Dr simba makoni biography of rory

Simba Makoni, for years a senior member of Zimbabwe's ruling Zanu-PF party, is challenging Robert Mugabe for president.

Simba Makoni adopted yellow to symbolise gold and wealth

With a PhD in chemistry, his supporters say he has the magic formula to reverse Zimbabwe's economic collapse and end its political stalemate.

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The mild-mannered, jovial man has long been seen as a possible compromise candidate, with backers both in Zanu-PF, as well as plenty of admirers in the opposition.

He has variously been described as a moderniser, a technocrat and a "young turk".

Opposition MP Priscilla Misihairabwi told the BBC News website that Mr Makoni is very courageous to challenge Mr Mugabe from within the system.

He could be living up to his name, Simba, which means lion in Swahili - spoken across East Africa - and strength in Zimbabwe's Shona language.

Ms Misihairabwi, whose faction of the opposition Movement for Democratic Chan