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Vice Presidents Emmerson Mnangagwa and Phelekezela Mphoko are joined on the dance floor by Minister of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing Dr Ignatius Chombo (left) and Harare Metropolitan province Minister Miriam Chikukwa during the 21st February fund-raising dinner in Harare on Friday night. — Picture by William Mafunga

Nyemudzai Kakore Herald Reporter
President Mugabe is a brand that typifies the ethos of hard work, resilience and endurance, Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa has said.In a speech read on his behalf by the party’s Secretary for Administration, Cde Ignatius Chombo, at the 21st February Movement fund-raising dinner dance on Friday, VP Mnangagwa said President Mugabe had managed to endure the temptations thrown in his way by remaining resolute on his principles.

“The President and First Secretary is not just a name, but a brand which typifies the ethos of hard honest work, self-determination, resilience, endurance in adversity, consistency, resoluteness, steadfastness and of course, the ability to stand by one’s principles regardless of any inducements or temptations that may come one’s way,” he said.

VP Mnangagwa said President Mugabe was the “Gabriel” the world was looking up to for guidance and inspiration.

He said President Mugabe’s elevation to become the Sadc and African Union chairman was evidence of his great wisdom.

“Africa and the downtrodden and dispossessed of the world look up to our own President for inspiration. As you may be aware, he is always receiving standing ovations in all African capital he visits. He is a real Gabriel who inspires and saves the poor dispossessed from the throes of penury and injustice by empowering them to have meaningful ownership of their resources,” he said.

“He successfully overcame hatred and ostracism by some Western nations to the crowning achievements as evidenced by Zimbabwe’s election as chairman of Sadc and the recent attainment of the chairmanship of the AU. It is a crowning moment in the long walk to freedom,” said Cde Mnangagwa.

Themed “Celebrating the birth of Gushungo, the icon of Zimbabwe’s revolution and champion of youth empowerment’’, the 21st February Movement celebrations will be held in Victoria Falls on Saturday.

Together with Vice President Phelekezela Mphoko, Cde Mnangagwa bought two portraits of President Mugabe at a cost of $6 800 each while Cde Chombo bought his for $3 800.

The party’s Secretary for Youth Affairs Cde Pupurai Togarepi said everyone was welcome to attend because the celebrations were non-partisan.

“The celebrations are non-partisan. All youths in this country are invited, despite their religious and political persuasions. We advocate the people of Zimbabwe to appreciate what the President has done for us and emulate him,” he said.