By Munacho Gwamanda–Former First Lady Grace Mugabe overshadowed President Emmerson Mnangagwa at the funeral of Namibia’s late founding President, Sam Nujoma, on Saturday in Windhoek.
Her presence reignited discussions about the enduring legacy of her husband, Robert Mugabe, and his close ally, Nujoma.
The event drew regional and global attention and saw Grace Mugabe commanding significant recognition over Mnangagwa’s struggling image.
Nujoma, who passed away earlier this month, was a towering figure in African politics, playing a pivotal role in Namibia’s liberation from South African apartheid rule.
Like Mugabe, he was a staunch pan-Africanist, fiercely advocating for self-determination, land reform, and economic independence.
The two leaders shared more than just a close personal bond; they forged a political alliance that shaped the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and influenced regional affairs.
Both defied Western influence, prioritising Indigenous empowerment over international pressures.
Their vision of pan-African solidarity, though at times controversial, cemented their reputations as liberation icons.
However, their legacies took different paths.
While Nujoma remained a revered elder statesman in Namibia, Mugabe’s rule ended dramatically with the 2017 military coup engineered by Mnangagwa, now the President.
Since then, Mnangagwa has struggled to manage Mugabe’s enduring political influence in Zimbabwe.
Despite his efforts to rebrand Zanu PF and distance it from Mugabe’s radical policies, the late leader’s legacy remains deeply ingrained in Zimbabwean political culture.
Mnangagwa has sought to mend ties with Western powers and attract foreign investment, but his administration continues to grapple with economic collapse, corruption, and growing public discontent.
Grace Mugabe’s presence at Nujoma’s funeral carried powerful symbolism.
Once a formidable political figure in Zimbabwe, she was at the centre of the internal power struggle that led to her husband’s ousting.
Her re-emergence on the regional stage reminds us that the former leader’s influence still looms large despite Mnangagwa’s attempts to move beyond Mugabe’s shadow.
While Mnangagwa struggles with governance failures, economic instability, and factionalism within Zanu PF, Grace Mugabe’s reception in Namibia highlights the stark contrast in their political fortunes.
Despite all attempts to erase it, the Mugabe legacy continues to shape Zimbabwe’s political landscape and regional perceptions of its leadership.