Set for the resort town of Victoria Falls in Matabeleland North on February 28, the celebrations will be held under the theme: “Celebrating the birth of Gushungo, an icon of Zimbabwe’s revolution and champion of youth empowerment” at the 5-star Elephant Hills Hotel. A musical gala has been slated for Chinotimba Stadium.
The fundraising committee will be chaired by the provincial youth secretary for finance, Getrude Mutandi. Some indigenous business people say they have been forced to donate towards Mugabe’s birthday bash as a way of thanking him for “empowering them”.
“It is not a secret that the economy is not well. We are struggling with our businesses and it is hard for us to part ways with any cash. They demanded $5,000 from me, but, I told them that I do not have such money,” said one local businessman who refused to be named for fear of victimisation. “Yes, I am a beneficiary of the economic empowerment but, I am surprised that we should now pay back,” he said.
A Mutare businessman said: “I have been given a directive to pay $5,000 towards the hosting of the birthday. That’s all I can say.” War veterans have also been asked to donate. “I have told them that we have nothing at all. But they have insisted us to sell something on our farms to raise the cash,” said one war veteran.
The deputy national secretary for youth affairs, Kudzai Chipanga, urged indigenous business people and war veterans to support the fundraising crusade, saying they should stand up and be counted as beneficiaries of Mugabe’s visionary leadership.
Post published in: News