Mnangagwa birthday: Preps in Full Swing for Second Munhumutapa Day Celebrations

By Staff Reporter

Preparations are in high gear for the second Munhumutapa Day, with a youth-focused sports tournament set to kick off in Harare this Saturday, ahead of the main event in Zvishavane, Midlands Province, on Monday.

The sports tournament will serve as a warm-up for the main celebrations, with participants making their way to Zvishavane for Monday’s grand festivities. The event is being organized by the Zimbabwe National Sports Promotion for Economic Development (ZIMSPORTS4ED), which is using the occasion to raise awareness about the dangers of drug and substance abuse among young people.

At a press conference in Harare yesterday, ZIMSPORTS4ED chairperson, Cde Gabriel Togarepi, assured the public that everything is in place for the upcoming sports event.

“A variety of teams from across the country will take part in different sporting disciplines,” Cde Togarepi announced. “This tournament not only honors President Mnangagwa’s birthday but also celebrates the progress made by the Second Republic.”

Cde Nobert Jinjika, Zanu PF Harare Provincial Secretary for Administration, emphasized the province’s commitment to making the event a success. “We’ve committed a US$100,000 sponsorship to ensure the tournament is memorable. There will be prizes for all participating teams,” he said. “We are keen to celebrate President Mnangagwa’s birthday in style. The tournament will take place at Lord Malvern High School, and we encourage Zimbabweans to come out and enjoy the display of athletic talent. The event will also feature talks on how to combat drug and substance abuse, which is vital for guiding our youth away from these dangers.”

Harare Provincial Political Commissar, Cde Voyage Dambuza, added that the event will also serve as an opportunity to recruit new members for the party. “We will be offering party cards to young people as part of celebrating the legacy of President Mnangagwa,” he said.

Munhumutapa Day, which was introduced by the Zanu PF National Youth League, is scheduled for September 15 each year, with the event rotating between Zimbabwe’s 10 provinces. Last year’s celebrations took place in Masvingo.

This year’s festivities will focus on celebrating President Mnangagwa’s key achievements, including the launch of the Youth Empowerment Scheme, which established a revolving fund, business units, farm mechanization, and the heifer scheme across all 10 provinces.

At 83 years old, President Mnangagwa is expected to lead the main celebrations in Zvishavane on Monday, where over 30,000 people, mainly youth, are anticipated to attend.

Munhumutapa Day is intended to honor President Mnangagwa for embodying the spirit of the ancient Munhumutapa rulers. It also highlights his efforts to move Zimbabwe closer to achieving Vision 2030, symbolized by his “Nyika Inovakwa Nevene Vayo/Ilizwe lakhiwa ngabanikazi balo” mantra. Major infrastructure projects such as the Trabablas Interchange, the expansion of Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport, and the New Parliament Building are among the significant milestones since 2017.

Through its focus on sports and community engagement, Munhumutapa Day aims to promote a healthier, more united nation.