Photos: Zimbabwe's Robert Mugabe Spends £400,000 on 89th Birthday Party [PHOTOS]
By Simi John | Mar 03, 2013 11:13 PM EDT
Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe, who turned 89 on 21 February, marked the occasion with a lavish $600,000 (£400,000) birthday party at a stadium in the north eastern mining town of Bindura.
Mugabe wore a tan suit with a red scarf around his neck and combined it with a bright red cap with his year of birth, 1924, picked out in green numbers. One of Africa's longest-serving leaders, Mugabe cut a cake weighing 89 kilogram's (196lbs) - one of four huge cakes presented to him. He later released 89 balloons into the sky.
"Forward with winning elections, down with imperialism," he told thousands of supporters.
According to a report in Newsdzezimbabwe, Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe Governor Dr Gideon Gono presented him with 89 cattle for his farm. Other gifts included bibles, rosaries, heifers, sheep and foodstuff.
"You have reminded me of how I grew up. My parents were Catholic and they taught me that God created me and He should always come first. I know people compare me to my mother in terms of being good hearted, but, I don't think I can ever be like her. She was a prayerful woman," he said.
Mugabe was accompanied by his wife Grace and their two children at the event.
Take a look at Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe's 89th birthday celebrations...
Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe looks at his wife Grace cutting a cake during an event marking his 89th birthday at Chipadze stadium in Bindura, about 90 km (56 miles) north of the capital Harare March 2, 2013. Addressing a rally to mark his 89th birthday last week, Africa's oldest leader denied accusations by the rival Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) of Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai that ZANU-PF was playing dirty ahead of the presidential and parliamentary polls
Source: Reuters Date:03/03/2013
Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe (C) releases balloons as he celebrates his 89th birthday at Chipadze stadium in Bindura, about 90 km (56 miles) north of the capital Harare, March 2, 2013.
Source: Reuters Date:03/03/2013
Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe eats cake next to his wife Grace during an event marking his 89th birthday at Chipadze stadium in Bindura, about 90 km (56 miles) north of the capital Harare March 2, 2013. Addressing a rally to mark his 89th birthday last week, Africa's oldest leader denied accusations by the rival Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) of Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai that ZANU-PF was playing dirty ahead of the presidential and parliamentary polls.
Source: Reuters Date:03/03/2013
Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe and his wife Grace react after releasing balloons to celebrate his 89th birthday at Chipadze stadium in Bindura, about 90km (56 miles) north of the capital Harare, March 2, 2013
Source: Reuters Date:03/03/2013
Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe gestures as he speaks during an event marking his 89th birthday at Chipadze stadium in Bindura, about 90 km (56 miles) north of the capital Harare March 2, 2013. Addressing a rally to mark his 89th birthday last week, Africa's oldest leader denied accusations by the rival Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) of Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai that ZANU-PF was playing dirty ahead of the presidential and parliamentary polls.
Source: Reuters Date:03/03/2013
