Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe, who ruled the country for 37 years, resigned Tuesday evening after a week-long pressure from the military — and the web is rejoicing.
On Twitter, #MugabeResigns was trending in top spot in South Africa hours after the leader tendered his resignation. Trends for Zimbabwe aren’t made available by the platform, but it’s safe to assume the hashtag was exploding locally as well.
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What a time to be alive!!!
The People are the Power!!#MugabeResigns
— Boity Thulo (@Boity) November 21, 2017
While some expressed disappointment at the 93-year-old’s departure, they were drowned out by the celebration of the majority.
They still flockin into this spot
#MugabeResigns hillbrow pic.twitter.com/VgdlAlb0Qu — Sihle Vilakazi (@S__villakaz) November 21, 2017
Cde Pride Mkono tells me: “I’ve been arrested 67 times, been in court 34 times, been imprisoned for 8 months, charged with treason when it still carried a death sentence—in all this I never cried. But today when I heard Mugabe had fallen I broke down in tears.” #MugabeResignspic.twitter.com/FEmnP4DhU2
— Doug Coltart
(@DougColtart) November 21, 2017
After Mugabe resigned this is the mood in the country #MugabeResigns#Zimbabwepic.twitter.com/d4ZFXrXYYx
— Major General Coup (@MGCoup) November 21, 2017
Many expressed relief at the prospect of returning home to a nation that could pull itself from the economic woes that saw residents scatter across the globe in search of greener pastures.
“I was a teacher in Zim, now I’m a waiter in SA. #MugabeResigns means we can go home and rebuild our country,” Obey Manyoni in Yeoville. pic.twitter.com/7czmMMtzGZ
— Govan Whittles (@van1go) November 21, 2017
To all the countries and citizens that welcomed and accommodated Zimbabweans during their times of need, I say thank you. Countries like South Africa, Botswana, USA, UK, Australia and others, on behalf of the Zimbabweans, accept our gratitude
#Zimbabwe #MugabeResigns — Phineas Muchenjekwa (@PhineasMuchenj1) November 21, 2017
Zimbabweans waiting for a plan back home like. #Mugaberesignspic.twitter.com/wiNltCEvOY
— The King
(@Ntethehxulu) November 22, 2017
Of course, all the hubbub brought the trolls to the yard, and one of their favourite topics was a fake movie poster for a Christopher Nolan film about Mugabe starring Don Cheadle.
The poster was so popular it attracted the attention of Cheadle himself.
— Don Cheadle (@DonCheadle) November 21, 2017
Not to forget another “tyrant”, Arsene Wenger, Arsenal’s manager since 1996, was thrown into the joyous mix.
The only tyrant still left in power is Arsene Wenger #MugabeResigns
— Peter Kemboi (@Pyetrosville) November 21, 2017
Arsenal fans looking at Arsene Wenger like…. #MugabeResignspic.twitter.com/UYMDCpZaeK
—
DaddyMo (@officialdaddymo) November 21, 2017
Most spectacular, though, were the videos from news publications like News24 and eNCA of Zimbabweans revelling in their victory.
Zimbabweans fall to their knees with joy following the resignation of Robert Mugabe #Zimbabwe pic.twitter.com/vXJrhYvKaX — News24 (@News24) November 21, 2017
#MugabeResigns – If you do not know what it means to the people of #Zimbabwe, stop what you are doing and watch this interview! #DStv403pic.twitter.com/3Y703yAAay
— eNCA (@eNCA) November 22, 2017
Feature image: screenshot, @van1go via Twitter
