Robert Mugabe’s departure ushers in a heady new era for Zimbabwe | Knox Chitiyo

Zimbabwe is experiencing an almost unprecedented convergence. Mnangagwa is set to be the new president - and millions will tune in to hear his first speech

The ecstatic scenes said it all - Zimbabweans around the world are celebrating the resignation of Robert Mugabe as president. In January 1980, hundreds of thousands of Zimbabweans thronged Zimbabwe Grounds stadium in Highfields township, Harare, to welcome Mugabe back from exile. In March 1980, with reggae icon Bob Marley and Britain's Prince Charles in attendance, thousands filled Rufaro Stadium to witness the handover from Rhodesia to the new nation of Zimbabwe. Thirty-seven years later, the largest crowds Harare has ever witnessed flooded the streets once again; not to welcome Mugabe in, but to see him out. One simple, taut phrase summed up the day's events: "This is our second independence day."

How did it come to this?

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