Online Reporter
Joseph Madzimure and Debra Matabvu, Zimpapers Writers
AS Zanu-PF delegates head to Mutare for the party’s 22nd National People’s Conference, President Mnangagwa has implored members to emerge from the convention more united and rejuvenated to wholeheartedly serve the people.
Speaking at a Central Committee meeting in Harare yesterday, the President, who is also the party’s First Secretary, said Zanu-PF will continue to implement policies that consolidate unity, peace, prosperity and sustainable development.
“We should emerge out of this conference, more united and rejuvenated to wholeheartedly serve the people of our great motherland, Zimbabwe,” he said.
“Thematic area by thematic area, sector by sector, the Central Committee should guide conference delegates to be exhaustive, objective and thorough, with regards dealing with the business of our party.”
The conference began with the arrival of delegates on Monday, followed by a Politburo meeting on Tuesday and entered day three yesterday with the Central Committee meeting.
Today, delegates travel to the main venue, Mutare Polytechnic grounds, in Manicaland province.
President Mnangagwa is expected to officially open the conference tomorrow and will deliver his closing remarks on Saturday, marking an end to the week-long indaba.
The conference is being held under the theme, “Attainment of Vision 2030 through Economic Empowerment and Value Addition”.
President Mnangagwa said the conference theme underscores the party’s unwavering determination to accelerate the achievement of an upper-middle-income status by 2030.
“As First Secretary, I am counting on you to provide leadership and guidance to all party wings and the membership in general,” he said.
“We will be resuscitating the meetings of the Standing Committees of the Central Committee. This should guarantee regular feedback and guidance by the Central Committee to various party departments as well as sectors of Government.”
President Mnangagwa said the conference will inject fresh momentum into the party to uplift the livelihoods of the nation through productivity, industrialisation and modernisation.
“It is my honour and privilege to welcome you all to this Central Committee meeting, which is part of the 22nd Zanu PF National People’s Conference, being held in Mutare, Manicaland Province,” said President Mnangagwa.
He added that the theme has been designed to ensure the party continues to work and lift many people from poverty into prosperity, anchored by productivity, industrialisation, modernisation and deployment of new technologies.
Central Committee members were called upon to foster discipline and national interest as well as give leadership and guidance to other sectoral committees.
“The meeting today (yesterday) provides us with an opportunity to take stock of our achievements as the Central Committee, over the period under review, which we must now report to the Conference.
“In line with our agreed modalities and need to enhance participatory democracy, the Conference will be attended by delegates in representation of the broader party structures.
“It is expected that the format will facilitate more focused discussions and robust engagement, as well as effective communication especially during the break-away Committee stage,” he said.
The President urged the Central Committee to give the requisite leadership and guidance in the respective sectoral committees.
“Discipline, focus and the national interest must remain guiding principles. Improving the lives of the people at grassroots level must be at the core of all discussions.
“The overall recommendations and resolutions should be aimed at propelling our country forward,” he said.
President Mnangagwa applauded farmers for the 2024/25 bumper harvest and called for speedy preparations for this season’s cropping.
The Central Committee report was presented yesterday for approval as the main report of activities during the course of the year and will be tabled at the conference in Mutare for adoption.
To ensure the smooth flow of party activities across the country, President Mnangagwa handed over vehicles to Central Committee members.
Yesterday, he handed over 20 vehicles to the remaining Central Committee members since some had already received theirs.
“Vehicles have now been distributed to members of the Central Committee. As per my previous exhortation, these are for the benefit of the people and the party as a whole.
“As we proceed to the main Conference venue, ngatipikire kusimudzira mabasa emusangano wedu we Zanu PF. “SeCentral Committee, rambai muchidzidzisa gwara remusangano,” he emphasised.
President Mnangagwa also urged party members attending the conference to engage in constructive debate and come out with sharper strategies towards the implementation of people-centred policies, high-impact programmes and projects.
He then wished members journey mercies as they travel to Mutare today.
