Zimbabwe is one country in which even after independence, the situation has not changed.

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          This is an era when imperialism has almost ended. Most of the Asian and African countries got their independence in the latter half of the twentieth century. A majority of these have democratic government operating as their legislature. These countries are fast striving towards development after years of oppressive rule under the imperial powers. However, Zimbabwe is one country in which even after independence, the situation has not changed. In fact, it has worsened. The economy is in ruins and people are starving to death. In fact, it can be easily illustrated from Zimbabwe’s present situation that Zimbabwe’s prosperity has actually declined since independence (Meredith, 7). The irony here lies in the political situation of Zimbabwe. The very own idea of imperialism, of absolute power, which Zimbabwe fought against, is still alive in the country. It is ironical that Robert Gabriel Mugabe, the man who led Zimbabwe in their freedom struggle against the British rule, demanding a free and democratic Zimbabwe, assumes absolute power and has the whole of Zimbabwe at his helm.

          Robert Mugabe was elected as the first prime minister of independent Zimbabwe, but, since then, his rule has never ended. Mugabe was born at the Kutama Mission in Southern Rhodesia (Zimbabwe was previously named Southern Rhodesia) on February 21, 1924. After completing his education, Mugabe moved to Ghana where he took to teaching. At that time, Mugabe did not have any vested interest in the nationalist movement going on in modern day Zimbabwe. He had an indifferent attitude towards the British rule in Zimbabwe.  However, it is by chance when he, while on a trip to Southern Rhodesia, cancelled his planned return to Ghana, and instead jumped into the nationalist movement (Meredith, 21).

          This marked the beginning of Mugabe’s political career. When he returned to Southern Rhodesia, he formed the Zimbabwe African National Union (ZANU) with Sithole, whole belonged to the Ndebele tribe. It was the first time that the two rival tribes, namely the Ndebele and Mugabe’s tribe, the Shona agreed to work together for Southern Rhodesia’s independence. It would have been easy for the ZANU to split on tribal lines as tribal rivalry was, and presently still is, dominant in Zimbabwe. It was only for Mugabe’s excellent leadership skills that the party managed to stay united (http://www.africanet.com/africanet/country/zimbabwe/history.htm). He was determined in his struggle against the white colonials, and realized that the struggles needed to be cohesive in order to be effective. This illustrates that Mugabe had a mature thinking and was politically shrewd. Inter-tribal wars are still a big problem in Africa. But, Mugabe, who was determined to lead a united revolt against imperial England, made friends with his rival tribe. Mugabe’s political strategies lead us in to appreciation for his political insightfulness as he was able to reconcile with a rival tribe, to fight together against imperialism. But, at that time, no one knew that the enemy Mugabe was fighting against i.e. absolute rule, would soon become his own way of ruling an independent Zimbabwe.

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          Soon after the ZANU was formed, it was banned by the contemporary Ian Smith government and Mugabe was detained in prison for ten long years. Usually, when political leaders are imprisoned for a long period of time, they lose their interest in the freedom struggle. But, Mugabe’s resolve strengthened further in those ten years. Mugabe earned two university degrees while in prison. More importantly, he always remained in contact with the freedom fighters during all those years. After ten years, when he was released, he led the Chinese-funded military wing of the ZANU. This ...

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