happiness Chikwanha
PRESIDENT Mugabe is in Masvingo Province this afternoon to address a rally at Chamisa Primary School in Gutu. The Herald Online gives you live updates
ONLINE REPORTER: Funny Hudzerema; PICTURES: Believe Nyakudjara
SOCIAL MEDIA: Timothy Elson Maponga; EDITOR: Happiness Chikwanha
13:49 – President has arrived in Gutu to pay condolences to his uncle, Chief Gutu at Chamisa school. After that he will address a rally.
13: 53 – The President has just unveiled the plaque of his late uncle. He is in the company of senior government officials and chiefs. Zanu-PF Political Commissar Cde Saviour Kasukuwere, Cde Prisca Mupfumira, cde Josiah Hungwe and Minister Kembo Mohadi are present.
13:59-Addressing delegates at Chief Gutu’s homestead, President Mugabe calls for peace.
14:03-President Mugabe has just finished his speech at Chief Gutu’s home.
14:05-President Mugabe has received 8 goats, a sheep and a cow as token of appreciation from the Gutu family.
14:09 – Among the people accompanying the president is Provincial Affairs Minister Senator Shuvai Mahofa.
POOR NETWORK IS DELAYING OUR UPDATES, will strive to remain up-to-date.
14:18 – 14:15 – We are back online and People are going for lunch before attending the rally.
President Mugabe has announced that he is now a grandfather after his daughter Bona Mugabe-Chikore was recently blessed with a bouncing baby boy. First Lady Amai Grace Mugabe as such could not accompany the President as she is still helping Bona cope.
15:24 – Thousands of people are here as President Mugabe arrives at Chamisa Primary School, the venue of the rally . The crowed is singing revolutionary songs (EDITED)
15:26 – Chimombe High School choir leads the singing of the National Anthem.
15:30– Police chaplain is now giving the opening prayer.
15:33– Cde Jappy Jaboon who is Zanu-pf provincial secretary for commissariat and Member of Parliament for Bikita South is the Master of Ceremony. Cde Jaboon is now introducing members of the Central Committee from the Province to President Mugabe.
15:39– Cde Mupfumira takes to the podium to address delegates after Cde Mahofa welcomed the President to the Province. In her welcome remarks she thanked President Mugabe for the food that has been distributed in the area and she assured orphans and the elderly would get that food (EDITED).
15:43-In her speech Cde Mupfumira announces that the President has also brought 90 tonnes of maize, 50 bales of clothes, 30 tonnes of bananas and cassava for distribution in Masvingo province.
15:46– She also adds that those fit must get involved in the food-for-work programme.
15:49- Cde Mupfumira says that Government will launch Phase One of feeding school children with rice, maize and other food stuffs. This, she says will be given from preschool children to Grade 2 in all provinces.
15:55 – Cde Kasukuwere is now the MC . . .and ZCC Mbungo brass band entertains the crowd. Members and Government officials take to the dance floor.
15:59 – The entertainment is cut short as Cde Kasukuwere takes to the podium to invite President Mugabe to address the rally. Meanwhile the crowd rallies behind President Mugabe, promising him their massive support come 2018.
1601- President Mugabe takes to the podium greeting the people with a slogan.
1604- “I have come to pay my condelences to the Gutu family following the passing on of my uncle. I failed to come to the funeral and I am happy to have finally come here.
1607 – President Mugabe says government is fully aware of all the problems that Masvingo province is facing.
1610- He says government is committed to help the province in the face of all challenges the country is facing economically.
1612 – He talks about the illegal economic sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe by the West saying they are disturbing economic development and that colonial rule is a thing of the past that must never come back to haunt Zimbabwe again. “We will fight for our freedom and our land. Zimbabwe will never be a colony again! ” says President Mugabe (EDITED).
1615- He also touches on People First (a political party led by former Vice President Joice Mujru) saying that some people from Masvingo are joining this party and are free to go and will “leave us as Zanu-PF.”
1619– Opposition parties whether it’s MDC-T or MDC whatever and the People First, there is no way vauyi pavanopindira pagwara redu rekuzvitonga. We have never heard them fighting the whites, but are always fighting ZANU that brought peace and freedom,” says President Mugabe.
1623 – “Opposition parties want whites to come back and take back our land. Thus what we don’t want. Land belongs to our people! Those whom we gave large pieces of land and are inviting back the whites (former white-farmers) to work with them, we don’t want that and to those who are doing that we will not hesitate to take away the land. ”
1625 – President Mugabe says most parts of Africa have been affected by draught but “as government we have placed a number of orders for maize but for now the problem is transport to collect it from the countries we ordered it from.”
1629-Food provided for by Government should be shared fairly to all.
1630– He says Government has also secured food for school children. Schools should understand that “we have experienced drought. Therefore they must not send away children because of failure to pay school fees,” says President Mugabe. He urges school authorities to engage parents on this issue.
1633– All children must go to school regardless of them being poor or rich. It is the Government that must bear their burden. Government will see what to do for them,” says President Mugabe.
1636– President Mugabe has also urged communities to take care and protect the elderly and the sick during this period of drought.
1639– The President now touches on corrupt council authorities: “We are having serious problems with council authorities who are engaging in corrupt activities wantonly allocating themselves pieces of land. If they see any vacant land, it is grabbed and corruptly redistributed. There is no-one who should possess such powers,” says President Mugabe.
1643– “Councilors and council employees must follow laid down procedures when it comes to land redistribution. Others are in the habit of selling land already redistributed lawfully. That must stop,” says President Mugabe.
1645: On food for work: “Food for work programmes must be organized for people to earn a living and get money for survival,” says President Mugabe.
1647–Rural electrification: President Mugabe says Government will task the Ministry of Energy and Power Development to discuss the issue of electricity in rural areas.
1650-We had come here to pay condolences of my uncle but I am happy that you spared time to meet me and talk to you. In 2008 you failed to vote for us because of vanaMujuru but in 2013 makaita 100%! You must keep that up,” says President Mugabe.
1653 – On unity in the party and the role of War Veterans: “VanaMavhaire regai vavhaire vari kwaAmai Mujuru ikoko. Don’t be disturbed by these small parties. Our youth league must continue with unity and must shun fighting with elders,” warns President Mugabe. In Zanu-pf we don’t have some groups. We don’t have two Zanu-pfs, it’s one Zanu-PF and war veterains must bring unity to the party.”
1658- “War veterans, you are the ones who must bring unity to the party, kwete kusadharara muri kunze uko. War veterans must exercise their right to operate in the party in the party. They must not play outside the party. Thank you very much for coming we will organize other rallies covering the whole of Masvingo such as Chivi and others areas,” says President Mugabe.
1700– “We must continue supporting Zanu-pf in Masvingo despite the economic sanctions imposed on us and the Western-backed parties that are mushrooming. Vana Amai Mujuru vari kufara vachiti tava nevanu come 2018 tichazoona,” says President Mugabe.
1705– President Mugabe urges all to prepare for the next rain season, immediately reassuring people that no-one will starve as Government is taking care of the situation.
1708– Children are the future: President Mugabe urges parents and guardians on the important need to educate children and nurture children since thet are the future leaders. On that note, the Head of State and Government ends his address.
1711– Minister of State for Liaising on Psychomotor Activities in Education Cde Josiah Hungwe takes to the podium to give vote of thanks.
1715: President Mugabe is now leaving Gutu.
STAY LOGGED IN FOR DISCUSSIONS ON THE ISSUES RAISED AT THE RALLY AS WELL AS MORE IMAGES FROM THE EVENT.
Online Reporter