An audio compilation of Robert Mugabe addressing rallies from 1980 - 2004
Please enable your audio
Zimbabwe has for almost three decades been tied to President Robert Mugabe, the pro-independence campaigner who wrestled control from a small white community and became the country's first black leader.
Al Jazeera, through our partner Kubatana asked thousands of ordinary Zimbabwean citizens the following questions about the July 31 elections:
If you could ask your councillor, MP, presidential candidate One question, what would it be?
Click on the circles on the map to read more
Robert Mugabe has received a lot of praise and a lot of criticism. Does Zimbabwe still need him?
Below are some of these responses:
Do you believe that the Government of National Unity (GNU) delivered on its promises?
Below are some of these responses:
Kubatana is an online media community that uses social media and SMS messaging to improve the accessibility of human rights and civic information in Zimbabwe.
Al Jazeera's Azad Essa spoke to dozens of Zimbabweans about their memories of President Mugabe's leadership. These audio bytes together with an associated timeline are presented below:
ZANU-PF party wins elections after independence. Robert Mugabe takes office as Prime Minister.
Al Jazeera talks to Gracious Ml, 41, who works with the physically challenged in Harare.
Zimbabwe's government accused Joshua Nkomo, founder of the Zimbabwe African Peoples Union, an opposition party in government coalition with ZANU-PF, of staging a coup. Nkomo is thrown out from the cabinet and leaves the country amid bloody violence.
Al Jazeera talks to Lovemore S, 65, a retired civil servant in Harare.
The constitution is reformed, Mugabe becomes president, and the prime minister's office is abolished
Al Jazeera talks to a media lecturer at the University of Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe officially becomes a republic.
A severe drought heavily affects food stores throughout the country. Agricultural production decreases by 24 percent.
Al Jazeera talks to Emmerson Sibanda, 57, General Secretary of Zimbabwe Tobacco Workers Union.
The Land Acquisition Act is implemented. It limits the size of farms and institutes a land tax (although the tax was never enforced).
Mugabe calls gay people "worse than dogs and pigs".
Robert Mugabe implements the World Bank's Economic Structural Adjustment Programme (ESAP), causing accelerated hyperinflation. Beginning in 1992.
Mugabe's ZANU-PF party wins 98 percent of seats in parliament (63 of 65).
235,000 government workers go on strike, winning wage increases and the right to unionise.
Mugabe wins, unopposed, for another six-year term as Zimbabwe's leader.
Nearly 25 percent of the population has HIV/AIDS.
The government unilaterally bans anti-personnel mines
Mugabe signs the Mine Ban Treaty.
Mugabe sends troops into the Democratic Republic of Congo to support Kabila's government in the Second Congo War, which involved nine African nations and dozens of armed groups. Ten years later, more than five million people had died in the war - the bloodiest since World War II.
The government spends one million US dollars a day in the DRC, and with mounting costs and casualties, the military decision proves deeply unpopular among both troops and civilians.
Ex-teacher compares Zimbabwean education system today to the past.
The Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions creates the opposition party, the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC).
ZANU-PF's slogan for the general election is "Land is the Economy and the Economy is Land"
Al Jazeera talks to James Mapanga, 21 year old student living in Pretoria, but back in Harare for now.
Fast track land reform begins - the goal being to take ownership of 3,000 farms for redistribution among poor farmers.
2,706 farms are listed for compulsory acquisition.
The government's list now extends to 4,558 farms - nearly nine million hectares of land in a country with a total area of 39 million hectares.
Zimbabwe's second city, Bulawayo, runs out of maize.
Zimbabwe's inflation is at 116 percent, unemployment is at 60 percent.
Zimbabwe becomes a food-deficit country; six million people face starvation.
300 white farmers refuse to vacate their land to make way for black settlers. They are all arrested.
The state-controlled Grain Marketing Board (GMB) tightens its grip on food supplies. ZANU-PF rewards supporters with food, and cuts off food supplies to opposition-held districts.
Government officials claim that nearly 10 million hectares had been made available to "new farmers".
Zimbabwe has a $660m foreign currency deficit.
More than 7.2 million people (of a total population of around 12 million) are now facing starvation.
Al Jazeera speaks to Sharon Shaya, 42, a vendor in Harare. (translation follows at 0:36)
Aid groups are unsure about Zimbabwe's food security.
Mugabe raises his salary by 1,000 percent. Officially, he now receives around $35,000 a year.
A new 25-bedroom palace is constructed for Mugabe at huge expense.
Mugabe eyes foreign-owned farms. The GMB looks to seize South African-owned farms.
Uganda calls Mugabe "another Idi Amin". Uganda's state-run newspaper goes on to say: "Mugabe's government is subjecting its own poor citizens to extreme suffering, with unplanned slum demolitions."
Food production slumps by 60 percent, a downturn widely attributed to the seizing and redistribution of farms.
Due to poor management of the country's agricultural economy and corruption, Zimbabwe's inflation jumps 1,000 percent - the highest in the world.
The market reacts to Zimbabwe's dire situation, valuing Z$250 to one USD.
Inflation is at 11,730 percent, where Z$3,000 buys just one USD.
Inflation is at 24,000 percent. The country's bank is printing Z$250,000, Z$500,000, and Z$750,000 bills.
Runoff results: 42 percent turnout; Robert Mugabe wins by more than 80 percent.
Al Jazeera talks to Lovemore S, 65, a retired civil servant, in Harare.
ZANU-PF is broke and desperate for funds.
Zimbabwe celebrates its 30 year anniversary.
ZANU-PF threaten immediate elections if MDC stalls over draft constitution.
Al Jazeera talks to Thokozile Mukanda, 40, a vendor in Harare.
The new constitution allows Mugabe to rule for another 10 years.
Mugabe plays a role in choosing ZANU-PF candidates for party elections.
ZANU-PF gives food to its supporters in the run-up to elections.
ZANU-PF primaries leave party in disarray, with losing candidates contemplating runs as independents.