CAS MA student Toke Arnoldi writes about a recent talk by Oxford-based Zimbabwean professor, Miles Tendi

On 26 April, CAS had the pleasure of welcoming professor Miles Tendi from Oxford University to talk about recent political events in Zimbabwe. The title of Professor Tendi’s compelling talk was The Role of the Military in the Fall of Robert Mugabe.  Tendi carefully unpacked the complex dynamics that led to the fall of Robert Mugabe in November last year; and there was no doubt that he had access to some remarkable sources, allowing him to unravel delicate topics and carefully yet vividly explain the country’s contemporary political debates. He furthermore gave his view on what the future may bring for his native country.

After spending two hours listening to Tendi speaking as well as answering questions from the audience, the somewhat blurred circumstances surrounding Mugabe’s ousting appeared much clearer. Despite emphasising that he was not trying to promote his forthcoming biography of another key Zimbabwean political figure in a book entitled Ashes and Fire: The Life of Solomon Mujuru, I must admit that I am nevertheless looking forward to it being published later this year.