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President Mugabe

Nduduzo Tshuma, Political Editor
THE Zanu-PF Youth League has written to the government calling for February 21 to be declared National Youth Day as a way of honouring President Robert Mugabe who turns 92 on that day this year.

Zanu-PF deputy secretary for youth affairs Cde Kudzai Chipanga yesterday said all along they have been calling for February 21 to be declared a national holiday but recently decided that it be particularly declared National Youth Day.

“All along we’ve been advocating for February 21 to be declared a national holiday. We’ve since decided that the day be declared National Youth Day since the youth are an important component to society.

“We’ve since written to the relevant authorities to declare youth day which shall be on the President’s birthday,” said Cde Chipanga.

He said the President’s birthday to be celebrated in Masvingo province on February 27 was significant in that the Head of State has not only proven to be an accomplished leader of Zimbabwe but also in the region and continent.

“The President was given a mandate to lead the country through elections that he won resoundingly and is executing his duties diligently and accomplished his task. He was given the mandate to lead Sadc and the African Union and he accomplished his task proving that he’s a great leader inside Zimbabwe and in Africa as a whole,” said Cde Chipanga.

“The celebrations are therefore significant in that they show that President Mugabe is an accomplished leader that’s why we as the youth league have endorsed the President as the party’s candidate for the 2018 elections and we’re confident that he’ll win resoundingly. We’re honoured to serve this tried and tested icon.”

Meanwhile, Cde Chipanga said preparations for the President’s birthday celebrations to be held under the theme, “Youth Celebrating an Icon through Enhanced Productivity,” are going on smoothly.

The Zanu-PF youth league is charged with organising the President’s birthday under the 21st February Movement banner that is held in the country’s 10 provinces on a rotational basis.

“A series of meetings have been held by both the national and provincial youth executive and I must say everything is in place,” said Cde Chipanga.

“The resources mobilisation for the event is going well and our traditional sponsors have come through with their contributions. Everything’s in order.”

Last year, the 21st February Movement celebrations were held in Victoria Falls with Matabeleland North being the host province.