Comrade Robert Mugabe, the iconic liberation fighter and founding father of modern Zimbabwe has earned a special place in history.
The passing at age 95 of the former Ghanaian in-law and teacher in Ghanaian schools for several years at this particular time of great debate about the causes of Xenophobia in South Africa should bring attention to the innovative way President Mugabe addressed the question of indigenous economic empowerment by confronting the lack of ownership of land and other resources for black Zimbabweans after independence through the famous Lancaster House Agreement.
Despite excesses especially after Britain reneged on its obligations under Tony Blair, the land redistribution programme tremendously improved the economic well-being of black Zimbabweans. It is this acute lack of economic empowerment that has created the fault lines in post-apartheid South Africa.
Current South African political leaders have a lot to learn from the legacy of Comrade Mugabe if they must uproot the underlying factors of the recurring mindless and misplaced xenophobic attacks.
Until a fair redistribution of wealth and massive investment in the education of black South Africans (just as Zimbabwe became one of the most literate nations in the world under Mugabe) are boldly confronted, we shall rather sadly continue to live with the scourge of xenophobia.
May posterity be kind to Uncle Bob. Rest well, thou brave Pan-Africanist.
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