Online Reporter
Joseph Madzimure in MUTARE
The ZANU PF National People’s Conference is designed to evaluate the implementation of party resolutions and progress in governance since the last meeting in 2024, the party’s national Chairman, Cde Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri, has said.
Addressing delegates at the 22nd National People’s Conference here yesterday, Cde Muchinguri-Kashiri urged delegates to cascade economic empowerment to the grassroots in line with Vision 2030.
ZANU PF, under the leadership of President Mnangagwa, she said, has prioritised retooling local industry to bolster economic activity and make the country more attractive to investors.
“Modernising and mechanising operations in the various sectors of the economy will ensure goods and services are provided to consumers at affordable prices.
“We are gathered here to introspect our achievements from the last conference in Bulawayo. The conference is meant to take stock of how we fared in terms of the state of our party, government, economy, social services, and our environment since our last conference in 2024,” said Cde Muchinguri-Kashiri.
She reminded delegates of their responsibility as leaders.
“As delegates, we are leaders representing our constituencies who expect us to relay comprehensive feedback to them upon our return. You are therefore enjoined to be attentive throughout the conference.”
Highlighting the evolution of the conference since the advent of the Second Republic, Cde Muchinguri-Kashiri described it as a serious forum for the exchange of ideas.
“Conferences have evolved into serious business forums characterised by a symbiotic exchange of ideas on how to propel our mass party from strength to strength towards the attainment of Vision 2030,” she said. Cde Muchinguri-Kashiri underscored the theme of the conference, emphasising its relevance.
“Our theme for this year’s conference, ‘Attainment of Vision 2030 through Economic Empowerment in Value Addition,’ is timely and befitting as it allows the precipitation of strategic ideas as we transition from National Development Strategy 1 to National Development Strategy 2,” she said.
ZANU PF Manicaland provincial chairman Cde Tapiwa Mukodza said Resolution Number One, which was made at last year’s conference, is unstoppable. “Through President Mnangagwa’s commitment to develop the country, it is prudent to extend his term up to 2030 to fulfil his vision,” said Cde Mukodza.
ZANU-PF must not be bogged down with the so-called Resolution Number One. Focus must be on ensuring that projects designed to achieve Vision 2030 are achieved. Leadership in ZANU-PF as we know it is a team effort and Vision 2030 is indeed a ZANU-PF not a Mnangagwa project. If the president were to be incapacitated today and becomes incapable of continuing to lead both party and government, that should not derail Vision 2030. National development mustn’t be seen as a one man project. The president has, on several occasions, made himself clear. He is a constitutional person and will not tinker or encourage tinkering with the national constitution in order to satisfy demands from certain sections of the party. It would be wise and indeed respectful to the president if Resolution Number One was made the least prioritised. In that way people would focus on achieving Vision 2030 before 2028 and preserve the legacy of Cde Mnangagwa. Surely ZANU-PF doesn’t want to repeat the mistake it made with Cde RG Mugabe where his final departure from the party leadership became acrimonious. Fortunately Cde Mnangagwa is wise enough to know the consequences of populist rhetoric.