Hard to say Happy Birthday
February 21st, 2012
Exactly how do say happy birthday to someone who is turning 88?
Do you say I wish you many more with a straight face considering that you lost relatives because of that octogenarian? Do you wish more on the man given my relatives, who should have made it to 40 but never did, died because of that old man as hospitals were closed and there were no drugs. Do you say happy birthday to a man who is responsible for chasing away your aunties and uncles to the Diaspora because they refused to share his political beliefs?
How indeed do I say happy birthday sincerely to someone who killed the hopes and dreams of a million children as schools were closed when teachers left? How do I wish him more after he quashed my dream of attaining a university degree because of unaffordable tuition? Yet during the colonial era he was able to attain several degrees.
I find it difficult to celebrate President Robert Mugabe’s 88th birthday if I think about the Gukurahundi atrocities of the 1980s, and the butchering of MDC-T activists since 2000.
These are some of the questions and more that cruised through my mind as I thought about President Robert Mugabe’s birthday. I thought ‘wow this man has an amazing body, has he traded his soul with the devil for strength?’
Has he no shame for the people who are perpetually hungry because his land reform programme which turned the former bread basket into a basket case?
This is the man who has rigged elections since 2000 and seems to be bent on robbing Zimbabweans again this year.
I won’t say happy birthday to Mugabe; he doesn’t deserve it.
February 21st, 2012 09:23
i will say happy bithday coz he does deserve it
March 11th, 2012 09:29
It’s what happens after his LAST birthday that really counts.
What is happening now to create better ways of government, taking the useful and inclusive ways from many systems around the continent and world? What passes for ‘democracy’ elsewhere is a bitter joke. Please create something much better.
How will the people who have benefitted from their loyalty to Zanu be coaxed into ways that are far less destructive and hurtful after that last birthday? and how will the break with the past be accomplished?
There were plenty to congratulate the old fellow on attaining advanced years.
I’m hoping the Happy Rebirth Day for Zimbabwe, not too far ahead, is so much bigger and shared by so many more.
April 2nd, 2012 10:31
Lets hope there is not another one for Magabe, that way everyone can be happy!!!