admin
Raymond Jaravaza and Brandon Moyo
WHEN a group of female delegates glided their way into Hall 4 of the Zimbabwe International Exhibition Centre (ZIEC), one might have been forgiven for assuming that the immaculately dressed ladies – clad in outfits tailored from fabrics of different shades of colours that depict the national flag – were about to walk into a fashion show.
From a distance, a curious onlooker might have assumed that the theme for the fashion show was infusing different shades of yellow, green, red, black, and gold into exceptional gowns, dresses, and outfits that tell the story of a Zimbabwean fashionista.
But amidst the glitz and glamour on display, as nearly 4 000 delegates walked into the large hall, serious business that will shape the future of the revolutionary party and set the tone for Government business moving forward was minutes away from being discussed.
The delegates met at the ZIEC for the annual Zanu PF National People’s Conference, and the ladies who spoke to Saturday Chronicle said they couldn’t pass up the opportunity to show off their style by donning immaculate outfits made from national colours.
Clad in a green dress with a touch of the ‘Zimbabwean bird’ printed on the fabric, Cde Lina Masuka from Mashonaland West Province said showing off her fashionista side was also a top priority when she made preparations for the event.
“We are here for serious business, but who says we cannot do that while we look our best in the colours of our national flag? I’m happy to see that the other female delegates are dressed to the nines and did not leave anything to chance as they are looking great in their outfits,” said Cde Masuka.
Cde Evelyn Nkiwane, a delegate from Matabeleland South, said it’s high time the nation fully embraced a national dress as an important aspect that reflects the culture, heritage, history, identity, and values of being a Zimbabwean.
“When a Zimbabwean walks into a foreign airport, it should be easy to identify her by the national dress that she will be wearing. Today (yesterday) we also want to show foreign dignitaries that we are proud of our nation by wearing outfits made of fabrics with the national flag colours,” said Cde Nkiwane.
Earlier in the morning, when delegates were making their way from various lodges and hotels to the Large City Hall – venue of the Anti-Sanctions Day – even kombi crews understood that it was no ordinary day.
The commuter omnibus crews graciously left their taxi rank next to the City Hall to make way for hundreds of people who turned up for the official launch of an e-petition calling for the unconditional removal of the illegal sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe by the United States and its allies in the West.
President Mnangagwa appended his signature on the electronic petition (e-petition) opposing the illegal sanctions on Zimbabwe to amplify the voices of millions of Zimbabweans and the entire Southern Africa region in denouncing the embargo.
The Anti-Sanctions Day, first launched in 2019 in solidarity with the rest of the region, defies the crippling impact of the sanctions on development and ordinary people’s lives.
For the first time in years, the Anti-Sanctions Day was on the doorsteps of Bulawayo, and local commuter omnibus operators played their part by clearing the environs near the City Hall and temporarily setting up base along George Silundika Street.
“We left our usual City Hall rank because there are Anti-Sanctions Day commemorations there. We ended up resorting to loading here so that there are no disturbances at City Hall. This is the second time now that we have come here, but we will return to City Hall when the event concludes,” said Phumulani Maphosa.
Gerald Nyoni, another BUPTA rank marshal, said their temporary base is close to the City Hall, therefore, their passengers will not struggle to locate them.
“The President is coming to the City Hall, so we decided to relocate. It is easy for our passengers to locate us, there is an open space here, but we will go back to our place when the event at City Hall is done.
“With kombis parked here, other drivers can try and use other streets to avoid congestion, and those who usually park here can approach us and we make a plan for them. We can shift our cars and open some space for them,” said Nyoni.
As the day progressed and delegates made their way to the ZIEC, the sheer volume of vehicles was testimony to the popularity of the ruling party as the decision-makers drove to the venue of the Zanu-PF National People’s Conference.
Had the traffic not been handled properly by the ever-watchful eyes of the Zimbabwe Republic Police, the five-minute drive from the city centre to ZIEC could have easily turned into a nightmare.
On the business side of things, hotels and lodges will be smiling all the way to the bank after rooms in the city were fully booked for the annual Indaba.
Online Reporter