Mugabe’s Bargain
Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe in 2008.
February 11, 1990, marked the wondrous day Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela was released from prison. South Africa and the world rejoiced at the miracle of seeing the soon-to-be President Mandela free after 27 years of imprisonment — free to grace his fellow comrades, nation, and global community with what commonly became recognized as “Madiba Magic.” Mandela had an aura about him that bespoke promise and convinced us of a bright future and hope for the South African nation.
Last Wednesday, February 11, 2009, Morgan Tsvangirai was sworn in as Prime Minister of the Republic of Zimbabwe by President Robert Mugabe. One wonders whether this 11th of February in Zimbabwe will be as promising as that famous 11th of February in South Africa.
Now that the sky has fallen on the U.S. economy, and terms like bailout, foreclosure, and recession have become a normal part of our everyday reality, it’s important for the United States to do some serious self-reflection. Based on the economic disparities in this country and around the globe, should our current crisis really come as such a surprise?