President Robert Mugabe says he is a proud leader of Zimbabwe in light of people’s support to his leadership.

Addressing the fourth Presidential Youth Interface rally at Somhlolo Stadium in Lupane this afternoon, Cde Mugabe scoffed at suggestions that he must leave office, saying he remains every Zimbabwean’s President by virtue of the overwhelming support from the people.

“The youths are saying no, the women are saying no, all you who are here are saying no, so who are you to say I must go,” asked Cde Mugabe.

The President thanked the Youth League for organising the fourth rally as well as the One Million Man March, and also expressed his gratitude to those who have attended the rally.

“My heart is overwhelmed, overwhelmed by your love and generosity, by your confidence and belief in me. After all, I am your President. I know I have your support, I don’t have just two supporters like other parties, but the whole country,” he said.

President Mugabe reiterated calls for unity, saying “If ever development is to take place, there is need for unity, unity and unity of purpose, no to individualism – that my, me mentality. So there must be unity in all party wings, provinces, all Zanu PF structures and the country as a whole. We are all Zimbabweans. Move out of the country and you can’t tell them that I am Ngwenya or any other name, you say I am a Zimbabwean. That unity is what Umdlala [Joshua Nkomo] wanted,” he said.

“Now we must remain united, this is our country. Let us not lose our land. Losing our independence means losing our land and wealth. We must not lose it, let us be owners of the land, not slaves of the white man but owners of our land to produce our food and build our houses our this land,” said President Mugabe.

On the empowerment of youths, Cde Mugabe urged them to jump on empowerment opportunities availed to them by the government and not to be like others who are overwhelming the government with demands for land now yet they were reluctant to take land during the Land Reform Programme.

He also urged the young people to be self-enterprising as opposed to waiting for employment.

“Open your companies, do not rely on employment by the white man,” said Cde Mugabe.

President Mugabe also called for youths to register as voters in next year’s elections, urging the Youth League to target university and college students.

On the Command Agriculture Programme, Cde Mugabe said he is happy that after a bumper harvest recorded this season, the country is not going to import maize anymore.

Earlier, President Mugabe officially opened the Lupane Community Information Centre, where he expressed concern over rising cases of cyber crime which come as a result of technological advancement.

“Technology has made life a lot easier for both the student and the teacher. Those who do not have books nowadays just go on to the internet and find all the information they want. Teachers now have more sources to access information but it is sad that some people have become cyber bullies and are committing crimes through the internet,” said the President.

The information centre is the 82nd to be opened as the government through POTRAZ targets all the 220 constituencies throughout the country.

The information centres are being opened to improve access to internet facilities countrywide starting with rural areas, with more than US$800 000 already spent so far.

The facility has 16 computers and will provide Wi-fi services to members of the community with their own gadgets.

The Minister of Information Communication Technology (ICT), Postal and Courier Services, Cde Supa Mandiwanzira said the information centre will provide the local community with the opportunity to undergo basic computer training programmes, while affording school and university students a platform to carry out their studies.

“We also want to make sure that through ICTs, government services are accessible online. We want people to apply for passports and birth certificates online, not this situation where people have to travel all the way to Bulawayo to apply for a basic document like a passport,” he said.

During the event, President Mugabe handed over a total of 120 laptops to six schools in Lupane with each of them receiving 20.

The information centre is housed at the structure which was previously a post office building but has been converted due to under utilisation as a result of changes in technological developments.