Robert Mugabe: Twitter praises and shuns Zimbabwe’s first leader, dead at 95

Former president of Zimbabwe, Robert Mugabe, is dead at 95.

Mugabe died in a Singaporean hospital on Friday after receiving treatment for an illness.

The first ruler of the country post-independence from the British, remained at the helm of Zimbabwe for more some 37 years.

A military coup ousted him in 2017.

Zimbabwe’s current president, Emmerson Mnangagwa, was the first to offer his condolences.

Cde Mugabe was an icon of liberation, a pan-Africanist who dedicated his life to the emancipation and empowerment of his people. His contribution to the history of our nation and continent will never be forgotten. May his soul rest in eternal peace (2/2)

— President of Zimbabwe (@edmnangagwa) September 6, 2019

“It is with the utmost sadness that I announce the passing on of Zimbabwe’s founding father and former President, Cde Robert Mugabe,” he tweeted on Friday morning.

“Cde Mugabe was an icon of liberation, a pan-Africanist who dedicated his life to the emancipation and empowerment of his people. His contribution to the history of our nation and continent will never be forgotten. May his soul rest in eternal peace.”

Others shared this respect for the former leader.

1/3 My condolences to the Mugabe family and Africa for the passing on of Zimbabwe’s founding President.This is a dark moment for the family because a giant among them has fallen. May the Lord comfort them.

— nelson chamisa (@nelsonchamisa) September 6, 2019

3/3 There’s so much to say for a life of 95 years and national leadership spanning over 37 years but in the true spirit of Ubuntu, we would like to give this moment to mourning but there will be time for greater reflection.

— nelson chamisa (@nelsonchamisa) September 6, 2019

Nelson Chamisa, the president of the opposition party, the MDC, called Mugabe a “giant”.

“Even though I and our party, the MDC, and the Zimbabwean people had great political differences with the late former President during his tenure in office, and disagreed for decades, we recognise his contribution made during his lifetime as a nation’s founding President,” he tweeted.

We send condolences to the Government and the people of the Zimbabwe following the passing on of their founding leader and former President Robert Mugabe. The fearless pan-Africanist liberation fighter died in a hospital in Singapore. He was 95. #RIPRobertMugabe pic.twitter.com/97Y1aWcIYw

— South African Government (@GovernmentZA) September 6, 2019

The SA government called Robert Mugabe a “fearless pan-Africanist liberation fighter”.

Other Twitter users praised Mugabe for securing Zimbabweans land back from the British.

#RIPMugabe "Keep your Britain and let me keep my Zimbabwe"

It was a bumpy ride but securing of land for your people will forever be remembered.

RIP RGM pic.twitter.com/7eHbdmbRnb

— CUBA🇿🇦™ (@TakaTina1) September 6, 2019

Mugabe 💔 he took back the land. #RIPMugabe

— Kwizera (@TherealKwizera) September 6, 2019

We can say all we want but fact remains You Left Zimbabwe With Land not poems

Their economy will recover one day and grow strong with Land in their hands of the majority.

Unlike us here we have nothing to pass to our children. Only a useless democracy #RIPMugabe pic.twitter.com/JiJKJJQ6B1

— M M A P U L A (@Mmaps_ThePro) September 6, 2019

Some on Twitter offered nothing but critique, calling Mugabe “greedy and selfish”.

Other wondered if those tweeting positive sentiment also felt this way while he was ruling Zimbabwe.

The only attributes that we should be seeing from the African people and the rest of the Zimbos is how Robert Mugabe ruined the country. We should not normalize what he did even in his death. That has been our greatest hypocrisy. Mugabe was greedy and selfish. #RIPMugabe

— Lord Abraham Mutai (@ItsMutai) September 6, 2019

#RIPMugabe
As I watch you guys tweet saying great things about him like you didn't dislike/hate him while he was still alive pic.twitter.com/KRRG5F26I9

— Coco_thando_🏳️‍🌈 (@Coco_thando_) September 6, 2019

And some just felt both ways.

A great idealist. A bad executor. It’s a love hate thing here. To the next life. #RIPMugabe pic.twitter.com/lVJrWorcfI

— #JobWoodsJuly26 (@Gigi_Lamayne) September 6, 2019

Some will call him liberator. Some will call him oppressor. Both will probably be right… #RIPMugabe, may your victims and your followers find peace in your death

— Ryan Cummings (@Pol_Sec_Analyst) September 6, 2019

So it is when someone died people starts to value them. #RIPMugabe pic.twitter.com/or7YoXraao

— olasunkanmi oyerinde (@lasdooreal) September 6, 2019

Even in death Robert Mugabe remains a highly divisive figure.

Feature image: Robert Mugabe at Nelson Mandela’s memorial in 2013, in Johannesburg, by GovernmentZA/GCIS via Flickr (CC BY-ND 2.0)