BULAWAYO, ZIMBABWE // Brian Raftopoulos, a Zimbabwean academic, wrote in a 2004 paper that the prevailing economic crisis might not necessarily deflate people's support for the ruling party, Zanu-PF, or conversely benefit the opposition.
Mr Raftopoulos, then an associate professor at the University of Zimbabwe's Institute of Development Studies, wrote that although the party used coercive tactics, it still had considerable support.
"However," said Mr Raftopoulos, now director for research and policy at Solidarity Peace Trust in South Africa, "this assessment needs to keep in mind that Zanu-PF has combined these coercive measures with a skilful articulation of historical grievances, such that it has presented its vision as a daily part of people's lives, and in some sense speaking 'for the people'."
Although the reasons for its apparent resilience are contentious, as Mr Raftopoulos hinted, little has changed fundamentally since then regarding support for Robert Mugabe and the president's 46-year-old, left-leaning Zanu-PF, despite the party's shortcomings and the economic crisis largely blamed on his policies.
Mr Mugabe's supporters view him as a principled liberation hero being targeted by the West because he grabbed farms from whites, mostly descendants of British settlers.
His opponents said he is a power-hungry despot, who has ruined what was once a prosperous country.
"Zanu-PF is a party that brought us independence," said Khumbulani Mahlangu, 50, a peasant farmer in Mawabeni, 50km east of here, echoing Mr Mugabe's revolutionary rhetoric.
"It is a home-grown party, which has the national interest at heart, despite the bad economy. It has done a lot for the country too."
Ezekiel Mathe, 40, a Zanu-PF supporter, said: "We support him [Mugabe]. But his only problem is the economy. If it continues worsening, it would be a bigger problem and a source of disaffection."
Mr Mugabe, who often flaunts his liberation credentials, spent 11 years in the 1960s and 1970s in jails for his nationalist activities before escaping to lead an armed struggle against the settler administration. Independence from Britain came in 1980.
The Zimbabwe chapter of the International Socialist Organisation said in an analysis of the results of elections in March last year that although the pro-western opposition party, the Movement for Democratic Change, performed well, it was no serious threat in the rural areas, where Mr Mugabe's party largely retains much of its support.
"Our analysis remained valid in so far as the results show the continuing support for Zanu-PF in the majority of rural supporters. Zanu-PF still remains a substantial party in Zimbabwe despite the unprecedented economic crisis," said ISO Zimbabwe.
That election, declared substantially free and fair, was held amid rising inflation, now estimated at 230 million per cent, shortages of food and energy, and an unemployment rate of about 84 per cent.
Zanu-PF still won 99 seats in the House of Assembly, one less than the mainstream faction of the divided MDC led by Morgan Tsvangirai. It even won a majority in the Senate. In the presidential poll, Mr Mugabe, 85 next month, was outpolled by Mr Tsvangirai, but denied him an outright win. This necessitated a second round of voting between Mr Mugabe and Mr Tsvangirai, which the octogenarian won after polling more than two million votes. Mr Tsvangirai boycotted that rematch, citing violence against his supporters.
Mr Mugabe also has support among exiles who have fled the decade-long economic crisis.
Reason Wafawarova, a Zimbabwean political writer based in Australia, makes pro-Mugabe contributions to government-owned newspaper The Herald.
"I do not personally support President Mugabe much as I recognise him as an outstanding hero of our liberation struggle and a founding father of our independence. President Mugabe still enjoys a lot of support as a victim of imperialism," he said by e-mail from Sydney.
tmpofu@thenational.ae
Election pledges on migration
CDU: "Now is the time to control the German borders and enforce strict border rejections"
SPD: "Border closures and blanket rejections at internal borders contradict the spirit of a common area of freedom"
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Indika
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDeveloper%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2011%20Bit%20Studios%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPublisher%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Odd%20Meter%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EConsole%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20PlayStation%205%2C%20PC%20and%20Xbox%20series%20X%2FS%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Race card
5pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (Turf) 1,600m
5.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,600m
6pm: Arabian Triple Crown Round-1 Listed (PA) Dh230,000 (T) 1,600m
6.30pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (T) 1,400m
7pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,200m
7.30pm: Handicap (TB) Dh100,000 (T) 2,400m
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg
Bayern Munich v Real Madrid
When: April 25, 10.45pm kick-off (UAE)
Where: Allianz Arena, Munich
Live: BeIN Sports HD
Second leg: May 1, Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
COMPANY%20PROFILE%20
%3Cp%3EName%3A%20DarDoc%3Cbr%3EBased%3A%20Abu%20Dhabi%3Cbr%3EFounders%3A%20Samer%20Masri%2C%20Keswin%20Suresh%3Cbr%3ESector%3A%20HealthTech%3Cbr%3ETotal%20funding%3A%20%24800%2C000%3Cbr%3EInvestors%3A%20Flat6Labs%2C%20angel%20investors%20%2B%20Incubated%20by%20Hub71%2C%20Abu%20Dhabi's%20Department%20of%20Health%3Cbr%3ENumber%20of%20employees%3A%2010%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Indoor cricket World Cup:
Insportz, Dubai, September 16-23
UAE fixtures:
Men
Saturday, September 16 – 1.45pm, v New Zealand
Sunday, September 17 – 10.30am, v Australia; 3.45pm, v South Africa
Monday, September 18 – 2pm, v England; 7.15pm, v India
Tuesday, September 19 – 12.15pm, v Singapore; 5.30pm, v Sri Lanka
Thursday, September 21 – 2pm v Malaysia
Friday, September 22 – 3.30pm, semi-final
Saturday, September 23 – 3pm, grand final
Women
Saturday, September 16 – 5.15pm, v Australia
Sunday, September 17 – 2pm, v South Africa; 7.15pm, v New Zealand
Monday, September 18 – 5.30pm, v England
Tuesday, September 19 – 10.30am, v New Zealand; 3.45pm, v South Africa
Thursday, September 21 – 12.15pm, v Australia
Friday, September 22 – 1.30pm, semi-final
Saturday, September 23 – 1pm, grand final
Skewed figures
In the village of Mevagissey in southwest England the housing stock has doubled in the last century while the number of residents is half the historic high. The village's Neighbourhood Development Plan states that 26% of homes are holiday retreats. Prices are high, averaging around £300,000, £50,000 more than the Cornish average of £250,000. The local average wage is £15,458.
LOVE%20AGAIN
%3Cp%3EDirector%3A%20Jim%20Strouse%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EStars%3A%20Priyanka%20Chopra%20Jonas%2C%20Sam%20Heughan%2C%20Celine%20Dion%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3ERating%3A%202%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Know before you go
- Jebel Akhdar is a two-hour drive from Muscat airport or a six-hour drive from Dubai. It’s impossible to visit by car unless you have a 4x4. Phone ahead to the hotel to arrange a transfer.
- If you’re driving, make sure your insurance covers Oman.
- By air: Budget airlines Air Arabia, Flydubai and SalamAir offer direct routes to Muscat from the UAE.
- Tourists from the Emirates (UAE nationals not included) must apply for an Omani visa online before arrival at evisa.rop.gov.om. The process typically takes several days.
- Flash floods are probable due to the terrain and a lack of drainage. Always check the weather before venturing into any canyons or other remote areas and identify a plan of escape that includes high ground, shelter and parking where your car won’t be overtaken by sudden downpours.
Business Insights
- Canada and Mexico are significant energy suppliers to the US, providing the majority of oil and natural gas imports
- The introduction of tariffs could hinder the US's clean energy initiatives by raising input costs for materials like nickel
- US domestic suppliers might benefit from higher prices, but overall oil consumption is expected to decrease due to elevated costs
Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Torque: 450Nm at 6,100rpm
Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
On sale: Available to order now
THE SPECS
Engine: 1.5-litre, four-cylinder turbo
Transmission: seven-speed dual clutch automatic
Power: 169bhp
Torque: 250Nm
Price: Dh54,500
On sale: now
if you go
The flights
Etihad and Emirates fly direct to Kolkata from Dh1,504 and Dh1,450 return including taxes, respectively. The flight takes four hours 30 minutes outbound and 5 hours 30 minute returning.
The trains
Numerous trains link Kolkata and Murshidabad but the daily early morning Hazarduari Express (3’ 52”) is the fastest and most convenient; this service also stops in Plassey. The return train departs Murshidabad late afternoon. Though just about feasible as a day trip, staying overnight is recommended.
The hotels
Mursidabad’s hotels are less than modest but Berhampore, 11km south, offers more accommodation and facilities (and the Hazarduari Express also pauses here). Try Hotel The Fame, with an array of rooms from doubles at Rs1,596/Dh90 to a ‘grand presidential suite’ at Rs7,854/Dh443.
Dubai World Cup Carnival Card:
6.30pm: Handicap US$135,000 (Turf) 1,200m
7.05pm: Handicap $135,000 (Dirt) 1,200m
7.40pm: Zabeel Turf Listed $175,000 (T) 2,000m
8.15pm: Cape Verdi Group Two $250,000 (T) 1,600m
8.50pm: Handicap $135,000 (D) 1,600m
9.25pm: Handicap $175,000 (T) 1,600m
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
MATCH INFO
Liverpool 2 (Van Dijk 18', 24')
Brighton 1 (Dunk 79')
Red card: Alisson (Liverpool)
