President Mugabe is a real patriot who wants to see Zimbabwe and Africa freed from any form of bondage, iconic Congolese rhumba musician Koffi Olomide has said.Koffi, arguably one of Africa’s biggest artistes, is in the country to perform at the wedding of Miss Bona Mugabe and Mr Simba Chikore in Harare tomorrow.

In an interview yesterday, Koffi said no one could contest President Mugabe’s credentials.

“(President) Mugabe loves Zimbabwe and nobody can contest that. He loves his country and Africa. For me an African, I am proud of him because he loves Africa.

“He fights for Zimbabwe (to be) free. Mistakes or no mistakes, it is not my matter. He is a real patriot.”

Turning to tomorrow’s A-list wedding, Koffi said: “It is an honour to have been chosen by the Presidential family to be the singer for their wedding. From the bottom of my heart, I say thank you to His Excellency Mr Mugabe and his wife.

“I met her (Amai Mugabe) today and I am very touched and happy. This is one of the greatest days in my life of singing. I wish the best to Bona Mugabe and husband, the pilot.”

He said he accepted the invitation because of the respect he had for President Mugabe.

“If he gives me anything it is a token but I did not charge for this. It is a memorable day where I am going to perform for more than 4 000 people,” Koffi said.

“I came here because I like people and to make them happy. I like Zimbabwe, President Mugabe, and I am not a politician but a singer who sings for everybody. Everytime I come here, I feel love and friendship.”

Koffi said people should not perceive the day as a political event.

“This President has a daughter in love and he is doing his duty as a parent to advise the daughter. They are human beings and they are lucky to have this wedding. We can, this time, forget about politics,” he said.

Koffi said Africans must accept and love one another.

“In Africa, if you have power you are bad people until the time you give (the) opposition power. We must accept each other and nobody is perfect. We want peace in Africa and there is peace here in Zimbabwe.”

Koffi dismissed reports that he was listed on the catalogue of wanted persons by the French police for alleged involvement in a sex crime in that country.

“The problem in Africa is we speak too much without proof. I am a correct man and I go everywhere next Tuesday I will be in Ivory Coast, Friday Gabon, Congo Brazzaville and then Togo.

“I have been in Zambia six months ago and two years ago there was a problem and we had to postpone the planned show there. We must stop speaking too much lies and we cannot let lies win in Africa. Nobody can succeed in Africa and if you buy a car or a house you are a bad man. We have to be more clever than that.”