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"Let them eat Birthday Cake"
JOHANNESBURG, South Africa: Supporters of Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe have launched a drive to raise US$1.2 million (900,000) to celebrate his 83rd birthday next week amid the country's worst-ever economic crisis, the state-controlled Herald reported in Zimbabwe on Monday. Critics say the money would be better spent on salaries for impoverished teachers, nurses and doctors, who have been on strike.Lavish celebrations are due to be held in the central town of Gweru on February 24, three days after the longtime Zimbabwean leader turns 83. The fundraising is being spearheaded by the 21st February Movement, a youth organization set up in 1986 to raise money for the president's annual birthday celebrations, the Herald reported. "We are looking forward for a big day for the youths to share some very important moments with his Excellency the president," Absalom Sikosana, the ruling Zimbabwe African National Union Patriotic Front secretary for youth told the newspaper. News of the party plans comes as many Zimbabweans struggle to make ends meet in a deepening economic crisis. Inflation is running at 1,280 percent and there are critical shortages of foreign currency, essential drugs and basic commodities. Mugabe blames the United States and Britain for imposing sanctions, precipitating the crisis. But critics point to the president's controversial policies including a campaign of white land seizures that has seen agricultural production -- once the country's economic backbone -- plummet by at least 40 percent. Levels of discontent are rising: this weekend a civil servants' union warned that its 180,000 members were "agitated" over low salaries and wanted a minimum 400 percent pay rise. Nurses and doctors at four hospitals in Harare and Bulawayo have been on strike for seven weeks', paralyzing health care. The weekly Standard newspaper said in an editorial comment on Sunday that it was "ironic" the government "sees absolutely nothing amiss in hosting an ostentatious birthday bash" when doctors and nurses were on strike and thousands of students could no longer afford university fees. But the ruling party's youth secretary insisted that young people were "very keen" to see the president on his birthday. "That day is a day where he will be closer to them, encouraging them to have good morals," Sikosana said.
Posted by: Steve 2007-02-12 |
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| http://www.rantburg.com/poparticle.php?ID=180206 |