Sonara
JF-Expert Member
- Oct 2, 2008
- 726
- 68
Let them (the Mugabes) eat cake! Zimbabwe tyrant and wife stuff their faces with a giant dessert weighing a kilo for every year he's been alive as poverty-stricken country marks his 92nd birthday with $1million party
Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe has celebrated his 92nd birthday with a lavish $1million party complete with a 92kg cake as many of his people struggle with drought and widespread food shortages.
The world's oldest leader hosted the extravagant televised celebrations in the drought-stricken Masvingo province on Saturday, drawing criticism from opponents who said the festivities were an affront to ordinary Zimbabweans.
Thousands of party loyalists, foreign representatives and members of the public watched as Mugabe released 92 balloons in the air and they listened to poetry readings, songs and chants hailing him an African icon and a visionary.
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Feast for two: Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe pictured with his wife Grace eating at his 92nd birthday party on Saturday
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'I love Bob': Many supporters wore outfits emblazoned with Mugabe's portrait, while others wore the colours of the ruling party
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92kg: Several cakes were on display, including this replica of the party venue - the Great Zimbabwe ruins, a UNESCO world heritage site
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Security: An armed soldier pictured at the party on Saturday. Mugabe has ruled for 36 years and is showing no signs of stepping down
Several cakes were on display, including one in the shape of Africa and a whopping 92kg replica of the party venue - the Great Zimbabwe ruins, a UNESCO world heritage site that was built in the 13th Century as the headquarters of the Munhumutapa empire.
Many supporters wore outfits emblazoned with Mugabe's portrait and some read 'I love Bob', while others adorned the red, black, green and yellow colours of the ruling party. They feasted on beef and game meat at the ostentatious event.
Balloons and cake, however, did little to hide the infighting that has defined the ruling ZANU-PF party in the last year as Mugabe continues to avoid naming a successor, despite his advanced age and recent speculation over his health.
Mugabe, who turned 92 on February 21, has ruled for 36 years during an era marked by vote-rigging, mass emigration, accusations of human rights abuses and economic decline.
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Rambling: In a hour-long speech, Mugabe said no-one would starve as a result of a drought which has left three million people in need
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Cake: There were a number of cakes at the Zimbabwean President's birthday party, including this one resembling a map of Africa
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Blowing out the candles: President Mugabe pictured with the 92kg cake which was a replica of the party venue - the Great Zimbabwe ruins
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Cutting the cake: Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe (left) watches as his wife Grace cut one of his birthday cakes at his party
In a rambling hour-long speech, the president said no-one would starve as a result of a drought which has left three million people in need and prompted the declaration of a state of disaster in most rural areas.
But in a characteristic gibe at Western countries, he said Zimbabwe would not accept aid if it came with conditions that the country should accept gay rights.
'If aid, as I understand, is to be given on the basis that we accept the principle of gay marriages, then let that aid stay were it is,' Mugabe said. 'We don't want it. It is rotten aid, filthy aid and we won't have anything to do with it.'
Zimbabwe has appealed for nearly $1.6billion to help pay for grain and other food, but no aid organisation is known to have attached such a condition to assistance.
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Celebrations: Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe (centre) prepares to release 92 balloons into the air at his 92nd birthday party
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Extravagant: A band perform at the party, which has drawn criticism from opponents who said it was an affront to ordinary Zimbabweans
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Hungry: The president said no-one would starve as a result of a drought, but said Zimbabwe would not accept accept aid if it came with conditions that the country should accept gay rights
On his actual birthday, state media poured praise on Mugabe's leadership since independence from Britain.
In its 16-page special supplement, the Sunday Mail said on its front cover: 'Thank You Bob, We now have a voice, since 1980'.
Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa is viewed as the likely next president, but in recent weeks he has been publicly criticised by Mugabe's wife Grace in a sign of growing rivalry.
'Factionalism, factionalism and, I repeat, factionalism has no place at all in our party,' Mugabe told guests including senior party officials, government ministers, foreign diplomats and representatives of ruling parties from Angola, Botswana, South Africa, Namibia and Tanzania.
'It should never be allowed to exist... We should remain united and use proper channels to solve our differences.'
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Armed: A soldier stands in the rain at Mugabe's birthday party. The president has ruled for 36 years during an era marked by vote-rigging, mass emigration, accusations of human rights abuses and economic decline
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Controversy: In Masvingo, 75 per cent of the staple maize crop was destroyed by the parched conditions, making it the hardest-hit in the southern African nation in the worst drought since the early 1990s
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Guarded: Although a day for celebrations, armed soldiers were on hand in case the things got out of hand. The party was criticised by President Mugabe's opponents
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Oldest leader: Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe (left) and his wife Grace (right) pictured at the extravagant party which cost $1million
Mugabe criticised the political jockeying in his party, saying younger members who have spoken out against his wife Grace's growing power must be disciplined.
'It is shameful the way Mrs Mugabe is being criticised,' he said, accusing them of leaking scandals to the press. 'Who may be the enemy among us?'
The scale of the celebrations attracts controversy in Zimbabwe. In Masvingo, 75 per cent of the staple maize crop was destroyed by the parched conditions, making it the hardest-hit in the southern African nation in the worst drought since the early 1990s.
'There is very little to celebrate for a 92-year-old who has presided over the collapse of the economy, reducing the country to a nation of vendors and beggars,' Takavafira Zhou, a political analyst at Masvingo State University, said.
Obert Gutu, a spokesman for the main opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), said in a statement: 'The money that is being budgeted for this ill-conceived birthday bash should actually be used to import maize to avert the impending starvation in Masvingo province and other parts of the country,'
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Warning: Mugabe (centre left) criticised the political jockeying in his party, saying younger members who have spoken out against his wife Grace's (centre) growing power must be disciplined
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Party: Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe (centre left)) and his wife Grace (centre right)surrounded by security at the party on Saturday
Zimbabwe has suffered a series of food crises and hyper-inflation since Mugabe's land reforms when farms were seized from white farmers for redistribution.
On Tuesday, scores of young supporters from the main opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) party staged a protest in Masvingo. Protest placards read: 'No birthday when children are starving' and 'We want jobs, not bashes.'
Local media reported that party activists ordered teachers and villagers in the rural districts of Masvingo to make cash donations to help pay for this year's celebrations.
Critics blame Mugabe for many of the problems facing the country. They say his policies drove one of Africa's most promising economies into nearly a decade of deep recession until 2008 that cut its output almost in half.
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Husband and wife: Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe (centre) pictured with his wife Grace (second from left) and children Bona (second from right) and Chatunga (right) at an earlier birthday event at state house in Harare, Zimbabwe on February 22
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Birthday: Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe blows out the candles on his cake during celebrations in Harare on February 22
- Zimbabwean President celebrated his 92nd birthday with a lavish $1million party complete with a huge 92kg cake
- Robert Mugabe hosted the event in the drought-stricken Masvingo province, drawing criticism from his opponents
- Drought has left three million people in need and prompted the declaration of a state of disaster in most rural areas
- 36-year rule is marked by vote-rigging, mass emigration, accusations of human rights abuses and economic decline
Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe has celebrated his 92nd birthday with a lavish $1million party complete with a 92kg cake as many of his people struggle with drought and widespread food shortages.
The world's oldest leader hosted the extravagant televised celebrations in the drought-stricken Masvingo province on Saturday, drawing criticism from opponents who said the festivities were an affront to ordinary Zimbabweans.
Thousands of party loyalists, foreign representatives and members of the public watched as Mugabe released 92 balloons in the air and they listened to poetry readings, songs and chants hailing him an African icon and a visionary.
+19
Feast for two: Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe pictured with his wife Grace eating at his 92nd birthday party on Saturday
+19
'I love Bob': Many supporters wore outfits emblazoned with Mugabe's portrait, while others wore the colours of the ruling party
+19
92kg: Several cakes were on display, including this replica of the party venue - the Great Zimbabwe ruins, a UNESCO world heritage site
+19
Security: An armed soldier pictured at the party on Saturday. Mugabe has ruled for 36 years and is showing no signs of stepping down
Several cakes were on display, including one in the shape of Africa and a whopping 92kg replica of the party venue - the Great Zimbabwe ruins, a UNESCO world heritage site that was built in the 13th Century as the headquarters of the Munhumutapa empire.
Many supporters wore outfits emblazoned with Mugabe's portrait and some read 'I love Bob', while others adorned the red, black, green and yellow colours of the ruling party. They feasted on beef and game meat at the ostentatious event.
Balloons and cake, however, did little to hide the infighting that has defined the ruling ZANU-PF party in the last year as Mugabe continues to avoid naming a successor, despite his advanced age and recent speculation over his health.
Mugabe, who turned 92 on February 21, has ruled for 36 years during an era marked by vote-rigging, mass emigration, accusations of human rights abuses and economic decline.
+19
Rambling: In a hour-long speech, Mugabe said no-one would starve as a result of a drought which has left three million people in need
+19
Cake: There were a number of cakes at the Zimbabwean President's birthday party, including this one resembling a map of Africa
+19
Blowing out the candles: President Mugabe pictured with the 92kg cake which was a replica of the party venue - the Great Zimbabwe ruins
+19
Cutting the cake: Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe (left) watches as his wife Grace cut one of his birthday cakes at his party
In a rambling hour-long speech, the president said no-one would starve as a result of a drought which has left three million people in need and prompted the declaration of a state of disaster in most rural areas.
But in a characteristic gibe at Western countries, he said Zimbabwe would not accept aid if it came with conditions that the country should accept gay rights.
'If aid, as I understand, is to be given on the basis that we accept the principle of gay marriages, then let that aid stay were it is,' Mugabe said. 'We don't want it. It is rotten aid, filthy aid and we won't have anything to do with it.'
Zimbabwe has appealed for nearly $1.6billion to help pay for grain and other food, but no aid organisation is known to have attached such a condition to assistance.
+19
Celebrations: Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe (centre) prepares to release 92 balloons into the air at his 92nd birthday party
+19
Extravagant: A band perform at the party, which has drawn criticism from opponents who said it was an affront to ordinary Zimbabweans
+19
Hungry: The president said no-one would starve as a result of a drought, but said Zimbabwe would not accept accept aid if it came with conditions that the country should accept gay rights
On his actual birthday, state media poured praise on Mugabe's leadership since independence from Britain.
In its 16-page special supplement, the Sunday Mail said on its front cover: 'Thank You Bob, We now have a voice, since 1980'.
Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa is viewed as the likely next president, but in recent weeks he has been publicly criticised by Mugabe's wife Grace in a sign of growing rivalry.
'Factionalism, factionalism and, I repeat, factionalism has no place at all in our party,' Mugabe told guests including senior party officials, government ministers, foreign diplomats and representatives of ruling parties from Angola, Botswana, South Africa, Namibia and Tanzania.
'It should never be allowed to exist... We should remain united and use proper channels to solve our differences.'
+19
Armed: A soldier stands in the rain at Mugabe's birthday party. The president has ruled for 36 years during an era marked by vote-rigging, mass emigration, accusations of human rights abuses and economic decline
+19
Controversy: In Masvingo, 75 per cent of the staple maize crop was destroyed by the parched conditions, making it the hardest-hit in the southern African nation in the worst drought since the early 1990s
+19
Guarded: Although a day for celebrations, armed soldiers were on hand in case the things got out of hand. The party was criticised by President Mugabe's opponents
+19
Oldest leader: Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe (left) and his wife Grace (right) pictured at the extravagant party which cost $1million
Mugabe criticised the political jockeying in his party, saying younger members who have spoken out against his wife Grace's growing power must be disciplined.
'It is shameful the way Mrs Mugabe is being criticised,' he said, accusing them of leaking scandals to the press. 'Who may be the enemy among us?'
The scale of the celebrations attracts controversy in Zimbabwe. In Masvingo, 75 per cent of the staple maize crop was destroyed by the parched conditions, making it the hardest-hit in the southern African nation in the worst drought since the early 1990s.
'There is very little to celebrate for a 92-year-old who has presided over the collapse of the economy, reducing the country to a nation of vendors and beggars,' Takavafira Zhou, a political analyst at Masvingo State University, said.
Obert Gutu, a spokesman for the main opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), said in a statement: 'The money that is being budgeted for this ill-conceived birthday bash should actually be used to import maize to avert the impending starvation in Masvingo province and other parts of the country,'
+19
Warning: Mugabe (centre left) criticised the political jockeying in his party, saying younger members who have spoken out against his wife Grace's (centre) growing power must be disciplined
+19
Party: Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe (centre left)) and his wife Grace (centre right)surrounded by security at the party on Saturday
Zimbabwe has suffered a series of food crises and hyper-inflation since Mugabe's land reforms when farms were seized from white farmers for redistribution.
On Tuesday, scores of young supporters from the main opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) party staged a protest in Masvingo. Protest placards read: 'No birthday when children are starving' and 'We want jobs, not bashes.'
Local media reported that party activists ordered teachers and villagers in the rural districts of Masvingo to make cash donations to help pay for this year's celebrations.
Critics blame Mugabe for many of the problems facing the country. They say his policies drove one of Africa's most promising economies into nearly a decade of deep recession until 2008 that cut its output almost in half.
+19
Husband and wife: Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe (centre) pictured with his wife Grace (second from left) and children Bona (second from right) and Chatunga (right) at an earlier birthday event at state house in Harare, Zimbabwe on February 22
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Birthday: Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe blows out the candles on his cake during celebrations in Harare on February 22
