The Zimbabwean government has officially declared February 2 Robert Gabriel Mugabe National Youth Day, thereby making the former president’s birthday a public holiday.
According to Zimbabwe’s Herald newspaper, calls for the former president’s birthday to be made a national holiday were adopted by the government in August, following intense lobbying by the Zanu-PF Youth League.
The decision was, however, officially recorded on Friday, it adds.
Following the resignation of Mr. Mugabe last week after a military intervention and days of mass protests, the new President, Emmerson Mnangagwa is expected to form a cabinet this week.
Last week, Mr. Mnangagwa said the former president needed to be given the respect and recognition he deserved as one of the founders and leaders of Zimbabwe.
“To me personally, he remains a father, mentor, comrade-in-arms and my leader,” he said during his acceptance speech at his inauguration on Friday.
Source – NAN