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1501: After the presentation of gifts, the first family has gone to lunch and we end our updates.

1415: The President has cut the cake. He is also being shown several presents.

Mashonaland East Provincial Affairs Minister Cde Simbaneuta Mudarikwa shows President Mugabe the presents he was given. Pic by Farirai Machivenyika

1356: The President ends his speech by thanking the organisers of the celebrations.

1354: This gay issue is unknown to us and we don’t want to hear about it.

1352: While the country’s HIV prevalence rate has declined, the HIV/AIDS pandemic remains to be one of the greatest social and economic challenges of our generation.

1350: Our youths should be endowed with virtues of industry and patriotism.

1349: Let the leaders of these two cities, Harare and Bulawayo, open up..you cannot say Harare is for Zezurus only while Bulawayo is for Ndebeles only, they are a lot of tribes in these cities. The leaders who failed should give others a chance…you have failed.

1348: You cannot allow such a party in Government even have seats in parliament.

1347: Just imagine youth beating up their leaders at MDC-T’s headquarters. You don’t raise your hand to hit your senior, you may quarrel yes and the best you can do is go complain. For you to pull out your fist might happen because you are drunk….Are MDC-T youths always drunk?

1337: The 12st February Movement provides a platform for the youth to participate in leadership.

1336: The gift of life you can’t have any prayer which really, in a fulsome way expresses the degree of thanks that we deserve to express to the almighty.

1335: I feel most grateful, indeed touched for the good wishes….I’m made to feel energetic like a boy who’s nine…I’ve dropped the zero.

1333: I want to thank the two embassies of China and Russia for their congratulatory messages.

1330: 90 years have been 90 years of learning, listening to teachers and had I had friends who smoked and drank but I refused whilst they smoked and drank. Following the right path will lead you to the place you want to be.

1327: We need to value add our resources and the knowledge will always be improved and what we don’t know we learn from others.

1326: We want straight forward, honest people who will respect Government property, private property, property which doesn’t belong to them. It doesn’t mean everyone is a thief but the few that were entrusted with managing Government property are the ones we are going to send to jail.

1323: President Mugabe castigates thieves.

1316: Too much fun can be bad, we want to drink but over indulge and our livers are damaged. The tobacco we grow people smoke but if you smoke too much especially cigarettes, the lungs will complain. Your life will be short.

1314: You can be sad that others are gone but you are also happy that you have reached 90 and there have been more children born.

1313: What does it mean, congratulating someone for reaching 90? A lot of people are gone, friends and relatives. Life is not yesterday, life always is tomorrow, the next day, the day after.

1306: Zim Asset says we have a duty as the owners of the country. That job cannot be done elsewhere.

1302: We showed them we are united. Let them not be frightened because that is what a people of any country should be. The enemy, yes, if he still thinks he can clandestinely get Zimbabwe under control he’s mistaken. The British, we don’t hate you we only love our country. We love our country better, we love ourselves better than we love you. We love our freedom, we love the right to say Zimbabwe is ours.

1259: Zanu PF won, it had the support, it had the message, it had history, it was the people…the people and Zanu PF are one, you can’t separate the two. You talk to the people the majority are Zanu PF

1258: I want to thank you for the victory in the elections. We made history, it was Chaminuka’s lightning that hit and noone knew how it happned. The MDC was baffled, it was all down on the floor. Those in the West were baffled, they refused to believe the truth.

1255: President Mugabe: I’m 90 years not alone, i’m 90 years with her (Amai Grace) she’s been the provider, sustainer…the lover. We don’t forgot her when we celebrate. I begin by thanking all those who have come and it’s because of the love you have for your leader  that has made you come.

1253:President: I said the Provincial Chairpersons are the leaders of the provinces not Politburo and Central Committee members.That should be understood and of-course we shall get respect by virtue of belonging to a senior organisation but it is not right that we impose ourselves on our provinces

1247: President Mugabe is now on the podium.

1240: China’s ambassador  to Zimbabwe Mr Lin Lin reads a congratulatory message from the China’s president.

1235: Jah Prayzah is now entertaining the crowd.

1217: He describes how the party was dedicated to winning the last elections and celebrating that collectivity is important.

1207: Youth secretary Cde Absolom Sikhosana is now addressing the gathering.

1159: President Mugabe is being introduced to Youth League members from some of Africa’s liberation movements as well as students representatives from as far as Ghana and Liberia.

1146: Zanu PF Mashonaland East Provincial Chairman Cde Ray Kaukonde says today is not a day for complaints. He says the province is united and they know the party’s goals.

Prophet Angel addresses the crowd at the 21st February Movement Celebrations today. Pic by Farirai Machivenyika

1132: Prophet Angel says an African problem will always be solved by Africans. He says he was raised by a father who belongs to Zanu-PF and although the same father raised a child who campaigned for the MDC-T. He said I know things will be written like “Angel swallowed by Zanu-PF. As if they knew of where I was before”

1112: The President has just released 90 balloons into the air. Rudhaka stadium was deemed to small to host the event so the organisers had to settle for the open space next to the stadium.

1106: The theme for this year’s celebrations is “Zim Asset-Growing the Economy for Youth Empowerment and Employment”

1105: President Mugabe and First Lady Amai Grace have arrived outside Rudhaka Stadium in Marondera to celebrate the 90th birthday of the President. Thousands have thronged the venue and whistling and ululations greet the first family.