Image: Bulawayo 24.
The First Lady in Zimbabwe, Grace Mugabe is set to become the latest addition to the ZANU PF, the top decision making body in Zimbabwe. Grace Mugabe, the wife of 90 year old President Robert Mugabe was, last month nominated by the outgoing chairperson of the Women’s League, Oppah Muchinguri at a function to mark the first lady’s birthday in Mazoe. The farm is owned by the First Lady. Those that attended the party took turns to beg Grace Mugabe to lead the women’s league. In her turn, Mugabe conditionally accepted her nomination saying that if it was the wish of the people.
It appears that she is on her way to getting the mandate that she requires. On Thursday, she was endorsed by the ZANU PF Youth League who called upon her to take up the reigns and lead the people. Addressing the Youth League meeting, Grace Mugabe said that she was tough and strict. She added that, if necessary, she would have to use ‘stones and fists’ in order to get her job done. The First Lady added that the time had come for her to show the people what she was made of adding that she had studied the current leader and her husband, Robert Mugabe, and would emulate his ‘candid and visionary’ leadership style. She, however said that her appointment as the leader of the Women’s League and therefore to be part of the Politiburo would be guided by the leadership of the ruling party, which she said had the final say on the matter.
Since her nomination, Grace Mugabe has increasingly begun to show her fangs. She has reportedly told her detractors that they were playing with fire when they opposed her. In the most recent run-in with some politicians, Mrs Mugabe lashed out at the Member for Mazowe North, who is also the deputy minister of Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, Fortune Chasi, whom she accused of attempting to work against her in her bid to acquire more land to expand her orphanage. Apparently, Chasi accused the first couple for trying to get the whole land in the country. The orphanage owned by Grace Mugabe is located in the constituency of Mazowe North and its member of parliament is Chasi.
There has been a lot of speculation as regards the entry of Grace Mugabe into Zimbabwean politics. Many schools of thought contend that she is slowly edging herself closer to the throne that her husband wants her to take over. Others, however, argue that she is merely warming the nest for her son, arboretum Mugabe Jnr, 23, who is said to be making his way swiftly through the Youth a league.
