I want to see a change in future generations – Zanu-PF candidate

Peter Matika

To say this will be one of the most heated political seasons in Zimbabwean history is an understatement as new and underdogs of the stratosphere have shown immense interest and muscle to turn the country’s image around.

Many have thrown in their hats to ascertain their positions making it an interesting and game changing election.

Bulawayo is the main city to watch during the upcoming harmonised elections as new players have come out, pledging mounds of change.

One character whose name has been at the tip of many tongues is Zanu-PF Bulawayo Central constituency candidate Cde Tendayi Charuka, who recently opened up about his life outside the political sphere.

Cde Charuka is a businessman, farmer, husband and father.

“Cde Tendayi Charuka is a member of Zanu-PF under DCC Ward One chairman Greens District. He is also the chairman of the Economic Empowerment Group in Bulawayo, the patron for vendors and several Zanu-PF affiliated groups,” he said.

Cde Charuka runs the Zimbabwe Projects Housing Trust and is also an elder at the Zimbabwe Assemblies of God Africa Forward in Faith Mission International Church (ZAOGA).

“I am responsible for ensuring that young people are successfully offered employs in Government agencies and the private sector. I want to see the youth prosper. I have managed to establish an all incorporated skills training centre for youths in a bid to turn their fortunes around,” said Cde Charuka.

He is married to Faith Sibanda and is blessed with two children.

“I play my role as a father. Like any other responsible man and father, I ensure and look after my family. I am a politician by nature, perhaps because of my upbringing. My parents are politicians and have been under the Zanu-PF banner. My faith is in God and passion and drive is under the revolutionary party,” said Cde Charuka.

He said he runs several businesses that include a dairy farm, land developing agency and an airtime wholesale company.

“It all depends on how serious you are and your drive. I run some companies that were established while I was a young man. I am still young, of course I will not mention my age but under our country and governance I have managed to find my feet,” said Cde Charuka.

Commenting on accusations that he swindled several home owners and the National University of Science and Technology (Nust), Cde Charuka said he is “clean”.

“If ever there was a case to answer there would be records in court. This was all the work of people that didn’t and still do not want to see me rise. In politics you are attacked from all corners and you just have to soldier on,” said Cde Charuka.

Apart from the field of politics, Cde Charuka said he enjoys camping, fishing, and outdoor activities with his family.

“I love the outdoors. I love my wife. I love my children. They come first in all that I do. I am a politician not because of the love of it but because I want to see a change in future generations and in mine,” said Cde Charuka.

He said he enjoys watching soccer with his family and is a Highlanders Football Club supporter.

“I support the team with my life and that is why I am pledging to sponsor the man of the match at each high profile game played by Bosso,” said Cde Charuka.

Last Saturday, Cde Charuka sponsored a constituency meeting where he slaughtered a cow for the event.

“It is not about feeding people but sharing ideas and ensuring that we meet the President”s vision for an upper middle class economy by 2030. It starts with us,” said Cde Charuka, adding that the key voters were the youth.

“The youth are custodians of the next life. They know what they want and what needs to be addressed. Without them, we and they are nothing. That is why we have and need to fight drug and other youth related crimes.”

He said he was confident in the party’s victory in the upcoming harmonised elections.

“We will emerge victorious. We have always been a winning party. We are here to develop our country. People need to understand that we have to fix our own issues and develop our own country. We may have differences but it is up to us to set the tone and build ourselves and country as a unit,” said Cde Charuka.