Robert
Mugabe, 89, is undoubtedly a controversial figure, but many are
familiar only with the details of his most public life. Both his
childhood and adult life are filled with surprises, many of which
influenced decisions during his numerous terms as Zimbabwe’s president.
1. Mugabe is the product of a religious upbringing
Both of Robert Mugabe’s parents were extremely religious, and strict with
their son. Throughout his childhood, he attended Jesuit school, and credits an
Irish priest as one of his most influential mentors in his youth.
2. Two of his brothers died when he was young
Sadly, Mugabe lost both of his older brothers by the age of 10. One died
from poisoning, while the other passed away not long after their father
abandoned the family.
3. Mugabe has a strong background in education
Many are aware that Mugabe has always been a strong proponent of education.
Zimbabwe’s literacy rate reached the highest of any African country during his
presidency. This is in large part due to the fact that Mugabe worked as a
school teacher prior to beginning his political career, first teaching in Ghana
and then returning to Zimbabwe to join the revolution against the white government
of Rhodesia.
4. He has seven university degrees
Six of Mugabe’s university degrees were actually earned while he was doing
distance learning in prison. They cover a broad range of topics including
education, economics, administration, and law. Degrees include a Bachelor of
Laws and Master’s of Laws from the University of London’s external program,
earned during his stint in a Salisbury prison.
5. After his release from prison, he escaped Zimbabwe with the help of a white nun
Though the Rhodesians did release Mugabe from prison, he was not supposed to
leave the country. A white nun helped him to cross into Mozambique, where he
was able to rejoin the revolutionary armies.
6. He was a Nobel Peace Prize nominee
In 1981, Mugabe was on the short list for the Nobel Peace Prize for his
initial stance about reconciliation following Zimbabwe’s independence and his
election as the country’s first president. He said, “Our people, young and old,
men and women, black and white, living and dead, are, on this occasion, being
brought together in a new form of national unity that makes them all
Zimbabweans.”
7. He had an extramarital affair while his wife was dying from cancer
While his first wife was struggling with her cancer, Mugabe started up with
his private secretary, Grace. When it came out that she was pregnant with his
child, he ignored popular opinion and married her in 1996.
8. Mugabe traveled to Italy despite a E.U. travel ban
Due to Mugabe’s violent rule, the European Union issued a travel ban against
him that would prevent him from entering any member countries. However, he was
able to subvert the ban on religious grounds in March 2013 in order to attend
the inauguration of Pope Francis in Italy.
9. Many honors he received from various institutions have been revoked
As the number of human rights violations perpetrated by Mugabe have increased,
many of his honors have been revoked. For instance, Queen Elizabeth II
rescinded his knighthood in 2008, the Hunger Project took back his 1988 award
of the Africa Prize for Leadership for the Sustainable End of Hunger, and
numerous universities have revoked honorary degrees, including Michigan State
University, University of Massachusetts, and the University of Edinburgh.
1O. He plans to run for president again in 2018
Mugabe won the most recent election in Zimbabwe in 2013 with 61 percent of
the vote, but it is widely believed that voter fraud occurred. Despite this,
and despite his advanced age, Mugabe has announced his intention to run again
for election in 2018 for the office that he has held since 1987.
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