Mugabe resigns: Pandemonium in the streets of Harare

At 5.53pm the sun was setting at the end of the gridlocked stretch of cars on Robson Manyika Road. Drivers patiently edged forward, the pace incremental. Then a horn sounded. As if in rehearsed concert, everyone lent on their horns. Shop attendants, the homeward bound foot brigade pumped the air, faces beaming. Flags appeared as if out of nowhere.

“It’s over. He has signed [his resignation],” said one man excitedly waving at the hooting cavalcade of cars. Taxis careened down one way streets, fare collectors nearly falling out their windows, screaming the news. Cars stood in the middle of the road, their doors wide open, young men and women in business suits and ties dancing.

A family of four sat parked on the side of the road, the radio desperately trying to carry the news over the street side jubilation. What now? “I don’t know,” replied the father. In Orr Street, David Banya was watching his WhatsApp feed. Mugabe was going to reinstate deposed Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who would take over as president. “I don’t know what will happen but change is good,” said Banya.