Sol Phenduka Reacts to Zimbabwe’s Mnangagwa Making His Own Birthday a Public Holiday
- Sol Phenduka reacted with disbelief after learning that Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa declared his birthday a public holiday
- It was announced that the day would henceforth be known as Munhumutapa Day, named after a precolonial Shona empire
- Mzansi weighed in on the announcement, with some drawing comparisons to a monarchy and recalling Mnangagwa's earlier term extension
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Sol Phenduka could not hide his shock when news broke that Zimbabwean President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa had declared his own birthday a public holiday.
The podcaster and vocal social commentator responded with a blunt, "You can't make this stuff up," after coming across a screenshot of a News24 article covering the announcement.
The declaration, confirmed through Zimbabwe's Government Gazette on Thursday, 10 September 2026, stated: "It is hereby declared that the 15th of September every year henceforth shall be a public holiday to be known as Munhumutapa Day." Mnangagwa's birthday falls on 15 September.
The name Munhumutapa is a reference to a precolonial Shona empire that existed on the Zimbabwe plateau between the 15th and 18th centuries, giving the holiday a historical framing despite its personal origins.
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The announcement landed on South African social media at a particularly loaded moment for Mnangagwa. He had recently made headlines in Mzansi for joining the viral "clock it" trend, mirroring President Cyril Ramaphosa, who had been filmed doing it on multiple occasions. Before that, Mnangagwa signed legislation extending his presidential rule by two years, a move that drew widespread criticism.
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Mzansi reacts to Mnangagwa's birthday holiday
The reaction online ranged from disbelief to dark humour, with many South Africans drawing comparisons to an emerging monarchy in Zimbabwe. Here is what people had to say:
ManassehG3 said:
"Mnangagwa is a legend in his own way."
ThaboMakwakwa wrote:
"Two months ago he extended his presidential term. It can only be in Zimbabwe."
TheGambit_ZA taunted:
"To all those who said, 'Give him a chance' when we pointed to his million-plus red flags, enjoy Munumutapa holiday."
See Sol Phenduka's post below.
Sol Phenduka reacts to infrastructure failure in DRC
In an earlier report, Briefly News shared Sol Phenduka's reaction to the severely damaged and muddy roads in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Mzansi followers flooded Sol's post with strong opinions on African governance and continental development.
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Source: Briefly News
