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WE join the nation in congratulating President Mugabe on the occasion of his 90th birthday. This milestone coming as it does at a time when some detractors have been spending sleepless nights hoping nature would do for them what they failed to do politically makes it all the more meaningful.

The birthday anniversary is thus not only an occasion for the President and the First Family, but all progressive Zimbabweans who admire and aspire to live an exemplary life like the President has led since coming into the public eye in the heady days of nationalist politics in the late 50s.

Because of the exemplary principles he lives by, in 1986 the zanu-pf Youth League saw it fit to spearhead the formation of a non-profit, non-partisan movement aimed at encouraging youths to live a life of service and selfless sacrifice like the President has led.

We take this opportunity to congratulate the 21st February Movement, which coincides with the President’s birthday, a happy 28th anniversary.

Having been established to raise youth awareness on the struggles endured by President Mugabe in fighting for the independence and empowerment of marginalised black Zimbabweans and other marginalised people in the developing world, the Movement has not aborted, given the growing number of young people at home and abroad who identify with President Mugabe and his legacy of stolid, defiant opposition to all forms of subjugation.

To those who may not be aware, the 21st February Movement seeks to inculcate in the youths the spirit of patriotism and diligence espoused by President Mugabe and educate the young about his principled stance on the gamut of economic, political, social, cultural, political and civil rights of Zimbabweans in particular and Africans in general.

And true to form we see Mugabeism taking root across Africa, notable examples being the Economic Freedom Fighters’ commander-in-chief Julius Sello Malema, who speaks holistic independence in South Africa, and Gambian president Yahya Jammeh, who is exorcising the British ghost in the Gambia.

This year, the Movement’s anniversary comes at a time the nation is agog with rampant corruption being unearthed in some parastatals and state enterprises where people who were entrusted with leading critical public enterprises betrayed the trust vested in them for personal aggrandisement.

This runs contrary to the faith the President and Government placed in them and is averse to the philosophy of principled, selfless service espoused by the 21st February Movement.

We believe had the senior managers running these state enterprises and parastatals into the ground upheld the principles espoused by the 21st February Movement, we would not have the se shocking scandals.

We hope more young people embrace Mugabeism for a better and prosperous future for Zimbabwe.

Happy birthday Cde President.