Johannesburg - Zimbabwe's longstanding
government and ruling party mouthpiece, The Herald newspaper,
has abruptly changed its tune on President Robert Mugabe's wife
Grace, confirmation of her political downfall.
The Herald often takes its marching orders from the
information ministry. And it has always reported from the point
of view of the winning faction in the ruling ZANU-PF, making it
a reliable barometer of someone's political standing.
In August, the paper ran a typically fawning portrait of
Grace under the headline "A Loving Mother of the Nation."
"Loving mother, compassionate philanthropist, astute
businesswoman, perceptive politician, remarkable patriot, these
are all adjectives that can be used to describe the First Lady
Dr Grace Mugabe," The Herald gushed.
Less than three months later and in the wake of a coup that
threatens Mugabe's presidency and has seen both he and Grace
expelled from ZANU-PF, her Herald portrayal was starkly
different.
"Grace Mugabe lacked grooming and true motherhood as shown
by her foul language," the paper quoted the ZANU-PF's youth wing
as saying.
"We take exception to the vulgar language which had become
part of Mrs Mugabe's vocabulary," it quoted a Youth League cadre
as saying.
Zimbabweans, many of whom are devoutly religious and
culturally conservative, often take offence at profanities.
The piece featured an unflattering picture of an unsmiling
Grace - a sharp departure from the "loving mother" portrayal
that included photos of her smiling and holding infants.
Until the events of the past week, the political fortunes of
Grace - dubbed "Gucci Grace" for her reputed fondness shopping
sprees - were on the rise, if The Herald's coverage was
anything to go on.
In September 2014, the University of Zimbabwe awarded her a
PHD - raising eyebrows as her academic prowess had previously
been unknown. But in Zimbabwe, the path to power is paved with
academic letters.
Weeks later, one Herald headline blared: "Dr Grace Mugabe
honoured in song." At the time, she was being shoe-horned into
the top position in ZANU-PF's Women's League, and the song was
entitled: "Dr G Mugabe For Women’s League Secretary."
Just 12 days ago, paper was reporting that the Women's
League was backing Grace in her bid to become vice president.
This was days after Mugabe sacked his deputy Emmerson Mnangagwa,
clearing the path for Grace to assume the role and succeed her
93-year-old husband.
It was this tilt at power that triggered the army backlash.