What independence? Zimbabwe marks 37 years of Mugabe rule

Today Zimbabwe marks 37 years of independence (Tuesday) - but it's not clear if anyone will be really celebrating.

The economy is in a tailspin, there's very little money on the streets (even the central bank's freshly-minted bond notes are difficult to acquire) and as for President Robert Mugabe... well, he's 93 and top officials in his Zanu-PF party are at each other's throats.

With elections little more than a year away, Zimbabweans in London are planning to hold a "What Independence?" demonstration.

Back home in Zimbabwe there will be festivities and speeches, as every year.

Here's what you need to know:

What's the main event and will anyone go?

There will be an Independence Day parade and a speech by Mugabe at the National Sports Stadium on Tuesday.

And yes, people will go: there is a big football game afterwards.

What's the mood?

In a word: flat. Not hopeful but not totally despairing either. Though it's a public holiday, street vendors were out selling their wares on Easter Monday; fish sellers mingling with used clothes sellers.

The main opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) party tried to start a hashtag, #37yearsofwhat? After eight hours, only three people had bothered to respond.