While Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe received a hero’s welcome inside the University of Fort Hare’s sports complex yesterday, police outside battled to hold off protesting students.
The university’s long-anticipated centenary celebrations became sharply divided by what was happening inside the hall to outside.
Inside the 92-year-old elder statesman stole the show when programme director, Arts and Culture Minister Nathi Mthethwa, announced that President Jacob Zuma, African Union Commission president Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma and Mugabe were entering the hall.
Outside students raided the VIP food stall and made off with most of the canapes and pots.
The mere mention of Mugabe’s name caused the audience inside to erupt into a round of loud applause and ululating.