So he is throwing a 88yr anniversary bash with a football tournament, a beauty pageant and a music concert. Now I feel there is a sense of humor behind the strong-face personality..
Mutare the place to be this weekend
A football tournament, a beauty pageant and a music concert are some of the festivities planned to celebrate President Robert Mugabe’s birthday.
Events linked to the 21st February Movement, named in honour of Mugabe’s birthday, will cost about $2-million.
The football tournament started a month ago with four teams - FC Platinum, Motor Action, Dynamos and Hwange. FC Platinum and Hwange FC have made it to the final, and the total prize package has been pegged at $1-million.
The country’s top and budding musicians will perform at all-night music gala called a pungwe, a Shona word for all-night gathering. Pungwes were traditional Zanu-PF gatherings during the liberation struggle. The pungwe gala two years ago attracted Jamaican dancehall crooner Sizzla Kalonji who was later offered a residence permit and promised a farm. He turned down the offers.
Last year Mugabe made his debut as an artiste and music recorded then will be on rotation with the Gushungo Network - a crew of musicians who auto-tuned his voice - dominating the airwaves. The House of Gushungo, clothing apparel inspired by Mugabe, will also be officially launched.
For this first time, there will be a beauty pageant - the Miss 21st February Movement. Close to 30 beauties will battle it out for the top honours. At least $1-million will cover expenses for the pageant, music gala, accommodation and transport to and from the festival. This year’s celebrations will be held in the diamond-rich Manicaland Province’s town of Mutare.
