Listen / Read
A reasonably considered reading by Butler. I would say this actually qualifies as a Thought for the Day, in that he actually must have thought about it. He was actually there, too, instead of just picking at a topic he has little or no connection to or particular knowledge of and blathering on about it aimlessly for three minutes like I do. It’s a bit of treat, really.
I confess to feeling rather sorry when I heard Morgan Tsvangirai was heckled by Zimbabwean expatriates. I can understand the anger on the part of people who want to see the back of Mugabe, but I certainly think Tsvangirai was right to remind them that “if there is anyone who has been traumatised, it is me.” I don’t think anyone can doubt his efforts to bring about change in Zimbabwe, or his awareness of the compromises he’s had to make along the way.
All that and he lost his wife in a car collision, followed by his grandson who drowned few days later in the swimming pool of the family home. Despite suggestions of foul play by various parties, easily made considering a history of accidental road deaths amongst Mugabe’s political opponents, Tsvangirai has since stated that he does not suspect foul play. Whether this is another timely compromise remains to be seen.
Surely his shrewd but passionate commitment to reform cannot be doubted. The man has spilt blood and lost those closest to him along the way, and he’s still navigating the political equivalent of shark infested water with a brand of courage I can barely comprehend.