The Zanu PF national Youth League executive committee met Tuesday in Victoria Falls to finalize preparations for President Robert Mugabe’s 91st birthday party, which will be held in the resort town next week, at a time the youths are pushing for the day to be declared a national holiday in honor of the president.
The party’s youth chairman for Matabeleland North province, Tamuka Nyoni, told VOA Studio 7 the party has received food donations from churches and companies, including three buffaloes.
Nyoni added that the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Management has pledged to donate an elephant for the celebrations.
He dismissed criticisms that the event is a waste of resources for the cash-strapped country, saying most expenses were footed by companies and other well-wishers.
Nyoni tells V-O-A's Sithandekile Mhlanga his party expects more than 20,000 people to attend the event, which will also honor the elevation of President Mugabe to the African Union chairman post.
