By Margaret Kamba 

ZANU PF First Secretary and President, His Excellency, Cde Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, has expressed his heartfelt gratitude to God for adding more years to his life.

This he said after the Party staff wished him a happy birthday and congratulations for assuming the SADC Chairmanship. 

President Mnangagwa said it is not the wisdom of any man to add life but the grace of the Almighty.

"I would like to thank you individually and collectively for celebrating my birthday. I didn't expect this. It is a pleasant surprise," President Mnangagwa said.

"Let me assure you that it is God's will and never the wisdom of an individual. I would like to thank God because he has permitted me to reach this age. I hope that many of you also attain that age."

The Party’s Director General Rtd Brigadier General Ezekiel Zabanyana took time to relay the staff's excitement and wishes for His Excellency’s sound and visionary leadership as the SADC Chairman.