News / Regional
Age-defying Mugabe mesmerises Gwanda
20 May 2012 at 12:24hrs | Views
PRESIDENT Robert Mugabe on Friday stood for more than an hour, as he addressed a meeting and did not show any signs of fatigue or weariness.
As if to make the feat more impressive, the 88-year-old veteran leader was offered a podium, but he politely turned it down and instead chose to address people without the aid of anything to lean on.
Mugabe was speaking at the launch of the Gwanda Community Share Ownership Trust Scheme, in Colleen Bawn, 30 kilometres south of the Matabeleland South capital.
The crowd that had gathered was left in awe that Mugabe literally stood on one spot, without fidgeting or seeking support, and looked comfortable as he spoke.
Mugabe has had to fight mounting rumours and speculation about his health, with reports that he almost fell at the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) in Bulawayo two weeks ago.
The president has insisted he wants elections this year, but questions have been raised if he would be able to get onto the gruelling campaign trail.
As if to prove that he has what it takes, Mugabe has taken a somewhat punishing schedule, which would make even younger people cringe at the mere thought of it.
On Wednesday, Mugabe chaired what has been described as an explosive politburo meeting that lasted more than seven hours.
On Friday he was in Bulawayo where he presided over the donation of blankets and other equipment to Mpilo Hospital.
From there he was off to Gwanda, where he actively participated at the share ownership scheme. He also donated 250 computers to 25 schools in the province.
Later that evening, the seemingly never tiring Mugabe had a 45-minute meeting with former Defence minister, Enos Nkala before flying back to the capital at about 7pm.
As if to make the feat more impressive, the 88-year-old veteran leader was offered a podium, but he politely turned it down and instead chose to address people without the aid of anything to lean on.
Mugabe was speaking at the launch of the Gwanda Community Share Ownership Trust Scheme, in Colleen Bawn, 30 kilometres south of the Matabeleland South capital.
The crowd that had gathered was left in awe that Mugabe literally stood on one spot, without fidgeting or seeking support, and looked comfortable as he spoke.
Mugabe has had to fight mounting rumours and speculation about his health, with reports that he almost fell at the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) in Bulawayo two weeks ago.
The president has insisted he wants elections this year, but questions have been raised if he would be able to get onto the gruelling campaign trail.
As if to prove that he has what it takes, Mugabe has taken a somewhat punishing schedule, which would make even younger people cringe at the mere thought of it.
On Wednesday, Mugabe chaired what has been described as an explosive politburo meeting that lasted more than seven hours.
On Friday he was in Bulawayo where he presided over the donation of blankets and other equipment to Mpilo Hospital.
From there he was off to Gwanda, where he actively participated at the share ownership scheme. He also donated 250 computers to 25 schools in the province.
Later that evening, the seemingly never tiring Mugabe had a 45-minute meeting with former Defence minister, Enos Nkala before flying back to the capital at about 7pm.
Source - standard
