Zimbabweans divided over Queen Elizabeth II
Just a day after government publicists went to town about what they termed ED Mnangagwa's “historic handshake” with former British prime minister Tony Blair at a summit in Kigali, Rwanda, the British Royal monarch Queen Elizabeth II died.
This uneventful happening caught the Zanu PF leadership off guard. The ED led government which has been making frantic efforts to gain acceptance from the international community including groupings like the Commonwealth are at a crossroads.
Whilst it will be a good gesture to join fellow African leaders like Kenyatta of Kenya and Chakwera of Malawi that have declared days of mourning for the late royal, the party also fears that it will look like they are now boot-licking their former colonisers.
It must be really tough being a ZANUPF supporter this week & the next 10 days.
On one hand you were trained to bash anything Western including Queen Elizabeth and her Commonwealth.
On the other hand your leader is pleading to join the Commonwealth led by the King of Britain🤣🤣 pic.twitter.com/DjUQNnZT2O
— Hopewell Chin’ono (@daddyhope) September 10, 2022
The government trying not to anger party supporters where some of them recently declared at Apostle Wimbo's shrine that white people were “vana vaSatani: Satan's brood” has carefully remained mum on the Queen's death. Even the government owned ZBC has took long to report on the royal's death.
Colonialism was genocide against Africans.
— Saviour Kasukuwere (@Hon_Kasukuwere) September 10, 2022
Social media is however awash with the news and many have made their opinions known about their feelings towards the “Queen's legacy”. Social media influencers like Ali Naka and Citizens Coalition for Change activist, Makomborero Haruzivishe took to Twitter and questioned the logic of having African countries declare days of mourning for a former coloniser.
During colonialism, in Kenya there were the “kagunia” their ancestors the kamba were homeguards for the British and were used as foot soldiers to wipe out native resistance. We have many of those on the streets defending the Oppressor!!
— African (@ali_naka) September 10, 2022
Jonathan Moyo on the other hand supported Kenyatta and Chakwera's move by saying that they were members of the Commonwealth which is headed by the British monarchy. He said it was necessary for Zanu PF-led government to make a similar gesture.
The late Queen's legacy will always remain divisive amongst Zimbabweans as some see her as not only a beneficiary but also an active participant in the colonisation of Africa. Others on the other hand believe Zimbabwe especially the government needs to engage and embrace the British monarchy in order for the country to end its isolation.
