Let King Arthur set sail

Let King Arthur set sail

• Arthur Mutambara Biography

• Mutambara goes on charm offensive

• Statement by Prof Arthur Mutambara

• MDC receives $8 billion from government

• Mutambara 'not for turning'

• Mutambara set to be new MDC leader

By Bekithemba Mhlanga

LEGEND has it that when king Uther Pendragon died his son , Arthur, raised in secrecy during troubled times assumed the throne in way that urban legends are made of.

As Merlin, a wise magician, feared when King Urther died there was great conflict over who should be the next king. Merlin used his magic to set a sword in stone. Written on the sword, in letters of gold, were these words:

“Who so pulleth out this sword of this stone is the rightwise born king of all England.”

Of course all the contenders for the throne took their turn at trying to draw the sword, but none could succeed. Arthur quite by chance, withdrew the sword for another use in a tournament. Following this he became king.

Zimbabwe’s circumstances could hardly be described as being in this mould but again the situation that has unravelled over the last few hours cannot be said to be far from this. It’s the stuff that urban legends in Zimbabwe are made from.

Professor Mutamabara we are told has re – entered the politics of Zimbabwe. This statement or assertion must be placed in its proper context. The last time that Mutambara , to the every Jack or Jill , Phiri or Banda was in the political field in Zimbabwe ,was some seventeen years ago as the President of Student Representative Council at the University of Zimbabwe. It’s a long time ago.

Robert Mugabe was sixty six years old, Munyaradzi Gwisai was still called Enoch Chikweshe, students at the University of Zimbabwe were still having three course meals including non residents. A student concession flight with Air Zimbabwe to Bulawayo cost Z$96. Students worshipped the ground walked by Sidney Malunga , Morgan Tsvangirai and Edgar Tekere. How things change.

Socialisim and communism held sway at the time. Shadreck Guto and Kempton Makamure, may his soul rest in peace, were big time king makers on who would ascend to the throne of the students council. Redstars was the preferred football team for all the dyed in wool communists. Professor Mutambara , then simply known as AGO, was a leading member of the Society for Modern Scientific Thought and flirted with the Society for African Studies (S.A.S).

It was a time when the PAC and the ANC battled for the souls of the excitable students on campus. Seventeen years ago during those days of student activism of Mutambara’s time the politics at the University was highly tribal. The north voting for one candidate and the south , amajaha , voting for the other. Hence we ended up with Mutambara on one corner and Sikhumbuzo ‘Razor’ Mkandla on the other.

How bizarre that this week, during the week when Robert Mugabe is celebrating his 82nd birthday, Prof Mutambara could possibly be coronated as King Arthur. He will find, as much he knows that, his friends in the trenches have been grinding national politics for the past six or seven years. He will find that other cadres have emerged, submerged and passed away. Different and questionable characters have walked the very same path that he treaded at Mt Pleasant.

He will find a resolute, ferocious, vile and violent Robert Mugabe who will brook no nonsense from anyone. He will know that students payout are no where near the Z$300 to Z$500 range for residents that was the case during his time.

As we started we must end with intriguing legend of King Arthur. The story goes that as peace settled over the country things turned sour within the court of Camelot and civil war broke out. Arthur was set upon a boat and floated down the river to the isle of Avalon. Here his wounds were treated by three mysterious maidens. His body was never found and many say that he rests under the hill with all his knights – ready to ride forth and save the country again.

Ahoy, King Arthur, let the party begin welcome to national politics.

Bekithemba Mhlanga is a Zimbabwean journalist and is based in West Sussex, England. He can be contacted on: MhlangaB@outreach3way.org
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