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Still, back then under Ian Smith’s government at the helm of political power, many would argue the government of the day had the people at heart. It was, some say, a government of the people by the people—though the “by the people” part is debatable, considering that when the first democratic election occurred between Robert Gabriel Mugabe and Ian Smith, Mugabe mopped the floor with Smith, scooping over 90 percent of the vote.
Mugabe began as the darling of the Zimbabwean people. He was charismatic, articulate, and hailed as one of the most educated presidents Zimbabwe ever had. But as the saying goes, “Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” That proved true, as Mugabe held onto power for more than three decades until he was finally toppled by a coup in November 2017.
Many opposition leaders came and went during his reign, but Mugabe remained in control—thanks to a potent mix of voter suppression, coercion, election rigging, and other deplorable political tactics. It was as if the phrase “politics is a dirty game” had been taken literally and deeply to heart by the regime.
Today, Zimbabwe remains under the rule of ZANU-PF, albeit with a new face: Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, who once served as Mugabe’s right-hand man. While some hoped his leadership would usher in a new era, many citizens argue that it’s merely old wine in a new bottle—more of the same politics wrapped in a different face.
In contrast, South Africa’s political landscape seems to be more democratically sanitized. Since the end of apartheid, the country has seen several presidents come and go, largely through peaceful elections and constitutional transitions of power. While not without its own controversies and challenges, South Africa has maintained a multiparty system where opposition voices carry weight and democratic institutions remain relatively intact.
The contrast between the two nations highlights not just different styles of governance, but fundamentally different political cultures—one defined by dominance and decay, the other by transition and a fragile, yet functioning, democracy.
Currently Zimbabwe is still undere the rule of ZANU-PF but with a new face in the form of Emmrson Dambudzo Mngangwagwa who happens to be Robert Gabriel Mugabe’s deputy president.
On the contrary in South Africa politics appears to be more democratically sanitized. With South Africa having seen a lot of presidents oming and go since its indeendence from the apartheid regime.
