‘I joined Zanu PF to serve, not to seek office’

Limukani Ncube

Intake Editor

FORMER Bulawayo deputy mayor and ex-Njube-Lobengula Member of Parliament, Cde Gift Banda, says his decision to join Zanu PF is not motivated by a desire for political office, but a commitment to contribute to national development and serve communities at grassroots level.

In an in-depth interview in Bulawayo on Thursday, Cde Banda said he has already served in several public offices and was now focused on supporting development initiatives, particularly in his home province of Matabeleland South.

Cde Banda, who was recently introduced to party members at a Zanu PF rally in Gwanda, Matabeleland South Province, said he had no ambition to return to Parliament or seek party positions.

“I didn’t join the ruling party for positions. I think I have run my race in terms of political placement. I have been a councillor, deputy mayor and Member of Parliament.

“But first and foremost, I’m a business person and I enjoy what I do and I have realised that the Second Republic is supporting a lot of business people across the country,” he said.

“So, I’m not really coming in for party positions or being sent back to Parliament; I think I have run my race.

“All I’m coming for is to contribute to the development of the country and support the party. I’m happy the party has already made an impact in terms of Vision 2030, which has transformed the whole country economically. I also want to assist people in my home province,” said Cde Banda.

“I think everyone knows I’m a football person through and through and I have contributed quite a lot to Zimbabwe football. I have run non-governmental organisations and I have taken quite a lot of children to school, among other community work. So I’m not going in for anything other than trying to help in my home province.”

Cde Banda wanted to use his experience in business, football administration and community development to improve people’s lives. Although he had spent much of his political career in Bulawayo, he said his roots remained firmly in Matabeleland South.

“We all meet in town, but we all come from somewhere. My rural home is in Mbizingwe, Umzingwane District, Matabeleland South.”

Cde Banda said his decision to leave the opposition followed a period of self-reflection on both his political future and Zimbabwe’s development trajectory under the Second Republic.

“You know, it was after a long time that I had been doing a lot of self-introspection of where we come from as a country, one, as an individual. Two, where we are as a country now, and where we are going as a country, and me as an individual,” he said.

“I have been pondering where my political interests can be best served and where I can meaningfully contribute as well. I then decided to move to an organisation that has proper structures, an organisation that has an ideology, that also adequately educates people. That is the main reason why I decided to join the ruling party”.

Cde Banda was convinced Zimbabwe was “in safe hands” under President Mnangagwa’s leadership, adding that Government programmes under Vision 2030 were transforming the country’s economy and infrastructure.

He  also criticised developments within the opposition following the death of founding MDC leader, Morgan Tsvangirai, in 2018, saying the movement had become increasingly centralised.

“You must realise that it has been painful being in the opposition ever since Morgan Tsvangirai passed away. It has been painful being in the opposition, being led by people who never wanted anyone to question anything,” he said.

“We had people who were becoming dictators in the opposition, to an extent that everybody in the leadership of the opposition didn’t know where we were going and we were only getting to be answerable to one person. And I realised that I didn’t want to be part of that.”

Referring to former CCC leader Mr Nelson Chamisa, Cde Banda said the opposition had become centred on one individual.

“He has these dictatorial tendencies and everything is centred around him. So, that was the main problem, not with me only, but with quite a lot of other comrades that were within the opposition that ended up realising that the only place to go to is a party that has got an ideology, that is led as a collective.

“We had been trained to be like students who could not proffer solutions, who were only waiting to be told what to do. And I realised that I didn’t want to be part of that. Because in my whole political career I have always believed that I have something to give and I have always believed in collective responsibilities and that everyone can bring something to the table in leadership.”

Cde Banda said the ruling party’s development agenda had made it increasingly difficult for the opposition to remain relevant.

“If you look at what has been happening under the Second Republic, you see infrastructure development taking place across the country. There is hope in the way development is being implemented, and I am happy to be part of that journey.”

Cde Banda cited ongoing infrastructure projects, including upgrades to the Bulawayo-Victoria Falls Road, as evidence of Government’s commitment to equitable development across the country.

“The ruling party’s philosophy of leaving no one and no place behind is being put into practice. I can see many positive developments taking place, including here in Matabeleland.”

Cde Banda also challenged the region’s business community to play a greater role in economic transformation.

“I want to urge business people in Matabeleland to stand up and contribute towards the development of our region and the country as a whole. Development is everyone’s responsibility,” he said.

Cde Banda believes he can make a greater contribution to national development through Zanu PF, which he described as a party with established structures, collective leadership and a long-term vision for Zimbabwe.