LIVE BLOG: Zanu PF Epworth Presidential Star Rally

11:04
We are at Epworth High School in Epworth where Zanu PF supporters have thronged for the Presidential Star Rally that is underway here

Popular dancehall artiste, DJ Fantan of ChillSpot Records is now on stage entertaining the early birds, as thousands of supporters are still making their way into the venue

11:20
WATCH: Sights and sounds from the Zanu PF Epworth Presidential Star Rally

11:30
The President and First Secretary of Zanu PF has arrived

People are singing the national anthem

Honourable Chikukwa is opening the event with a word of prayer

11:45
Master of ceremony, Political Commissar Cde Mike Bimha introduces members of the Politburo, among them First Secretary President Emmerson Mnangagwa, Second Secretary and Vice President Dr Constantino Chiwenga and national chairperson Cde Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri

Minister of Provincial Affairs and Devolution responsible for Harare Metropolitan Province Oliver Chidawu thanks President Mnangagwa for holding the Star Rally in Epworth

12:06
Cde Bimha introduces ZANU PF candidates contesting in the March 28 by-elections

12:29
Cde Bimha introduce members who joined Zanu PF from other political parties

Cde Chebundo, who was once in MDC but is now a full member of ZANU PF, says they will rally behind President Mnangagwa

More than 30 people who were in the national leadership of MDC have joined Zanu PF and are in attendance at the party’s star rally here in Epworth

12:49
Zanu PF national chairperson, Cde Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri, takes to the podium to introduce the presidium

12:57
Cde Muchinguri-Kashiri introduces Vice President Dr Constantino Chiwenga

1:00
Vice President Dr Constantino Chiwenga takes to the podium amid ululations from the crowds

Dr Chiwenga emphasises the notion that the country is built by its people – “Nyika inovakwa nevene vayo”

1:17
“The vision of the President is to make our country a Middle Income Economy by 2030”
“Vakapatsanura chirongwa che TSP (Transitional Stabilisation Programme) chakapera tavakufamba nechimwe chirongwa chekuti nyika iyende mberi che NDS1 (National Strategy Development 1),” says the Vice President

1:21
“Dams, schools, roads and airports are being built by the Second Republic led by President Mnangagwa. There has been an agricultural revolution in the country,” he says.
“Hatichadi masanganiswa ndapota mumatare edu ekutonga, masanganiswa kwete.
“Pamwedzi urikutevere unenge uribenzi ukaona uchivhotera councillor kana uchiona kuti mugwagwa wave dhamu
“Chavakudiwa apa ma comrades kubatana
“Musangano ndiwo mukuru, tese ngatifambe tiri mumusangano unoda kuvaka Zimbabwe
“Ngatitaurire vanhu vedu zvakanaka, hurongwa hwekuvaka Zimbabwe.”

1:25
Vice President Chiwenga introduces President Mnangagwa

1:26
President Mnangagwa takes to the podium amid ululations from the massive crowds

1:31
“Ndinotenda imi wekuEpworth nekuwanda kwamakaita uku
“Ndagutsikana kuti akamirira kuno atohwinha,” says President Mnangagwa.
“Ndanzwa kuti kwakamboita makakatanwa asi kana mumwe abudirira tobatana kuti tikunde

The President advises Cde Damson, who was contesting with Cde Makhari, to work together as one

“Ndirikukumbira kunevechidiki kuti kumhanya hakusi kusvika”

1:39
President Mnangagwa thanks the Epworth community for its support of Zanu PF

“You have demonstrated that nyika inovakwa nevene vayo,” he says

He adds that Zanu PF is pro-peace

“Musangano we Zanu PF haufarire matsotsi mu party. Musangano wedu unoda peace. Our structure of the party from cell kusvika kumusoro our DNA is peace.

“We say no to violence throughout”

1:41
President Mnangagwa said the Second Republic brought devolution so that local authorities get money to benefit people in their areas according to their specific needs.

“We have set aside $42,5 billion for devolution and each province will get at least $4,5 billion for provincial development.

He takes a swipe at corrupt local authorities that are being led by the opposition.

“Tichavabvisa kwete nedikita asi nema votes”

1:52
President Mnangagwa said Central Government has intervened to ensure adequate critical infrastructure

“Tapindira se Central Government. We are now working on roads, and a dam is also being built to provide water to the people of Harare
“We are determined as a people that we will build our country
“In the next two or three years we will have widened our roads pasina chikwereti”

2:03
President says Government is working on giving people in Epworth title deeds

2:12
He said the Pfumvudza/Intwasa model is helping to ensure food security in the country

2:17
President Mnangagwa highlights some of the developmental projects that the Government is implementing across the country

“We must leave this country better than we found it. Nyika inovakwa nevene vayo. In Mutoko we have come up with a tomatoes processing plant to help the community – the Royal Mutoko Plant
“In Mwenezi we identified “mapfura” and our science and technology guys are making alcohol from that factory. We have projects in Matabeleland South, village by village”

The President says a country needs its own currency

“Hapana nyika inosimuka isina mari yekwavo.

2:41
President Mnangagwa rounds off his address with Zanu PF slogans

He concludes and steps down from the podium

2:50
Cde Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri gives the vote of thanks