Gweru readies for Zanu-PF Annual National People’s Conference

PREPARATIONS for the Zanu-PF Annual National People’s Conference set for Gweru in the Midlands province this monthend are now at an advanced stage.

The ruling party’s annual Indaba will be held at the Midlands Zanu-PF Convention Centre, some 13km east of Gweru along Mvuma Road from October 27 to 28.

During the conference, the party’s delegates are expected to reflect on achievements made, the state of the party, the economy, food security and nutrition, social services, and poverty eradication.

The party will also deliberate on macro-economic stability and re-engagement, infrastructure development and utilities, as well as value addition and beneficiation.

The conference will also take stock of the performance of the party in the just-ended elections, which Zanu-PF won after defeating all opposition parties.

The National People’s Conference is hosted by provinces on a rotational basis and presents a chance for reflection on party electoral promises as well as reaffirmation of the country’s vision.

The organising committee led by the Midlands provincial chairperson, Cde Larry Mavima, toured the venue over the weekend to assess progress. Contractors on site are working round the clock to put the house in order before the dates of the national event commence.

In an interview, Cde Mavima said preparations were now 65 percent complete and that the venue will be ready well before October 27 when the conference commences.

“I am glad to announce that we are now at 65 to 70 percent complete. We have managed to identify the right people for specific tasks and everything is going according to plan,” he said.

“As Midlands, we will manage to host a memorable conference and all I can say is that we are indeed ready. We are looking at raising US$50 000 for the event and we are accepting donations in cash or kind so that we host a successful conference.”

Midlands Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Cde Owen Ncube, said he was glad that the province has managed to secure accommodation for delegates at the Midlands State University as well as Mkoba Teachers’ College.

“Some of the delegates will be housed in local hotels and some accommodation has been secured in Kwekwe and Zvishavane,” he said.

Cde Ncube commended local businesspeople for coming on board to assist the organising committee in preparations for the important ruling party’s gathering.

“We have some local businesspeople who have volunteered to help in sprucing up the venue. Everything is going on very well,” he said.

Midlands Senator Daniel MacKenzie Ncube who is a member of the organising committee said Gweru has a unique connection with Zanu-PF and that must be cherished.

“It is at this iconic Mtapa Hall in Mtapa suburb here in Gweru where Zanu held its first congress in 1964. The People’s Congress resolved to wage an armed struggle against the settler regime, which had not only deprived the majority of black people of their rights but had taken over their land and confined them to barren and unproductive areas. So, we are glad to be hosting this event soon,” he said.

Delegates are expected to start arriving in Gweru a day before on October 26.

The construction of the giant Convention Centre was influenced by the then Defence Minister and now President, Cde Emmerson Mnangagwa in preparation for the Zanu-PF 2012 Conference. The project was built in a record time of three months at a cost of US$2 million. Zanu-PF Midlands province is the only province with its own Convention Centre.

Most of the structures at the site are circular in shape taking after the great enclosure of Great Zimbabwe, with bricks at the centre replicating the granite stones of the historical site, making it a big tourist attraction.

The 5 000-seater facility can also be used for wedding receptions, seminars, exhibitions, entertainment shows, and other events.