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Mugabe parties while Zim burns
20/02/2004 20:12 - (SA)
Harare - President Robert Mugabe, in power since Zimbabwe's independence from Britain in 1980, will celebrate his 80th birthday on Saturday with high pomp as the ordinary people of the nation reel under political and economic crises.
Born on February 21, 1924, Mugabe observed his birthday quietly last year while on a controversial trip to France for a Franco-African summit, but this year is due to fete it with fanfare at his birthplace, Kutama village in Zvimba, 80km west of Harare.
"We have decided on Zvimba because the president will get in contact with the community that has supported him in his life, his family, friends and the nation ... in a relaxed atmosphere," said ruling Zimbabwe African National Union - Patriotic Front (Zanu-PF) secretary for youth Absolom Sikhosana.
"We want him to look back to the time when he used to herd cattle and goats," said Sikhosana.
The president of the southern African country remains vigorous, often speaking at length, and appears in good shape and excellent health.
"He is still active and getting more intelligent," declared Sikhosana.
Party
The celebrations are being co-hosted this year by Mugabe's wife Grace and the 21st February Movement, the Zanu-PF youth wing.
Mugabe married Grace, his former secretary who is about 40 years younger than him, in 1997 after the death of his first wife Sally, who was Ghanaian.
At least 10 people from each of the country's 10 provinces will attend the party.
"It's a national event and not a family affair," said Zanu-PF spokesperson Nathan Shamuyarira.
Mugabe last year indicated he would retire from power only after the land issue was resolved. He has encouraged party members to debate the succession issue, but none has openly stated an intention to take over the hot seat.
State television and radio were to run an interview with Mugabe on Friday evening - the eve of his birthday - during which they said he would discuss his retirement plans.
In the early 1980s Mugabe had become an international icon over his reconciliation policy of accomodating whites, including former Rhodesian prime minister Ian Smith, whom he had fought during a liberation struggle in the 1970s.
His reputation as an African statemanship started fading in recent years after the country slid into economic decline as land reforms which had been left unresolved for years, were jump-started with the violent occupation of white-owned land.
Meantime the southern African country of about 11.6 million people is in deep economic crisis with annual inflation of more than 600%, unemployment above 70% and about three quarters of inhabitants living below the poverty threshold as around 3 000 people die of Aids-related complications each week.
A drought, exacerbated by the chaotic land reforms, has seen agricultural production dropping drastically, and aid agencies are working flat out, with some five million people, mainly the rural poor, in need of food aid.
- AFP
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