By Munacho Gwamanda-Former, First Lady Grace Mugabe made a rare public appearance on Thursday in Harare, where she signed the book of condolences for the late former Namibian President, Sam Nujoma.
She joined mourners in honouring the life and legacy of Nujoma, Namibia’s founding father and a key figure in Africa’s liberation history.
Nujoma, who passed away in Namibia early this month, was a towering figure in African politics and a close ally of Zimbabwe’s late President Robert Mugabe.
The two leaders shared a deep bond forged through their nations’ protracted struggles against colonial rule.
Nujoma led Namibia’s fight for independence from South African apartheid rule, just as Mugabe led Zimbabwe’s war against British colonial domination.
Their friendship extended beyond liberation struggles as they worked together to shape regional politics, including forming the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
Both were champions of pan-Africanism, land reform, and economic independence, often standing in defiance of Western influence.
Their legacies continue to shape political discourse in both countries and the broader SADC region.
However, President Emmerson Mnangagwa has been grappling with the challenge of managing Mugabe’s enduring legacy in Zimbabwe.
Despite efforts to rebrand the ruling ZANU-PF government and distance it from some of Mugabe’s policies, the former president’s influence remains deeply embedded in Zimbabwean political culture.
Mnangagwa’s rise to power through a military-assisted takeover in 2017 alienated many within Mugabe’s inner circle, including his widow, Grace Mugabe.
Her reappearance at the Nujoma memorial event is symbolic, underscoring the lasting impact of her late husband’s legacy.
Meanwhile, Mnangagwa has sought to position himself as a reformist, courting Western investment and attempting to mend diplomatic ties.
However, he continues to struggle with economic decline, governance crises, and public discontent, which have led many to compare his administration unfavourably to Mugabe’s era.