adminCletus Mushanawani News Editor
FORMER Zanu-PF provincial chairman Cde Mike Madiro, who was last year suspended from the party, has bounced back in a more senior position as a Central Committee member and ruled out any possibility of reclaiming the chairmanship position. Cde Madiro, together with Cdes Chris Mushohwe and Fred Kanzama, were elected unopposed as Central Committee members for Zimunya-Marange before Kanzama’s election was reversed on Tuesday.
In an interview on Wednesday, an excited Cde Madiro said his bouncing back into the mainstream politics was a sign that he was a servant of the people. He said he still has more to offer in the province, but not as the provincial chairman.
“My bouncing back is a wonderful development. As you are aware last year we were accused of theft, but we were cleared by the courts. This was all politics. People see your service and they feel that such cadres should not be suppressed. I am a servant of the people and some colleagues felt jealous about it and they did everything to bar me from entering the political ring.
“You will never suppress a servant of the people because people are always ready to identify with you. People are always ready to move along with foot soldiers who serve them well. I am proud to say I am one of such cadres who went through the Zanu-PF grooming mill. The party moulded me to be what I am today and there is no looking back. I appreciate people’s support and I will never let them down. I will pay back their faith in me,” said Cde Madiro.
He said all the persecution and haranguing he went through taught him to be a strong cadre.
“All the haranguing which I went through was training ground for me to be strong. I suffered so much persecution and I am much stronger now and I have no regrets having gone through all bad things that were associated with my name. I was honed to be very resilient. My role model when it comes to persecution and suffering, but remaining resolute, is President Mugabe. President Mugabe went through a lot, from the days of nationalism where he was persecuted and imprisoned for fighting for this country’s independence up to now.
“He has not enjoyed any rest as he is still suffering the same persecution at the hands of the country’s former colonisers through sanctions and demonisation. President Mugabe has never deviated from his position and for that he is my role model,” said Cde Madiro.
On calls for him to bounce back as the provincial chairman, Cde Madiro said it was time for him to pass the baton to youthful and capable leaders in Manicaland.
“It is a historical fact that I have been elected Zanu-PF Manicaland provincial chairman for a record five times since 2000. Madiro is not Manicaland and Manicaland is not Madiro. There are young brilliant people who are capable of taking over from me. What we need to do is to groom youngsters who will also go through the mill like some of us to take over the reins of the party. I am prepared to share my experience with upcoming leaders.
“I worked with the late national hero, Cde Moven Mahachi, when he was the national political commissar to resolve problems that were rocking Mashonaland Central and from that experience I realised the importance of grooming young leaders. Mashonaland Central has produced brilliant leaders like the late Cdes Border Gezi and Elliot Manyika as well as Cde Dickson Mafios who all came from the youth wing. The same should happen in Manicaland.
“People should not rush to go up. They should know that the training ground is down there. It is high time Manicaland stopped infighting and disturbing promising leaders to occupy their rightful positions. Fighting and back-biting should be the thing of the past. We must be united. We must come up with a team of leaders that is united and prepared to work together. Although people have been clamouring for my coming back as chairman, I want to assure them that what they see in me, I will give it as advice to future leaders,” said Cde Madiro.
On his future political plans, Cde Madiro said it was up to the electorate to second him to any position.
“Since I was born I have never been an MP. God is the one who chooses which path I should follow. If God says Madiro will die before making it as an MP, then let His will prevail. If God says I should be an MP, nothing will stop it. People know that I never grab positions, but as their servant they elect into a given office. My mandate comes from the people and I will always respect people’s wishes,” said Cde Madiro.
Online Reporter