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Dr Masimba Mavaza
ZANU PF’s 7th National Congress is underway, with delegates from national and international structures converging at the HICC for the democratic event.
A Congress is a formal meeting or series of meetings for discussion between delegates, especially those from a political party, trade union, or from within a particular sphere of activity.
It is part and parcel of the democratic process in any modern political party.
In standing with the values of democracy which were fought for by our heroes, both alive and fallen, and supported by the citizens, the Congress reassigns us back to the party’s founding inclination to democracy and consultation anchored principles of governance.
The congress confirms Zanu PF’s commitment to dialogue and total democracy.
This event smacks the narrative being pushed by the detractors that we are a non-democratic party.
Unlike what those who do not share the democratic values of Zimbabwe, it is during this Congress that the people will decide on how the healthcare policy will change in Zimbabwe or any policy change for that matter.
Congress is Zanu PF’s key and democratic institution.
It brings people together and consolidates diverse economic and political ideas.
The Diaspora has seen first-hand that indeed the call that the country is developed by its citizens is not only a slogan, but a reality.
The country is developed brick by brick, leaving no one behind.
Zanu PF holds its Congress to show the electorate how it shapes the nation.
The world has recognised that the Congress is somewhat unique, a structure that in theory allows for ongoing responsiveness between citizens and party members and the government.
Zanu PF Congress delegates are more directly beholden to the desires of their unique set of constituents.
This responsiveness introduces degrees of dynamism and complexity.
The convening of this Congress is a reminder that we are a party that draws its mandate from the people.
This explains why the Central Committee elections are a precursor to this traditional apex indaba of our dear revolutionary party.
The Central Committee elections come hardly a month after the War Veterans League was fully constituted into a full wing of the party.
This was a long-delayed national initiative given the prominent role played by those of us who bore the brunt of the armed struggle.
The Zanu PF congress is funded by the party and it is mischief for the opposition, which has failed to hold a Congress or even to create party structures, to castigate the noble democratic effort being exhibited by Zanu PF through the congress.
To honour the efforts of those who were killed during the struggle for Zimbabwe, it is imperative for Zanu PF to hold their blood dear by observing the pillars of democracy through a Congress.
The story of Zimbabwe is that this is a country where everybody has opportunities, leaving no one behind as we travel in our development journey.
This ideology was crafted in large part at a top level by a party which is achieving its own policy and goals in the best interest of the people.
The Congress reassures allies and citizens that Zanu PF offers a vision of national identity that identifies people with their own land.
Secretary for Administration Cde Obert Mpofu said: “The 7th congress also comes against a backdrop of our nationwide party restructuring exercise, which culminated in the election of District Coordination Committees (DCCs) and Provincial Coordination Committees (PCCs).
“Thereafter, the party successfully convened the Women’s League and Youth League conferences, respectively. All these processes gave motion to a people-driven pathway to this congress.
“As a result, the 7th Zanu PF National People’s Congress has drawn delegates from the Central Committee members, National Consultative Assembly, Women’s League national executive, Youth League executive members, national council of the War Veterans League, provincial executive members, District Coordinating Committee executives and one district executive chairperson per party district drawn from either the Main body, Women’s League, Youth League or War Veterans League.
This full membership demographic representative sampling of the party is aimed at ensuring that the interests of all members are catered for.”
It should be noted that the party leads the government. To that end, like the other preceding congresses, this particular assembly is aimed at informing the policy direction of the party’s next five-year election-derived mandate.
Against all odds, Zanu PF has continued to bathe in the glory of democracy by carrying on its constitutional compelled mandate to convene congress. The congress is expected and indeed will endorse the leadership of His Excellency Cde Dr ED Mnangagwa as the President and First Secretary of Zanu PF.
Declaring his unanimously approved candidature for the 2023 Harmonised Elections; ratifying the newly elected Central Committee, which is the highest decision-making body of the party.
It will appoint the party’s Politburo; harnessing internal democracy systems to foster increased participation of members in setting and deciding the agenda of the party in compliance to enduring national interest.
The Diaspora has learnt that “beyond the constitutional specifics and objectives of the 7th Congress, this exercise is important in rejuvenating the party. This is an opportunity for strategy remapping.”
The promise of Congress and the hope for Zimbabwe is that we will achieve the Vision 2030. The Congress is to see to it that this promise is fulfilled.
Cde Mpofu asked all to take a leaf from history.
“Zanu PF, as a nationalist hybrid entity of our country’s anti-colonial institutionalisation dating back to the formative stage of the Second Chimurenga to the Unity Accord of 1987, proves the Party’s grasp of the principle people-driven longevity,” he said.
Zimbabwe is the only country we can call ours in the whole world.
Online Reporter