PRESIDENT Robert Mugabe turned 85 yesterday.

Thanks to his disastrous policies, life expectancy in Zimbabwe has been reduced to around 34 -- the lowest in the world -- and reaching 85 is certainly an achievement.

By any standard, the President should be proud that at such an advanced age, he remains in good shape, fit and agile as ever.

Speaking on radio on Friday evening Mugabe attributed this to a tight exercise regime he has maintained at home.

He said he still jogs each morning and always makes it a point that he maintains his weight at between 75 and 80kg.

"This ensures my body is full of muscles not fat", he quipped.

What the excited Mugabe failed to tell the nation though was when he intends to exit the political stage.

At 85, the octogenarian's plans for retirement should be clear and should never be a political conundrum.

It's inconceivable that Mugabe plans to keep Zimbabweans guessing about when he is going to pack his bags and leave State House.

Over the years this has been clearly his game plan in Zanu PF where he has thrived on keeping contenders for the post at each other's throat.

Any suggestions by Mugabe about retirement have in the past understandably triggered fierce succession battles in Zanu PF pitting the Mnangagwa and Mujuru camps against each other.

The two camps failed to read that Mugabe never had any intention of leaving office but was able to prolong his rule through divide and rule tactics.

Mugabe succeeded in checking the late Eddison Zvobgo's ambitions when he set Vice-President Simon Muzenda on him, triggering hard fought factional wars that spanned over a decade.

While Mugabe succeeded in the past to divide and rule, what is clear now is that he can no longer bank on the divisions in Zanu PF to extend his rule.

Times have changed and the political landscape is not what it used to be. The opposition can no longer be manipulated because it is in government.

With the establishment of the inclusive government, which has left his former bitter rival Morgan Tsvangirai ensconced in the Prime Minister's office, Mugabe has to read the writing on the wall.

After presiding over the collapsing economy, and condemned for gross human violations, Mugabe has become irrelevant and a stumbling block to efforts to revive the economy.

He remains the single greatest threat to the survival of the unity government.

Mugabe's continued presence in power is enough to deter donors and investors who want to come to Zimbabwe.

For 29 years Mugabe has played his part at Munhumutapa building and the time has come for him to pass the baton to somebody with fresh ideas.

That obviously excludes the forest of dead wood around him.

Mugabe can count himself lucky that the stage for a gracious exit from power has been set for him.

With his presidency recognised by Sadc, the AU and his former bitter rivals now in government having embraced him, Mugabe has a perfect opportunity to leave office in a dignified manner.

It would be sweet music to Zimbabwean ears if Mugabe were to announce at the 21st February movement celebrations next week that he would head to Kutama for a much-deserved rest.

He could take the opportunity to apologise for all his misdeeds and leave to the new team the Herculean task of fixing an economy sabotaged by 29 years of misrule. For many, that would ensure Mugabe secures his legacy.