As Zimbabwe faces a deepening food crisis, with an estimated six million people expected to be food insecure during the 2024-2025 lean season, the ruling Zanu PF party is gearing up for a lavish US$2 million birthday celebration for President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
The event, scheduled for September 15th, has sparked outrage and condemnation from opposition leaders and international observers alike, who see it as a blatant display of misplaced priorities.
The celebration, dubbed “Munhumutapa Day,” will be held at the Great Zimbabwe Monuments and is expected to draw over 30,000 youths from all ten provinces. Zanu PF Director of Information and Publicity Farai Marapira confirmed the event, highlighting its focus on “empowering youths for nation building and Vision 2030.”
“We are glad to celebrate the birthday at the Great Zimbabwe Monuments honouring our President who will grace the occasion,” said Marapira. “Youth from all provinces are expected to be present on the day which is being organised by the Zanu PF National Youth League showing their support to President Mnangagwa.”
However, the event has been met with widespread criticism, with many questioning the appropriateness of such a costly celebration while millions of Zimbabweans struggle to put food on the table. The World Food Programme (WFP) paints a stark picture of the country’s food insecurity, citing the effects of El Niño, high inflation, and fluctuating exchange rates as key contributors to the crisis.
“Zimbabwe is grappling with the effects of El Niño, exacerbating its semi-arid climate’s variable nature. In urban areas, high inflation, rising food prices and fluctuating exchange rates have affected families’ purchasing power and eroded their savings. 1.7 million people (35 percent of the urban population) will be food insecure in 2024,” the WFP states on its website.
Opposition leader Nelson Chamisa has condemned the event as “obscene” and lacking empathy, given the dire circumstances faced by the majority of Zimbabweans.
“It’s a slap in the face to the people who are suffering,” he said.
While no Zanu PF official has publicly confirmed the US$2 million figure, the official Twitter handle of the Children of Zimbabwe War Veterans Association (COZWA) has alleged that the party will be spending over US$2 million on the celebrations. The post details the estimated costs of various aspects of the event, including hired tents, catering, transport, and VIP escorts.
“That rally will cost tax payers money over US$ 2million:- Hired tents $200k, Chicken inn, $500k Transport $600k, VVIP Escot allowance $500k and Others $500k. After all we are having these rallies every month! Sorry civil servants pensioners & civil servants (sic) #Misplaced Priorities!” the post reads.
