President Mugabe admires a cake presented to him by staff in his Office on the occasion of his 88th birthday at Munhumutapa Building in Harare yesterday

STAFF in the President’s Office yesterday held a ceremony at Munhumutapa Building to celebrate President Mugabe’s 88th birthday.

The Head of State and Government and Commander-in-Chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces took the opportunity to reminisce about the struggle for independence.

He turned 88 yesterday.

Among those present were State Security Minister Sydney Sekeramayi, Minister of State in Vice President Mujuru’s Office Sylvester Nguni and senior officials in the President’s Office.

Speaking at the brief ceremony held just before the weekly Cabinet meeting, President Mugabe said it took true revolutionaries to free Zimbabwe from colonial bondage.

He said the desire and conviction to redeem the country from the colonial yoke saw Zimbabweans from all walks of life joining the liberation war.

“We remained with one common principle — to fight, to redeem our country and our continent.

“We did not know our destination, but we kept on.

“We maintained the fight not knowing whether it was going to be us or the future generation that was going to win the struggle,” President Mugabe said.

He said events like his birthday “bring us to think about our strength and weaknesses of the past”.

President Mugabe said liberation war fighters drew lessons and inspiration from the pioneers of the First Chimurenga to fight and defeat the British colonial settlers.

Ministers from the political parties in the inclusive Government broke into song when the President entered the Cabinet Committee Room congratulating him.

The 21st February Movement Celebrations roar into life at Sakubva Stadium on Saturday where thousands of delegates are expected to be in attendance.

Among the delegates will be secretaries general of Sadc liberation movements.

A beauty pageant, Miss 21st February Movement, is also expected on the eve of the celebrations.

Beauties chosen from the country’s 10 provinces will battle it out for the coveted crown.

The next day, there will be the Bob ’88 Super Cup final pitting FC Platinum and Hwange FC at Rufaro Stadium while Dynamos and Motor Action FC will fight for third and fourth places.

The celebrations will move to Chipinge Primary School on March 3 where some big names on the country’s musical landscape are expected to perform at the gala.

The artistes include Alick Macheso, Nicholas Zakaria, Mbare Chimure-nga Choir, Jah Prayzah, Peter Moyo, Freddy Kapfupi Manjalima and Sulumani Chimbetu.