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AN ANNIVERSARY
AND A PLEDGE
By Gideon Sackitey
Accra, March 8, Ghanadot.com - ONE of the most
significant things that took place during the
momentous occasion of Ghana 50th Independence
Anniversary celebrations were the presence of a
bevy of African Heads of State never seen in
this country.
There was in this country over 30 leaders all
gathered to just indulge a bit in the joyous
occasion of “50 years of Freedom” as the theme
of the celebration.
Even though President Olusegun Obasanjo was the
Special Guest of Honour, there was one other who
was not seen at the real parade grounds at the
Independence Square here in Accra. He is in the
person of President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe.
Mr Mugabe had taken the opportunity to visit his
in-laws, guess I am right or better still, his
one-time in-laws on the occasion. How
thoughtful!
According to reports Mr Mugabe of Zimbabwe was
in Sekondi for three-hours at the birth place of
his late wife, Sally. Sally nee Hayfron died in
1996 and was buried in Harare, Zimbabwe.
The Zimbabwean leader went further to also lay
wreaths at the grave of his late son, Nhamo who
was born on September 27 1963 and died on
December 26 1966. Nhamo’s tomb is at Kansaworodo,
near Takoradi. Sally was buried in Harare,
Zimbabwe.
Nhamo an only son died at age 4, while Mugabe
was in prison.
Sally Mugabe trained as a teacher who asserted
her position as a foremost independent political
activist and campaigner. This she clearly
demonstrated from as early as 1962 when she was
active in mobilizing African women to challenge
Ian Smith’s Rhodesian constitution resulting in
her own imprisonment.
She became Zimbwean's first lady in 1980 and
served as Deputy Secretary and later as
Secretary of the ZANU Women's League. She
founded the Zimbabwe Child Survival Movement.
Sally Mugabe launched the Zimbabwe Women's
Cooperative in the UK in 1986 and supported
Akina Mama wa Africa, a London-based African
women's organisation focusing on development and
women's issues in Africa and the UK. She rests
at the National Heroes Acre in Harare, Zimbabwe.
Back to the events of 6th March, the man who
many think has outlived his usefulness as
President of Zimbabwe did one lovely thing. But
it was not to be because at his former wife’s
family house at Sekondi where the Zimbabwean
President held talks with his late wife's
relatives, his wife, the current Zimbabwean
First Lady, was prevented from entering.
President Mugabe however, went ahead to hold
discussions with Madam Mavis Hayfron, 99,
Sally’s mother and other relations. While this
went on, Mr. Steven Asamoah Boateng, the
Minister of Local Government, Rural Development
and Environment tried hard to resolve the issue,
pleading with the family household. In the end,
all these efforts failed to materialise.
In the end, the Zimbabwean First Lady had to
wait in a vehicle and this is where I have my
beef! How on earth could this be? Ghanaians, oh
Ghanaians! I heard it was all in the name of
TRADITION! Some tradition eh?
First, this woman does not even have anything
doing with this family, except that …., if you
know what mean. She was been very kind to show
up at their family house. For me, I think it was
just right and a time to make peace with all
that had happened before and what we had heard
had transpired over the period.
It is true that Mugabe married or was reported
to be “going out” with his current wife two
years before Sally died, but who could blame
her?
I think that as peaceful a people as we are,
Sally’s family should put the past behind them,
for it is possible Mugabe would be returning to
this country so long as his son is buried in
Ghana and he would choose to continue laying
wreaths on his grave.
Gideon Sackitey, March 10, 2007, Ghanadot.com
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