Mugabe celebrates 77th birthday

Mugabe: Controversial land distribution programme

By Greg Barrow in Zimbabwe

Supporters of the Zimbabwean president, Robert Mugabe, have been celebrating his 77th birthday.

The delayed celebration for the birthday, which took place on Wednesday of this week, was held in a circus tent erected on a football field in the town of Victoria Falls.

Schoolchildren sang songs and danced for Mr Mugabe, who was given presents and a large birthday cake.

He used the occasion to give a short speech in which he committed his government to the continuation of its controversial land redistribution programme.

Stage-managed

This was a stage-managed occasion in which some of Mr Mugabe's most ardent supporters were brought in to praise him.

The event was organised by the 21st February Movement, a youth group, which was set up to promote the values of the governing party on the president's birthday every year.

Bus loads of schoolchildren were transported to the event and they sang and danced as the crowd waited for the president.

Then when his arrival was delayed, members of the public took to the stage to perform their own songs and dances.

Mr Mugabe eventually turned up several hours late, flanked by members of the central politburo of the governing Zanu PF Party.

'Evil forces'

He gave a short speech, in which he said the nation should ready itself for a battle against those whom he described as the evil forces which seek to perpetuate their collonial hold on Zimbabwe.

And he touched briefly on his government's controversial land redistribution programme which led to violence between white farm owners and government supporters last year.

His government, he said, was now determined to address the land question once and for all.

It is on occasions like this that the president feels his mandate is secure.

His political staff are careful to insulate him from critics among the public, while his supporters are encouraged to reinforce the view that he is the father of the nation.