Mugabe bets on presidency

Mugabe bets on presidency - with son

By Mduduzi Mathuthu

IF Zinedine Zidane had kept his head, and if France had won the World Cup, Zimbabwe would be under a new President today -- Chatunga Mugabe, the nine-year-old son of Robert Mugabe.

President Mugabe has revealed he bet on the presidency with his son during the World Cup final, and luckily for him, or sadly for Zimbabwe, his Italy won in a penalty shoot-out.

Details of the bet, revealed by Mugabe to journalists recently, say if France had won, President Mugabe would have gone back to school -- Hartman House Primary School where Chatunga is currently a third grader.

Mugabe's World Cup banter would have been ignored, but for the fact that he mentioned his son in the same line with the presidency, he has renewed a raging public debate whether he may be grooming his children for the top job.

In the past, political observers say Mugabe has deliberately embroiled his children with political controversy by having Chatunga, and his other son, Robert Jnr, appear in full military regalia at parades.

Journalist, Michael Hartnack believes Mugabe "clearly intends to found a dynasty."

He writes: "They (Mugabe's children) deserve, as individuals, to be protected from the insensate revenge of Mugabe's many enemies in the event of his death or sudden fall from power.

"The greatest physical threat is from his rivals -- members of his own Politburo -- who will see them as potential figureheads for cabals challenging their attempts to seize the spoils of power and wealth."

He added: "The likelihood is the children will disappear off to universities in the United States where they may enjoy cult status for the rest of their lives among some African-Americans.

"However, if while there they exercise their freedom of individual choice to absorb the humane values of men such as the late Dr Martin Luther King, without losing touch with African reality, they may yet have a valuable contribution to make to their home continent."

Mugabe's first born child is a 17-year-old girl given the same name as the President's mother, Bona. Teachers at her former school, Dominican Convent, talk of a quiet, unpretentious and well-mannered girl, with considerable talents.

But observers say if Mugabe ever dreams of extending his political dynasty, his hopes will be carried by his two sons, Robert Jnr and Chatunga.

Dumisani Muleya, news editor of the privately-owned Zimbabwe Independent newspaper says Mugabe may be quietly grooming his children for the top job, but warns their fate would be decided by Mugabe's legacy.

"Ugandans will unlikely vote Idi Amin's son as President. Similarly, the people of Malawi will hesitate to elect Kamuzu Banda's relative. That's the problem that faces Mugabe's sons, their future is tied closely to the legacy that their father leaves behind, and it doesn't look great," said Muleya.

Mugabe has fallen from a liberation war hero to an object of public ridicule. After steady economic progression since assuming power in 1980, inflation has surged in recent years and is currently the highest in the world at close to 1200%.

Public support for his administration is at its lowest, but observers say lack of direction and collective purpose in the opposition could hand his Zanu PF an unlikely opportunity to reform when he finally steps down, possibly in 2008.
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