Zimbabwe declares Mugabe's birthday a holiday

Zimbabwe has officially declared February 21 Robert Gabriel Mugabe National Youth Day, thereby making the former president's birthday a public holiday. 

According to the report by Zimbabwe’s Herald newspaper reports, 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.

Mugabe resigned from office last week after 37 years following a military intervention and days of mass protests.

Upon taking the oath of office last week, 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.