Mugabe’s actual birthday was on Wednesday 21, but he has chosen to combine
festivities with an election rally at the Zimbabwe town of Beitbridge this
weekend.Hundreds of black demontrators, both from exile groups in South Africa and
inside Zimbabwe will gather at the bridge to protest for free and fair
elections on 29 March.Former member of Parliament, Mr Roy Bennett, will address the protest in
both English and Shona and a large crowd is expected to cross the bridge to
hear him. Mr Bennett is banned from entering his homeland.To crown the event, a giant helium balloon will be raised more than 100
metres into the sky where its message will be clearly visible by Mr Mugabe
and his colleagues inside Zimbabwe.The balloon banners will read: “Happy Bye Bye to Bob” on one side and “Free and fair or just hot air” on the other.Mugabe faces a still challenge next month from veteran opposition leader, Mr.Morgan Tsvangirai and the former national treasurer, Dr Simba Makoni.
Â