During his 93rd birthday, the nation was forced to standstill and mark a lavish birthday party in his honour. Months after his exit from power, Robert Mugabe is celebrating his 94th birthday but without any lavish celebrations.
His birthday which is on February 21 has been declared a public holiday in Zimbabwe but it appears like there is no ‘love’ for the ex-president on this day.
Zimbabwe’s acting information minister and Zanu-PF spokesperson, Simon Khaya Moyo has said that there would not be public celebrations this year for the veteran politician, according to local media.
“It is a youth event. The youth have said they will clean-up the cities. But the party will send its well wishes and a cake. It is a day we treasure and we revere the former president,” Moyo was quoted as saying.
#Zimbabwe‘s Founding President Cde Robert Mugabe & First Lady Amai Dr Grace Mugabe with Sekuru Emmanuel Ranga, today at the Blue Roof Mugabe Family residence, marking the President’s 94th birthday. #HappyBirthdayGushungo. #MakorokotoAmhlopheBaba! pic.twitter.com/pcOs01awBP
— Prof Jonathan Moyo (@ProfJNMoyo) February 21, 2018
Last month the leader of the Zanu-PF’s youth league, Pupurai Togarepi, said about Mugabe’s birthday saying “Since February 21 has been declared a national holiday, we are taking advantage of that day to honour Mugabe. As youths, we will embark on charitable work as well as spend some time with the former president. We want to have a cake and share with him. This, for us, will be a small event unlike previous ones.”
Born on February 21, 1924, Mugabe trained as a teacher and taught in Ghana before returning home to join the guerrilla war against British rule and eventually becoming prime minister when the country attained its independence from Britain in 1980.
Mugabe became president in 1987 and ruled until he resigned in 2017 after a military takeover and the eventually swearing in of President Emmerson Mnangagwa in November.
Source: Africafeeds.com
