Thousands attend inauguration

Farirai Machivenyika Senior Reporter
PRESIDENT Mugabe took his Oath of Office before a colourful, jubilant capacity crowd comprising Zimbabweans from all walks of life, current and former African Heads of State and Government and diplomats accredited to Zimbabwe at the 60 000-seater National Sports Stadium in Harare yesterday.

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Heads of State and Government who attended the ceremony included presidents Jakaya Kikwete (Tanzania), Joseph Kabila (DRC), Hifikepunye Pohamba (Namibia),  Armando Guebuza (Mozambique),  Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo (Equatorial Guinea) and Rajkeswur  Purryag (Mauritius).

Zambia was represented by vice president Dr Guy Scott, South Africa by VP Kgalema Montlanthe, Malawi by VP Khumbo Kachale and Swaziland by premier Sibusiso Dlamini.

Former Presidents Dr Kenneth Kaunda of Zambia, Thabo Mbeki of South Africa, Ali Hassan Mwinyi and Benjamin Mkapa of Tanzania, and Sir Ketumile Masire and Festus Mogae of Botswana were also among the dignitaries.

Of the GPA partners, only Professor Arthur Mutambara turned up.
Wild cheers broke out as soon as President Mugabe’s motorcade appeared on the big screen just before midday, with ululation, whistles and chants of “Gushungo!, Gushungo!’’ reaching a crescendo when the President entered the arena aboard his official army inspection truck with the First Lady by his side.

They slowly did a lap of honour around the race track, saluting the crowds in the grandstands to the reverberating sound of “VaMugabe Vanogona’’ by the late Cde Elliot Manyika; before the President took his place on the saluting dais for the singing of the National Anthem led by the Army Band.

Shortly afterwards, Zanu-PF National Political Commissar Cde Webster Shamu introduced African Heads of State and Government, past and present, as well as emissaries before religious leaders beginning with Reverend Andrew Wutawunashe of the Family of God, Bishop Chad Gandiya of the Anglican Church of the Province of Central Africa, Bishop Trevor Manhanga, presiding bishop of the Pentecostal Assemblies of Zimbabwe, and Bishop Johannes Ndanga of the Apostolic Christian Council of Zimbabwe dedicated proceedings.

At exactly 11:40am, Cde Shamu invited Chief Justice Godfrey Chidyausiku and President-elect Cde Mugabe to the podium for the oath which the Chief Justice administered at 11:43hours.

“I, Robert Gabriel Mugabe swear that I will faithfully bear true allegiance to Zimbabwe and observe the laws of Zimbabwe so help me God,” the President’s voice boomed from the public address system to loud cheers from the capacity crowd that broke into song and dance with the “Zora Butter’’ routine popularised by sungura artiste Alick Macheso moving like the Mexican wave around the grandstands.

He added: “I Robert Gabriel Mugabe swear that as President of Zimbabwe I will be faithful to Zimbabwe and will obey, uphold and defend the Constitution and protect and all other laws of Zimbabwe and that I will promote whatever will advance, and oppose whatever may harm, Zimbabwe; that I will protect and promote the rights of the people of Zimbabwe; that I will discharge my duties with all my strength to the best of my knowledge and ability and true to the dictates of my conscience; and that I will devote myself to the well-being of Zimbabwe and its people. So help me God.”

Soon after signing the oath, the President was adorned with the Sash and emblems of Office by Justice Chidyausiku.
Commander of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces General Constantine Chiwenga then read out the Pledge of Allegiance on behalf of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces and congratulated the Commander-in-Chief on his resounding re-election.

“Your Excellency, President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, Commander- in-Chief of the ZDF and Grand Master of the Zimbabwe Order of Merit, Cde Mugabe, I Gen Constantine Guveya Chiwenga, being Commander of the ZDF, conscious of the provisions of the Chapter 11 of the constitution of Zimbabwe 2013, Part 1 Section 207, Sub Section (a) classifying the defence forces as a Security Service and Part 11, Section 211, Sub Section 1 which provides that, “The Defence Forces of Zimbabwe consists of an Army, an Air Force and any other services that may be established under an Act of Parliament”, Section 212 which provides, that, “The function of the Defence Forces is to protect Zimbabwe, its people, its national security and interests and its territorial integrity and to uphold this Constitution,” do hereby on this Thursday the 22nd day of August 2013, having taken an Oath of loyalty to Zimbabwe and its laws on attestation into the ZDF, as provided for in terms of Part lll, Section 14, Subsection 1 of Defence Act Chapter 11:02, pledge loyalty to the Constitution of the Republic of Zimbabwe before you, your Excellency and the nation at large,” he said.

The Pledge of Allegiance was followed by a 21-gun salute that had excited supporters on the pitch playing victim by throwing themselves on the ground in response to each booming report.

The gun salute was followed by the release of several balloons in the colours of the National Flag and a fly-past in diamond formation.
The newly sworn-in President then inspected a guard of honour before taking his place at the podium to deliver his inauguration speech in which he outlined his vision for the new Government in addition to berating Westerners for second-guessing African opinion on the harmonised elections.

The President thanked Africa and Sadc for standing by Zimbabwe, and his erstwhile GPA partners for working as Team Zimbabwe during the life of the inclusive Government.

People began thronging the National Sports Stadium as early as 6am with some coming from all the country’s 10 provinces.
People displayed various banners reiterating Zimbabwe’s sovereignty and right to self-determination.

Some of the banners were inscribed, “Africa has spoken, respect its Voice,” “Which Africans ever observed elections in Europe and America,” “Sadc, AU, Comesa came and saw and conquered that’s all that matters.”

These were written in response to statements by Western countries that they would not respect the outcome of the harmonised elections in which President Mugabe trounced Mr Morgan Tsvangirai despite the polls being endorsed by various observer groups from Africa.

Various groups including Sulumani Chimbetu, Alick Macheso and Jamaican group Black Uhuru also provided entertainment.
There was also plenty of food and drink for the people who attended yesterday’s event.

Delivering the Vote of Thanks, Vice President Joice Mujuru said Zimbabwe was privileged to have a leader of President Mugabe’s calibre.
“In Zimbabwe we consider ourselves privileged because we continue to benefit from His Excellency’s President Mugabe from time to time,” she said.

VP Mujuru commended President Mugabe for enunciating the policy of reconciliation in 1980 and spearheading the land reform.
“Consistent with your wise and courageous leadership you spearheaded the land reform programme to benefit the majority of Zimbabweans and this has led to a higher understanding of what it means to own their resources.

“Today what is theirs they claim without fear or hesitation,” she said.
She thanked President Mugabe for leading a successful campaign that led to a sweeping victory for Zanu-PF.

“On behalf of my family and my own behalf I would like to congratulate you for leading a successful campaign for our party Zanu PF.
“I wish to thank you Baba, Gushungo for accepting to lead this great nation to greater heights of socio-economic development,” she said.

The Vice President added: “I wish you, Your Excellence health and the best in your new term of office guided by the words, Indigenise, Develop, Empower and Create Employment.”