89-year-old Mugabe hits the campaign trail

HARARE: After 33 years in power, Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe is back on the campaign trail, where his advancing years are subtly starting to show.
On July 31 Zimbabweans will go to the polls to elect a president. One name, a permanent feature on ballot papers since independence in 1980, will again appear.
Robert Gabriel Mugabe — born as the Ottoman Empire drew its final breath and when Calvin Coolidge was still in the White House — has promised an election “fight for our lives.” On the stump his rallies still draw in crowds fired up by his trademark hour-long speeches that spit fire at his political opponents.
In the first 10 days of the campaign season, he has crisscrossed the country to address four rallies. But the 89-year-old’s long innings have prompted some subtle changes.
His trademark walkabout has been dropped in favor of a wave to supporters from the back of van and as he harangues, berates and blusters, his elbows now lean heavily on a podium for support.
The adjustments — a shift from the last election in 2008 -- stand in contrast to a man who a few years ago reportedly climbed several flights of steps with ease to get to his party office.
Though Mugabe appears vibrant and puffed up on his campaign posters, his slow step and demeanor tell a different story, adding to speculation about the health of Zimbabwe’s most influential politician. Analysts say he will rely on the machinery of state as he tries to ward off a challenge from long-time rival and presidential aspirant Premier Morgan Tsvangirai.