TOURISM minister Walter Mzembi equated President Robert Mugabe to Jesus Christ and the biblical patriarch Jacob Wednesday in a glowing tribute the veteran leader.
A delighted Mugabe returned the complement, describing Mzembi as one of his "best ministers".
The pair exchanged accolades during the presentation of two tourism awards to the 90 year-old strongman at a Harare Hotel by some shadowy Romania-based organisation calling itself the European Tourism and Trade Council (ETTC).
ETTC handed Zimbabwe their 2013 World's Most Preferred Cultural Destination award for co-hosting the United Nations World Tourism Organisation General Assembly with Zambia last year. They also handed the country their Favourite Destination award.
While introducing Mugabe at the presentation event, Mzembi said: "I cannot tell President Mugabe's story but he can tell mine.
"I find myself in the same position as the Biblical John the Baptist who was a forerunner to Jesus Christ and of the son of God he said he could not untie the laces of his sandals."
He continued: "Serving under a first republican president is like drinking water from the Biblical Jacob's well.
"I have heard testimonies from other ministers across the world who served under the same type of revolutionaries like Tito (former Spanish dictator), Fidel Castrol of Cuba, Kenneth Kaunda, Nelson Mandela and Samora Machel."
An impressed Mugabe also extolled Mzembi's virtues.
"I do not normally say this about my ministers but Mzembi is one of my best ministers ... full of brilliant ideas that do not always remain in the head but take the form on action," said the Zanu PF leader.
"Of course he has gallivanted across the world but every step he took was to make Zimbabwe better known, its people and resources and riches. Continue the good work."
Equally impressed, the ETTC awarded Mzembi a doctorate. The minister now becomes an "Academician of the European Council Tourism Academy".
Friday, 20 June 2014
Mugabe is Jesus!
TOURISM minister Walter Mzembi equated President Robert Mugabe to Jesus Christ and the biblical patriarch Jacob Wednesday in a glowing tribute the veteran leader.
A delighted Mugabe returned the complement, describing Mzembi as one of his "best ministers".
The pair exchanged accolades during the presentation of two tourism awards to the 90 year-old strongman at a Harare Hotel by some shadowy Romania-based organisation calling itself the European Tourism and Trade Council (ETTC).
ETTC handed Zimbabwe their 2013 World's Most Preferred Cultural Destination award for co-hosting the United Nations World Tourism Organisation General Assembly with Zambia last year. They also handed the country their Favourite Destination award.
While introducing Mugabe at the presentation event, Mzembi said: "I cannot tell President Mugabe's story but he can tell mine.
"I find myself in the same position as the Biblical John the Baptist who was a forerunner to Jesus Christ and of the son of God he said he could not untie the laces of his sandals."
He continued: "Serving under a first republican president is like drinking water from the Biblical Jacob's well.
"I have heard testimonies from other ministers across the world who served under the same type of revolutionaries like Tito (former Spanish dictator), Fidel Castrol of Cuba, Kenneth Kaunda, Nelson Mandela and Samora Machel."
An impressed Mugabe also extolled Mzembi's virtues.
"I do not normally say this about my ministers but Mzembi is one of my best ministers ... full of brilliant ideas that do not always remain in the head but take the form on action," said the Zanu PF leader.
"Of course he has gallivanted across the world but every step he took was to make Zimbabwe better known, its people and resources and riches. Continue the good work."
Equally impressed, the ETTC awarded Mzembi a doctorate. The minister now becomes an "Academician of the European Council Tourism Academy".