Online Reporter
Gibson Mhaka, Zimpapers Politics Hub
THE campaign launched by Zanu-PF in Nkulumane Constituency on Sunday transcended the traditional political rally; it was a powerful, demonstrative commitment of high-impact resources that has placed the onus squarely on the shoulders of the Nkulumane electorate.
With the top leadership arriving and immediately delivering tangible development assets, the message is clear: the party, under President Mnangagwa’s leadership, is not just campaigning on promises, but on visible, executed action.
The most compelling aspect of the Nkulumane launch is the immediate fulfillment of key service delivery pledges, substantiating the party’s “Nyika inovakwa nevene vayo/Ilizwe lakhiwa ngabanikazi balo (The country is built by its owners) philosophy.
The leadership demonstrated its commitment to action, not just words, particularly concerning basic infrastructure.
Addressing scores of party supporters, Zanu-PF National Political Commissar Cde Munyaradzi Machacha highlighted that the party had already addressed electricity concerns, stating, “four transformers, which were not working were replaced and everything is now in order.”
This is concrete proof that the leadership listened to community concerns and acted swiftly, directly solving a basic infrastructure problem before the December 20 poll.
In a similar vein, the focus extended beyond basic services to future investment. The donation of 10 computers and 10 Starlink kits by Minister of Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Postal and Courier Services, Dr Tatenda Mavetera is a significant investment in the future of local schools.
This move goes beyond simple infrastructure by directly addressing the digital skills gap, ensuring the constituency is prepared for the modern economy.
The gravity of the party’s commitment was further underlined by Presidential Adviser on Investment, Dr Paul Tungwarara’s high-profile arrival by helicopter, immediately followed by the distribution of food hampers and the announcement of a US$50 000 empowerment fund share for Bulawayo’s Young Women for ED group.
This dramatic entry served to underscore that the development pipeline is open, high-level, and immediate.
The sheer scale of the Nkulumane pledges, including 18 boreholes, comprehensive sewer fixes, and new nutritional gardens, now creates a critical decision point for the constituency’s voters.
This situation draws a stark parallel to Cowdray Park constituency.
In the August 2023 general election, Minister of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion Professor Mthuli Ncube, campaigned heavily on a development ticket but was unfortunately defeated.
However, in the subsequent December 2023 by-election, the Zanu-PF candidate, Cde Arthur Mujeyi, won the seat, demonstrating that the party’s relentless focus on addressing core service delivery issues eventually resonated with the electorate.
The subtle warning to Nkulumane is that development is tied to representation.
While President Mnangagwa’s administration champions the motto of “Leaving no one and no place behind,” electing an opposition representative often risks slowing down or complicating the crucial delivery of services and capital projects pledged by the ruling party.
As Cde Machacha declared, “We are left with 12 days, and during those days we need to work hard so that we wrest the constituency from the opposition.” The party has done its work, demonstrating its intention through action.
The ball is unequivocally in the court of the Nkulumane voters.
They must weigh the tangible, immediate development already delivered and the massive pledges on the table backed by the political power of the ruling party against the continuity of opposition representation that has, as local members argue, yielded little change over two decades.
A vote for Cde Freedom Murechu is being framed as the only viable path to immediately unlock and expedite the promised development blitz.
For the Nkulumane electorate, the choice is now starkly defined: they must choose between the inertia of continued opposition representation and the immediate, powerful momentum of development delivered by Zanu-PF.
The party, through the concrete actions of replacing transformers, installing digital learning tools, and pledging boreholes and sewer fixes, has proven it is ready to execute its “Nyika inovakwa nevene vayo/Ilizwe lakhiwa ngabanikazi balo,” philosophy on the ground, not in the air.
Therefore, voters must recognise that a vote for Cde Murechu is not just a political endorsement, but a direct activation key to unlock the promised development blitz and ensure Nkulumane is not left behind in the President’s vision for national upliftment.
The lesson from Cowdray Park is unequivocal: for swift, high-impact service delivery and access to capital projects, representation must align with the ruling party.
By casting their vote for Zanu-PF, the people of Nkulumane will secure a direct line of communication to the highest offices, guaranteeing that the empowerment fund and every other crucial infrastructural commitment are rapidly implemented.
The ball is now firmly in the hands of the electorate to seize this unique opportunity for transformative development and move the constituency decisively into a new era of progress and prosperity.
