Heres an interesting story, one that shows how political messages get sent. The South African president Thabo Mbeki has said that Zimbabwean dictator Mugabe will retire next year. Mbeki said Mugabe told him this in a phone call. Mugabe has some conditions, though. He gets to nominate his successor. Mugabe also insists he gets what amounts to historical consideration. He wants to be known as the elected founder of modern Zimbabwe.