The Sunday Mail
This year marks the 30th anniversary of the 21st February Movement, which honours the life of President Mugabe — who was born on February 21, 1924. The annual celebrations are this year in Masvingo. Leading to the big day, The Sunday Mail is running a series of articles celebrating President Mugabe within the context of the Movement. Our Chief Reporter Kuda Bwititi last week spoke to Zanu-PF National Secretary for Youth Cde Pupurai Togarepi on the significance of this event. Below are excerpts of what Cde Togarepi said in his own words.
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Pupurai Togarepi
Masvingo is a cultural centre, and it is the province from which we derive the name of our country: Masvingo eZimbabwe Great Zimbabwe.
We intend to showcase different cultures that we find not only in Masvingo, but across the whole country.
We have already started all the preparations and committees that are going to run this event have been set up.
I have seen sections in the media saying that we are going to “blow” US$800 000 at the event.
I laugh at such headlines because people do not have an appreciation of the essence of this Movement.
It is not about the money but to recognise the rich history of our President, his immense contribution for the development of our country, his exemplary character and commitment to his people.
All these things are worth more than money and you cannot attach a value to such an initiative.
What we need to put across is that while we request for support from individuals, companies and other institutions, people should make the contributions out of their own volition.
We are not going to force anyone to support us, but you need to appreciate that an event of such magnitude needs support.
It’s not about the amount of money but it’s the amount of enthusiasm the amount of people saying thank you to the President, thanks to the date you were born, because you have been such a revolutionary man who has given it all for the liberation and development of the country.
We would want our youth to emulate the life of our President and his contribution in every facet of our lives. Repossession of our lost heritage, land and giving equality to our people.
So, this celebration is going to be unique in that we are going to have events that are a build up to the main event.
At the beginning of the week on which the celebrations are going to be held, we are going to have a lot of celebrations through carnivals, sporting activities as well as different forms of entertainment and other events to bring the youth together so that we remember and recognise what the President has done.
On the actual day we are going to make a clarion call to have the 21st February declared a national holiday.
This time the young people in this country are saying we want it now. We are doing it not only for President Mugabe but to show that people who do good for the country can be rewarded accordingly.
Many countries across the world honour their heroes in a similar way and I don’t see the reason why we can’t do it now.
In South Africa, there is Mandela Day which is celebrated on July 18, Nelson Mandela’s birthday.
As the Zanu-PF Youth League what we have done so far is to write letters to the responsible authorities. We have submitted such a document to the Ministry of Justice.
Now we are going to take it a step-up during this year’s event where we are going to have a crowd of 50 000 people who will come to join the President in celebration.
You will agree with us that this will be an occasion where the whole world will be watching and the President himself will be watching, so it will be prudent to make our declaration.
This will be recognising his contribution, the man has taken us through from the days of the liberation struggle to political independence and now to economic independence.
We hope nobody will stand in our way.
As youths we have decided not to go to work but to sit at home and celebrate this day if it is not made a national holiday.
So even if our demand is not met, we are going to mobilise the youths not to go to work on the 21st of February because we want to celebrate our icon.
Patriotic youths around the world have been asking why we are not having the Robert Mugabe Day so we are simply demanding what has been internationally recognised.
This year we are simply going to make the pronouncements that indeed the Robert Mugabe Day is coming.
As the youth league we are the shepherds of this day on behalf of the young people in this country.
We want to encourage our young people to be upright and responsible in nation building and all these issues will be discussed through these clubs which we are advocating to have at these centres.
As the Youth League we are trying to mobilise resources amongst ourselves so that we further fund the development and recognition of this day.
What we want is to inculcate those values in our young people-those values that have made our President the person he is today.
We want to ensure that we have a responsible youth who can take this country forward in a responsible manner.
We want to ensure that when the President finally leaves politics he will be sure that the country is in safe hands after we have inculcated those values so that we have a better future as a people.
We are inviting everybody every young person we want them to come in numbers on that day.
For those who want to attend this event, transport will be made available, and those from other provinces accommodation will be available.
All the logistics are already in place to make this event successful and memorable. People must come in their numbers, this is a very important day as the youths will have an opportunity to interact with the President and to hear what he says.
It’s a family event so everyone is welcome and we expect everyone to be there. All peace loving Zimbabweans should come.
On the day, young people will have an opportunity to have direct interaction with the President.
