President Mugabe sworn in for historic seventh term

Harare Bureau
PRESIDENT Mugabe was yesterday sworn in for a historic seventh term as the Head of State and Government and Commander-in-Chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces at an event witnessed by a capacity crowd and six Heads of State and Government and dignitaries from different parts of the world at the National Sports Stadium in Harare.

The inauguration was also witnessed by several former presidents and special envoys from various countries across Africa and the whole world.

The grand occasion brought together Zimbabweans from across the whole country to witness the historic event. President Mugabe romped to victory with 61,09 percent of the presidential vote against MDC-T leader Mr Morgan Tsvangirai’s 33,94 percent, with Zanu-PF clinching 160 seats out of the contested 210 National Assembly constituencies to get a crushing 76 percent dominance in the Lower House.

After factoring in 60 women’s quota seats elected by proportional representation of six for each of the 10 provinces, the final composition of the 270-member National Assembly comes to 197 seats for Zanu-PF, 70 for MDC-T, two for MDC, and one independent, giving Zanu-PF just under 73 percent of the total seats in the National Assembly, but well over the two thirds majority threshold of 180 seats.

In local authority elections, Zanu-PF soundly trounced MDC-T, winning 1 493 wards against a mere 442 for MDC-T. From Zambezi to Limpopo, Zimbabweans flocked to the capital, Harare, to witness an occasion reminiscent of the country’s independence in 1980 when President Mugabe was sworn in as Prime Minister of the newly independent Zimbabwe.

History repeated itself when he was also elevated to Executive President in January 1988.
Marked by intermittent songs from the crowd, the inauguration would go down in history as a memorable moment for the young who made the great trek to the giant stadium to witness a public swearing in of a president in front of a cheering crowd. This is part of the group of school children who had a rare opportunity to bear witness to the event.

The majority of the youths born just before and after independence had the opportunity yesterday to witness an event reminiscent of what occurred in 1980. The inauguration was also an opportune moment for the thousands of Zimbabweans who came to the giant stadium from all corners of the country to bear witness to the swearing in of one of Zimbabwe’s revered leader who had fought tooth and nail for their total emancipation.

The grand event was an opportunity for Zanu-PF supporters to show the world their love for President Mugabe through song, dance and ululation.

Visiting African leaders and other dignitaries could have been left in awe as the Zanu-PF Women’s League members besieged the stadium dramatising the “Bhora Mughedi” theme that led Zanu-PF to a crushing victory in the harmonised elections.

Started by two women playing around with a plastic soccer ball, many in the stadium, including the troop of journalists covering the event, were taken by surprise as the ladies rushed to the goal area reserved for the occasion.

Yes, what seemed to be just “child’s play” by two grown women caught the eye of the crowd as Chief Justice Godfrey Chidyausiku administered the oath of office and adorned President Mugabe with his sash of office.

The “Bhora Mughedi – Ibhola egedini” ladies, undeterred by the security officers, rushed to the goal area for the final score that sealed the end of Zimbabwe’s electoral process and ushering in an era that comes with a lot of hope for Zimbabweans who suffered under the discord that characterised the inclusive Government.

Not to be outdone was the group of women seated on  the eastern bays who rushed onto the pitch not only to celebrate the goal but President Mugabe’s emphatic victory in the elections.

To welcome the new dispensation after the watershed elections were the various songs that reverberated from the stands, from the famous Apostolic Sects’ popular Mutungamiri Gabriel to the Zora Butter dance and various Chimurenga songs.

There was also time for a song or two from the popular Mbare Chimurenga Choir, Cde Chinx’s Chikopokopo.

Musicians trooped in their numbers as early as 9 am among them Jamaican reggae outfit Black Uhuru, Alick Macheso, Mechanic Manyeruke, Jah Prayzah, Peter Moyo, Suluman Chimbetu, Fungisai Mashavave, Douglas Vambe, Mathias Mhere, Born Free Crew and Cde Chinx.

Foreign artistes among them DRC’s Koffi Olomide, Zambian group Amayenge and South Africa’s Ladysmith Black Mambazo were also scheduled to perform late last night.

Indeed the carnival atmosphere, which engulfed the National Sports Stadium during the ceremony was expected to continue into the night with a massive musical gala.

Though Black Uhuru, Alick Macheso and Suluman Chimbetu were the only artistes that performed during the inauguration proceedings, other musicians were lined up to perform throughout the course of the night in a show dubbed “Inauguration Bash”.

Military displays in the form of marches by a parade mounted by the army and the air force, a fly past and a 21-gun salute were also part of the entertainment for the crowd at the giant stadium.

The inauguration was indeed a defining moment for Zimbabwe and the guests witnessing the inauguration.
The clear skies, the uninterrupted turn of events and the appreciative crowd can all be described as a good omen for Zimbabweans and other progressive Africans.

After the proceedings at the National Sports Stadium President Mugabe later hosted a State luncheon for the dignitaries.