adminJoseph Madzimure Senior Reporter
THE 18th Zanu-PF Annual National People’s Conference roars into life today at Goromonzi High School in Mashonaland East Province, where delegates from all the country’s 10 provinces started arriving yesterday.
The conference comes at a time when the economy is transitioning from austerity to prosperity through higher productivity, growth and job creation as enunciated in the 2020 National Budget. Zanu-PF First Secretary President Mnangagwa will officially open the conference today which is centred on the state of the economy, national food security, the provision of social services and development.
Finance and Economic Development Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube will give an overview of the state of the economy, Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Water and Rural Resettlement Perrance Shiri will give a detailed report on the state of agriculture and allocation of land to the youth.
Mines and Mining Development Minister Winston Chitando will present a paper relevant to his ministry’s mandate, especially on how the youth can benefit in the mining sector.
The Herald witnessed a fleet of buses ferrying delegates who started arriving at the conference venue yesterday.
Some delegates were singing revolutionary songs on arrival. Delegates from Manicaland, Mashonaland West, Mashonaland East and the Midlands arrived at the venue early morning yesterday, while those from Masvingo, Matabeleland North, Harare, Bulawayo and Mashonaland Central arrived in the afternoon.
Other provinces were expected to have arrived by yesterday evening.
Mashonaland East Youth League chairman Cde Kelvin Mutsvairo said most delegates had arrived at the venue by yesterday.
“We are happy that we started receiving delegates from as far as Chipinge by early morning today, (yesterday),” he said.
“Some delegates are trickling in as you can see. Delegates are in a jovial mood, waiting for the official opening of the conference by His Excellency President Mnangagwa.
“All the delegates will be well feed at their provincial food bays. Everything is in place. All the companies who are exhibiting their products are already on site.”
Cde Rose Dhliwayo-Gezi from Chipinge, Manicaland, was confident that the conference will address bread and butter issues.
“We expect the Minister of Finance and Economic Development to unpack the current economic situation in the country,” she said. “We hope the 2020 Budget presented by the Minister of Finance will move the country forward.”
The conference will run under the theme: “Modernise, Mechanise and Grow the Economy Towards Vision 2030”.
Cde Phillimon Ndushu from Mashonaland West said the conference should unpack opportunities in the economy through its thematic committees. “We will be grouped in different thematic committees where we will articulate issues that affect the general populace,” he said. “The committees will come up with resolutions which will be presented to the party leadership for consideration.”
Cde Tawanda Chirango from Goromonzi said he was happy that he will attend the official opening of the conference.
“I am happy that I will attend the conference for the first time, especially the official opening where the President will give his keynote address,” he said. “I will make sure by exactly 7am I will be in the conference room.”
Cde Florence Mugogo from Chipinge said they were expecting the President to address issues affecting youths and women.
Foreign delegates from sister revolutionary parties, diplomats and the business community will attend the official opening ceremony.
Local communities will also have a rare opportunity to attend the official opening of the conference where the President will give a key note address.
After President’s keynote address and solidarity messages, delegates will be put in different thematic committees to tackle social, political and economic issues.
The delegates will present their resolutions, which will be taken into consideration.
President Mnangagwa will officially close the conference tomorrow.
Online Reporter