adminLeonard Ncube Victoria Falls Reporter
ABOUT 20,000 people are expected to attend President Mugabe’s 91st birthday celebration in Victoria Falls later this month, organisers have said. The celebrations will be held under the theme “Celebrating the birth of Gushungo, the icon of Zimbabwe’s revolution and champion of youth empowerment”.
Zanu-PF Matabeleland North Youth League provincial chairperson, Cde Tamuka Nyoni said yesterday the organising committee had so far sourced seven tents that accommodate a total of 7,000 people as preparations for the 21st February Movement Celebrations move a gear up.
Chairpersons of different sub-committees convened in Victoria Falls yesterday to prepare progress reports to be presented to the Minister of State for Provincial Affairs, Cde Cain Mathema and the party’s Provincial chair, Cde Richard Moyo at a meeting set for Friday.
They also later toured the venue for the occasion slated for February 28 at Victoria Falls Farm School.
“We expect between 15,000 and 20,000 people at this year’s celebrations. We invited chairpersons of committees for a meeting today so that they brief us on the progress ahead of presentation of reports to the Minister and chairman on Friday. Each committee has to compile a full report to be presented to the Minister.
“At the moment we’re touring the venue to see the space we’ve been given. It seems things are going on well and we’re happy with the preparations so far especially as we’ve made progress in sourcing tents, toilets and food. So far we’ve seven small tents that can accommodate 1,000 people each,” said Cde Nyoni.
The Friday meeting will be held at Elephant Hills Resort.
Cde Nyoni said all youths in the country were welcome to the party regardless of political affiliation.
“We want to appeal to all youths in the country to come in their numbers.
The 21st celebrations offer youths the opportunity to meet his Excellency, President Mugabe. We urge everyone to come and listen to candid advice from the President regardless of party affiliation,” he said.
The provincial youth chair said the recent election of President Mugabe to the post of AU chair was testimony that he was a tried and tested leader and nationalist.
He said youths should follow President Mugabe’s exemplary life.
This is the first time the 21st February Movement celebrations will be held in the resort town. The event is organised by the Zanu-PF Youth League annually and rotates between the country’s 10 provinces.
Last year’s edition was held in Marondera, Mashonaland East. The 21st February Movement commemorations were first held in 1986 and yearly ever since.
It is an event that has become a platform of encouraging Zimbabweans, particularly youths, to emulate President Mugabe’s revolutionary ideas, charismatic leadership and selfless policies.
The celebrations coincide with President Mugabe’s birthday on February 21.
President Mugabe is the patron of the movement.
Online Reporter