Chronicle Editor
IT is my honour to once again be addressing this 21st National People’s Conference as we come to the end of our successful deliberations.
Allow me to express my gratitude to you all, my dear Comrades, for the insights, views and robust deliberations, which characterised this historic Conference. The patience and zeal we have demonstrated in managing the agenda and programme is applauded.
Undoubtedly, this has enabled us to come up with realistic, concise resolutions and people-centred development programmes, which are all critical for advancing the interests of our Party and country.
The summary of discussions by the various Committees and overall Conference Resolutions are indeed our political proclamation and call to action for more transformative projects, which must be timely implemented.
We emerge from this Conference more united, renewed, recharged and full of vigour for the work that lies ahead. Therefore, every cadre of the Party, from the cell to national level, has a revolutionary duty to recommit to the strategic vision of our Party. As leaders of the various Party structures, we must provide the requisite leadership and demonstrate loyalty to the Party.
Maintaining the highest degree of unity in thought, practice and action, as well as political stance is the responsibility of all of us. We must lead by example and act in line with the overall interest of the Party and country, when performing our duties.
Comrade Delegates;
Zanu-PF is the Party of liberation and the Party of the future. We are a colossal mass revolutionary Party and our resolutions, policies and directives affect our society and impact all sectors of the economy. Guided by our sector specific directives issued by this Conference, the concerns of our communities must be comprehensively addressed. No one and no place must be left behind.
Our purposes must continue to be intricately linked to the progress and economic rejuvenation of our great motherland, Zimbabwe. We, the current crop of cadres, have an obligation to ensure that Zanu-PF remains the driving force for peaceful development and to build our economy at an accelerated pace.
Our 21st National People’s Conference Theme: “Industrialise and Modernise: Towards the Attainment of Vision 2030,” will see us explore new horizons in the ongoing modernisation and industrialisation agenda.
As we go back and put shoulder to the wheel, we should, therefore, diligently pursue industrial transformation and robust value chains as a catalyst for sustainable development and a competitive industrial base.
The interests of Zanu-PF are the interests of the people of our great motherland, Zimbabwe. Our Party promises and our Party delivers.
High impact social development progress must be recorded during the upcoming reporting period that is ahead of us. Constructive and programme-based grassroots engagements and mobilisation, across all Party structures, will be key in delivering the desired results. No village, ward or district can be developed by a bickering and divided people.
Unity, unity, unity, peace and harmony are essential cogs to amplify the growth and prosperity our country seeks and deserves.
Every department of the Party, across all wings, must study and distil the various aspects into programmes and activities, which respond to our unique local situations, challenges and opportunities.
The Party structures at the grassroots level should accordingly receive the outcomes of this Conference and translate these, at community level.
Our development philosophy, Nyika inovakwa, inotongwa, inonamatigwa nevene vayo/ ilizwe, lakhiwa, libuswe, likhulekelwe ngabanikazi balo, must continue to be embedded in everything that we do and become our way of life.
In this regard, young people in particular, within the Party and across our communities, should be rooted in this cardinal development principle. After all, they are like seeds that thrive on fertile land and the storehouse of national hope for the growth of our revolutionary mass Party, Zanu-PF and the realisation of Vision 2030.
Ngiyalibonga, ndinokutendayi vechidiki nemadzimai, for devoting your energy and ideas for the benefit of our Party and the people’s revolution. In all seasons and at all times, you have demonstrated, along with the Veterans of the Liberation Struggle that you are the vanguard, always ready to defend the Party. Makorokoto. Amhlophe.
Fellow Comrades, Distinguished Delegates; Reinforcing our Party’s political foundation is a mission without an end and should never be neglected or abandoned.
Let us be emboldened by this watershed Conference and continue to build our Party in tandem with the new socio-economic and technological realities, while maintaining the unique ideological DNA that make Zanu-PF the party that has endured for six decades. This is the guarantor that will make our Party grow from strength to strength.
The importance of unified leadership and respect of the Party Constitution cannot be overemphasised. These are fundamental pillars to the culture of Zanu-PF. Stop-gap measures are never adequate in bringing about defining and requisite political solutions. Our membership is urged, therefore, to boldly move forward in the interest of the Party.
At this stage of our political development and maturity of our Party, all cadres are challenged to adhere to our deeply entrenched Party discipline, rules and correct line. Straying from the right path can cause fatal mistakes and dire consequences to our liberation movement and the people’s revolution.
The clarity of purpose, unity and cordial environment which characterised our Conference, shamed detractors and dispelled the misinformation that had spread to alarming levels. Zanu-PF is a Party of rules and order. Matare eMusangano akajeka. Hakuna mazvake mazvake.
The whole Party should entrench this fundamental character trait. As the curtain comes down at this historic Conference, let us introspect and examine ourselves. Pauri ipapo, zvibvunze kuti uri munhu akavimbika kuMusangano here. Lapho okhona zibuze ukuthi we-the-mbe-ki-le yini.
Each of us should never consider ourselves more important than the Party. Individually, we must ask ourselves if we are loyal, honest, consistent, persistent and whether we will persevere with the Party.
These are the traits of a revolutionary cadre of ZANU PF. Always strive to attain these traits. If you fail any one of them, one day unonanaigwa nemusangano. Those that perpetrate acts of indiscipline, some of which now extend to acts of criminality, are warned.
The Party demands that we respect each other. Respect your peers, pa level yenyu ipapo, kudzanayi. Equally, respect those below you and the leaders above you. A good leader must be a good follower. Individually, we are a cog in a much bigger system.
Let us be remembered for uniting the Party as well as helping others, and not dividing the Party and our people. We must continue to persevere under the Party, even at times when it is tough.
Mindsets, counter-revolutionary tendencies, favouritism, regionalism and tribalism must be opposed. Similarly, cadres across all levels should reject corruption or the pursuit of ill-gotten gains and privileges.
These are the values that we were taught by the Founding Fathers. Gwara reMusangano wedu we Zanu-PF harishanduke.
Comrade Delegates;
Zanu-PF musangano wevanhu. Ngatigarei muvanhu, maintaining strong bonds with the people. Let us go back, therefore, to our respective districts and provinces, and tell the people that Zanu-PF is alive, united and stronger. Inform them that together, as one unitary and peace loving nation, our Zanu-PF Party stands ready to register new victories and socio-economic milestones.
In our march towards Vision 2030, the people of our great motherland, Zimbabwe, shall enjoy the fruits of prosperity and development. Hand-in- hand, we are moving forward, overcoming obstacles in our way, such as the illegal economic sanctions. Under the Zanu-PF-led Government, the rise of Zimbabwe is unstoppable.
Finally, I congratulate you all for the successful and fruitful discussions during this 21st National People’s Conference. We are truly a Party that has come of age. I say Amhlophe. Makorokoto.
With these remarks, it is now my honour and privilege, to declare our Conference officially closed. I wish you all journey mercies as you go back home.
Online Reporter