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Mrs Boithatelo Mnguni

Crystabel Chikayi, Features Reporter
Pupils are key figures at the 21st February Movement celebrations which are held annually to honour President Mugabe and his illustrious leadership as well as celebrate his birthday.

This year, the celebrations will be held at the Rhodes Estate Preparatory School in Matobo District, Matabeleland South province on February 25.

The ruling party youth league and different schools often choose children who share the same birthday as the President to be the ones to attend the celebrations.

Bulawayo provincial education director Mrs Fikelephi Kaira said taking the children to the celebrations is a way of allowing the learners to celebrate the life of their leader and appreciate his leadership.

“We take pupils from various schools to the 21st February Movement celebrations as a way of allowing the learners to celebrate the life of our President. It’s also a way of getting pupils to appreciate the provision of good education in our country through the President’s leadership,” said Mrs Kaira.

The country, through President Mugabe’s leadership has managed to maintain the highest literacy rate on the continent, which is a reflection of his dedication to the education sector in the country.

President Mugabe himself is a holder of several degrees.

He is an orator par excellence and his words are not just high sounding but carry substance and depth.

Whenever he delivers a speech, people listen.

Soon after independence, he afforded thousands of Zimbabweans a chance to go to school and put behind the ghost of years spent in Rhodesian prisons.

Matabeleland North provincial education director Mrs Boithatelo Mnguni said pupils are always part of the 21st February Movement celebrations so they can learn of the President’s values and emulate him.

“Pupil involvement in the celebrations is an important practice that schools partake in. It’s done so that pupils may be able to identify with the values that our President stands for, the honesty, integrity and the wisdom,” said Mrs Mnguni.

Mrs Mnguni said pupil involvement is also to give them the opportunity to meet President Mugabe in person so they can cherish the moment for a long time to come.