He added that because of such attitudes towards leadership, Africa remains stuck in an era of extreme poverty for the majority of its people.
“This has been the biggest problem on the African continent. That when leaders assume positions of responsibility they forget that the primary objective is service and sacrifice. And they begin to think about themselves, building a parasitic elite that is focusing on self-aggrandizement at the expense of the populace. That is what we need to cure” he added.
He added that there has been change without change in Zimbabwe as the ‘new dispensation’ was simply a reproduction of the old, tyrannical system. He said that he respected the young Mugabe but had reservations of the old Mugabe who betrayed the reason why he participated in the liberation struggle.
“I have a lot of respect of Robert Mugabe the young, though I do not have any respect for Robert Mugabe the old, because he betrayed the ideals of Robert Mugabe the young, who was a liberation icon. I suppose there is something wrong with age, but I don’t think so. Age comes with wisdom, but for Mr. Mugabe, age came alone. And these are the things we want to make sure we are able to deal with.
The People’s President, Nelson Chamisa was addressing students at the Oxford Union. The Oxford Union, is a debating society in the city of Oxford, England, whose membership is drawn primarily from the University of Oxford.
President Chamisa is in the UK where he addressed Zimbabweans in Bedford. He will take the opportunity of his presence in the UK to interact with Zimbabweans, UK government officials as well as address various think tanks.
He returns to Zimbabwe later this week.
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