African leaders and absolute Power

Africa as a continent has a high number of dictators and life leader. Some have been forcefully removed while others have clenched on to power. Upon leaving, these leaders would have pre-staged a successor from their own family turning it into a dynasty.


 PRESIDENT Robert Mugabe's wife, Grace, on Thursday stunned ruling Zanu PF party supporters in Masvingo when she openly declared that she wants "the throne".

"When I was approached to come into politics to lead the women, one day I saw a vision of me ruling the heavenly kingdom."

This is the first time that Grace has openly admitted that she harbours ambitions to succeed her 90-year-old husband who has been at the helm since Zimbabwe's independence from Britain 34 years ago.

"When I was approached to come into politics to lead the women, one day I saw a vision of me ruling the heavenly kingdom.

"Rimwe zuva ndakaona ndine humambo hwekudenga, ndiri pano nhasi, ndirikutoona humambo ihwohwo saka ndakati regai ndihutore (One day I saw myself ruling the heavenly kingdom, I'm here today witnessing it and I have decided to take up the kingdom)," Grace said to rapturous applause.
The admission could however send shivers down the spines of her handlers within Zanu PF who now fear she could turn into a Frankeinstein monster.

Grace's entrance into the political arena is said to have been engineered by shrewd political godfather, Emmerson Mnangagwa, who is battling Vice-President Joice Mujuru in the succession fight.
Some commentators say Mnangagwa might have created a monster he might not be able to contain as the First Lady having smelt the sweet scent of power now wants more than just to lead the Zanu PF Women's League.

Addressing party supporters in Masvingo, Grace said she also wants a one-party state in Zimbabwe.
Grace began her speech by chanting the slogan: "Pamberi neOne Party State!"
She also threatened those who stand in her way with "strokes".
"I warn you to stop it because you are playing with fire," Grace said.
Zanu PF has always flirted with the idea of a one party state since independence in 1980. Mugabe reluctantly ditched the idea in the early 90s.
But his response has always been brutal when faced with strong opposition parties like Joshua Nkomo's FP Zapu and Morgan Tsvangirai's MDC.

Culled