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Thandeka Moyo and Kamangeni Phiri Chronicle Reporters
IT was a hive of activity in most parts of the country yesterday as thousands of people and foreign dignitaries travelled to Harare to witness President Mugabe’s inauguration at the National Sports Stadium today.
The provinces were allocated 10 buses each to ferry travellers from different districts to the venue in the capital.
A majority of travellers left their places late in the afternoon and some in the evening.
World leaders began arriving for the swearing in ceremony in Harare yesterday.
Among the leaders who arrived yesterday were Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete, Swaziland Prime Minister Sibusiso Dhlamini and Equatorial Guinea’s President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo.
Former Tanzanian Presidents Ali Hassan Mwinyi and Benjamin Mkapa and the country’s Foreign Minister Mr Bernard Membe as well as South Sudan’s Foreign Minister Dr Barnaba Benjamin, former Mozambican President Joachim Chissano and Chinese special envoy Li Liguo also flew into Harare for the ceremony.
More leaders and former leaders were expected in Harare late last night and this morning.
Foreign Affairs director for Africa, Asia and the Pacific Mr Taonga Mushayavanhu told New Ziana that more foreign dignitaries would attend the inauguration.
Mr Mushayavanhu said South African Deputy President Kgalema Monthlanthe, Zambian and Namibian former heads of state Dr Kenneth Kaunda and Dr Sam Nujoma were also expected to grace the event.
He said Algerian Speaker of Parliament, Malawi Vice President Kumbo Kachali, Sadc outgoing executive secretary Dr Tomaz Salamao and Comesa secretary general Sindiso Ngwenya would also attend.
The high attendance at the inauguration by African leaders is evidence that Africa and the world have endorsed President Mugabe and Zanu-PF’s victory during last month’s harmonised elections.
In Bulawayo the buses picked up the travellers at Zanu-PF provincial headquarters, Davies Hall, starting at 6pm.
When the news crew arrived at the pick-up point scores of excited Zanu-PF supporters in party regalia were chanting revolutionary slogans while boarding the buses.
At that time two buses had left for Harare.
In separate interviews party members said they were looking forward to President Mugabe’s inauguration.
“I am very happy that I will be attending the ceremony where President Mugabe will be finally inaugurated. As a young person I know he will bring about indigenisation and youth empowerment and create jobs for us.
“The ceremony will also prove that this country is for Zimbabweans and not the West who have only added to our misery,” said Cde Kholwani Nyore, a youth from Nkulumane.
Another supporter, Cde Thulani Nkomo from Sizinda, said she was hopeful that President Mugabe would address all the challenges faced by women in the country.
“I am happy that I am going to Harare to witness the inauguration of our father and true leader President Mugabe. As a woman I know President Mugabe will keep his promises and bring about development and equality,” she said.
In the Midlands Zanu-PF provincial vice-chairperson, Cde Larry Mavima said the buses will leave in the early hours today.
He said each of the eight administrative districts were allocated a bus each while Gweru has two.
The other bus will ferry civil servants and other interested groups willing to travel to Harare.
“We urge people to be at the usual pick up points very early in the morning to allow for travelling time. The buses should be in Harare by 8am in time for the inauguration programme,” said Cde Mavima.
“We allocated two buses to Gweru because it is the provincial capital. One bus will ferry people from Gweru Rural while the other will be in Gweru Urban.”
Midlands has seven districts namely, Kwekwe, Gweru, Gokwe North, Gokwe South, Mvuma, Shurugwi and Zvishavane.
Cde Mavima said the same buses will take people back to their respective districts after the event.
“We want to ferry as many people as possible because this is a massive event. The turnout should correspond with the emphatic victory registered by President Mugabe and the Zanu-PF party. We are making a big statement to the world, that we are here as Zanu-PF to rule and rule forever. Zanu-PF won the elections squarely and fairly with no incident of violence recorded. There wasn’t even a single death recorded in the build up towards, during and after the elections. This naturally calls for celebrations,” he said.
Travellers from Matabeleland North and South provinces also left for the capital late yesterday afternoon.
President Mugabe garnered 61,09 percent votes against his main rival MDC-T leader Mr Morgan Tsvangirai who polled 33,94 percent in the presidential race, while his party, Zanu-PF won more than two thirds majority in parliament.
Online Reporter