Mnangagwa’s Birthday To Be Declared Public Holiday: ZANU PF Conference Resolutions
President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s birthday, 15 September, is now set to be formally declared a national public holiday. The decision was made at the October 2025 ZANU PF conference held in Mutare, where party delegates passed a resolution elevating Munhumutapa Day from a commemoration to a full public holiday.
The development comes after months of mixed signals and public confusion about the true status of the day, which had been placed on the national calendar in 2024 but not yet recognised as a statutory holiday.
ZANU PF Conference Decisions
According to newZWire, the Mutare conference confirmed that 15 September, Mnangagwa’s birthday, will be recognised as Munhumutapa Day, a national public holiday. The outlet quoted the resolution as stating:
“ZANU PF says President Mnangagwa’s birthday, Sept 15, is to be declared a public holiday, Munhumutapa Day.”
Delegates emphasised that all members of the party were bound to support the decision. The resolutions warned:
“To oppose such would be gross misconduct.”
The conference also reaffirmed last year’s resolution to extend President Mnangagwa’s term of office. The ruling party directed the Ministry of Justice to fast-track amendments to extend the presidency by two years, from 2028 to 2030, with the legal process to be completed by October 2026.
Earlier Confusion Over Munhumutapa Day
The October 2025 resolution clears up months of uncertainty about whether Munhumutapa Day was a real public holiday.
The day was gazetted under General Notice 954 of 2024, issued in terms of the Public Holidays and Prohibition of Business Act [Chapter 10:21]. According to that notice, Munhumutapa Day was to be commemorated annually on 15 September, in honour of both the President’s birthday and the legacy of the Munhumutapa Empire.
However, on 11 September 2025, the Government issued a statement contradicting this. Home Affairs Minister Kazembe Kazembe clarified:
“We have not been given that instruction. The day was never declared a holiday; should there be a proposal for the day to be a holiday, normal procedure will be followed. But it is a day set aside to remember the Munhumutapa Day.”
That announcement stressed that businesses, schools and public services were expected to operate normally. The Minister’s statement fuelled public confusion, since the day was on the official calendar but not recognised as a holiday.
The October 2025 ZANU PF conference resolution now closes the gap by explicitly directing that the day be elevated from a commemorative event to a full public holiday.
Celebrations Already Underway
Even before the official upgrade, Munhumutapa Day had been marked with large-scale events. Celebrations rotate across provinces each year, and in 2025, the main festivities were held in Zvishavane, Midlands Province.
The build-up included a nationwide sports tournament organised by the Zimbabwe National Sports Promotion for Economic Development (ZIMSPORTS4ED). ZIMSPORTS chairperson Gabriel Togarepi said:
“Sporting teams in various disciplines across the nation are invited to register for participation as we look forward to making this event memorable. The tournament is not only a celebration of President Mnangagwa’s birthday but also a recognition of the achievements made by the Second Republic.”
On 15 September 2025, when the President turned 83, more than 30,000 people gathered in Zvishavane for the main commemorations, presided over by Mnangagwa himself. Activities included youth empowerment initiatives and campaigns against drug and substance abuse.
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