Categories: Latest News

Zimbabwe ex-President Robert Mugabe dies aged 95

Former Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe has died at the age of 95, President Emmerson Mnangagwa said.

“It is with the utmost sadness that I announce the passing on of Zimbabwe’s founding father and former President, Cde Robert Mugabe,” Mnangagwa tweet early on Friday.

“His contribution to the history of our nation and continent will never be forgotten. May his soul rest in eternal peace.” he added.
After his humiliating fall from office in November 2017, his phenomenal physical stamina seeped away rapidly.

The former political prisoner turned guerrilla leader swept to power in the 1980 elections after a growing insurgency and economic sanctions forced the Rhodesian government to the negotiating table.

Born on February 21, 1924 into a Catholic family at Kutama Mission northwest of Harare, Mugabe was described as a loner, and a studious child known to carry a book even while tending cattle in the bush.

After his carpenter father walked out on the family when he was 10, the young Mugabe concentrated on his studies, qualifying as a schoolteacher at the age of 17.

An intellectual who initially embraced Marxism, he enrolled at Fort Hare University in South Africa, meeting many of southern Africa’s future black nationalist leaders.

After teaching in Ghana, where he was influenced by founder president Kwame Nkrumah, Mugabe returned to Rhodesia where he was detained for his nationalist activities in 1964 and spent the next 10 years in prison camps or jail.

During his incarceration, he gained three degrees through correspondence, but the years in prison left their mark.

His four-year-old son by his first wife, Ghanaian-born Sally Francesca Hayfron, died while he was behind bars. Rhodesian leader Ian Smith denied him leave to attend the funeral.

He once said that he’d rule his country until he turned 100, and many expected him to die in office.

Ben Idah

Recent Posts

Newly promoted NSCDC officer collapses, dies in restroom after salary alert

A newly promoted officer of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), identified only…

6 hours ago

Why Tinubu promoted Acting COAS Oluyede to Lieutenant General – Presidency reveals

President Bola Tinubu promoted Acting Chief of Army Staff Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede to the rank…

6 hours ago

Nigerian govt Scraps 18-year admission requirement for tertiary institutions

The Federal Government has officially scrapped the contentious 18-year age requirement for admission into tertiary…

6 hours ago

Baltasar Engonga: Equatorial Guinea govt takes action as more videos leaks onlines

The Government of Equatorial Guinea has restricted citizens from using mobile data to download and…

7 hours ago

BREAKING: Tinubu promotes Acting COAS Olufemi Oluyede to Lieutenant General rank

President Bola Tinubu has promoted Acting Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Olufemi Oluyede to the…

7 hours ago

BREAKING: Baltasar Engonga: Equatorial Guinea restricts WhatsApp amid leaked videos

The Government of Equatorial Guinea has restricted citizens from using mobile data to download and…

10 hours ago