - See Also