Chronicle Editor09:50 Huge crowds are already gathered for the ZANU PF campaign launch here at Mutema Secondary, Chipinge. People started trickling in as early as 6 am.
An estimated 30 000 Zanu PF are here for the launch of the Zanu PF 2023 Election campaign today, June 24.
The venue holds historical significance as the birthplace of one of the party’s founding fathers, Reverend Ndabaningi Chakandiwana Sithole.
The momentous occasion today comes hard on the heels of Reverend Sithole’s posthumous recognition as a National Hero, a testament to President Mnangagwa’s commitment to acknowledging and rectifying past injustices.
President Mnangagwa, the esteemed leader of Zanu-PF, will grace the event with his keynote address, setting the tone for the party’s campaign trail leading up to the watershed harmonised elections in August 2023.
A diverse array of delegates, including election candidates from every corner of the country, both winners and runners-up, have been arriving in Manicaland province and Chipinge District to partake in this historic launch.
10:35 Delegates to the launch continue arriving at the venue
10:36 Zanu PF supporters take a moment to remember National Hero and one of the party’s founding fathers, Reverend Ndabaningi Chakandiwana Sithole.
10:37 The revolutionary party carries on with the national agenda of eradicating drugs and substance abuse with banners denouncing the scourge, scattered around the venue, Mutema Secondary School in Chipinge District
10:40 Part of the crowd gathered here at Mutema Secondary School in Chipinge for the launch of the 2023 Zanu PF election campaign
11:06 The progamme for the day is as follows
1. Unveiling of ambulances will be done at Checheche St Peters Hospital in the morning.
2. Campaign launch will he held at Mutema High school.
3. Magigwana Gala will be in Chipinge in the evening.
11:08 President Mnangagwa and Vice President Chiwenga, Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Monica Mutsvangwa have arrived at St Peters hospital for the unveiling of ambulances
The hospital where the unveiling will take place
11:15 Hospital beds and equipment will also be unveiled
11:22 President Mnangagwa will hand the equipment over to the hospital
11:35 Jubilant Zanu PF supporters showcase overwhelming support for the party and President Mnangagwa through creative face paints and beautiful party regalia
Zimbabweans enjoying themselves with their party of choice at Mutema Secondary School in Mutema-Musikavanhu constituency in Chipinge District, where the ruling party is launching its 2023 election campaign
What a day to be alive!
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12:20 Zanu PF Vice President Kembo Mohadi, chairperson Opah Muchinguri and Political Commissar Mike Bimha have arrived at the venue.
13:00 Zanu PF First Secretary and President Cde Mnangagwa has donated a state-of-the-art electric wheelchair to Chief Musikavanhu, born Vusani Musikavanhu a gesture which underlines his respect and appreciation of traditional leaders
13:38 The President and his two deputies are now meeting and greeting supporters
14:08 Zanu PF Manicaland Chairperson Tawanda Mukodza takes to the podium.
He thanks the President for granting Zanu PF founding President Ndabaningi Sithole hero status
14:17 Zanu PF Secretary General Obert Mpofu takes to the podium
14:30 The Zanu PF National Political Commissar Cde Mike Bimha announces that the ruling party is uncontested in 74 local government seats and a total 2 743 candidates for the 2023 Harmonised Elections have attended the campaign launch rally
15:00 President Mnangagwa takes to the podium.
He says Zanu PF is the only Party, which can protect Zimbabwe’s independence and sovereignty.
ZANU PF belongs to the masses,, not individuals or leader
The Second Republic has fulfilled its promise to equip St Peter’s Hospital
Manicaland produced many revolutionaries like Rekayi Tangwena and Herbert Chitepo and we honoured them
That’s why we decided to honour founding president Ndabaningi SitholeThis is why we decided to launch our campaign here in honour of Cde Sithole
15:02 The President says: The democracy and one man one vote that we enjoy today came as a result of Zanu PF
Zanu PF will never return the land to colonialists
15:10 President Mnangagwa says: The Second Republic’s main priority is to bust sanctions through producing for ourselves. We are doing this through various programmes such as pfumvudza
Through these programmes, Zimbabwe will never be food insecure again
15:25 The President notes that the Second Republic has fulfilled many of its promises: “We resolved the fuel crisis, we resolved electricity shortages. After Hwange Units 7& 8, we are building more power stations and as we speak we no longer have load shedding.”
15:35 President Mnangagwa: In a short period of time we have grown our agriculture from a $3,8 billion industry to $8 billion. We transformed mining from $3,7 billion to over $12 billion using what we have in this country
15:37 President Mnangagwa: As Zimbabwean change your mindset and start producing locally. We should not rely on imports and I know our you people are talented and sharp, they are coming up with innovations to produce locally
15:40 In the upcoming elections vote opposition out of urban councils. They are running down our cities and towns
15:41 President Mnangagwa: The youth are our future. But that future will not be secure if our young people keep on taking drugs
President Mnangagwa: To our candidates, including those that lost in primaries I say remain united and work for the victory of the party as we approach elections
15:49 President Mnangagwa ends his address
15:52 Zanu Pf second Secretary Cde Kembo Mohadi, gives the vote of thanks
Bongani Ndlovu
Online Reporter