Zimbabwe's incoming president Emmerson Mnangagwa was greeted with wild cheers by supporters at ZANU-PF headquarters as he made his first public appearance after being sacked by former president Robert Mugabe on November 6.

During a public address made at the headquarters, Mnangagwa thanked Zimbabweans for receiving him back into the country.

"Today we are witnessing the unfolding of democracy in our country... I appeal to all genuine, patriotic Zimbabweans to come together so that we grow our economy," he said.

The Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation said earlier on Wednesday that Mnangagwa will replace ex-president Robert Mugabe who resigned Tuesday. Mnangagwa is expected to be sworn in on Friday.

The ruling ZANU-PF party on Sunday reinstated Mnangagwa into the party and nominated him to replace Mugabe as party leader.