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Thousands attend the inauguration of President ED Mnangagwa

Tendai Mugabe Senior Reporter
It was an epic and historic moment reminiscent of the 1980 independence celebrations yesterday, as Zimbabweans witnessed the dawn of a new era when Cde Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa took the Oath of Office as Zimbabwe’s second Executive President at the giant National Sport Stadium in Harare.

Although the inauguration day was not declared a public holiday, the 60 000-seater stadium was filled to the brim, with an overflowing crowd following proceedings outside the main arena on giant screens. Political leadership across the divide attended the ceremony, in a show of unity and togetherness. Of particular note at the ceremony was MDC-T leader Mr Morgan Tsvangirai and Dr Joice Mujuru of the National People’s Party.

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People started arriving at the National Sports Stadium as early as 6am, packing all the bays and by 9am, the main arena was filled to capacity. Service chiefs, led by Zimbabwe Defence Forces Commander General Constantino Chiwenga, arrived around 8am and were received by thunderous cheers.

It was a hero’s welcome for President Mnangagwa, who arrived around 9am accompanied by First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa, to mark the beginning of official proceedings. Foreign Heads of State and Government and former presidents from the region also came to witness the historic event.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa is congratulated by MDC T president Morgan Tsvangirai after his inauguration at the National Stadium in Harare yesterday

Among these were Presidents Edgar Lungu (Zambia), Ian Khama (Botswana), Felipe Nyusi (Mozambique), Namibian Vice President Nickey Iyambo and former presidents Kenneth Kaunda and Rupiah Banda (Zambia), and Sam Nujoma and Hifikepunye Pohamba (Namibia). South Africa was represented by Postal and Telecommunications Minister Siyabonga Cwele.

Journalists from across the globe stampeded when President Mnangagwa arrived, in an effort to capture the first shots of Zimbabwe’s second Executive President. President Mnangagwa was welcomed by songs from the crowd who were chanting “Ngwena ndibaba vedu”.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa is congratulated by National People’s Party (NPP) president Joice Mujuru after his inauguration at the National Stadium in Harare yesterday

Musician Jah Prayzah, who is also the Zimbabwe Defence Forces brand ambassador, did not disappointed as he left the crowd asking for more when he belted his hit songs “Kutonga Kwaro” and “Ndini Ndamubata.”

President Mnangagwa took the Oath of Office before Chief Justice Luke Malaba just before midday amid wild cheers. He had the crowd in delirium when he was zoomed on the giant screen scrolling his crocodile-like signature to mark his assumption of office as Head of State and Government and Commander-in-Chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa being adorned with his sash by Chief Justice Luke Malaba soon after his inauguration in Harare this afternoon. Picture by John Manzongo

As per tradition, President Mnangagwa was honoured by a 21-gun salute from the ZDF, followed by a flypast by four helicopters and fighter jets in diamond formation. The swearing-in was sealed by a kiss from First Lady Amai Mnangagwa, who was immaculately dressed in a white costume. As part of the proceedings, the service chiefs pledged their loyalty to the new President of the Republic.

Some of the former presidents and presidents from SADC who attended the President Mnangagwa’s inauguration ceremony at the National Sports Stadium yesterday

Affirming his loyalty, Gen Chiwenga said: “I, Constantino Guveya Dominic Nyikadzino Chiwenga, Commander of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces of Zimbabwe, on behalf of all officers, men and women of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces, do hereby solemnly and sincerely swear, affirm and declare our true loyalty to you, Your Excellency, the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe and Commander-in-Chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces, that we will be faithful and bear true allegiance to Zimbabwe and laws of Zimbabwe. So help me God.”

It was a bad day in office for Zimbabwe Republic Police Commissioner General Augustine Chihuri as he was repeatedly booed each time he appeared on the giant screen, and when he affirmed his loyalty to President Mnangagwa.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa being congratulated by Zimbabwe Defence Forces Commander General Constantino Guvheya Chiwenga soon after his inauguration in Harare this afternoon. Picture by John Manzongo

The crowd chanted “Ngaende, ngaende” as he was signing his loyalty papers. The event was concluded by congratulatory messages from regional leaders, judicial officers led by Justice Malaba and officers from Parliament, among other officials.