From mountains to meeting halls: Mutare stands ready

Samuel Kadungure
News Editor
THE checklist for the 22nd ZANU PF Annual People’s Conference venue is complete with 10 days to spare, allowing the ruling party ample time to make any necessary adjustments to suit the leadership’s desires.
The conference will take place from October 13 to 18 at Mutare Polytechnic’s Pavilion Grounds.
ZANU PF Manicaland provincial chairman, Cde Tawanda Mukodza, confirmed the latest developments, and said final touches are being put on tent pitching. “Everything is now in place. The abolition facilities are already installed. We made a deliberate decision to complete the checklist 10 days before the event to allow for corrections or upgrades as per the party leadership’s request.
“The perimeter fence is almost complete. We have added two more boreholes, bringing the total to five, and upgraded the storage tanks from 5 000 litres to 10 000 and 20 000 litres respectively. With such a large gathering, access to clean water is crucial for health reasons.
Ambulances will be on standby to ensure that the conference is safe for all attendees. We prioritise the safety and comfort of all delegates.
“People are usually concerned about health, accommodation, and transport and we confirm that all these are secure. We have secured sufficient buses to ferry people. The national political commissar, Cde Munyaradzi Machacha informed provincial chairpersons that delegates may visit the Chimoio Liberation War Shrine in Mozambique, a day before the conference commences to foster a revolutionary mindset,” said Cde Mukodza, adding that together with Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Advocate Misheck Mugadza, they have
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initiated engagements with the Mozambican Consulate regarding the visit.
The conference has spurred infrastructure development in the city, particularly road rehabilitation.
“Whenever party activities are decentralised to Manicaland, we witness significant infrastructure development; especially road improvements.
The infrastructure improvements will continue to benefit us long after the conference. Mutare and Manicaland have undergone transformation.
“The WiFi system is in place, while the Mutare Showgrounds, which will host the conference gala is being renovated to meet the required standards. The Mutare Showgrounds is being prepared to bring Zimbabweans together, boosting Mutare’s economy. As most of our people are entrepreneurs, this presents an opportunity for them to earn extra income.
“In case of inclement weather, the grounds have compacted hard surfaces.
Mutare Polytechnic has also benefited from the upgrades and will continue to utilise the facilities, potentially transforming the venue into a musical hub secured by an electrified fence,” he said.
Cde Mukodza said they held the provincial inter-district conference which consolidated all the resolutions.
“The people have spoken, and we have recorded their sentiments. We will adhere to the wishes and aspirations of the people — their voice is paramount.
“The most notable outcome is Resolution Number One of extending President Mnangagwa’s term to 2030, unanimously passed by all districts in the province. Everyone is expected to adhere to this resolution as it is a reflection of the people’s will. I am ready to present the resolutions at the conference. Manicaland has emphatically stated that Resolution Number One must be implemented. This was not a request, but a demand. The people resolved that the implementation of the resolution is lagging behind, and they expect prompt action. I am confident that the party leadership will heed this call,” said Cde Mukodza.
Regarding finances, he noted that the province is making progress, with cash and kind pledges still being pursued.
“The pledges will give us a significant advantage over other provinces. I can confirm that the national committee has collected over 50 beasts, which have been added to the national coffers. Although we have not collected all the pledged beasts, we have been authorised by the national committee to make arrangements with local abattoirs to collect and process the remaining ones.
“The national coordinating team, led by the national chairman, Cde Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri, has granted our request to localise certain responsibilities, benefiting our people. We have been permitted to engage 50 local ushers, toilet cleaners, and litter pickers, respectively, who may receive incentives for their services. This will also provide them with an opportunity to interact with the party leadership during the conference. We recommended that local leaders and businesspeople in Mutare be allowed to attend the conference opening ceremony,” said Cde Mukodza, adding that 95 percent of delegates were accredited, following a strict vetting process,” said Cde Mukodza.