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Mugabe is an African hero, irrespective of his excesses - Fmr Prez Kufuor
The life of Robert Mugabe is a case study in Statism. There is his own journey from 'disciplined', as is often the case, Jesuit, education, through radical activism to, finally, 'corruption'. There is the way this journey is viewed and interpreted by all the other Statists throughout his life and also now that he is dead. It's a familiar story and one that, in essence, can be applied to most, if not all, 'successful' Statists. Emotionally cold formative years, a strong intellect, a growing interest in politics and the welfare of the 'Nation', an ability to turn on the charm when required. All the Statists will pick and choose those interpretations of Mugabe, through the various stages, in accordance with their own narrative at a particular time. It's relatively easy to survey the life of Mugabe and judge. But who's considered the Mugabes among us now and the Mugabe within? Mugabe was corrupt. So are we all. The 'evil' comes from abandoning one's own judgement for the sake of someone who appears to be a useful repository for many of the responsibilities I suggest we may carry ourselves. Someone who will 'protect' us, someone who will 'save us from the oppressor', someone who provides a 'moral compass'.
To quote Mugabe himself:
'An evil remains an evil whether practiced by white against black or black against white.' in 1980.
By 1998 this had become:
"strike fear in the hearts of the white man, our real enemy"
Simply noting that a politician is a dangerous liar and hypocrite, provides little to zero insight. The mistake is ever being taken in by the blustering proclamations of a power seeking Statist at a time and in a context when it appears to fit our own agenda. The Statists involved with Mugabe in the machinations of the State, like Lord Carrington, for example, will simultaneously apologize for and condemn him, being careful to be consistent with their own worldview, which is always that others should, at some point, abandon their own judgement and follow a 'leader'.
"As late as 1988 Carrington wrote he had been fortified by Mugabe’s magnanimity and intelligence, seemingly unaware of the slaughters Mugabe instigated in his political rival’s power base, the two Matabeleland provinces of eastern Zimbabwe, from 1982 to 1987." source: Guardian newpaper
Mugabe didn't carry out the massacre of over 20,000 black Ndebele civilians in the Gukarakundi ... his followers did. Ask any follower why he harms others in accordance with the orders of his 'leader' and you will hear a litany of familiar phrases that have echoed throughout history. 'Respect for the leader', a 'higher purpose', 'one Nation', 'unity', a better future, some kind of 'greatness'. A 'better future' may be a good idea, but I suggest that physically harming others on the orders of a 'dear Leader' has a very poor record as an approach to the problem. It may be true that in a particular context it is difficult to convince 'simple' people of these things, but how many politicians even begin to try? 'Follow me' or 'take responsibility for your own judgement'? Of course, the cunning one's will manage a subtle combination of the two that ultimately amounts to 'follow me'.
How would you have felt, if, as a member of the British armed forces, you received the order to invade Zimbabwe?
'British prime minister Tony Blair had an antagonistic relationship with Mugabe and allegedly planned regime change in Zimbabwe' - Wiki.
Of course, this 'fact' will be disputed. I mention it to illustrate how conflicting and inconsistent the World can appear without understanding the nature of Statism and Statists everywhere. Recourse to violent coercion is never far from the politician's heart and soul, wherever they hail from.
Considering the Statists of the past or the present, nothing will change unless we see the dynamic of Statism unfolding throughout our own societies and lives. By being such a blatant example of the disingenuous nature of all politicians, Mugabe may actually have done some good. It's all a question of how you interpret it ...