Saturday, 28 February 2009
Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe is preparing to celebrate his 85th birthday at a lavish party paid by his supporters.
A fundraising committee is set up with a target of $350,000 to go towards the hosting of Mugabe's birthday party in Mugabe's home town on Saturday. The fundraising committee is led by Mugabe's nephew Patrick Zhuwawo.
Celebrations for Mugabe's birthday kicked off with a "small party" at a luxury hotel over the weekend. The Minister of Defense said: "Like a mighty crocodile, you have remained resilient, focused and resolute against all odds. We pray that the almighty God grants you many more years".
The controversial celebrations are held when the World Health Organization announced that there are 84,000 reported cholera cases in the country. Zimbabwe has already lost 3,894 people due to cholera epidemic since August.
Zimbabwe also recently asked other African countries for $2 billion to rescue its economy.
This birthday party is neither the first nor the worst in Africa indicating such insensitive leadership. The Swazi King was also strongly criticized recently for spending too much money for his birthday party.
Huseyin Akturk
