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President Mugabe receives Mr Putin’s message from Russian Ambassador to Zimbabwe Mr Sergey Bakharov during his 90th birthday celebrations at Rudhaka Stadium in Marondera while Zanu PF youth leader Cde Absolom Sikhosana looks on

Farirai Machivenyika Senior Reporter
The President of the People’s Republic of China Xi Jinping, and Russian leader Vladimir Putin have commended President Mugabe for his astute leadership in spearheading Africa’s fight for self-determination.President Mugabe holds the deputy chairpersonship of Sadc and the African Union.

The two world leaders said this in separate congratulatory messages to President Mugabe on the 28th anniversary of the 21st February Movement celebrations in Marondera, that coinicided with his birthday celebrations.

President Mugabe turned 90 on February 21 and the main celebrations were held at Rudhaka Stadium in the Mashonaland East capital yesterday.

“I want to extend my warm congratulations to you. You are one of Africa’s leaders of older generations, you have firmly safeguarded the sovereignty of your country and ensured self-dependence and self-improvement,” President Xi said in the statement delivered by China’s Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Mr Lin Lin.

“You have made extraordinary contributions to the life of Zimbabwe and Africa. You have firmly safeguarded Zimbabwe’s sovereignty and you are a dear old friend of the Chinese people. China has always been a trustworthy friend and brother and will firmly support the national development of Zimbabwe.”

In his message, delivered by Russia’s Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Mr Sergey Bakharev, President Putin said President Mugabe enjoyed great respect the world over.

President Putin wished him many more years of success and good health.
“Please, accept my sincere congratulations on the occasion of your 90th birthday. I wish you good health, happiness, well-being and every success in your activities.

“You enjoy well-deserved respect as one of the leaders of the African national liberation movement. Your name is inseparably linked to gaining independence and establishing statehood by the Republic of Zimbabwe.

“We highly appreciate your efforts aimed at developing friendly relations between Russia and Zimbabwe. I am confident that they will continue to strengthen for the benefit of our peoples, in the interests of ensuring peace, security and progress in the African continent,” President Putin said.

President Mugabe thanked the two leaders for their messages and continued support for Zimbabwe.
“I want to begin by thanking the two embassies of China and Russia for the messages they have conveyed to me respectively from their leaders, the first one from China from the new president Xi Jinping, who already I said would want to invite me to visit China.

“I thank you for the best wishes and for assuring me that the friendship between China and Zimbabwe will be sustained for all times that is the two countries will continue working together as good friends.

“The same message has come from President Putin. These are the two countries that gave us training and gave us the arms that we used on two fronts, China on the Mozambican front the Soviet Union mainly Russia on the Western front, Matabeleland,” he said.

China and Russia, apart from being the major overseas supporters of Zimbabwe’s liberation struggle of the 1960s and 1970s, are also important economic partners.

More recently, the two global powers were instrumental in thwarting Anglo-French-US attempts to impose sanctions on Zimbabwe and pave way for international military intervention through the United Nations Security Council, on which they sit as permanent members with veto power.

For turning 90 in good health, President Mugabe paid tribute to First Lady Amai Grace Mugabe, whom he described as a provider and a lover.

“I want to thank my wife Grace Mugabe and the children in a special way,” he said. “I am 90 years not alone. I am 90 years with her. She has been the caretaker, the provider, the sustainer, the lover. So we do not forget her when we celebrate.”

Youths from Angola, Botswana, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Mozambique, Namibia and Uganda attended yesterday’s celebrations.
In all, more than 40 000 people from various parts of the country were in attendance, with musicians Jah Prayzah, Sandra Ndebele and the Police Band providing entertainment.

The President and the First Lady were welcomed with thunderous applause when they arrived mid-morning, with the crowd enthusiastically chanting his totem, Gushungo.

Father Fidelis Mukonori led with a prayer, before he anointed the President with consecrated oil as per Roman Catholic tradition.
Zanu-PF Secretary for Youth Cde Absalom Sikhosana commended President Mugabe for his visionary leadership and remaining resolute in Zimbabwe’s quest for self-determination.

“You have remained resolute in the face of many adversities and provided exemplary leadership to us all. As we celebrate today, we would want to thank you Your Excellency for continuing to guide us,” he said.

After delivering his speech the President and the First Family then cut the elaborate birthday cake. He also received gifts from Zanu-PF structures from across the country, including cattle and sheep among other presents.