GARIKAI MAFIRAKUREVA

MASVINGO – Zanu PF’s alleged lavish US$2 million birthday bash for President Emmerson Mnangagwa is reportedly in the cross hairs of the international donor community after the country recently extended a begging bowl to raise over US$2 billion to avert starvation in Zimbabwe.
The Zimbabwean government is known for throwing money like confetti pampering ministers, judges, lawmakers and chiefs while millions of the population face food shortages after the Mnangagwa government declared the El Niño-induced drought a state of disaster.
Zanu PF Director of Information and Publicity Farai Marapira confirmed the event The Mirror. Mnangagwa turns 82 on September 15, 2024, and more than 30,000 youths from all 10 provinces expected to attend.
Marapira said the Munhumutapa Day will be launched under the theme: ‘Rooted in the Past, Drawing towards a Brighter Future: Empowering Youths for Nation Building and Vision 2030.’
“We are glad to celebrate the birthday at the Great Zimbabwe Monuments honouring our President who will grace the occasion. Youth from all provinces are expected to be present on the day which is being organised by the Zanu PF National Youth League showing their support to President Mnangagwa,” said Marapira.
Asked if they should not be ashamed of hosting such costly celebration while more than 90 % of Zimbabweans are wallowing in grinding poverty Marapira said his party is comprised of enterprising people who make contributions whenever they have an event.
“As a party we have enterprising people who can contribute towards any event that we are hosting. This is not new. We have been supported with such people since the liberation struggle. The comrades were fed and clothed. We are a people oriented party, so don’t worry about what people are going to spend,” he said.
Opposition leader Nelson Chamisa said given the current situation in the country the event is obscene and lacks empathy.
The party’s Masvingo province spokesperson Pepukai Chiwewe said they are ready to host the event.
“We are happy as a Province to host and witness the launch of the Munhumutapa Day. If everything goes well we are expecting more than 150,000 people mostly from Masvingo district. For further information contact the deputy minister of Youth John Paradza. He is organising the event and has further details,” said Chiwewe.
However, according to the World Food Programme (WFP) an estimated six million people are expected to be food insecure in Zimbabwe during the 2024-2025 lean season.
“Zimbabwe is grappling with the effects of El Niño, exacerbating its semi-arid climate’s variable nature. In urban areas, high inflation, rising food prices and fluctuating exchange rates have affected families’ purchasing power and eroded their savings. 1.7 million people (35 percent of the urban population) will be food insecure in 2024.
“The 2023 Global Hunger Index classified Zimbabwe’s situation as serious. The country also ranked 159 out of 193 in the 2022 Human Development Index. Factors such as widespread poverty, the prevalence of HIV/AIDS, limited employment opportunities and recurrent climate-induced shocks contribute to food insecurity,” reads WFP website.
Although no Zanu PF official confirmed the two million figure, the official whistle blowing
X handle of Children of Zimbabwe War Veterans Association (COZWA), the revolutionary party is going to spend over US$2 million dollars on the celebrations. The post on the handle reads:
“That rally wil cost tax payers money over US$ 2million:- Hired tents $200k, Chicken inn, $500k Transport $600k, VVIP Escot allowance $500k and Others $500k. After all we are having these rallies every month! Sorry civil servants pensioners & civil servants (sic) #Misplaced Priorities!”