By Sisonke Msimang
I spent a lot of time in Zimbabwe
in the mid-2000s, as the head of a human rights organization that worked across
Southern Africa . Even at the height of the
political turmoil in 2008, when opposition figures were assaulted in the
aftermath of a stolen election, I was often struck by how deeply respectful
Zimbabweans were of their president. Many people were obviously unhappy with
Robert Mugabe’s leadership. Still, it was not unusual to hear people reference
his role in the independence movement, to point out his clear intellectual
gifts and his efforts to advance education.
*Grace Mugabe |
They had no such respect, however, for
his wife. Grace Mugabe did not have a history in the liberation movement. She
had done nothing for Zimbabwe
under colonialism — she was too young. Ms. Mugabe instead inspired disdain. The
narrative, universally accepted across the country, was that the shy young
typist had stolen Mr. Mugabe’s heart and then corrupted him. Mr. Mugabe was a
good man turned bad; Ms. Mugabe was the temptress who led him to his downfall.
And in a way, she ultimately did. In
the wake of the military takeover of Zimbabwe’s government last week, the
announcement that Robert Mugabe is no longer in charge of the country, his
subsequent refusal to step down and his ultimate resignation, there is much
uncertainty in the country. What is clear is that Grace Mugabe was at the
center of the discontent that sparked the surprise coup; the goal, in removing
the 93-year-old Mr. Mugabe, was to ensure that she would not ascend to the presidency
after his death.