Malvern Mkudu

About a month ago, Fidel Castro gave an address that he said could potentially be his last to the Communist Party saying he felt the end of his life is near.His bowing out in grace provoked inevitable comparisons with his peer, Robert Mugabe.

Before the retirement of Fidel Castro it was largely believed that the departure of the revolutionary leader would result in chaos in Cuba. However the smooth handing over of power to his young brother, Raul ended all such speculation.

The retirement of Fidel Castro has seen relations between the United States of America and Cuba thawing with, US President Barack Obama, visiting the country recently. This could have never occurred under Fidel. Under Raul the Communist Party is also amending its constitution to put a 2 term limit to the presidency of the party. This is to ensure that youthful leaders are also given a chance to lead and also that the party remains vibrant after the crop of current revolutionaries eventually pass on.

Fidel Castro is a leader who divides opinion in Cuba loved by some and loathed by others. Universal education, almost guaranteed employment and quality healthcare are some of the revolutionary’s achievements since he rose to power .

Despite being in full control of both the party and the government, Castro announced his retirement in February 2008.  He said “It would betray my conscience to take up a responsibility that requires mobility and total devotion that I am not in a physical condition to offer”

Throughout his well documented sickness there were no reports that Castro left his country reeling from US imposed sanctions to seek better medical care in other countries. He has flown in specialists and equipment from Spain to receive treatment on Cuban soil.

Since 1961, Cuba has suffered an economic embargo from the United States and this has made the lives of many Cubans difficult but despite these hardships many Cubans have remained behind the leadership of Castro.

The same cannot be said about the revolutionary leadership of President Robert Mugabe. He has blamed sanctions for the deteriorating economy and yet he and his officials live in opulence seeking medical attention in other countries. Mugabe’s health status has also remained a closely guarded secret in the vain hope of portraying him as infallible and up to the task of governing despite numerous visits in far away countries for medical attention.

Unlike Castro, who has faith in the health and education systems he built, Mugabe loathes even the education legacy he often claims credit for as his own children have received education outside the country. Mugabe’s revolutionary leadership has been etched on empty rhetoric and hypocrisy while that of Castro has been built upon exemplary leadership and principle.

Mugabe’s daughter recently gave birth outside the country in a a show of defiance and mockery to the millions of Zimbabweans who have had to endure the effects of Mugabe’s mismanagement.

Zimbabweans who saw through this hypocrisy, voted against Mugabe in 2008.He refused to accept the results of elections and delayed releasing results of the poll.

Castro understood that, the party and the ideas of his party would outlive him and relinquished power to his brother in 2008. Recently he recognised his own mortality, admitting his time had come and that the ideas of his party would live long after he is gone.

Mugabe on the other hand, at 93 years old and often inexplicably leaving the country to seek medical treatment in Asia has proclaimed that he still has the power to continue. This is despite the fact that his excessive travelling disrupts government operations as cabinet sometimes fails to sit and deliberate on important national matters during his absence.

His hangers on , more concerned about the loss of patronage if Mugabe leaves claim that the veteran leader is the ‘glue’ that holds the party together and guarantees peace in the country. Mugabe also now believes this lie and also reinforces it to justify hanging on to power.

Mugabe has now become the chasm that divides the party along those who now see that he is a threat to the future of the party and those who are beneficiaries of his incompetence and unprecedented tolerance for corruption. Those who claim to be the stockholders of the party do not believe Mugabe can continue.

The main difference between these two iconic leaders is Castro understood his human limitations and acted in the best interest of the party and country. Mugabe on the other hand doesn’t and purports to be acting for the people when his continuous presence is now hurting the same people whose interests he claims to be advancing. Mugabe’s intentions may be good but the reality of the situation is that his physical condition no longer allows him to follow through on those good intentions.

Castro believed in new leadership and that others after him could keep the party together. Mugabe does not, he believes he is God sent and after him his party will disintegrate and there will be instability in the country. This is perhaps the greatest failing of his leadership, allowing himself to become a cult figure who is the first and last and without him there is no life or hope.

At the end of their illustrious lives Castro and Mugabe will be remembered as iconic revolutionaries but with different legacies.  Castro will be remembered for his steadfastness and living as he preached while, Mugabe risks being remembered for selfishness and hypocrisy.