Mugabe’s 91st birthday bash to cost Sh91m
What you need to know:
- A Zanu PF official Tongai Kasukuwere yesterday told New Zimbabwe.com that they had raised 60 per cent of the money needed for the bash to be held in the resort town of Victoria Falls.
- Despite his advanced age, President Mugabe has indicated that he would not be stepping down soon.
- President Mugabe’s health has also been subject to unending rumours with some reports alleging that he is suffering from prostate cancer.
HARARE, Wednesday
Zimbabwe’s ruling Zanu PF party is planning to spend $1 million (Ksh91m) on President Robert Mugabe’s 91st birthday bash later this month.
President Mugabe, in power since Zimbabwe’s independence in 1980, turns 91 on February 21.
The anniversary is usually celebrated lavishly by the communist styled February 21st Movement and the economic hardships that the majority of Zimbabweans face have done little to dampen the mood.
A Zanu PF official Tongai Kasukuwere yesterday told New Zimbabwe.com that they had raised 60 per cent of the money needed for the bash to be held in the resort town of Victoria Falls.
“We have sourced more than half of what we want and more companies and individuals are promising to contribute in the near future,” Mr Kasukuwere was quoted saying.
“We are looking at a sizeable figure which is befitting the magnitude of the person whose birthday we are celebrating. To us as Zanu PF youths, this is a moment to celebrate his achievements and greatness and celebrate what he has done for Africa and the world as a whole.”
Last year, Zanu PF said it had spent $1 million on President Mugabe’s 90th birthday bash.
The money was raised from donations from individuals and companies.
Zimbabwe has been struggling to pay civil servants since the veteran ruler won a controversial election in 2013, with the economy continuing to take a severe knock.
NOT STEPPING DOWN
Despite his advanced age, President Mugabe has indicated that he would not be stepping down soon.
Last December, he was elected to lead Zanu PF for another five years and would be the party’s presidential candidate when Zimbabwe holds general elections in 2018.
President Mugabe’s health has also been subject to unending rumours with some reports alleging that he is suffering from prostate cancer.
Early this month he caused a stir a the Harare International Airport when he tripped and fell after addressing Zanu PF supporters soon after arriving from the African Union (AU) summit in Ethiopia where he was elected to chair the AU for one year.
Early this week, the European Union resumed aid to Zimbabwe, offering $270 million for projects.
The European Union hit Mugabe and his government with an arms embargo, plus a travel ban and asset freeze in 2002, citing serious rights violations.
The EU has recently eased some of the measures in the hope of normalising relations with Harare but Mugabe, at 90 Africa’s oldest head of state, and his wife remain on the banned list.
Mr Mugabe is well known for his uncompromising stance towards the West and the colonising powers he blames for many of Africa’s ills. Taking up the one-year rotating AU chairmanship last week, Mugabe said he cared little for what the West might say.
