People in Zimbabwe are being asked to contribute funds towards a big birthday party for President Robert Mugabe, who turns 83 on 21 February.The celebrations, due to be held in the central town of Gweru, will cost thousands of dollars, an official said.
Zimbabwe is mired in its worst economic crisis, with annual inflation at a record 1,593% - the world's highest.
President Robert Mugabe has ruled Zimbabwe since the country gained independence from Britain in 1980.
The campaign to raise funds for the birthday celebrations is being run by a youth organisation called the 21 February Movement, which was founded in 1986 in honour of Mr Mugabe.
"We are looking to raise 300m Zimbabwe dollars ($1.2m at the official exchange rate; $65,200 at the unofficial rate) that will be used at the birthday celebrations in Gweru," Emmanuel Fundira, chairman of the movement, told the AFP news agency.
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