There is little prospect of Christmas cheer this weekend for the estimated 1,5 million Zimbabweans facing hunger; or the more than 20,000 said to have lost their jobs as companies retrenched en-masse in a tough economy.<\/p>\n
Yet the dire numbers did not stop President Robert Mugabe and his wife, Grace, throwing a party for the great and the well-fed of his government and ruling Zanu PF party at State House on Monday.<\/p>\n
Mugabe told his colleagues that they deserved a celebratory bash for ensuring the suffering masses did not revolt despite their abject misery.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe succeeded in convincing our people to stand by us and accept these challenges as challenges to our nation together,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
The shindig was not for struggling pensioners who have not been paid by his government; or some of the thousands of street kids roaming the streets of the capital.<\/p>\n
Mugabe called up ministers from his much-changed cabinet which critics say has failed to stem the country\u2019s economic slide since the 2013 elections.<\/p>\n
They were joined by members of the Zanu PF politburo and leaders from the ruling party\u2019s provincial executives.<\/p>\n
What were they celebrating?<\/p>\n
Two major events, in President Robert Mugabe\u2019s own words, merited a grand party.<\/p>\n
These were Zanu PF\u2019s annual conference at the Victoria Falls resort and, before that, the visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping.<\/p>\n
Said the 91-year-old: \u201cWe thought rather belatedly that the year,<\/p>\n
\u201c \u2026 which was so challenging, with quite a number of outstanding events which included a visit by the President of China (Xi Jinping) and also lastly the National People\u2019s Conference that we held in Victoria Falls,<\/p>\n
\u201c\u2026 we concluded that all those events really must give us at least something, something we can say is a party that recognises that we have perfectly gone through the year and surmounted the challenges, many of them that faced us and others we continue to challenge.\u201d<\/p>\n
He added: \u201cA year like that needed to be celebrated, celebrated by us because of the resilience we showed.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe felt that a little reception at the end of December might perhaps wipe off our tears at the end and that encourages us, so we can face the New Year with new determination derived from the old. We thought well, a small thing be attended by a group of those who we would call the leaders of the country will do.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat is why you are here.\u201d<\/p>\n
Such a gesture by the \u201ccaring\u201d Head of State and Government and Commander-in-Chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces as well as Zanu PF First Secretary and State President deserved appropriate praise.<\/p>\n
Cue praise chanter vice president Phelekezela Mphoko;<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are very proud to be led by you, Sir,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI can vouch for all ambassadors that we are not ashamed of representing you.<\/p>\n
\u201cSir, you have directed the party par excellence, you have directed the Government par excellence, you have directed Sadc par excellence and you are directing the African Union par excellence!\u201d<\/p>\n
Source – newzimbabwe.com<\/a><\/p>\n