Robert Mugabe was born on February 21st 1924. He was a school teacher before becoming involved in African nationalist protests calling for independence for Southern Rhodesia from Britain. He was imprisoned from 1964 to 1974 for making anti-government comments. On release, he became the leader of the ZANU Patriotic Front. He took part in the peace negotiations that led to independence and the end of minority white rule. 

At the 1980 general election, Mugabe led the ZANU-PF to victory, becoming Zimbabwe’s first Prime Minister from 1980 – 1987. In 1987, he became President, only stepping down in 2017 after a military intervention and mass demonstrations. 

Mugabe died on September 6th 2019 at the age of 95. 

The Robert Gabriel Mugabe National Youth Day was first proposed and accepted in August 2017 after intense lobbying by the ZANU-PF Youth League. 

The 21st February Movement was formed in 1986, by the ZANU-PF Youth League, to commemorate the principles and ideals that former president Mugabe stood for.