‘ED has opened opportunities for the youth’

AT 26, Zanu-PF National Assembly candidate for Njube-Entumbane constituency in Bulawayo, Cde Linda Chinamano, is one of the youngest contenders for the ruling party and part of the only 70 female candidates out of the 637 aspirants.

Bulawayo has 16 female candidates and 41 men, Harare (14 women, 96 men) Matabeleland South (2 women, 34 men), Manicaland (4 women, 67 men), Mashonaland East (6 women, 54 men), Mashonaland West (8 women, 55 men), Masvingo (4 women, 59 men), Matabeleland North (8 women, 51 men), and Midlands (7 women, 71 men). There are 11 Presidential candidates, all men.

Cde Chinamano, niece to the late former Zapu vice president and national hero, Cde Josiah Chinamano, believes history is beckoning after the August 23 elections when the revolutionary party is set to reclaim the city as it has always been under the hands of the opposition.

She said the Second Republic under the leadership of President Mnangagwa has done a lot for the people in the last five years and that its works are tangible for all to see.

Under President Mnangagwa she says several life-changing projects have been implemented and most of them have been completed or are nearing completion.

She made reference to roads and bridges being constructed throughout the country and rehabilitation works under the Emergency Road Rehabilitation Programme (ERRP) while clinics have also been built, bringing healthcare facilities closer to the people.

It is these and many other such programmes by President Mnangagwa’s Government that gives the ruling party a head start ahead of the elections, she said.

Cde Chinamano, who did her primary education at Ntabeni Primary School in Entumbane, before completing her secondary education at Njube High School, said President Mnangagwa’s philosophy of leaving no one and no place behind has opened opportunities for many youths who can now stand for any position in the party unlike previously when it was hard for the young to hold such posts or run for national positions.

“Going for these elections is just a formality, victory is certain for Zanu-PF and President Mnangagwa must not even think of removing his jacket at the State House for he is going nowhere,” she said.

“Come August 23, we are also reclaiming Bulawayo from the ever-bungling opposition. As a young person, I’m saying to my age mates, let’s go out in our numbers so that the victory margin will be emphatic for a loud and clear message,” said Cde Chinamano.

Zanu-PF has already bagged 92 local government seats after its candidates were uncontested up from 51 seats, which the party won unchallenged in 2018.

Cde Chinamano said she decided to run for office after realising that youngsters were not getting the necessary attention to issues that directly affect them.

“I realised that as a young generation, there are a number of things that we were not being considered on but the Second Republic opened avenues for us. We are now able to run for leadership positions and all this is thanks to President Mnangagwa,” she said.

“We now have a chance to lead and become masters of our own destiny.”

Cde Chinamano said in her campaign, she was meeting youths who were telling her that they were now tired of false promises from the opposition and therefore they will now give the city back to the revolutionary party.

“It’s now time for Zanu-PF to take over and bring development to the city. August 23 is a done deal for us but what is critical is for us to win resoundingly,” she said.