and Anesu Chakanetsa

THIS year’s 21st February Movement celebrations are in honour of President Robert Mugabe’s commitment to the interests of the people and economic empowerment, ZANU PF Secretary for Youth Affairs Pupurai Togarepi has said.
The celebrations to be held in the city of Masvingo this Saturday, February 27, will run under the theme, ‘Celebrating an African Icon Through Enhanced Productivity’.
In an interview at the party headquarters last week, Cde Togarepi said because of President Mugabe’s dedication to serving the masses, Zimbabweans and Africans were naturally eager to celebrate his life by converging in Masvingo.
“This is obviously our moment as youths, a moment where we take time to celebrate the life of our leader and icon,” said Cde Togarepi.
“From the past years, President Mugabe has preached about productivity through the historic Land Reform and Resettlement and the Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment Programmes and most recently in the form of the Zimbabwe Agenda for Sustainable Socio-Economic Transformation (Zim-ASSET) mainly focusing on youth empowerment.”
Cde Togarepi said the theme, ‘Celebrating an African Icon Through Enhanced Productivity’ dovetails well with the empowerment agenda since President Mugabe believes in improving productivity.
“Cde Mugabe laid a good foundation for us and encourages youths to be confident in themselves,” he said.
“It is therefore important for youths to emulate the life of President Mugabe who has set a good example both at home and at work,” said Cde Togarepi.
It is worthy to note that this year’s celebrations are going to be held at the heart of the iconic Great Zimbabwe monument which symbolises the strength and longevity of both the country Zimbabwe and its leader.
“The reason we chose to gather inside the monument on February 27 is that we want to celebrate the birth of an icon inside what we can describe as the strength of our country and our people,” Cde Togarepi said.
The Patriot is reliably informed that several programmes have been lined up to commemorate President Mugabe’s 92nd birthday.
Due to the President’s love of sport, said Cde Togarepi, soccer matches and other sporting disciplines have been lined up.
Besides soccer matches, youthful activities like carnivals and traditional dances are scheduled for the celebrations.
Asked about the performance of young people in Zimbabwe during this empowerment era, Cde Togarepi said youths were working tirelessly to improve the economy despite the illegal economic sanctions imposed against the country by the West and its allies.
He said youths were already in various fields of economic platforms supported by President Mugabe’s wise guidance.
The empowerment agenda has called on youths to participate in active politics, farming, manufacturing and mining among other ventures.
“We also have academics we have sent to learning institutions in several countries to complete scholarships in various sectors,” Cde Togarepi said.
The youth empowerment agenda is set to be at the centre of this year’s 21st February Movement celebrations.
Meanwhile, preparations for the landmark celebrations are at an advanced stage with youths playing an active role by contributing in cash and kind.