Mugabe snubs children

News
PRESIDENT Robert Mugabe will not be present to host children for his 91st birthday reception in Victoria Falls in two weeks’ time, but will attend the main bash, as preparations for 21st February Movement gather momentum.

PRESIDENT Robert Mugabe will not be present to host children for his 91st birthday reception in Victoria Falls in two weeks’ time, but will attend the main bash, as preparations for 21st February Movement gather momentum.

Richard Muponde Senior Reporter

Organisers have said they are satisfied with progress.

Mugabe is turning 91 on February 21 and as the norm, the 21st February Movement has organised a birthday bash for him in Victoria Falls on February 28.

Magabe-birthday-etched
Mugabe is turning 91 on February 21 and as the norm, the 21st February Movement has organised a birthday bash for him in Victoria Falls on February 28.

Previously, Mugabe would host the children, where he would take them down memory lane on the history of the country, the armed struggle and his personal life.

This was done to inculcate into children a sense of how Zimbabwe came about and “instil” a sense of patriotism in them.

The bash will be held under the theme “Celebrating the birth of Gushungo, the icon of Zimbabwe’s revolution and champion of youth empowerment”.

On February 27, children will converge at the Victoria Falls Farm School for the birthday reception, but sources said Mugabe would only come the following day for the main event at Elephant Hills.

The provincial party youth chairperson Tamuka Nyoni yesterday said they were happy with preparations and were now ready to host the birthday bash.

“We met as stakeholders on Friday and the preparations are going on well,” he said.

“We were doing our final touches, but we will have the last meeting on February 20 to just fill in the gaps.

“We are ready for the event.

“A reception for the children will be held at Farm School on February 27 and the main celebrations will be held the following day at Elephant Hills and later a gala will be staged at Chinotimba Stadium.”

Matabeleland North Provincial Affairs minister Cain Mathema and Zanu PF provincial chairperson Richard Moyo met with sub-committees tasked to spearhead the preparations of the bash in the resort town on Friday and were reportedly happy with the progress.