https://mbofanatendairuben.news.blog/2025/05/19/zimbabwe-officials-incessant-praising-of-mnangagwa-is-an-attempt-to-mask-his-glaring-failures/ *_PLEASE SHARE_* *Zimbabwe officials’ incessant praising of Mnangagwa is an attempt to mask his glaring failures* _BY Tendai Ruben Mbofana_ *YOU can always tell when there’s an attempt to cover up a mess.* There is a deeply disturbing and frankly embarrassing trend that has taken root in Zimbabwe’s political landscape—one that reeks of desperation, fear, and manufactured loyalty. It is the inexplicable and incessant praising of President Emmerson Mnangagwa by nearly every government official, whether at public events, in media interviews, or in casual public addresses. One can’t help but notice that it has become almost a government policy that every speech, no matter how irrelevant the occasion, must include some form of bootlicking homage to the president. This peculiar behavior has reached such absurd levels that even when a cabinet minister is launching a borehole in a village, the event somehow becomes a platform to heap praise on “the visionary leadership of His Excellency, the President, Dr. E.D. Mnangagwa.” *_● If you believe in Tendai Ruben Mbofana’s fight for justice in Zimbabwe, please consider supporting his work financially. Every contribution helps him keep going, independently and fearlessly._* When Vice Presidents attend events, their speeches often begin and end with glorification of the president. When state media interviews a beneficiary of some government aid program, they, too, feel obliged to express gratitude to the president. Even the most basic, routine duties of the government are now portrayed as grand gifts bestowed upon citizens through Mnangagwa’s generosity and wisdom. One only needs to watch the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC) on any given day to see this in full swing. News bulletins are littered with ministers who can barely complete a sentence without inserting a tribute to Mnangagwa’s supposed genius. Songs praising the president are aired with exhausting frequency, turning the national broadcaster into a propaganda machine that seeks to brainwash the population into believing they owe everything to one man. One cannot help but wonder: why this constant need to elevate and worship Mnangagwa? What is the rationale behind this suffocating culture of praise? It is almost as if Zimbabweans are being held at ransom, as though the continued delivery of government services, however minimal, is contingent on unwavering loyalty to the president. There appears to be an unwritten rule in government: if you want to keep your job, keep receiving funding for your projects, or maintain political favor, then you must publicly express gratitude to Mnangagwa. This creates a dangerous dynamic in which citizens and officials alike behave as though they are beholden to the president for basic services that should be their right. It transforms the president from a public servant into a monarch-like figure whose goodwill must be begged for and constantly acknowledged. The irony, of course, is that many of the things officials are thanking Mnangagwa for were never his personal achievements. Often, these are projects initiated years ago, funded by taxpayers’ money, loans, or even foreign donors. For instance, the New Parliament Building in Mt. Hampden, often hailed as a symbol of Mnangagwa’s success, was a gift from the Chinese government—paid for and constructed by China. Similarly, boreholes drilled in rural areas are usually funded through public resources or development partners, yet government ministers rush to attribute them to the president’s benevolence. In any functional democracy, it would be ridiculous for a population to thank a president for a borehole, food aid, or even a new school. These are basic government responsibilities—not favors. Citizens pay taxes, and it is the job of government to use those taxes to provide essential services and infrastructure. Leadership should be judged on its ability to improve the livelihoods of the people, not on how many times it is praised in speeches or how many songs are sung in its honor. What makes this culture of glorification even more insulting is the reality on the ground. Zimbabweans are not living better lives under Mnangagwa. If anything, conditions have worsened. Over 80% of the population is now living in poverty. Salaries are so meager they cannot meet even the most basic household needs. Parents are struggling to pay school fees, buy uniforms, or afford supplies in learning institutions that often lack textbooks and adequate classrooms. Hospitals are under-resourced, understaffed, and, in many cases, deadly. Getting sick has become a terrifying prospect, as patients are now required to bring their own bandages, gloves, medication, and even buy fuel for ambulances or pay for tests at expensive private laboratories. In this context, it is a grotesque insult to expect Zimbabweans to shower Mnangagwa with praise. What is there to celebrate? The economy remains in a tailspin, the local currency dollar is struggling, and inflation remains one of the highest in the world. Youth unemployment is staggering, and even those who attempt to start small businesses face a suffocating economic environment, corruption, and lack of access to capital. How, then, does a new road interchange in Harare or an expanded international airport translate into meaningful change for the majority of Zimbabweans? These projects, while visible, are often inaccessible or irrelevant to the daily struggles of ordinary people. The government seems more focused on optics—building flashy projects for international attention—than on fixing the real problems that plague its citizens. This relentless campaign of praise is not about celebrating real progress. It is a propaganda tool designed to mask failure. If Mnangagwa were truly delivering results, there would be no need to constantly remind people of his supposed achievements. The results would speak for themselves. Citizens would feel the improvements in their lives and would not need to be told what to think. The fact that so much energy is spent manufacturing praise indicates a deep insecurity within the regime—a fear that people see through the charade. Compare this to other countries where leaders are judged by outcomes, not slogans. In South Africa, one rarely hears ministers thanking Cyril Ramaphosa in every public address. In the United Kingdom, no one sings songs praising Prime Minister Keir Starmer for commissioning a bridge or opening a school. These are duties of government, not acts of charity. The citizens of those nations know their rights and expect their governments to deliver—without needing to prostrate themselves in gratitude. What is happening in Zimbabwe is dangerous. It creates a culture of hero-worship that stifles accountability. It discourages critical thought and promotes blind loyalty. It turns public service into a stage for political performance, rather than a vehicle for real change. Worse still, it distracts from the real issues affecting the population. As long as ministers are busy rehearsing their praises, they are not solving the crisis in our hospitals, our schools, our industries, or our public services. We need to move away from this culture of praise and demand a culture of results. Zimbabweans need real development—development that lifts people out of poverty, creates jobs, improves public services, and restores dignity. We need leaders who serve, not rulers who expect worship. Until that happens, there is absolutely no justification for glorifying a president who has presided over deepening national misery. If anything, it is time we held him accountable. *_● Tendai Ruben Mbofana is a social justice advocate and writer. Please feel free to WhatsApp or Call: +263715667700 | +263782283975, or email: [email protected], or visit website: https://mbofanatendairuben.news.blog/_*