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16:30 The Mashonaland West Star Rally comes to end with the next stop being Lupane Centre, Matabeleland North tomorrow.

16:22 First Lady Amai Grace Mugabe also thanks the supporters for coming and thanks the President. She says Mashonaland West once got it wrong in 2008 but 2013 should be different. She said the MDCs are hoping for another GNU so they remain in government. The First Lady says peace is the foundation for development. She calls Cde Chiyangwa on stage and urges him to work for the people and not embarrass the party.

16:18 President Mugabe thanks the crowd for coming urging them to maintain peace and with that he leaves the podium.

16:11 He says the Anglican Church including the Archbishop of Canterbury are marrying men but asks rhetorically how they conceive?

16:08 President Mugabe castigates homosexuality and gives an example of USA leader Barack Obama who wants Africa to recognise homosexuality. “It’s just an abomination, it can never be excepted, it’s unnatural,” he said.

15:50 The President says 2013 is a the year of strengthening the power of the people, the power they got in 1980 and by coming like they did to the rally they did just like 1980.

15:46 He castigated Marian Chombo on her standing as an independent candidate against her ex-husband Cde Ignatius Chombo.

15:42 President Mugabe thanks the crowd for attending the rally saying the party had good primaries but some candidates decided to stand as independents. However, once one does that then that person is outside the party, they are fighting against the party, must not use party regalia and must not support President Mugabe but themselves.”If you lose, you have lost and not the party. You should stand with the party and be united as one,” he said.

15:37 He sarcastically asks how else an “elder” meaning Tsvangirai can admit to having failed in their bid to have elections postponed.

15:35 The President says he was happy to hear Tsvangirai saying that the MDC-T is for the July 31 elections.

15:30 President Mugabe said USA could never have been invited to observe the elections when the sanctions they imposed are a burden on the country. He questions how USA can teach Zimbabwe anything with their filthy history of slavery and imprisoning of black people.

15:27 He says the GNU was meant for the parties to prepare for elections since in 2008 there were allegations of violence. He said that’s why the current elections need to be peaceful and that’s the only requirement.

15:25 President Mugabe says the MDCs must make whatever the issues they have matters of dispute and offer them to the electorate.

15:10 He calls for more black players to enter the manufacturing sector and people should get loans on good terms.

15:07 President Mugabe says banks should not survive on profiteering and they should lower interest rates. “The high interest rates are just unbearable,” he said.

15:05 The President says the farming communities should find value in their produce.

14:42 He explains how former British Prime Minister, Tony Blair, reneged on the promise to fund the land reform programme.

14:27 President Mugabe says the war was never about fighting the white skin but oppression.

14:23 He mocks Abel Muzorewa’s having won three seats in 1980 saying it was in tandem with the three helicopters he had making the crowd laugh.

14:07 President Mugabe pays tribute to Cde Mudhomeni Chivende one of the people who welcomed the seven heroes who fired the first shots of the Second Chimurenga.

14:02 President Mugabe is explaining how the Second Chimurenga started.

13:57 President Mugabe is now on the podium is explaining the road the country’s liberators travelled to achieve self rule.

13:38 Cde Webster Shamu is now making his welcome remarks as the National Commissar.

13:25 President Mugabe takes his place on the platform while waving to the crowd as journalists jostle to get pictures.

13:15 President Mugabe has arrived at CUT.

13:08 The venue is filled to capacity and people are being urged to avoid a stampede as President Mugabe is about to arrive while those perched in trees are being told to get down.

12:29 Zanu PF provincial chairman Cde John Mafa says the party is headed for a landslide victory.

12:12 President Mugabe is expected to arrive any time from now.

12:04 Cde Chiyangwa believes having such a gathering in the historical Mashonaland West spells doom for the MDCs. The first shots that led to the Second Chimurenga were fired in the province.

12:00 Cde Phillip Chiyangwa says he is the man to beat in Mashonaland West.

11:56 Mashonaland West Governor Cde Chidarikire said he is happy with the turnout yet people are still queuing to enter the venue.

11:30 Zanu PF National Political Commissar Cde Webster Shamu and senior party officials namely Cdes Ignatius Chombo, Walter Chidhakwa and Mash West Governor Fabber Chidarikire have arrived.

11:19 Dendera star, Suluman Chimbetu, is currently entertaining the bumper crowd.

11:11 The university’s football grounds have been turned into a sea of yellow and green as the party faithful await to be addressed by Zanu PF President and First Secretary Cde Robert Gabriel Mugabe.

11:09 Yet another bumper crowd has converged at Chinhoyi University of Technology (CUT) for the Zanu PF Star Rally in Mashonaland West. People started streaming in as early as 6am.