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LIVE FEEDS from Simiso Mlevu and Stanford Chiwanga in Victoria Falls

Pictures by Simiso Mlevu, Stanford Chiwanga and Believe Nyakudjara

All is set for the 21st February Movement celebrations to be held at Elephant Hills hotel in Victoria Falls tomorrow.

The main stage is already up at Elephant Hills in Victoria Falls.

Zanu-PF Youth League secretary Cde Pupurai Togarepi told the Herald that everything is now in place for the big event. “We are done with all the preparations and we are ready to host the event,” he said

Some of the marquees at Elephant Hills hotel

DAY 2: Saturday 28 February

05:55 – Heavy rains pounding Victoria Falls. rains are a blessing!

09:00 – Rains have died down and people take to the streets on their way to Elephant Hills Hotel for the 21st February Movement Celebrations.

09:53 – Zimbabweans from all walks of life are making their way to Elephant Hills Hotel for the 21st February Movement Celebrations here in Victoria Falls.

People from all walks of life make their way to Elephant Hills Hotel for the 21st February Movement celebrations.

10:25 – Tents are filled to capacity as people come in numbers to take part in celebrating the life of President Mugabe who turned 91 on 21 February 2015.

10:25 – An Angolan traditional dance group based in Zambia is entertaining guests here at the main auditorium.

10:29 – Zanu-Pf politburo members have started making their way to the main auditorium.

10:41- Provincial Affairs Minister for Matabeleland North Cde Cain Mathema and Matabeleland North Politburo member Cde Jacob Mudenda have taken their seats in the main auditorium.

10:46 – Vice Presidents  Phelekezela Mphoko and Emmerson Mnangagwa have just made their way to the auditorium.

10:46 – Zanu-PF Secretary for Admin Dr Ignatius Chombo has also joined other dignitaries.

11:09 – It’s threatening to rain here in Victoria Falls but Zimbabweans have braved the weather and are here to celebrate President Mugabe’s ‘s life.

Rains are threatening to pound again.

11:14 – College students from across tertiary institutions have joined the police band on stage.

The Police band doing the trademark Dendera Dance.

11: 15 – The Police Band has taken to the stage belting Simon Chimbetu’s ‘Ndarangarira Gamba’ song.

11:36 – President Mugabe on his way to the main auditorium and Police band sing ‘Tshayizandla’ as delegates stand up in anticipation of his arrival.

11:38 – President Mugabe arrives.

11: 40 – The President in a photoshoot with 21st February Movement children.

President Mugabe and The First Lady in photo-shoot with the 21st February Movement children.

11: 43 – President Mugabe is accompanied by The First Lady, Dr Amai Grace Mugabe, Russel, Bona  and Chatunga.

11:48 – ZCC Mbungo Stars take over from the Police Band as they sing ‘Ndibaba Vanogona‘ much to the crowd’s pleasure.

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12:15 – Zanu-PF Youth League secretary for Admin Cde Mathuthu introducing invited guests.

12:18 – This year’s celebrations are unique because they mark the heroic achievements by President Mugabe who is now also SADC and AU chair.

12:25 – MORE IMAGES from the venue

ZCC Mbungo in action at the 21st February Movement celebrations to celebrate the life of President Mugabe in Victoria Falls.

12:28 – Primary School children praise President Mugabe and Amai Grace Mugabe for their role in maintaining peace in Zimbabwe.

A dancer entertains the crowd gathered to celebrate the life of President Mugabe in at the Elephant Hills Hotel in Victoria Falls.

12:35 – President Mugabe is described by Primary School children here as a champion of kob creation who saved Zimbabweans from the yoke of colonialists.

13:38 – They also describe Amai Mugabe as a genuine heroine  who is the woman behind President Mugabe’s success.

12: 40 – Cde Malinga now introducing foreign delegates who have come from Botswana (BDP), Chama-Chamapinduzi Secretary General and ANC of South Africa.

12: 44 – Chama-Chamapinduzi has invited President Mugabe to attend Young Leaders forum which will be held in Tanzania sometime next month. Chama-Chamapinduzi is from Tanzania.

12:50 – There are also delegates from SWAPO and they have described President Mugabe as an icon of Africa and have invited him to attend the 12 May Movement which marks Sam Nujoma’s birthday.

12:53 – Chama-Chamapinduzi head of delegation describes the 21st February as a day when all of remember history and also honour justice. “Please come and inspire young leaders. They are looking forward to meeting you,” says the Chama-Chamapinduzi head of delegation.

12:59 – An Imbube dance group is entertaining guests with fascinating traditional dance antics.

13:03 – Cde Richard Moyo chairperson for Matabeleland Province addresses guests.

13: 05 – Minister of State for Matabeleland North Provincial Affairs takes to the podium and recognizes the presence of the Presidium, Politburo members, Central Committee members, civil servants and children.

13: 07 – “We are happy to be hosting you here in Matabeleland North and we are also happy that you bring us the rains. we welcome you President Mugabe.”

13:10 -He congratulates President Mugabe at turning 91.

13: 10 -“It’s not by coincidence that celebrations are held here in Victoria Falls. It is here where you were elected SADC chair and as if that was not enough, the whole of Africa confirmed confidence in your leadership,”- Cde Moyo.

13:12 – Matabeleland Provincial chair proposes that February 21 be declared Mugabe’s Day holiday as a way of remembering President Mugabe’s legacy.

13:14 – Matabeleland Provincial Youth chair Cde Tamuka Nyoni congratulates President Mugabe for being elevated to the helm of  SADC and AU as chair.

13:15 – Cde Nyoni describes the 2015 21st February Celebrations as “Three In One” because they are celebrations of HE’s life and the two posts he recently assumed.

Cde Cain Mathema wishing President Mugabe many more years to come. – pic by Stanford Chiwanga.

13: 17 – “We will not entertain those who pretend to be in support of the causes you believe in. We expose those. We know them,” – Cde Nyoni.

13: 19 – Cde Nyoni thanks President Mugabe for taking his time to celebrate his life with the people of Matabeleland North.

13: 19 –  Botswana musician Slizer is now on stage and sings her special dedication to President Mugabe. The song is ‘Happy Birthday Baba Mugabe.’

13:20 – Zanu-PF National Youth League Chairperson Cde Pupurai Togarepi is now addressing delegates.

Slizer on stage at the Elephant Hills hotel, Victoria Falls.

13:26 -Cde Togarepi appeals to President Mugabe to ensure cadetship covers all institutions of higher learning.

13:27 – “The youths would like to thank Amai Grace Mugabe for leading the Mazowe Crush revolution and exposing Amai Mujuru and her cabal for attempting to overthrow President Mugabe” – Cde Togarepi.

13:27 – He thanks President Mugabe for the Look East policy which is bearing fruit especially after his visit to China.

13:28 – Cde Togarepi warns those who are engaged in corruption to shape up or ship out.

13: 29 – He invites His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, Cde Robert Mugabe to make his address.

13:30 – Cde Togarepi suggests an amendment of the constitution to remove the 2-term presidential limit in order to allow President Mugabe to lead for as long as he lives.

Slizer

13: 32 – Ntational Youth Service graduates parade.

13: 38 – President Mugabe takes to the podium.

13: 38 - President Mugabe observes the presence of various dignitaries

He thanks the people of Zimbabwe for the blessings and support they have given him as he celebrate his birthday and the 21st Feb Mvt.

13:42 – ‘I am glad to announce that I treat this event with the seriousness it deserves”

13:42 – This year’s eddition is being held after the successful Zanu PF congress which achieved unity in the party.

13:43 – Unity was achieved after the exposer of malcontents who were planning to remove a constitutionally elected Gvt.

13:46 -He thanks the youths for their bravery in exposing malcontents.

13:46 – ‘Coupled with that, is the exposer made by the first lady. They call her Stop It. And now lady STOP It was unwell from 2 months ago.’

13:46 ‘Our history has been characterised by oppression and we fought to achieve political independence’

13: 51 -President Mugabe gives credit to Nationalist like Kwame Nkrumah for championing the fight for independence

13:51 – He says his life has been about advancing political and economic independence

13: 52 – “First I joined others who were fighting settlers who had made us economic slaves.”

13:51 – “We had to kick them out…”

13:53 – President  Mugabe says Britian imposed Sanctions on Zimbabwe yet they are running Safaris in in our country.

14:01- ‘We will invade those bushies. We will claim ownership of our animals and everything that is in Zimbabwe.’

President Mugabe

14:01 – He  encourages Universities to use skills acquired to explore and take advantage of natural resources

14:06 – ‘But if we fund people what do we get? Even at parastatals people are stealing. Amasela agcwele. Varikubira vanhu,’ Pres said.

14:06 – ‘Put yourselves together and form groups and gvt will assist you to acquire mining equipment.’

14:06 – President  Mugabe bemoans  corruption and says Government has managed to expose a few. He however, says there are many thieves within

parastatals who have not been caught.

14:10- ‘Now we discover Gamatox missued a lot of funds by diverting them in order to create their own strength’

14: 12 -‘Some companies like Tongaat Hullet donated funds to sponsor the cabal’

14: 14 – He lambasts former Sec for Admin Dydimus Mutasa for being a hypocrite.

14:15 – ‘He was sec for admin and also minister in charge of intelligence and security in President’s Office but now i said let me over see things for myself.’

14: 16 – He accuses former Mai Mujuru for seeking to use unorthodox means to overthrow him.

14: 17 -‘What people are we that when we are given jobs we look for chances to steal? You must be absolutely honest’

14:09- ‘The corrupt Gamatox officials that have been exposed must go die in prison’

14:10 -President Mugabe says some funds that had been raised for Congress disappeared after Gamatox was exposed

14:12 – President Mugabe says Didymus Mutasa failed to give him an answer when he asked him about the Congress money

14:13 -President says he is aware Mujuru was consulting n’angas (witch-doctors) in attempts to remove him from power

14:14 – President Mugabe says Mujuru had two tadpoles, one representing him and the other Mujuru. These tadpoles were pitted against each other

14:16 – President Mugabe says Mujuru went to the extent of being told to remove clothes as part of rituals to get her into power at his expense

14:17-These bizarre rituals were being done by some Nigerians the President says

14:19 – The President says the Nigerians promised Mujuru that the he would die but he’s still here because God is for everyone.

14: 19 -‘Recently they invited two traditional healers from from Nigeria who had promised to kill me, first lady and VaMnangagwa.’

‘They beheaded chickens and i am told one chicken was VaMugabe, kana Amai vanga vaneyavo. But today we are still alive. Mwari ndewevanhu vase veduwe. Kana vaMugabe vanonamatawo,’ – President Mugabe.

14: 21 – President says some investors are told by ministers that if they want to invest in Zimbabwe they should pay something to them . These ministers go to companies and demand protection money.

14: 22 – ‘Some when approached by investors they say for me to take you to our president, please pay so much.

14:22 -President Mugabe says such corrupt officials should be exposed

14: 23 – ‘We do not want this. Please expose such people.

14: 24 – ON AGRICULTURE:

‘Some farms are not being put to good use. We will revise farm sizes because we need land for future generations’

We have been wondering if our farms are being put to good use

14:25 – People took large farms and and thy are only utilising small pieces. We will revise farm sizes and take back some of the land for youths who are leaders of tomorrow.

14:32 -My gvt recognises the importance played by youths in economic development. Parliament has ratified African Youth Charter and we will work towards empowering them.

14: 30 – NATIONAL SERVICE: ‘We want to enhance ourselves through national service training. We want to go to a stage where every child goes through national service’

14: 30 – President  Mugabe encourages youths to take up practical courses and says  government has undertaken to establish one training centre every district

14: 30 – ‘We want to educate students for self employment and of course employment’

14: 34- 14: ‘Our party and gvt shall continue to review policies. However, our youths should take charge in behavioral change. We condemn in strongest terms drug abuse’

14:44 – ‘We want to see moral advocacy and the teachings which come out of Christianity to be practical.’

14:44 – ‘I would like to conclude by congratulating youth for organising this wonderful event.’

14:4 4- ‘We want to see you becoming leaders of tomoro.’

14: 45 – ‘Without discipline our youths will be doomed. We want teachings that come from Christianity’

14:46 – I would like to conclude by congratulating youth for organising this wonderful event.’

14:46- ‘I thank you most heartily for continuing to perpertuate what i most believe in.’

The Bhora Mugedhi cake for the President courtesy of Lobels Bread.

14: 47 – President Mugabe wraps up his address with a word of advice to the youths not to engage in drugs and immorality. He also touched on land with a possibility to revise farms sizes in order to give out what is manageable to people as well as accommodate more youths since they are the leaders of tomorrow.

14:49 – He thanks Shingisai Siluma for her inspiring songs. ‘Mai Siluma ndinoda kukutendai zvakakwana’

QUOTES OF THE EVENT

“Everything I do I thank God who gave me this life. Be grateful to God for everything he has done for you” ~ President Mugabe

15:03 – “Independence is not for Zanu and Zapu but the people. All the people have won. All the people must be treated equally.”

15:03 – “May the mighty God bless you and bless you in abundance. Ngiyabonga. The President is done speaking”

15:06 – President Mugabe is now going to cut the cake as Siluma sings the president’s  favourite song, ‘Muningondichengeta baba’.

15: 10 – There are EIGHT cakes at the bash! This is fabulous!

The Bhora Mugedhi cake for the President courtesy of Lobels Bread.

15: 15 – Cake-cutting . . . .

Cutting the cake – President Mugabe (Amateur pic)

Another cake . . .

President Mugabe prepares to cut the first cake .

A photographer Saturday afternoon prepares to capture President Mugabe cutting his birthday cake at Elephant Hills hotel during the 21st February Movement celebrations to celebrate the life of Zimbabwe’s Head of State.

PRESIDENTIAL PRESENT : A 1955 Ford Black Montero for a present from Zanu PF Youth League, Mr and Mrs Magwanda and Friends of Joshua.

15: 29 – More cakes for President Mugabe.

Another cake . . .

15: 55- Closing remarks on . . .

16:00 – Formal proceedings over as delegates break for lunch – late lunch!

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