By Paul Nyathi|President Emmerson Mnangagwa has expressed excitement on being connected on social media platform WhatsApp for the first time.

The President opened his public WhatsApp chat page on Wednesday which he says he will use to connect with the people of Zimbabwe and to promote dialogue.

For one to join the WhatsApp chat group, he or she should send a message on mobile number +263 776 910 469.

President Mnangagwa confirmed the authenticity of the WhatsApp platform on Thursday speaking at his Munhumutapa offices. Mnagwagwa said one of his friends came up with the idea to connect him on the social media chat platform.

“Yes, we now have a WhatsApp chat platform. A friend of mine came and asked for my WhatsApp number and I told him that I was not on WhatsApp.

“He also asked for my email address and I told him that I did not have one. I said I don’t need all that and he laughed. He said there was need for me to connect with the modern world and talk to the people,” he said. “He came back a few minutes later asking for my mobile phone to install the WhatsApp software,” the President said.

President Mnangagwa said he finally accepted the new technology. “I am now on WhatsApp and I will let it operate for some weeks and see how it goes,” he said.

Early this year, the President opened his official Facebook account and invited followers to message their thoughts as part of “a new national dialogue”.