ELECTION: Zimbabwe polls open in first vote since Ex President Mugabe removal

Polls have opened in Zimbabwe’s first election since the removal of its former president Robert Mugabe , a watershed vote that will determine the former British colony’s future for decades.

The election pits the 75-year-old president, Emmerson Mnangagwa, a longtime Mugabe ally, against 40-year-old Nelson Chamisa , a lawyer and pastor who is vying to become Zimbabwe’s youngest head of state.
Voting began at 7am (0500 GMT) on Monday and will end at 7pm.

About 5.5 million people are registered to vote in the nation anxious for change after decades of economic paralysis and the nearly four-decade rule of the 94-year-old Mugabe. Long lines of voters were waiting outside some polling stations.

via guardian.co.uk

“I just have to do this. I have to see a better Zimbabwe for my kids. Things have been tough,” Tawanda Petru, 28, an unemployed man voting in Mbare, a low-income district of the capital Harare, said.

[Robert Mugabe] turns 94 today but he felt unloved as the celebrations are notas lavish as usual

Today, ousted Zimbabwean president Robert Mugabe turned 94 but it wasn't the usual fan fare that comes with it.

According to a report by BBC, Mugabe looked tired and sad, while the former ebullient first lady seemed gloomy, no smiles as they met African Union chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat.

Mr Mugabe reportedly told Mr Muhamat that "he resigned for the sake of peace and development in the country".  Although he is no longer in power, Mugabe's birthday his 94th is still a public holiday and this year, he celebrated indoors, away from the public glare. 

It is a far cry from previous years, when his staff presented him with massive birthday cakes at colourful functions at his office.

South African Socialite Said Mugabe Know I Don't Wear Panties - Zodwa Wabantu

South African celebrity, Zodwa Wabantu who is known for not wearing panties says she would like to meet Zimbabwe's 93 year old president,Robert Mugabe . 

Zodwa said before she made the trip to Zimbabwe some fans warned her to"behave" because that country's president is a strict man.

"They were telling me that Mugabe does not allow nonsense. And as a result I would not be allowed into Zimbabwe because I am too sexy. Some feel I will be half naked and that he (Mugabe) knows that I don't wear panties," she told local journalists."I would Love to meet Mugabe if given a chance," she said"I don't live a fake life.

This is me: I am not expensive. I am a "kasi" person. I love you all. God gave me this body and I am using it," she said to cheerA local socialite paid US$2 500 (R32 500) to secure the VVIP booth at Club Connect where he and his entourage had exclusiveaccess to Zodwa.

And as a result I would not be allowed into Zimbabwe because I am too sexy. Some feel I will be half naked and that he (Mugabe) knows that I don't wear panties," she told local journalists."I would love to meet Mugabe if given a chance," she said"I don't live a fake life.

This is me: I am not expensive. I am a "kasi" person. I love you all. God gave me this body and I am using it," she said to cheerA local socialite paid US$2 500 (R32 500) to secure the VVIP booth at Club Connect where he and his entourage had exclusiveaccess to Zodwa.

NOT AGAIN! President Mugabe dozes off as wife chastises his spokesperson Photo

As President Robert Mugabe's wife, Grace dragged presidential spokesperson George Charamba before a stunned Zanu PF crowd and a television audience Saturday, her husband , missed it becausehe was dozing off.

Grace was shouting the information ministry permanent secretary down for allegedly influencing the State media to ignore her philanthropic work while reserving good coverage for others. Charamba has previously said President Mugabe's apparent sleepy postures would in fact be an attempt by his boss to avoid direct light onto his tired eyes.

But Saturday was one of the chilliest days of the current winter period with neither sunlight nor artificial light at the time to pin the blame on.