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Tendai Mugabe in Victoria Falls
All is set for the 29th edition of the 21st February Movement celebrations that will be held here at the Elephant Hills Hotel and Conference Centre today where at least 20 000 delegates are expected.

President Mugabe, who was accompanied by the First Lady Amai Grace Mugabe, arrived in the resort town for the celebrations yesterday, as did most of the delegates.

The President turned 91 last Saturday and a birthday party was hosted by staff in his office, but the main celebrations organised by the Zanu-PF Youth League under the auspices of the 21st February Movement are set for today.

He was welcomed at the Victoria Falls Airport by his two deputies Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa and Phelekezela Mphoko, several Cabinet Ministers and senior Government officials.

Zanu-PF Youth League secretary Cde Pupurai Togarepi said in an interview: “We no longer talk of preparations now because we are now ready to host the celebrations.

“Most delegates are already here and we are expecting 20 000 delegates to grace this historic occasion because we are not only celebrating the life of the Zimbabwean leader, but we are gathered to celebrate the life of an icon who is also the chairman of the African Union and Sadc.”

As part of the celebrations, several events have been lined up including a key note speech by President Mugabe at the venue and a musical gala at Chinotimba Stadium this evening.

The centre of attraction will be the cutting of the cake by President Mugabe and the First Family.

Last night, the Victoria Falls business community threw a dinner for the President, while the Zanu-PF Youth League hosted a party for children attending the celebrations.

Victoria Falls mayor Cde Sifiso Mpofu said in a statement yesterday that the resort town was ready to provide quality service to the delegates.

“I am pleased to inform you that our preparations are well on track and as a local authority we give you assurance that we have the capacity in terms of giving you clean water, refuse collection will be done on time and our fire and ambulance are a call away,” he said.

“I certainly assure you that the spirits of the people of this town are already high in anticipation of our distinguished visitors and all business and service providers are well prepared, fuel service stations, medical facilities, food outlets, drinking spots and tourism companies await your visit.”

Cde Mpofu said visitors who wanted to share ideas on how the town could make the best out of the resources it has were welcome.

The 21st February Movement was inaugurated in 1986 as part of inculcating President Mugabe’s revolutionary principles and charismatic leadership especially in the young people.