Hello ROBERT MUGABE! The oldest and most famous African leader recently ousted from power. He needs practically no introduction. One thing that is certain about this former African leader who has lived and witnessed virtually a century is that he is not a sycophant or a folk wonder. I am sure that he will be at the top of the western world’s black book. Let’s just say the feeling is mutual.
Call him a dictator, call him a tyrant, call him the “Hitler of our time”… he’s super cool and totally fine with it. Despite his controversial leadership style, Robert Mugabe’s pan-African views and beliefs are not in question. If he weren’t who he is, Zimbabwe’s history of independence might not be as we know it.
These are some of the hilarious and unforgettable quotes from Robert Mugabe:
1. We of Africa protest that today we should continue to be treated as inferior human beings to other races.
2. Africa must return to what it was before the imperialists divided it. These are artificial divisions that we want to eliminate in our pan-African concept.
4. We still trade blows with the British government. They use gay gangsters. Every time I fly through London, the Blair gangster regime expresses its dismay.
5. We need continuity in our race and that comes from women and not from homosexuality. John and John, no; Maria and Maria, no… I keep pigs and the male pig knows the female.
6. Don’t even fight over girlfriends. The country is full of beautiful women. If you can’t get one, contact Mugabe.
7. We said we’ll never break down, ever. We may have our drought, our poverty, but as a people we will never collapse, ever.
8. Only God who appointed me will remove me.
9. I will never, ever, never, ever give up. Zimbabwe is mine. I am Zimbabwean. Zimbabwe for Zimbabweans. Zimbabwe never for the British. Great Britain for the British.
10. The only white man you can trust is a dead white man.
11. Countries like the US and UK have made it their job to decide for us in the developing world, even to intervene in our internal affairs and bring about what they call regime change.
12. The white man is not native to Africa… The white man is here as a second citizen.
13. If President Barack Obama wants me to allow same-sex couples to marry in my country (Zimbabwe), he has to come here so I can marry him first.
14. Racism will never end as long as white cars still use black tires. If people still use black color for bad luck and white for peace; When people still wear white clothes at weddings and black clothes at funerals; As long as those who don’t pay their bills are blacklisted, not whitelisted… But I don’t care as long as I still use the white tissue paper to wipe my ass! That’s the only way I’ll always feel good.
15. The land is ours. It’s not European and we took it, we gave it to the rightful people… Those who happen to be in the countryside and farming are invited, but they must do so on the basis of equality.
The case of Robert Mugabe
Robert Mugabe resigned as President of Zimbabwe in 2017 to avoid impeachment, which was the only legal way to oust him from power.
This came after a strong move was taken against him by the army and his former political allies (his own ruling party, the ZANU-PF party).
During his tenure, he was portrayed in a bad light by the West for increased abuses of human rights and the rule of law. Also, many people led by countries like the US and the UK called on his government to accept peaceful democratic development. Apart from that, his government has also been criticized for making rude and undiplomatic statements. He was almost stopped from entering certain countries when the British government suggested that the European Union should ban him from entering Europe.
Despite all the criticism and Robert Mugabe, the strained relationship with the western world seemed less of a bother. In 2016, he jailed an American based in Zimbabwe, Martha O’Donovan, who asked his government to call him sick and selfish.
Is Robert a hero or a bad guy?
Despite the pressure to step down and win it all, despite the bad reputation a government could have, a majority of Zimbabweans still see Robert not only as an independence hero but also as a classic strongman. They believe he is not a villain as has been widely assumed. According to them, his wife and some criminals around him pushed him out of leadership in Zimbabwe.
That’s basically because the 94-year-old had held on to power for more than 37 years, saying he planned before taking over the army to transfer power to his wife. Born in 1924, Robert was reputedly the most educated leader in the world.
He has seven degrees in various disciplines such as education and law, two more earned in prison for inciting people to rebel against the colonial government, and six earned through correspondence courses.